Morning Cuppas With Glenys

Created for love

As women, we can often think that God has given us the rough end of a pineapple physically. We have to contend with pre-menstrual stress, periods and later on, pregnancy and childbirth and menopause. Even our first intercourse is often painful and we wonder if we had the power, if we would have preferred to have been born male.

But I don't think most of us realise that God loves womankind and has designed us to respond to a loving man with a sensitive organ that has no other place than to bring us pleasure in intercourse. Other than humans, no other mammal has one: a clitoris.

In the Song of Solomon, the Shulamite actually requests her Beloved to pleasure her so that her juices may flow out...His left hand is under my head, And his right hand embraces me. Song of Songs 2:6 Awake, O north wind, And come, O south! Blow upon my garden, That its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come to his garden And eat its pleasant fruits. Songs 4:1

The Shulamite is well aware of this gift of love from the LORD. Something that speaks to us of God's love for us and His plan for a happy marriage with His daughters elevated to more than mere sex objects.

This gift from the LORD is spoken of in many ancient texts and in Latin is known as "the little key" for it opens the pathway to a woman's heart. The French call it "Le petit penis" which is the little penis, so named because in the early fetal stage these two organs develop the same: the male nub growing into a penis and the female nub receding into the clitoris. Both comprised of the same sensitive tissue and nerve endings. Proof that intercourse is not meant to be pleasurable just for men.

It's interesting to note that in non Christian countries where a woman's place is mainly for begetting sons, the clitoris is either cut or fully removed. Supposedly to ensure a woman stays faithful and doesn't gain pleasure from intercourse. In fact, it's just further proof that Satan hates womankind and destroys everything that God says is good.

Married sex is so important in bonding couples that God has created an organ that enhances not only pleasure for women, but for the husbands who delight in pleasing them. This is so critical in building strong marriages and keeping families together.

Once we get over our embarrassment at reading about the clitoris, we can see that it is a gift to women from a God Who truly loves them.

His left hand is under my head, and his right hand embraces me. Song of Songs 8:3

Marriage, motherhood, home: a balancing act!

Every wise woman builds her house but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. I think the wise wife and mother realises that the whole family hinges on a good marriage. I think God, husband, children, home and church is a biblical approach to prioritising who comes first in your life. And as many a woman whose children have flown the nest will testify- if you haven’t nurtured your marriage during the child rearing years, you may very well end up being married to a stranger!

The sad fact is that we all grow and change throughout the years, so it is imperative that a wife make her husband number one during those years of child raising and keep her marriage alive and the intimacy (both physical and spiritual), fresh. Women who have devoted all their attention to their children and neglected their marriage can feel lost (even suicidal) when that focus is gone. And if it is further complicated by an empty marriage (shudder) A well-loved and respected husband usually makes a better and more confident father.

I think that if the husband is shown love and respect on a regular basis then he will not feel neglected when his wife has to look to the needs of his children before his own. Most men will not over react when their needs are temporarily put on hold whilst a baby is in need of feeding or changing or the children are fighting or in need of discipline or whatever. By making your husband number one after God, I believe it enhances a marriage and that in turn brings greater team-work in raising children.

There are obviously times when our children’s needs are more pressing than our husband’s, but if the wise woman has built her man up, and he knows he is King of his castle and has her heart, he usually understands that he may have to take a temporary back seat in her attentions. If the wife has torn her house down with neglecting her husband, being constantly unavailable or unaffectionate etc then it is highly likely that he will feel that he is not very important in her sight. He may even become bothered with feelings of guilt because he has jealous feelings towards his own children.

The whole business of child raising, marriage and homemaking is a balancing act which requires wisdom and prayer- and organization. I do feel too that sometimes children today are made a little too much of and I fear that we will reap the consequences of this in our own lives and in the next generation of adults. Balance is the key, I feel.

The wise woman will build her house by building up her husband, building her children up enough to make them confident adults but never to become the masters of the home. This is tearing your house down with your own hands. Build your home by seeking God’s divine order- Him, husband, children, house then church. By doing this, you will have a happy home and family and will be serving God as He purposes it. And you will reap the reward of a happy enduring marriage and well adjusted children.

‘Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Proverbs 31:29

How to have a calming home

Everyone desires to have a calming home. In order to have a calming home it is important to remember that Spirit pervades. A home can be peaceful and calming or the complete opposite depending on the temper of the people who live there.

The wife sets the temper of the home. What can be done in order to influence the temper of the home to achieve peace and calm?

