If you struggle with intrusive mental images of ANRs, then “think often that Christ suffered agony for your purity. Fight image with image. Christ crying in agony.”
Titus 2:14:
Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
1 Peter 1:18; 2:24:
You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, [but with the precious blood of Christ]. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
1 Corinthians 5:15:
He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Hebrews 10:29:
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
There are some related unisex ANR traits that are worth presenting. These include: being loyal, committed, family-oriented, community-minded, non-individualistic, ride-or-die, sweet, sensitive, humble, lamenting, mourn-you-till-I-join-you, till-death-do-us-part, and similar. You get the picture.
2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.[b]
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. … 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
— 1 Corinthians 3
39 And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
— Luke 19
“God wrote himself into his own novel to save sinners.”
— buddy from church
God can use any means to glorify himself, but he repeatedly displays a preference for human messengers.
God delights in the organic, human connection, rather than using inanimate objects. He’d much rather use flesh-and-blood humans for gospel purposes than animals, non-living things or even angels. In New Testament times such as we currently live in, God has elected to build his temple with living, breathing human beings, rather than brick and mortar.
I have come across multiple women on ANR sites who stated how privileged they are to provide something to a man he can’t buy or make himself.
The fact is, it’s infinitely more special, romantic, intimate and meaningful to drink refreshingly from one’s wife than from a milk jug. Living, breathing woman infinitely surpasses store-bought milk.
And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)
— Genesis 13:10 (emphasis added)
Just before “the garden of the LORD,” in the verse quoted above, my ESV Bible cross references Genesis 2:8, which states “And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed.” Gen. 2:8 also points back to 13:10.
One of the major ANR bloggers I followed closely back in the day said she likes the presence of running water, and many ANR-interested women state how they like the idea of their breasts being full and overflowing with warm milk, proof that there’s something about ANRs that connotes abundance, along with overflowing, paradise-like conditions.
In an ideal world in which Adam and Eve never fell, there’d be no such thing as deserts. The Garden of Eden was overflowing with God’s delights– as I believe he prefers all married women’s breasts to be.
Secular, uncensored Urban Dictionary has a line or two I love on this wonderful relationship:
ANR/ABF stands for: A Nursing Relationship/Adult Breast Feeding. ANR/ABF refers to a relationship involving sucking milk from the female breast as an expression of close intimacy. Adult Nursing Relationships depend on a stable and long term relationship of the couple, otherwise it is nearly impossible to maintain a steady milk flow. On the other hand it is frequently reported that breastfeeding has a strong stabilizing effect on the partnership [emphases mine]. The breastfeeding woman may experience orgasms or a pleasurable let-down reflex.
Examples of usage of the term ANR/ABF:
I could totally go ANR on that [large-breasted woman!] (you’re free to indulge if she’s your wife)
alt: I could totally go ABF on that [large-breasted woman!] (you too, go ahead if you’re married)
20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam[a] there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. 22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made[b] into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,
“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”[c]
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
I feel the need to reiterate and emphasize the most crucial ANR traits in both sexes, to aid your search and give you a crystal clear picture of your future ANR mate.
For women, the four traits are being open-minded, nurturing, sensuous and deeply valuing bonding and intimacy much more than most women, and for men, similarly, it’s being open-minded, approachable, sexual/kinky and deeply prizing intimacy and bonding more than most men.
Remember, one can discern these characteristics while keeping it holy.
4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.
— Titus 3
God prefers to work when we give up on our own efforts and realize how utterly dependent we are on his mercy.
In the same way, he works best in marriages when couples give up their pride and unite in ways that honor him. The success of ANRs in strengthening marriages only proves how little we can do to save ourselves. Marriages are given a tremendous boost when couples humble themselves into doing something associated with infants. God really does work in mysterious ways.
You may be concerned if you notice a white spot on your nipple while breastfeeding. However, these white spots on the nipple are relatively common during breastfeeding. They form on the nipple at the end of a milk duct or nipple pore and are called nipple blebs, milk blebs, or milk blisters.1 These small, milk-filled cysts or blockages are thought to be created by breast milk that has become thick and hard during breastfeeding.
If you have a milk bleb, it might look like a smooth, shiny, singular white or yellow dot (similar to a whitehead pimple). Milk blisters are often associated with a plugged milk duct, but they can also cause plugged ducts. Sometimes they are painful, other times they don’t hurt at all. A nipple bleb will typically go away on its own, particularly with continued breastfeeding, or various remedies may be used to help it resolve more quickly.2
Here is what you need to know about nipple blebs and blisters, including how to treat them.
What Is a Nipple Bleb?
A nipple bleb is a small blister on the nipple. Also called a milk bleb or a milk blister, it can cause extreme pain during breastfeeding, or it might not bother you at all. If it isn’t painful, leave the blister alone and breastfeed as you normally would.4
If a milk bleb is painful, you might not want to breastfeed. However, frequent breastfeeding is necessary to maintain your breast milk supply and can help dislodge the bleb, as well as prevent clogged ducts, breast engorgement, and mastitis.2
If the pain is bearable, continue to breastfeed as often as you can. If it’s too painful, pump your breast milk. A quality breast pump may help remove the bleb.
