Power of Purity | Helping Men to Honor God with their Sexual Gift

MJ Denis is a specialist in the area of Betrayal Trauma... with the following credentials: LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor LMFT – Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist AASECT Certified Sex Therapist APSAT Certified Partner Trauma Specialist MJ's path has led her to specialize in areas involving sexual dysfunction, sexual betrayal, intimacy discrepancies and desire disorders. Her experience includes working as a mental health counselor, as an emergency hotline advocate, counseling patients experiencing sexual dysfunction, and helping individuals and couples work through the pain of betrayal, infidelity, and sex addiction for the Affair Recovery Center. MJ combines her experience as a sex therapist with her passion for helping couples learn to experience satisfying and healthy sexual relationships with their partners. As a Partner Trauma Specialist, she helps sex addicts and their partners learn about healthy sexuality and how to create intimacy in their relationships. MJ is trained in both ETT and EMDR. In this interview Tony and MJ discuss what Betrayal Trauma is... what it looks like... how it effects peoples... its profound implications... and what it takes to experience true and lasting healing. Tony wanted to interview MJ Denis for 2 primary reasons: (1) To inspire hope for those who are struggling with Betrayal Trauma... that genuine healing truly in possible. (2) To help us all understand the profound implications of Betrayal Trauma... in the hope that such understanding will help us to never perpetrate such trauma within the context of our own relationship.

George Carneal, author of "From Queer to Christ", grew up in the '70s, raised by a Southern Baptist minister in the ultra-conservative Bible belt. For years he struggled with his Christian faith and a same-sex attraction. George shares his painful journey through a secular world at odds with homosexuality, in addition to a religious world that is hostile to homosexuals. Perhaps sharing his journey through the eyes, and mind, of a confused child dealing with a same-sex attraction will give some insight into the pain and difficulty of navigating these two worlds. George would eventually spend 25 years immersed in the homosexual lifestyle (mostly in the Los Angeles club scene) and shares the pitfalls of that life. His story is not about glamorizing a life he once lived. Deliverance is possible. There is hope in Christ! George's story is not an attack on the LGBT or Christian communities, nor is his story a representation of what all LGBT individuals go through. This is merely his journey and what he learned along the way. George is a frequent speaker at churches and conferences, has worked with pastors who are struggling with how to address this issue, and has appeared on broadcasts including the Christian Television Network – Homekeepers program, World Net Daily, Stand In The Gap Today (American Pastors Network), Janet Mefferd Live, Christian Life Magazine 99.3 FM, Focus Today w/Perry Atkinson (TheDoveTV), News & Views with Gregory Howard, Soaring Eagle Radio,The Igniting a Nation Broadcasting Network, etc., as well as contributing quotes to online articles for LifeSite News and The Christian Post. www.georgecarneal.com

George Carneal, author of "From Queer to Christ", grew up in the '70s, raised by a Southern Baptist minister in the ultra-conservative Bible belt. For years he struggled with his Christian faith and a same-sex attraction. George shares his painful journey through a secular world at odds with homosexuality, in addition to a religious world that is hostile to homosexuals. Perhaps sharing his journey through the eyes, and mind, of a confused child dealing with a same-sex attraction will give some insight into the pain and difficulty of navigating these two worlds. George would eventually spend 25 years immersed in the homosexual lifestyle (mostly in the Los Angeles club scene) and shares the pitfalls of that life. His story is not about glamorizing a life he once lived. Deliverance is possible. There is hope in Christ! George's story is not an attack on the LGBT or Christian communities, nor is his story a representation of what all LGBT individuals go through. This is merely his journey and what he learned along the way. George is a frequent speaker at churches and conferences, has worked with pastors who are struggling with how to address this issue, and has appeared on broadcasts including the Christian Television Network – Homekeepers program, World Net Daily, Stand In The Gap Today (American Pastors Network), Janet Mefferd Live, Christian Life Magazine 99.3 FM, Focus Today w/Perry Atkinson (TheDoveTV), News & Views with Gregory Howard, Soaring Eagle Radio,The Igniting a Nation Broadcasting Network, etc., as well as contributing quotes to online articles for LifeSite News and The Christian Post. www.georgecarneal.com

George Carneal, author of "From Queer to Christ", grew up in the '70s, raised by a Southern Baptist minister in the ultra-conservative Bible belt. For years he struggled with his Christian faith and a same-sex attraction. George shares his painful journey through a secular world at odds with homosexuality, in addition to a religious world that is hostile to homosexuals. Perhaps sharing his journey through the eyes, and mind, of a confused child dealing with a same-sex attraction will give some insight into the pain and difficulty of navigating these two worlds. George would eventually spend 25 years immersed in the homosexual lifestyle (mostly in the Los Angeles club scene) and shares the pitfalls of that life. His story is not about glamorizing a life he once lived. Deliverance is possible. There is hope in Christ! George's story is not an attack on the LGBT or Christian communities, nor is his story a representation of what all LGBT individuals go through. This is merely his journey and what he learned along the way. George is a frequent speaker at churches and conferences, has worked with pastors who are struggling with how to address this issue, and has appeared on broadcasts including the Christian Television Network – Homekeepers program, World Net Daily, Stand In The Gap Today (American Pastors Network), Janet Mefferd Live, Christian Life Magazine 99.3 FM, Focus Today w/Perry Atkinson (TheDoveTV), News & Views with Gregory Howard, Soaring Eagle Radio,The Igniting a Nation Broadcasting Network, etc., as well as contributing quotes to online articles for LifeSite News and The Christian Post. www.georgecarneal.com

