Hi All,
I find this discussion facinating, as I have faced many of these dillemas myself since finding God. I am a single mother to 3 children. I am recently divorced after experiencing domestic violence and even rape in my marraige. Through everything I had no God in my life - of course I know now that he was there, but I never let him in, never asked for his help. He was there, without my prays and he saved me.
I had sex before I was married. I spent a small proportion of my youth being promiscuous infact. I have recognised my sin, and asked God for forgiveness.
Musicalme - everyone can advise you as to what to do, but only you can truelly put that into practise. Just remember that Jesus loves you. He wants the best for you, and I would imagine because of that he would want you and whomever you love to make a lifelong commitment to eachother before you sacrifice your body to them. He loves you and wants the best for you. I will pray for you to be strong through your dilemmas.
Vaz - I feel for you a great deal. I remember when i lost my virginity it was a horrible and unnatural experience, not because of the pysical, but because i knew i wasnt doing it for love, i was doing it because it was a cool thing to do and because of propbelms in my homelife i wanted attension from men. I never thought of my body as sacred. Its something i regret more than anything now. Your friends one day will look back at the way they have behaved just like I have and be ashamed or have regrets. I dont know any blessed christian who focused their minds and emotional energies on their Lord and waited unitil they were married, who have regrets. Even if they are now divorced. They are proud of themselves that they waited and know that they did the right thing.
Christiancollegegirl - I understand that you must be worried about the first time, but dont be. It would be lovely if you found someone who is also a virgin so that you can share in that incredible experience together - he would especially understand, but I believe as long as you find someone who understands the will of the lord, he will be patient with you and understanding for the lord will help him. The lord will help you too.
None of us have the right answers, we just have to listen to our hearts and the will of Jesus.
God bless you all,
Sandy xx