intimacy

privacy hotel door tag

The Prevarication of Privacy – Part 2

"Privacy" is highly valued, but is it highly valuable? We've seen how the family unit breaks down under all the efforts to keep a personal sense of privacy, even in that relational context. This was not always the way. In most of the past, marriage, childbearing, and the broader social dynamic were far more intimate. They lived life together. [...]

by

Family - the Need for Platonic Intimacy

Family – the Need for Platonic Intimacy

Merriam-Webster lists eight distinct definitions for “family”, and five of the eight relate specifically to people. It’s not a simple concept in denotative [...]

by

fields of lavender

One Date Changed Everything – The Bedroom

The lavender fog had followed us into the bedroom. I hadn’t been here since I filled a duffle bag with clothes and moved out. The unnatural tragedy of that day still [...]

by

Raya from the Song of Songs

Raya’s Dance – Analysis and Conclusion

This story depicts a culture drastically different from modern America and much of the Western world. It tells of a people with social stigmas and taboos that almost seem an [...]

by

fields of lavender

One Date Changed Everything – Calves

The room was redolent with lavender as I dried off her feet. This woman was entrusting me with far more than I’d bargained for, and I was determined she would not [...]

by

fields of lavender

One Date Changes Everything – Introduction

This isn’t really a story of mindless romance. It’s certainly not a sexual romp. And by no means is it some saccharine utopian nonsense. This is a personal story. [...]

by

fields of lavender

One Date Changed Everything – Crunchies

As I rubbed, her feet soaked in the oil thirstily. Almond oil makes a great base, but when using it for massage oil, be prepared to continually pour more on. Even [...]

by

personal trainer guiding client through kettlebell swings

Healthy Truth #11 – Accountability

Truth #11 – Accountability cannot force me; it can only reinforce me. In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia, he followed up on his instructions to carry each [...]

by

share your dreams with your spouse

Share your Dreams with your Spouse

You'll spend six years of your life dreaming. Do you regularly share this significant part of your life with your significant other? If not, you're missing out on some real intimacy. [...]

by

Raya watches as others dance

Raya’s Dance – 1: Watching the Dancers

Dôdi reclined on a blanket with his new bride in his arms. Raya was four days out of the veil he’d removed on the night of their wedding, but she still wore the [...]

by

fields of lavender

One Date Changed Everything – Upper Thighs

The lower half of her legs glistened with lavender-scented oil as she regarded me. “Are you sure?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly but not in any sort of [...]

by

Raya preparing to dance for the crowd

Raya’s Dance – 2: The Challenge

Akka’s laughter rumbled Dôdi out of his reverie. “Little brother, you have done our queen a disservice!” In his arms, Raya turned to consider the big man [...]

by

privacy hotel door tag

The Prevarication of Privacy – Part 1

Something inside knows we're being deceived. In this fast-paced world of email, smartphones, and even WebMD, we can accomplish most of our needs without ever seeing another human face. And our spirits grieve something lost. [...]

by

fields of lavender

One Date Changed Everything – Footrub

It was homemade oil. Err — home-mixed. I’d researched online my options and bought the essential oils to mix myself. I used almond oil as a base, which made it [...]

by

little girl kissing mirror

Shameless Children

How should biblical modesty be applied to kids in the home, in front of immediate family? Can kids just go around naked? [...]

by

Raya from the Song of Songs strips to dance

Raya’s Dance – 3: She Dances

Dôdi watched as Raya approached the monolith and paused before turning to face the crowd. She waited for the abundant applause to die down as she looked to her husband in [...]

by

showerhead

Bare Bottom Dash

I’ve mentioned the great fun of co-showering with my wife, and how it serves as something much richer than a sexual experience (though it’s challenging to work in [...]

by

a happy couple

To Know and to Be Known

Green light seeped through his cracked eyelids and he immediately began rubbing his eyes. He could tell he’d been out for a bit, sleeping deeper than ever in his life. [...]

by

Raya from the Song of Songs is praised for her beauty

Raya’s Dance – 4: Her Praises

Everyone roared their jubilee and Dôdi beamed proudly as his wife panted, making her way over to him. She bent over and planted a kiss on his cheek, sending thrills through [...]

by