“Should I give my child an allowance?” asked the woman behind the counter. Her question caught me off guard; it’s not a typical question for strangers to discuss. An allowance is a regular parenting topic that we all address at one time or another. Many of us have pondered what role if any should allowance play in teaching our children financial responsibility. (more…)
Last week we talked about how to be a friend when your friend has a special needs child. This week, I want to turn the table and encourage all of us who have friends who don’t share our same experiences. Friends or family who may not understand our child’s behavior, beeping machines, medical terminology, or crazy schedules. Grab yourself your favorite beverage and let’s talk about, how to be a friend when your friend doesn’t have a child with special needs. (more…)
I sit listening to the giggles and imagination play from across the room. My granddaughter, Miss Emmy, and Danny Boy (my youngest son who has special needs) are playing. I can hear the exchange of ideas between the two of them. As I peek around my desk, I see Emmy pick up a toy Danny dropped and hand it back to him, without skipping a beat in her conversation. Danny continues to play as well; it’s as if they both are oblivious to the inconvenience of Danny’s limitations. (more…)
As a mom of children who are several years apart, I’ve discovered it’s easy to forget that the younger child hasn’t experienced a special memory that the older children did. I have to remember this with story time too. I will forget that while I may have read this book four times, Danny Boy’s never heard of it. (more…)
Special needs parenting is messy. You can have it all together one moment, be on top of all the appointments, changes in medication, activity schedule, insurance issues and then… BAM! You discover you’re not on top of any of it. As a special needs mom, I’m baffled by this reality. I can’t imagine what people around me must think. As I was pondering this situation tonight I thought, “I wish everyone knew…” (more…)
We’ve been talking about Intimacy in the Christian and How then should we behave. As I started this series, it was vital for me to answer the most common questions I get asked. Today, I am addressing an aspect that can be uncomfortable to discuss yet puts a strain on many Christian Marriages. Today’s topic: Pornography.
Remember when we discussed how we should behave, and I mentioned that we were to put 1 Peter 2:9 into action? Let’s examine this verse again.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;
Pornography has no part in the Christian Marriage. Let us be aware and alert, pornography is part of the darkness spoken of in this passage.
Pornography will undermine the foundation of your marriage. Remember, Proverbs 19:14? A prudent wife is from the Lord. Let’s take a look at the definition of prudent, “acting with or showing care and thought for the future.” We must consider what we are allowing in this area of intimacy.
When I talk to women about this subject, finding common ground on the devastating impact of pornography isn’t the issue. The issue most often comes down to the fact that either the husband or the wife (Yes, wives struggle in this area too!) are struggling with the shame and addiction of pornography. It has impacted their relationship to such a depth that often the very foundation of their marriage is crumbling!
Many times they know that what they are doing is not shewing “forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;” Yet, they are unclear how to develop thoughts that are Biblically accurate.
First, let me say that if it is your spouse that struggles in this area, there is Hope!
God reminds us that all sin leads to death. You can pray for your spouse and this issue of pornography just like you would want your spouse to pray for your struggle with gossip, slothfulness, or not honoring your parents.
Secondly, I would encourage you to show respect for your husband while you remain pure in your conduct. Even unsaved husbands can be won to the Lord, not by our words, but by our behavior. We have a great responsibility to the Lord for how we behave!
1 Peter 3:1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct
Lastly, I want to encourage you to be patient. Overcoming sin in our lives can take time. It’s God that does the restoration work. We know we can’t do anything good on our own. It is God alone that will complete the good work that He has begun. We must be confident in His ability and His timing!
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
I know that in the midst of the struggle, our confidence can tire. Often these personal struggles remain unspoken until they have taken a toll on the marriage altogether. Don’t isolate yourself!
Hear me clearly, “Do not let the shame of sin keep you from overcoming sin!”
You are not alone!! Dear friend, do not grow weary in well doing! Get connected with women who will support you to love your husband in a way that shews forth His praises.
Do you have specific questions about this topic? Then take a moment to jot me a note. I would love to hear from you and answer questions as the Lord leads.
Because of His Love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
Last week we started our series, Intimacy in the Christian Marriage. I am writing this series as one Sister to another. I am confident that we could discuss the husband’s vital role in marriage, but I’ll leave that for someone else to do. (more…)
Intimacy in the Christian marriage must be a subject I get asked about most. There’s a good reason for that. It is such a vital aspect of marriage and yet, the “older women” who were to teach the younger women how to love their husbands, and children have remained silent on the topic. Their silence has caused many to seek council apart from those that know Truth. We need to step up and help in this area. No matter how “old” we are, we are probably an “older” woman to someone.
So let’s see if I can help bring our attention back to Truth for the answers on intimacy in the Christian marriage.
There are so many personal factors that go into a subject like this. It usually’s best as a conversation one on one with each other. I will have to answer “generally” and pray that God uses this post to help you experience the beauty of intimacy that He created!
God cares deeply about His people experiencing the pleasure of intimacy between husband and wife.
We were created to glorify God, and while it may seem odd to some or uncomfortable at first, we most definitely can glorify God in the marriage bed.
So, what does God have to say on this subject? How do we glorify Him in this area of our lives?
God has plenty to say!
It all started in Genesis!
Genesis 1: 27-28 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ge 1:27–28). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.
The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ge 2:18). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
Intimacy in the Christian Marriage is not merely a physical act. It’s about a spiritual and emotional connection as well!
God established the union of marriage between a man and woman from the very beginning. It is God’s plan for one man and one woman to be joined in marriage. This marriage is the establishment of a family unit in which children will be born and raised for His glory. However, that wasn’t his only purpose of creating this union! If you examine Scripture, you’ll see that God provides comfort through intimacy in marriage (Isaac comforted by Rebekah. Genesis 24:67). Other passages talk to us about the delight of intimacy (Song of Solomon 7:6-12), and others warn us of neglecting this area of our marriage.
1 Corinthians 7:5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency
The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., 1 Co 7:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
God created us to “know” each other through this intimate act of marriage on a regular basis. So then, how does it become something beautiful and Holy when the World seems to have made it merely an act of human instinct with no rules, no boundaries, and its only purpose is self-satisfaction?
Friends intimacy becomes a Holy experience only when we direct our hearts to God. Yes, even thru the intimate moments between husband and wife.
When we turn off the lights, we don’t turn off our faith.
I have spoken to far too many women who have neglected this Truth in their marriage. For one reason or another, they find themselves incorporating the World’s ideas in their bedroom only to see themselves heartbroken and their marriages falling apart. Friends, we must allow God to rule our hearts and thoughts especially within the intimacy of our marriages.
Boy, there’s a lot for us to talk about on this topic isn’t there?! Make sure you send your specific questions to me, and I will include them anonymously in this series.
Are these a few of the questions you’ve had? Do you have other questions? Make sure you send me a message, and I will try to include your question in our series as well.
Join me for Intimacy in the Christian Marriage Part 2 on Monday.
With much love,
Mrs. Joseph Wood
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