Smile – it is amazing how a smiling face can relax people and help create a pleasing tone for those around you

Play soothing music- restful music, especially Christian worship or classical, can help create a calming atmosphere

Have the house smelling nice- it is a medical fact that nice smells create less tension (think aromatherapy and essential oils)

Beautiful touches- give the eye something aesthetically pleasing to look at

Low voices – keep voices low and do not allow yelling, shouting or rowdy behaviour

Have a sense of order- a well run home is usually a happy home.

Be clean- whilst some dirt is acceptable in daily living, too much certainly will irritate not only noses, but tempers

Resolve differences – try to resolve differences between people living in the house- nothing stops peace like hidden grievances

Guard against ungodly influences in the home- ban violent or ungodly TV programs and strictly monitor X-boxes, Nintendos and computer games. Police children’s rooms for unsuitable literature and music etc

Avoid people who cause discord- where possible, avoid inviting divisive people into the home- your home is your sanctuary, not a battle-field of explosive emotions.

Set boundaries- make sure your children and especially teens know what is acceptable behaviour in your home. Make house rules- and stick to them.

With a little thought, any home can be the sanctuary you crave. But like anything else that is worth having, it may take a lot of effort to make changes and be consistent with them. It is well to remember those homes you have been to where you felt peaceful and relaxed and focus on that as you make changes in your own.

He blesseth the habitation of the just. Proverbs 3:33b

Face of God?

As you know, I love collecting graphics and looking at artwork. Of course in my travels through the art world, I look at representations of faces Of God, especially of Jesus Christ. And as expected, there are literally thousands of images of artists' impressions of what He looks like. Frankly, it makes me a little uncomfortable.

I feel that if God wanted us to know with a surety what His Son looked like, He would have given us a description of Him in scripture. Whereas we know from scripture only that He was a normal man with no particular distinguishing or even handsome features. Certainly nothing that would cause envy among men or cause women to turn their heads. He was to all accounts, visually just a man with a beard.

Another thing that makes me uncomfortable is that in trying to capture the likeness of God, the viewer is limited to the imagination of the artist. Often this can lead to our own perceptions of the face of God being different, and we can either love or loathe the Christ represented.

Now, I know that in posting pictures of Christ, it will sometimes conflict with your idea of what He looked like: but we are limited to representing the Divine in human visible form through art and film. My favourite pictures of what is to me the representation of the Divine may conflict with yours.... it depends on my idea of what is attractive and manly and godly.

I have this painting in my entry hall because to me, this is most likely what Jesus would have looked like. Why do you not have others? you ask. Because they are not appealing to me. That is my point.

It is of no small significance that God in His Wisdom did not give us a detailed description of His Son in the scriptures. I believe that this was intentional. Knowing how fickle humans are, God knew that some would reject Christ based solely on the fact that He had a bulbous Jewish nose or that He was of a different skin tone or eye colour than what we fancied. If we doubt that we are fickle in this regard, we have only to think of Hollywood, cosmetic surgery, and designer babies!

No, obviously the outward appearance is not of great consequence to God, but the heart and spirit of a man are. And we find much about those qualities in relating to who Christ is in scripture. Finally, to all of us who love the LORD, the actual facial features are not that important: we love the Man and King of Kings regardless! Painting is Prince of Peace by Akiane painted at age eight

For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him. Isaiah 53:2

Tending to our spirit.

When reading the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:40, many people think that Jesus was rebuking Martha in a negative way. But I don't believe this is so. He in fact, was liberating her from her perfectionism and showing her that there is more to life than just the mundane.

You may recall that Martha was busy serving and preparing the evening meal, whereas Mary was simply enjoying listening to Jesus. Martha was doing an important job, as do we wives and mothers when we manage our households and serve our families. We all know that preparing three meals a day, washing and ironing, cleaning and tidying the house, as well as caring for those of our household- and even extended households sometimes, is mundane. But no one would suggest it wasn't important. So Jesus wasn't undermining its' importance, but He was saying that putting the things of the LORD first is a better way.....

Have you ever thought about how we can so easily get too involved with the practical aspects and lose out on the social and spiritual side? I often plan to make time for Bible reading, or playing with my grandchildren or spending time with Chris, only to find that I have found something else to do. I need to prioritise my life. So, we must look at the Titus 2 order of priorities- love God, love your husband, love your children, then be a worker at home! This layout of priorities also emphasises the importance that our husbands be our first priority after God! That means my children are second to the needs of my husband. To clarify- that does not mean if a child is crying or needs something that we don't attend to them. It means we defer to our husband and put his wishes before our children's.

