Speaking to you as someone who's struggled, at times, with his faith and his urges as a man, I believe I have a unique perspective on how the two fit together.

Naturally, we strive to remain true in our beliefs. For some Christian men, it is vital that their experience of love stay within the boundaries of their church.

One of those boundaries is that sex should only happen once married.

I don't judge this tenant. Some people choose to follow it. I believe this is just as valid as the people who choose not to follow it.

Ancient philosophy informs us that partaking of sex with one another mingles a piece of our soul with the other and then continues with us forever.

The doctrine to keep your virginity for your wife is a wise one, when you consider this in some respect.

This can present a challenge for men who strive to remain strong in their faith.

To enable yourself to continue attracting a woman, while fostering a relationship as you wait for marriage is achievable, however, you must take note of a few perspectives.

Sex is important after all, since marriage to someone sexually incompatible is a difficult union for anyone.

Here is some advice I've come up with specifically for men who face this issue of romance vs. faith.

1. Refine your beliefs

Faith guides us throughout our lifetime, is essential that you are clear in where you place your faith and beliefs.

God gave us free will and the ability to think and reason. It is up to us to look at all our options and decide what path to take. You may believe in some of what the Church teaches, but not all. Or, you may embrace all of the Church's teachings.

You must refine and clarify your beliefs and then stick to them, no matter your choices.

2. Trust in the plan God has for you.

You must trust in the fact that there is a woman out there you are meant to be with, and God has a plan to unite you with her.

Keep in mind, you have to do your part too, since there is only so much that he can do. You have free will and must take action to capture the opportunities presented to you.

That means we must be proactive in finding the right woman for us.

Going out and meeting women, taking them on dates, getting to know them - this is not just stuff that happens. We have to MAKE it happen. And it is our actions which keep us on the path God has set out for us, because our actions are based on what we believe.

3. Know that Virginity is not mystical or precious.

You must understand that sex is a natural act, such as walking, talking and taking in air; it is something that we do. Sometimes the way some individuals consider virginity is confusing and unbalanced.

Man was meant to be fruitful and multiply. Sex is one of the greatest gifts we have from God. It is pleasurable because he meant for us to have sex.

So to look at your virginity as something sacred is not helpful. Virginity is meant to be lost - the real challenge is finding the right person to lose it to!

Sex has a spiritual aspect of course, since it is an aspect of finding the woman who makes you feel so very alive, whole and loved. The spiritual aspect of sex is different from the act of sex, since it touches you within a deeper level.

Striving to achieve this type of closeness before marriage is most helpful in determining whether your physical aspects are in tune with a woman.

Intimacy with women is nothing to be afraid of, hugging, touching and kissing are natural urges and reactions. Nevertheless, true intimacy comes for sharing your hopes and dreams with each other while staring deeply into each others eyes.

4. Women are real people with no need of a pedestal.

You might be tempted to place a woman on a pedestal when your faith places sex as so important.

Perhaps you consider her a goddess, a delicate flower, something you should cherish and treat special.

But women are no different from me. God cut us both from the same cloth. To treat a woman as though she is special, just because you are sexually attracted to her, is not the same as respecting her.

Loving an ideal is easy, although it is difficult at times to love reality. Remember women too get cranky when hungry, awakens with morning breath and asks you to take out the garbage. This is reality.

Being human, we share similar characteristics. We must learn to love the reality of women rather than idealizing them.

When we see girls as people, just like us, we are able to get a clearer picture of whether or not we are meant to be with them.