Recap of 8/18/13:

1.  God designed the physical relationship in marriage to build intimacy, instead it often builds distance, becomes a battleground.

2.  In 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Paul (under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit) warns married couples to not withhold their bodies from each other except in rare instances and then only for prayer.  To violate this instruction is to invite Satan’s destructive work into a marriage.

3.  From His Needs, Her Needs by Williard Harley:

-Harley’s First Law of Marriage:  When it comes to sex and affection, you can’t have one without the other!

-Harley’s First Corollary: The typical wife doesn’t understand her husband’s deep need for sex any more than the typical husband understands his wife’s deep need for affection.

-Affection and appreciation issues are at the heart of many conflicts for women.  It is the often unspoken drive that underlies many marital conflicts for her.  Can produce bitterness and resentment.

-Sexual issues are at the heart of many conflicts for men.  The sex drive is a very potent force for a man.  It is the often unspoken drive that underlies many marital conflicts for him.  Can produce jealousy and resentment.

-Men consider lack of sexual attention by their wives as rejection and apathy toward their deepest needs in the same way women consider lack of affection and tenderness as rejection and apathy toward their deepest needs.

-Without overly romanticizing sex for women or eroticizing it for men: Women appreciate and respond more readily to romance, kindness, and affection as a prelude to sex.  Men are ready without a romantic prelude but want the total involvement of their wives, not just a cooperative body.