Often times we get so busy serving our husbands and children that we overlook enjoying them! Take time to enjoy the other important things in life, your children: they will grow up fast, and this season will be short! Leave the household chores that aren’t urgent to the childrens’ nap times, and spend time enjoying them while they are awake! Make time for your husband. He will be happier for it, you will feel more fulfilled and your children will have a happier home life because you have a good marriage!

And remember to spend time with God, for He is our firm foundation. God wants us to enjoy our life. Let us then be balanced and live under His Umbrella of Protection. For in Gods' Divine Order, we will find the balance we need for the other important things.We need to tend to the mundane things like housework, but we see that Jesus says it's important to tend to our spirit too.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. Luke 10:40

Silent wings

As you probably know, Chris and I have been married before. He was deserted as she went with her boss, and I was severely abused. The emotional pain of separation took its' toll on us, especially as they both were long marriages..

We never really achieved true bonding with our first spouses (because they didn't love us), but twenty-one years after our marrying, we are still amazed at the depth of intimacy in our marriage. We guard our marriage and both of us believe it is our first priority after God...

Our marriage must be our first priority after God for like any relationship, they can slowly die off if not tended. It is like air from a tyre: a slow leak can eventually do as much damage as a blow out!

We love a particular song by Tina Turner called On Silent Wings. It describes exactly what can happen in a marriage that is not tended... We never want to find ourselves in a loveless marriage again and we purposely cultivate intimacy- and I am not talking only of sex, even though that is important to enhance it. I am talking of spiritual bonding, cleaving and longing for each other... the hallmark of a successful marriage...

Becoming one is God's plan for marriage, and cleaving to each other is critical to its' survival. Today with so many things pulling us away from home, it is easy to become complacent about our marriage and eventually it can fizzle out.

"Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband." Ephesians 5:33

Of all things in this world, attending to our marriage is critical. It deserves our best effort because not only has God ordained it, but our family and home depend on it. Marriage is the foundation of civilisation .... let's make sure ours is a good one with no silent wings...

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:24

Motherhood is under attack

I believe that there is an attack on motherhood today. Children generally aren't highly regarded in our society, especially infants. In the past motherhood has been elevated to almost a Madonna type worship, but todays' society shows that there is a decline in our view of mothers and children...

Whilst waiting to see a doctor today, a young mother came in with a baby girl about 3 months old. Baby was obviously unwell and was crying loudly. Mother sat down with Baby over her shoulder, patting her back, but Baby was not going to be consoled. Soon Mother was as flushed looking as her crying infant, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

As I looked around me, I noticed that several patients were glaring at the poor mother. From the receptionists to a man who was reading a paper. He kept looking over the top of the paper with a look of annoyance, and now and then tutted...sensing their disapproval, the mother got up and walked around the waiting room a bit... but Baby still cried.

I understand that the patients waiting to see their doctor were probably ill and the weather was extremely hot: 40C or 104F but to be so obviously upset at a sick infant and her poor mother is not right! Children aren't valued by some and neither is motherhood!

A friend of ours went to England with his little toddler son. Going on the Tube railway with his sons' stroller, he was shocked at the lack of manners and inconsiderate reactions of fellow passengers.... after all our friend had as much of a right to use the Tube as they did. But again, the obvious resentment of children was there.

When I was first married to Chris, I used to work outside of the home for a bit to save a deposit for a home. I had to travel to Melbourne by train and tram each day and once again I saw the inconsiderate attitude fellow travelers had to pregnant women and women with prams.

Extremely pregnant women weren't offered a seat and people almost hissed at women struggling to get in a tram or train with a pram or children. And little children clung for dear life on the trams seats, almost falling over with every rock of a changed track..... no one offered a seat or a hand to hang on to...

I know I am showing my age when I say, "In my day....." but truly, in my day, when I was having children, people were more considerate of those with young- either unborn or in tow. There was a different attitude towards the pregnant woman, and she was generally considered worthy of enough respect to be offered a seat on a train or tram...

It shouldn't come as any surprise really, because motherhood is under attack today. And the effects of that attack are more far-reaching than just not getting a seat on public transport. The effects start at conception with often derogatory remarks on the announcement of another pregnancy and filter through to aid a decision or "choice" to abort that pregnancy.

Instead of congratulations, the new parents-to-be are often bombarded with concerned people asking how this pregnancy will affect their lifestyle or career chances. And thereby they cast a pall over what should be a happy time. One should not have to defend the decision to have a child, but most of us find we are doing just that when we announce our pregnancy...

Motherhood is under attack by a society that has lost the joy of procreation and child rearing. Our babies are inconveniences, our children are pests. There is a shocking increase worldwide of child abuse- and in a world of materialism, hedonism and godlessness, we need not be surprised.... We are becoming very adept at attacking and eradicating all things that God has said are good!