George Carneal, author of "From Queer to Christ", grew up in the '70s, raised by a Southern Baptist minister in the ultra-conservative Bible belt. For years he struggled with his Christian faith and a same-sex attraction. George shares his painful journey through a secular world at odds with homosexuality, in addition to a religious world that is hostile to homosexuals. Perhaps sharing his journey through the eyes, and mind, of a confused child dealing with a same-sex attraction will give some insight into the pain and difficulty of navigating these two worlds. George would eventually spend 25 years immersed in the homosexual lifestyle (mostly in the Los Angeles club scene) and shares the pitfalls of that life. His story is not about glamorizing a life he once lived. Deliverance is possible. There is hope in Christ! George's story is not an attack on the LGBT or Christian communities, nor is his story a representation of what all LGBT individuals go through. This is merely his journey and what he learned along the way. George is a frequent speaker at churches and conferences, has worked with pastors who are struggling with how to address this issue, and has appeared on broadcasts including the Christian Television Network – Homekeepers program, World Net Daily, Stand In The Gap Today (American Pastors Network), Janet Mefferd Live, Christian Life Magazine 99.3 FM, Focus Today w/Perry Atkinson (TheDoveTV), News & Views with Gregory Howard, Soaring Eagle Radio,The Igniting a Nation Broadcasting Network, etc., as well as contributing quotes to online articles for LifeSite News and The Christian Post. www.georgecarneal.com

A deep dive into the controversy around traditional Christian sexual teachings. Short explorations of core tenets like abstinence, virginity, and marital sexual ethics. A look at influential figures and how extreme interpretations shaped outrage. Discussion of complaints about promises of perfect marriage, bodily autonomy, and what scripture says about mutual responsibility in marriage.

Dive into the controversies surrounding purity culture and its impact on modern sexuality. The discussion addresses five major complaints, including the notion that girls bear responsibility for boys' behavior. Personal accountability is emphasized, grounding arguments in scripture. Misconceptions about modesty teachings and the fear of intimacy in marriage are tackled, revealing a deeper understanding of sexuality as a divine gift. The importance of rejecting harmful narratives about sex is highlighted, encouraging growth and healing in relationships.

The discussion explores the challenges of purity culture, focusing on its traditional teachings about sexuality as a divine gift. Insights are shared on why it's necessary to teach biblical standards to young people. The podcast delves into misunderstandings surrounding shame and how standards can lead to feelings of guilt. Using analogies like speed limits, it highlights that lawbreakers, not the laws, are the issue. The conversation also critiques calls to modify doctrine for comfort, emphasizing alignment with God's standards.

Explore the complex world of purity culture and its impact on individuals raised in Christian environments. Discover the metaphor of the 'no muscle' in resisting sexual temptation and the importance of practicing saying no. Delve into critiques against traditional teachings on sexuality, including the voices of prominent critics and the backlash against abstinence rituals. Learn about misconceptions in purity culture, the need to normalize sexual development, and how these discussions matter for contemporary faith communities.

As a teenager Ben Bennett was already struggling with many doubts about God... and depression. Then his grandfather took his own life, which pushed Ben even further away from God. In his attempt to manage all the pain and confusion he was feeling, Ben turned to pornography in the attempt to self-medicate... and then battled a porn addiction that would last for at least 10 years. It wasn't until 2013 that Jesus brought him to healing and lasting freedom through being counseled and mentored by Dr. Ted Roberts of Pure Desire, utilizing a Biblical and clinical approach to sexual addiction recovery. Ben worked with the campus ministry of Cru for several years, serving as the Mid-Atlantic Regional Coordinator for Cru's sexual addiction recovery groups, helping staff and students find true healing and freedom. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas and serves with Josh McDowell Ministry as an author and speaker, supporting the health and restoration of men and women struggling with porn and sexual brokenness. Ben is an author and speaker who is passionate about helping young men and women understand how to experience healing and freedom from porn use, sexual brokenness, and habitual sin. He co-authored Living Free with Dr. Ted Roberts of Pure Desire which is a year long porn addiction recovery curriculum for college age men. Another work he co-authored is Flesh, a 12 week online journey (available at Cru.org) which helps men understand the battle of sexual sin and it's underlying contributing factors. He is in the process of launching a new Cru ministry initiative with Christian apologist, author, and speaker Josh McDowell. This new ministry will serve the global church by equipping ministries, churches, and organizations to help individuals find true freedom from porn use and sexual brokenness as they encounter Jesus, healthy communities, and recovery solutions. Be blessed as you listen to Ben Bennett's powerful story! imlivingfree.com @benvbennett on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook