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In this episode, Matt & Jenn begin a discussion challenging wives' reasons for avoiding sex.

1. There are many good reasons that a wife may be resistant to sex in her marriage. But, a wife must recognize that the quality of your sex life will impact the quality of the rest of your marriage, and vice versa.
2. If you are saying no to sex because you are emotionally disconnected, intentionally prioritize your entire marriage relationship. Make the choice to connect daily — emotionally, spiritually, romantically, sexually…
3. Say “yes” sometimes, even when it’s inconvenient or feels vulnerable - THEN, commit to engaging your heart, mind, body, and soul. You might be surprised how enjoyable it could be when you let go of the control.

We'll address a few more reasons next week!

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX: https://intimatecovenant.com/retreat

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

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In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss reasons why a husband's sexual invitations may be rejected and what that might teach us about ourselves and our relationship.

1. Before protesting that you are being unfairly rejected, ask yourself, “Would I want to have sex with someone like me?” Have I met my wife’s needs before expecting her to meet mine? Have I made it easy for her to connect with me spiritually, emotionally and physically?
2. Some reasons your wife may be resistant to sex with you include:
   1. She has a responsive sexual desire and is not naturally inclined to initiate 
   2. She doesn’t feel connected.
   3. She doesn’t feel attractive.
   4. She is focused on being a mom, not a lover.
   5. She is tired, stressed, or depressed.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX: https://intimatecovenant.com/retreat/

Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

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In this episode, Matt and Jenn discuss the differences in how we access and express sexual desire. How do we handle it when one spouse seemingly wants sex more than the other?

1. In general, a man’s sexual desire is like a microwave (spontaneous) and a woman’s sexual desire is like a crockpot (responsive). Neither is right or wrong and neither is better or worse.
2. Empathize with your spouse’s position by offering grace, mercy, and understanding. Learn to embrace your own desire with contentment and enthusiasm.
3. Each of you has a role to play in building and maintaining a solid relationship and circumstances where eroticism and sexual passion can flourish.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX: https://intimatecovenant.com/retreat

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!


Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn


PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]


www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn  discuss principles to guide the difficult conversation with your spouse about your sinful sexual history.

1. Healing begins with confession (James 5:16). If you want true intimacy, you must reveal yourself. Your intimacy is only as deep as your honesty.
2. Use great discretion about what facts or details you share with each other. This process is often best guided by a professional therapist or trusted spiritual mentor.
3. Acknowledge the pain and take proper steps to grieve and forgive each other.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX, September 23-25: https://intimatecovenant.com/retreat
Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing until April 1 (no joke!)

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn talk about pre-marital sex and the impact it has on our marriage relationship and in the marriage bed.

1. Sex outside of marriage has consequences — whether it’s before or after marriage, with your spouse or with someone else.
2. Often (especially for women) these experiences cause barriers of shame which make it difficult to fully enjoy sex within the proper context of marriage covenant.
3. The shame of past sexual sin can be redeemed within intimate relationship through godly confession and meditation.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX, September 23-25:
https://www.intimatecovenant.com/retreat
Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing until April 1 (no joke!)

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn respond to some listener questions about overcoming the disgust response in our sex lives — that unconscious grossed-out reaction that we might have to some forms of sexual activity. 

1. Differentiate your sexual preferences from God’s sexual boundaries.
2. Disgust is a learned behavior and can be a significant sexual brake for those of us with a sensitive conscience. This becomes a problem in marriage when each spouse’s disgust levels are very different.
3. Accept that you can change your preferences over time and learn to enjoy all of God’s glorious gifts of sexual pleasure. You don’t have to absolutely love everything, but you can learn to find enjoyment AND CONNECTION in everything.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX, September 23-25: https://intimatecovenant.com/2021-marriage-retreat-you-are-invited/
Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing until April 1 (no joke!)

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

Sex should never be painful - emotionally, spiritually, or physically. In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss some common problems that might cause sex to be painful  for a woman and what you might be able to do about it.

1. There are a number of reasons why sex could be painful for women. Proper assessment and therapy by a doctor and/or physiotherapist may be required. 
2. When sex is painful, the entire relationship will be affected. You must both be willing to communicate about it and be willing to find solutions so that your relationship can grow toward full intimacy.
3. The solution will depend on the actual cause(s) for your pain, but know that there is real hope to enjoy a full and extraordinary sex life, even if it’s painful now.

Helpful Resources:

• Hope & Her: https://www.vaginismus.com/
• Sheila Gregoire: To Love, Honor, and Vacuum  https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/vaginismus-sex-hurts/
• Married Dance: Penis Bumper  https://marrieddance.com/shop/for-him/penis-rings/the-bumper-deep-thrust-cushion/

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat: https://intimatecovenant.com/2021-marriage-retreat-you-are-invited/ Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing until April 1 (no joke!)

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn discuss the two most common problems that occur for men in the bedroom, erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE).

1. If you want to function better with your wife, stop masturbating by yourself.
2. Do something about your sexual dysfunction! Your reluctance to deal with the problem is making your anxiety worse which is making the manifestation of your problem worse.
3. Take care of yourself: No smoking, drinking, or drugs. Get in better shape.
4. Talk to your doctor! 
5. Take care of your relationship. 
6. Sexual dysfunction is normal and common. Most of us, probably all of us, deal with problems in bed from time to time. Don’t be afraid to talk about it. Don’t be afraid to do something about it.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat: https://intimatecovenant.com/2021-marriage-retreat-you-are-invited/ Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing until April 1 (no joke!)

 Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]


www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

Today on the podcast Matt and Jenn compare the blight of mercy sex and the art of a quickie.

1. Stop settling for mercy sex. Don’t accept it. Don’t offer it. Sex is for connection, not just to use your spouse’s body or to be used. 
2. On the other hand, a quickie is a great tool in a sexually and emotionally healthy marriage. A quickie can offer one or both of you a quick recharge and reconnection, even in the midst of busyness.
3. The best quickies happen when you both understand each other’s expectations and when you have made proper preparation. Sanctify even ordinary opportunities for sex in your marriage.

Register for the 2021 Annual Retreat in Spring, TX: https://intimatecovenant.com/2021-marriage-retreat-you-are-invited/
Take advantage of Early Bird Pricing until April 1 (no joke!)

Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show

Send us a text

In this episode, Matt & Jenn are answering some of your questions! We love getting your emails -- keep them coming! It really helps us to know what you want us to talk about and how we can best help your marriage! Today we discuss a listener’s email that has several great questions included about female arousal, arousal aids, masturbation and more!

1. Embrace fantasy as a way to advance the plot in YOUR story. Harness sexual stimuli to fuel desire for your beloved.
2. Whatever means you are considering to help enhance your lovemaking, first be sure that you have drawn solid biblical boundaries regarding sex. Then, lovingly consider, “Will this encourage more intimacy and oneness in our marriage?”

Helpful reference: Married Dance -- a Christian-friendly, marriage-centered sex toy and marital aid superstore that’s porn and nudity-free!

Registration & more information about the Annual Retreat: https://intimatecovenant.com/2021-marriage-retreat-you-are-invited/

Please send your comments, questions and suggestions to [email protected]
Thanks for sharing, rating and subscribing!

Cherishing,
Matt & Jenn

PS — If you are interested in bringing Matt & Jenn to your church or small group to speak about the beauty of God’s plan for marriage and sexuality, please contact us: [email protected]



www.intimatecovenant.com
Intimate Covenant | Matt & Jenn Schmidt

Credits:
Announcer — Daniel DeGarmo
Music — Jonathan Dow

Support the show