'Lo children are an heritage from the LORD and the fruit of the womb is His reward.' Psalm 127:3

Ode to my unborn child

O child of mine as yet unborn your presence fills my heart with joy-

Each movement assures me of your life within the confines of my womb...

At day I proudly watch the swell of growth that heralds your impending birth-

In dreams your features are so perfect; filling my heart with love and longing...

O count the days till I will hold you nestled closely at my breast-

Hear the heart that beats for you,dear- it yours now till I draw no breath..

'Lo children are an heritage from the LORD and the fruit of the womb is His reward.' Psalm 127:3

A home nurtures a woman

Many a woman can testify to the way her home ministers its comfort to her when she comes home after a day's shopping or visiting. Or for the working woman, when she comes home from a day's work. It is not unusual for a woman to come home during her lunch break, taking most of her break up in travelling, yet ministered to so deeply by the comfort of being home that she just spends 10 minutes there before returning to work.

This is how God has ordained a home to be... He says that a home should be a peaceful place, and a place of quiet rest. Obviously, it is not always possible to have a quiet home, but what is meant here is a place of peace that quiets the nerves and soul and that is set apart as an oasis of calm in an often turbulent world...

And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places; Isaiah 32:18

Focusing on the moment

We live in a world which is fraught with anxiety which not only robs us of our peace, but promotes panic attacks. This debilitates us and robs us further of time used profitably. It can be a personal hell on earth.

Years ago, when I had panic attacks, a friend who was a pastor's wife and I were discussing things along that line over a cup of tea. She said in all honesty, she had no answers to if we are alone in the Universe and so on. But what she said next made me think.

She said that she won't allow herself to dwell on useless questions because she doesn't want to be distracted from what Christ has for her to do. She suggested that I stay close to the LORD and bring my thoughts into the captivity of Christ.

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5

I followed her advice and was able to overcome my panic attacks. I stopped having the TV on all day with sad world events 24/7. When Chris watched a documentary or video on conspiracy theories, he listened to them with his headphones on. I threw myself into my home making and cuddled up with Chris more often. I made myself dwell on my life verse in Philippians 4:8 and only concentrated on what I knew was good:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

There is still beauty in the world and there is peace in trusting God and His Word. Like me, if you are fearful, take steps to avoid watching or listening to things that open up questions and rob you of your peace.

Play Christian music, read the Word and pray. Make your home more pleasant and hug your husband and children. Know that Christ is in control and is on your side. We have His protection: He has our back no matter what those answers are: He is Who He is: the I Am

So if you worry about world events and conspiracy theories, lay it all at Jesus's feet. Dwell on how you can best serve the LORD. Don't let troubling thoughts rob you of your joy. Peace will come back to you like it did for me. Life will be better by focusing on the moment.

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7

Feminism has burst our bubble

When I was a young woman feminism was just rearing its ugly head. It swept through womankind in the Western world and excited them as they plowed through piles of ironing and household chores. It promised liberation from drudgery and new freedom in the world outside the home.

No longer was it acceptable to be a home maker, serving our husband and family, but it denigrated us women, making us appear as mindless creatures who couldn't think for ourselves. We women, happy to bear and raise our children, were despised and even pitied.

It became easier to have an abortion and with the advent of The Pill, the reproductive cycle of womankind was controlled. Fornication, adultery and promiscuity became the norm with women often becoming the more sexually aggressive of the sexes. With these changes and with the ensuing disrespect for their husbands, no fault divorce was made law and many many marriages failed.

Young girls were not shown home making skills but were taught to study hard and go to university and have a career. Many found to their dismay later in life, that they didn't know how to run a home or cook. The newest generation became latch key children and often came home to an empty house.

Feminism was touted as a woman's right, along with having a career and not having children later on if they even married. And like many feminists, many found that by the time they were ready for children, that they were unable to conceive.

Feminism for the most part, has been successful. The woman who longs to be a wife and mother and not work outside the home is treated contemptuously by society in general, even in church circles. She often is made to feel inferior every time the question is asked as to what she does for a living. Apparently, being a woman who works hard in her home is nothing warranting praise.

For the woman who wants to have a lot of children, there is nothing but raised eyebrows and smart comments when they find out another child is expected. It is a common thing today to be ousted from society because one does not follow the world's way but delights in being a Proverbs 31 wife.

However, there is now a draw back to feminism, with many women wanting to be stay at home wives and mothers, but such is the thrust of feminism that many husbands do not want their wives to give up work. Women are therefore stuck in the rut that feminism has created for them.

Pregnancy is often something that women are made to curtail or postpone because of their career, and the longing to have a child is often suppressed with a great burden of guilt to boot.

