Let the Walls Fall

Let the Walls Fall

Vulnerable: To be exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.

In order to fully love and be loved we must be vulnerable. This should be the same kind of vulnerable love we have with our children. A marriage with no protective walls up will be the one that flourishes.

Risk getting hurt by having no walls up with the love you give and receive with your spouse. It is scary at first, it will be out of your comfort zone, it can also be embarrassing; but don’t quit! Tell him in advance, “I’m trying something new, a challenge, please help me take this plunge.”

“O my dove,… let me see your face, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.”  Song of Solomon 2:14

www.titus2women.org

Summer of Sizzle

Home Fires Burning on Low?

by Amy Gentry

“I am my lover’s,
and he claims me as his own.
¹¹ Come, my love, let us go out to the fields
and spend the night among the wildflowers.
¹² Let us get up early and go to the vineyards
to see if the grapevines have budded,
if the blossoms have opened,
and if the pomegranates have bloomed.
There I will give you my love.
¹³ There the mandrakes give off their fragrance,
and the finest fruits are at our door,
new delights as well as old,
which I have saved for you, my lover.”

Song of Solomon 7:10-13

I wonder if the Shulamite woman in the Song of Solomon was pregnant, post-partum, worked all day around Solomon’s palace chasing a harems worth of children, up late preparing the home school lessons for Solomon’s sons.  Or maybe even menopausal.  In Song of Solomon 7:10-13, she was not in an “Ok, Let’s get this over with” mindset.  She was active, excited, engaged and ready.  Whatever her stage in life – she was ready and willing. 

But what if the home fires were burning on low?  “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure…” Hebrews 13:4a  You can defile the marital bed by not honoring your physical relationship.  So much of a woman’s sexual experience takes place in her mind. If your fire is burning on low – take stock of why.  Do you need to forgive and forget a matter in your marriage?  You may need to just draw a line in the sand and start fresh.

 The Book Ends: Post-Partum to Menopause

Commonly these times are filled with the psychological effects of low libido due to self-consciousness resulting from the changes within your own body.  But sometimes this limited libido can be a result from the biochemical changes within your body.

FIRST- TELL YOUR HUSBAND ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS.
THEN- Speak to your doctor about any adverse effects on your body due to these hormonal seasons.
REMEMBER- Do not become frustrated with yourself – just keep moving forward through this whole time.

JUST DON’T THROW IN THE TOWEL – unless it is to strip the towel off to take a shower with your beloved. 

 

“There I will give you my love” Song of Solomon 7:12

Retro Wednesday

Retro Wednesday

4th of July Trifle

Here is what you need:

*Pint of Strawberries

*Pint of Blueberries

*Loaf of Sara Lee Pound Cake

*Star cookie cutter

*Cool Whip

*Vanilla Pudding

Mix the vanilla pudding with 2 cups cold milk for about 2 minutes.

Fold in Cool Whip and mix well. Cut your pound cake. Layer your ingredients. Enjoy!!!

2 Cute Tuesday - Spa Bucket Giveaway

The Relaxation Shower Spa

Song of Solomon – Summer of Sizzle

Week 4 – Bring on the Sizzle

Win This Spa Bucket!

Share this 2 Cute Tuesday post on your Facebook Page for a chance to win this Spa Bucket. (let us know about it by liking this post)  An assortment of all-natural, cruelty-free body products from the well-known company Kiss My Face. Winner will be announced on Monday, July 1^st.

An excellent way to prepare yourself for intimate time with your spouse is to take a relaxing “Spa Shower”.  Treat yourself to a sensory sensation by organizing all of your super special spa treatments in one area for quick access.

Ladies, join our Song of Solomon – Summer of Sizzle group by visiting: https://www.facebook.com/groups/t2wsos/

Topics coming up include:

          Week 4 – Bring on the Sizzle!!!

          Week 5 – Your Needs

          Week 6 – Jealousy/Fear/Confidence/Trust/Love

          Week 7 – Friendship – Make it Fun

          Week 8 – Praise Him / Serve Him

          Week 9 – Capture His Heart

          Week 10 – Love that Lasts a Lifetime

Join us for the Fun Stuff, weekly challenges to do for or with your husband and discuss your questions and suggestions with the group members. We can all learn something new from our Sisters in Christ.

Song of Solomon - Summer of Sizzle

Bible Study Week Four –

Bring on the SIZZLE

By Carri Pratt

“There I will give you my love.” Song of Solomon 7:12

This week read:  Song of Solomon 7:10 – 7:13

The Shulammite woman makes a bold move this week by inviting her lover on a romantic getaway.

Being assertive and making the first move is definitely easier for some than others.  However, we can all make an effort to let our husbands know that we desire them.

In verse 7:11 the Shulamite woman suggests a very romantic setting “among the henna blossoms.”  You can practically smell the sweet air.

She wants to explore with him and make new discoveries.  Her desire is for them to find out if the vine has budded, if the blossom has opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom.

In verse 7:13 the Shulamite woman displays her ability to set the mood as she makes specific reference to the mandrakes which are an ancient aphrodisiac, it means “Love Plant” in the Jewish Scriptures (Wikipedia)–

“The mandrakes send out their fragrance,
    and at our door is every delicacy,
both new and old,
    that I have stored up for you, my beloved.”

Song of Solomon 7:13

This is such a powerfully seductive message being conveyed to her spouse to let him know the depth to which she desires him.  We can view this as an example God provides for us to make known our desires for our own husbands.

I must say it is rather fun to watch a chick flick or read a romance novel, but nothing compares to the real thing!  I personally can become a bit consumed with the characters and circumstances of that perfect romantic moment on screen, but I have to remind myself, this is all made up in Hollywood.

Movie makers know that men are more visual and fantasize through images. They also know that women are more relational and fantasize through their emotions.  They purposely create films that are referred to as, “women’s soft-porn” to lure us in.  We must be careful not to allow ourselves to be overcome by this tactic.  It can very easily lead to discontentment in our relationship and leave an empty space in our hearts and an unrealistic desire in our souls.

Fortunately I remember that I have a wonderful husband in the next room and together we can make our own romantic moments. The perfect man does not exist, but the “Ideal Man” does.

 Click here for this week's printable

THE FUN STUFF…

Weekly Challenge

This week there is just one challenge…

Plan a special night of romance in your own home, but away from the master bedroom.  Invite your man to make new discoveries with you.

10 Ideas for an in-home romantic getaway:

1.      Sitting by the fire pit on the back patio

2.      Candle lit living room

3.      A moonlit swim in the pool

4.      A getaway tent in the backyard

5.      Relaxing Jacuzzi time with soft music

6.      Dancing in the den

7.      Playing games in the Game Room

8.      On a bear skin rug next to the fireplace

9.      A bubble bath for two

10.        A yummy picnic in the dining room

Please join us for this week’s survey question and discussion:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/t2wsos/

if you are not a current member, please simply request an invitation.

Coming up:

2 Cute Tuesday – Salon Basket Giveaway

Thursday Article by Amy Gentry

Contributions by Rev. Erika L. Takacs, Associate Rector,

Saint Mark’s Church, Philadelphia, PA