Female by Design

Your body and your sexuality were designed by God and He called you good. As we continue this educational and celebratory series on your wonderful female body, today we are leaning in to better understand the female sexual response cycle, which starts with sexual desire.

This may require a bit of awareness as you continue to recognize ways you can live more integrated. Growth requires intentionality, so in this episode we are intentionally focusing on sexual desire so that we might become more aligned with God. In this episode you will be encouraged and equipped, on both spiritual and practical levels, to understand and become aware of desire.

Resources Mentioned:

Growing Desire Challenge

Related Episodes:

Episode 73, Growing Your Sexual Desire - Barriers

Episode 74, Growing Your Sexual Desire - Brains

Episode 75, Growing Your Sexual Desire - Beliefs

Episode 76, Growing Your Sexual Desire - Body

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

Shame and feeling shut down or disconnected from sex can be a residue of purity culture many women carry. How can a God-honoring man help his wife flourish and heal from wrong beliefs and teaching?

In this episode Francie is sharing how a husband can patiently love his wife toward more healing and freedom. A few topics we touch on include: training your eyes to only see her beauty, having patience to meet her where she is, going slowly as you learn together, blessing her body and encouraging her to bless her body and learning the pace of her pleasure.

Related Episodes:

Foreplay: Husband Chat, Ep 159

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

Many of us were raised in the purity culture. As we have become wives, we are unpacking some unhealthy, unhelpful influences. In this episode we'll discuss a few of the unhelpful lies and the heaviness of legalism that many of us have believed. Christian women aren't sexual. Good girls don't talk about sex. Thinking about sexual desire is a waste of time. Sex is for men and their pleasure.

These falsehoods are rooted in lies from the enemy that have been with us for centuries. As we uproot the lies, we can look at God's good design and learn to walk in freedom and abundance. God made us as sexual beings, giving us senses and anatomy that allow us to experience pure pleasure.

Related Episodes:

Your Wonderful Female Body - Erogenous Zones, Ep 108 Battle for Your Beauty: Purity Culture, Body Blessing and Loving without Shame, Ep 87 Great Sex Grows…When I Shift My Mindset, Ep 120

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

Vagina. Clitoris. Vulva.

Blushing or uncomfortable? Let's talk about the layers of silent shame that impedes you from talking about your body comfortably. You'll hear my personal journey (and recent growth in freedom) as we unpack getting more free, why it matters and how to take steps forward.

You were designed to walk in freedom and joy, living integrated mind, body and spirit. Join this chat and gain insight to take one more small step toward more freedom.

Resources Mentioned:

Growing Desire Challenge

Related Episodes:

Pleasure Series Pt. 2: Female Anatomy, Orgasm 101 and Guiding Your Husband to Your Pleasure with with Dr. Jennifer Degler Episode 93

Pleasure Series Pt. 3: Your Orgasm Questions with Dr. Jennifer Degler Episode 94

Your Wonderful Female Body Series Start Here

Healing and Growing through Sex Therapy with Tish Hedger Episode 103

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

Let's lean in and glean wisdom from pioneers in sexual discipleship, Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner. The Penners offer both theologically sound and practical wisdom on sexuality, pleasure, desire and growing a thriving sex life throughout your marriage. In today's conversation we talk about:

• Importance of education, understanding and communication

• Creating a marvelous sex life

• Intentionality and keeping your sex life alive through the seasons and stages of marriage

• Healing and growing from shame and feeling "shut down" and disconnected from desire and sexuality

• Finding the sweet spot in your marriage to build connection and a thriving sex life.

About Dr. Cliff and Joyce Penner:

The Penners are best known for their pioneer work in encouraging people of all faiths to connect their sexuality with their belief system ─ helping them embrace sex as good and of God. Clifford is a licensed clinical psychologist, received a B.A. from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, earned an M.A. in theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and holds a Ph.D. from Fuller's Graduate School of Psychology. Joyce is a registered nurse and clinical nurse specialist, holds a B.S. in nursing from the University of Washington. Her master's degree in psychosomatic nursing and nursing education is from UCLA. They work together as a team to counsel, teach and train.

Connect with them at www.passionatecommitment.com or contact them directly at [email protected].

Resources Mentioned:

Getting Your Sex Life Off to a Great Start by Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner

Enjoy!: The Gift of Sexual Pleasure for Women by Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner

The Married Guy's Guide to Great Sex by Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner

Restoring the Pleasure by Dr. Clifford and Joyce Penner

Sex Facts for the Family by Joyce and Cliff Pennerby Dr. Clifordf and Joyce Penner

Healthy Sexuality Parent Guide

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

While you may see your man as a tower of strength, do you know how to honor and even call forth his holy masculinity? The culture seems to be against our men, either pitting their masculinity as toxic or, even worse, placing them in competition or comparison with women.

Challenge yourself to flourish in God's unique role for you as a wife. Learn to come alongside your husband to honor his strength and even speak life and blessing over his sexuality and holy image bearing masculinity. Your journey in loving your husband allows you to see his strength and his vulnerability.

In this episode, you'll hear practical ways to speak life over your husband's sexuality, including a few things that may make you blush. And, you'll learn how to honor your husband when he initiates…even when you are far from feeling ready to connect.