Feminism goes against God's Divine Order and His plan for biblical womanhood. It has done a lot of harm to women, marriage and families and has made women ill from trying to keep it all together.

Far from the freedom that they strove for, feminism has created a bondage for women and actually limits their potential. There is no way back for society generally and there's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Feminism has burst our bubble.

Isaiah 3:11-13 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.

Don't feel guilty for being a woman

As a friend of mine said, women are made to feel so guilty for being women- wanting to marry, stay home and keep house and mother our children! We have nothing to thank the feminist movement for. .. our identity as women has been trampled on and we who wish to stay at home have had that dream sullied by strident women who have penis envy!

We women are created to nurture. It is in our nature to pick up a dolly and embrace her from the time we can grasp her and bring her to our chest and lips... it is entirely natural for us to offer that dolly sustenance from a toy bottle or even our breast, in imitation of our mothers feeding younger siblings...

How many of us have received a cup of tea from tiny teacups, sipping it slowly to delight our little hostesses who are still too young to be entrusted with real teapots and teacups? Or watched the toddler girl trying to tuck her baby into her tiny dolly's pram, covering its head completely and far too young to really tuck her in? -yet her tenderness and concern is charming to watch...

Now the feminists try to tell us that we are responsible for training our daughters to become servile, and meek and weak, forcing them into a life of subservience that thwarts their potential both personally and financially. It is easy to see that the majority of these feminists have not mothered sons who will toddle up to a dolly and proceed to poke at her eyes and twist her joints and disrobe her in an attempt to see how she works... his interest is one of inquisitiveness.... he too is doing what comes naturally to him. Working things out in a practical way...

Feminists have been instrumental in promoting contraception and abortion on demand. They have stolen a lot of women's dreams of being mothers and have often lied to them about consequences that they say are detrimental to them- mostly career achievements that in the end leave them with empty arms and ashes in their mouth.

Even the married woman is convinced that her desire to be a mother is misplaced, especially if her desire is for a large family, and sadly even in some churches, this is seen to be an ambition that is frowned upon. Yet God Himself has placed the desire to bear children and to bring children up, in our hearts. Yet many feel guilty that they have these desires.... desires which are God given and good.

What God considers of great importance, creating a happy home for the raising of children unto Him, with the blessing of marriage and a committed father, is being destroyed by feminists who are often self-proclaimed lesbian man-haters... women who see marriage as a male invention of tyranny and control, and pregnancy as the undesirable biological entrapment of their gender...

From an early age a little girl will often be fascinated by brides and all the trimmings of a wedding, and again this is natural. Yet feminists have now managed to influence girls to delay getting married or to cohabit without expecting or even wanting to be married, and again we find the women of today who secretly long to be married feeling guilty for desiring something that really is their birthright as women. Feminism has taken away that which is precious to our identity as women- being a wife and enjoying the security and esteem that being married brings to a woman who loves her man...

Whilst some feminists did marry and have children, most divorced as their feminist ways weren't conducive to a happy marriage. Still others cohabited but remained voluntarily childless... many took lesbian lovers..

Now not everyone is called to be married and mothers, but these feminist women have so trampled on our natural identity as women that young women and girls are feeling guilty for being women! They are so confused with what they want in life that they are not only guilty that they want marriage, home and children but that they are also afraid. They are often forced to excel at school and university in order to provide for themselves, and are often in the position of finding out that even though they do now want marriage and motherhood, that they have left their run too late.

Thanks to feminism making women guilty and afraid of their womanhood, many women who in the natural scheme of things, should already be wives and mothers, are doomed to remain single. Or, hearing the biological clock ticking, they find their only option to at least become mothers limited to a one night stand or artificial insemination.... hardly ideal for the foundation of a new family...

I know this is true because I have an acquaintance who has fallen for the feminists' lies and who now has found herself in exactly that position.... we are waiting to see how she approaches being childless, which reportedly happened to Germaine Greer after she discovered she did in fact want a child but was unable to have one....

All this feminist clap-trap has done nothing for womankind but heap coals of fire on young women's heads. What should be a natural God-given course of life for a woman has been thwarted and defiled... Countless women have actually become victims of feminists' lies and are destined to live out lonely sad lives... lives rich in worldly possessions but poor in those things of eternal value.

I am sorry for the young women today who feel guilty for being a woman.... I pray that they will come to realise that they are victims of feminist women who tried to liberate them from the good things God had for them, but who instead bound them up in chains of regret and longings that they will have to endure for the rest of their lonely lives...

Please ladies, don't let feminists make you feel guilty for being a woman...

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3