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

In the beginning God created us male and female, with intention and purpose. Yet, more and more our culture seems to pit women against men, even to the point of not liking men and seeing their role as harmful. In this episode, we discuss the roots of toxic masculinity and the good news we can see in Biblical manhood (and womanhood) with esteemed scholar Nancy Pearcey, author of "The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes." Our discussion includes:

• Goodness of God's design for male and female

• Hostile cultural views of men and masculinity

• Favorable data and good news about the impact and role of Jesus-following men

• Need for healing and restoration as we seek to have a culture of honor

• How to support Biblical manhood, supporting and developing image-bearing manhood

About Nancy Pearcy:

Nancy Pearcey is a bestselling author and speaker. A former agnostic, she was hailed in The Economist as "America's preeminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual." Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, The Washington Times, First Things, Human Events, American Thinker, Daily Caller, The Federalist, CNSNews, and Fox News. She has appeared on NPR, C-SPAN, and Fox & Friends. She is currently a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. Pearcey's books have been translated into 19 languages and include Total Truth, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, Love Thy Body, and The Toxic War on Masculinity.

Connect with Nancy at www.nancypearcey.com

Related Episodes:

How a Flourishing Wife Can Call Forth Holy Masculinity Episode 102 Sexual Confusion in Culture & Our Kids Episode 146 Celebrating Gender: Goodness of Male and Female Episode 43

Resources Mentioned:

Love Thy Body by Nancy Pearcey

The Toxic War on Masculinity by Nancy Pearcey

Heaven in Your Home Family Music

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

Let's continue the conversation on foreplay with a chat to encourage and equip husbands. (Wives will be encouraged, too). Let's continue to reframe foreplay and the unique beauty of masculinity and femininity. In this chat, you'll be encouraged as we discuss:

• Being a man of strength, with unique strength to serve your bride.

• Becoming an expert of your wife

• Removing the duty perspective and helping your wife flourish

• Foreplay as an opportunity to go at the pace of her pleasure and treasure her from head to toe

• What it looks like practically to serve with sexual strength before and during foreplay

Related Episodes:

Your Wonderful Female Body - Erogenous Zones, episode 107

How Taking Hotel Dates Helps My Marriage Connection, episode 126

Francie Recommends:

Feel confident in your own skin with Mentionables. A fresh and pretty item of lingerie every now and then is so fun!

The Mentionables selection is beautiful and they never use human models for their items, which gives it such an honoring tone as you're shopping. No comparison or feelings of TMI as your browse, and it's run by ladies who love the Lord! How fun is that!?!

Use code WINSLOW for 10% savings.

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

What is foreplay and what purpose does it serve? In this discussion you'll learn about the role of foreplay, but it may surprise you. Instead of seeing foreplay as a way to get ready for the main event, what if it were a time of relaxing into more pleasure and greater intimacy?

You were made for deep connection and naked and unashamed intimacy. Let's look at foreplay as a tool for connection through rest, relaxation and celebration of your feminine beauty.

Related Episodes:

Your Wonderful Female Body Series, start here

Great Sex Grows Series, start here

How Taking Hotel Dates Helps My Marriage Connection, episode 126

Sex Toys & Vibrators, episode 137

Francie Recommends:

Feel confident in your own skin with Mentionables.

A fresh and pretty item of lingerie every now and then is so fun!

The Mentionables selection is beautiful and they never use human models for their items, which gives it such an honoring tone as you're shopping. No comparison or feelings of TMI as your browse, and it's run by ladies who love the Lord! How fun is that!?!

Use code FRANCIE for 10% savings.

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram

Welcome back for part two of the conversation with a licensed counselor and sex therapist Nancy Houston. Nancy offers wonderful insight and compassion into the profound connections between love, sex, and healing. In this episode we discuss:

• Permission given - God made you as a female to be sexual and your sexuality is beautifully designed

• Getting familiar with your desire and your female body

• Owning and expressing your want

• Communication and pursuing each other in marriage

• Foreplay and learning to receive as a woman

• Mutual pleasure, mutual joy and mutual respect

About Nancy Houston:

Nancy Houston is an author, speaker, Executive Leadership Coach, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Therapist. She loves to help people grow into their full potential, empowering them to be truly alive. Nancy has been married to the love of her life for almost 50 years. Together they have four wonderful married sons and six adorable grandchildren.

Nancy is the author of Love and Sex and Then God Made A Woman: Unwrapping Female Sexuality.

Related Episodes:

Your Wonderful Female Body - Erogenous Zones, episode 107

Great Sex Grows…When I Tune Into My Body, episode 121

Francie Recommends:

Feel confident in your own skin with Mentionables.

A fresh and pretty item of lingerie every now and then is so fun!

The Mentionables selection is beautiful and they never use human models for their items, which gives it such an honoring tone as you're shopping. No comparison or feelings of TMI as your browse, and it's run by ladies who love the Lord! How fun is that!?!

Use code FRANCIE for 10% savings.

You're Invited:

Keep learning with Francie! Join the Discipleship Circle group mentorship. This is a SWEET community of women, connected with the purpose of seeking God's heart for their reclaiming a redeemed view of sex and sexuality. Inside the circle, we will explore and discover the good news about God's heart for sex. Learn more here: Discipleship Circle

Listen to Heaven in Your Home Family Music:

Spotify

Apple Music

YouTube

Connect with Francie:

Receive Francie's weekly newsletter

Website

Instagram