Nipple blebs form when milk gets trapped and hardens in one of the pores on your skin. Sometimes, a thin layer of skin holds the milk in. It can also harden and become stuck. They can also form outside of breastfeeding as a result of trauma to the nipple.
Treatment for Milk Blebs
If you get a nipple bleb, you’ll want to minimize the discomfort while you wait for it to get better.5 There are a few things you can do to relieve any pain you might have and help the bleb heal.
Apply Gentle Pressure
If you can tolerate it, you can try to apply gentle, slow, pressure from behind the bleb to help release the plug. You can also soak, massage, and then apply heat. Moist heat can help loosen a blocked duct.
Breastfeed Often and With Proper Technique
You can help prevent milk ducts from clogging by using proper breastfeeding techniques, nursing often, alternating breastfeeding positions, and avoiding tight tops and underwire bras. Also, make sure that your [husband] is latching on correctly.
Keep the Bleb Clean
With clean hands and a clean washcloth, cleanse the area around the bleb. If the plug is protruding from the bleb, you might be able to use your finger to loosen it or gently pull it out.
Try Lecithin
Talk to your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant about a lecithin supplement. Lecithin is thought to help heal and prevent plugged milk ducts.6 You might also try liquid lecithin or Dr. Jack Newman’s All-Purpose Nipple Ointment (an antibiotic and anti-inflammatory ointment).
Use Ice Packs or Cabbage Leaves
A cool compress can sometimes help relieve pain in your breasts. You can also ask your provider if it is OK for you to take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Motrin (ibuprofen).
Wear Breast Shells
Breast shells can protect your breasts from the fabric of your bra or clothing if it rubs against the bleb and causes discomfort.
Nipple blebs can be mistaken for other common breast problems. For example, nipple blisters or thrush can look similar to a milk blister.
Friction Blisters
A friction blister is larger than a nipple bleb and does not usually cause severe pain. This type of blister is usually caused by a poor latch or friction from a powerful suck. If you use a breast pump, a flange that does not fit properly can also cause friction blisters.7
Once the breastfeeding or pumping technique is corrected, friction nipple blisters will usually heal on their own within a few days.
Thrush is a fungal (yeast) infection caused by Candida albicans.8 The infection is common in the mouth and vagina, but you can also get it on your nipples. It can cause severe itching, burning, and pain in your breast, especially while you are breastfeeding.9
Thrush usually makes the nipples look shiny and red, but it can also appear as small white patches on the skin.
A few milk blebs on the nipple could resemble thrush.
Your [husband]’s mouth can also become infected with thrush, which can make it painful for [him] to feed. Thrush and nipple blebs require different treatments. Thrush can spread quickly and cause a painful breast infection called mastitis.10 If you are worried you might have thrush, be sure to call your provider.
If a nipple bleb or blister becomes too painful and does not go away on its own in a few weeks (even with a good latch and frequent breastfeeding) then it’s time to meet with your provider.
Sometimes, a thin layer of skin forms and covers the milk bleb, which prevents it from healing properly.11 Your provider can use a sterile needle to break open the skin and remove the bleb. They might also instruct you on how to safely open the blister yourself at home.
You should immediately call your provider if you have signs of an infection, such as a fever, redness, swelling, or drainage from the nipple (that isn’t breast milk).
A Word From Verywell
Nipple blebs are not usually serious, but they can be painful. Breast and nipple pain might become intense enough that it makes you want to stop breastfeeding. In fact, pain is a common cause of early weaning.12
If you want to prevent nipple blebs or heal the ones you have, breastfeeding often and with proper technique can help.
If you do get a milk bleb, try to breastfeed through it. The bleb should go away on its own within a few weeks. However, if breastfeeding is too painful or a bleb does not get better, call your provider. They can help you get the appropriate treatment.
By Donna Murray, RN, BSN Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing.
If you’re single, you have no business dwelling on, or letting your mind wander off into erotica. Yes, I’m all for fighting legalism and moralism, but losing our sensitivity to sin will adulterate our walk with Christ, and if I’m honest, mine has certainly taken some hits over the past five or so years. There’s a reason only 1% of the Bible is erotic in nature. We must aim to please Christ in everything, including our thoughts.
“We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 10:5, NLT
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,”
If you struggle with intrusive mental images of ANRs, then “think often that Christ suffered agony for your purity. Fight image with image. Christ crying in agony.”
Titus 2:14:
Christ gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
1 Peter 1:18; 2:24:
You were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, [but with the precious blood of Christ]. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.
1 Corinthians 5:15:
He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.
Hebrews 10:29:
How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?
A wife is not the master of her own body, but her husband is; in the same way a husband is not the master of his own body, but his wife is.
–GNT
It is not the wife who has the rights to her own body, but the husband. In the same way, it is not the husband who has the rights to his own body, but the wife.
— NET
That’s the gospel practically played out in marriage, mirroring how our bodies belong to Christ because he purchased us at the Cross.
I don’t think there are too many intimate acts that better demonstrate the principle of a man’s body belonging to his wife, and hers to him than him drinking her breast milk daily.
I’ve stated before that one major objection I’ve gotten to the idea of promoting Christian ANRs is that the Bible never places as much an emphasis on it as I do. But those who level such accusations never take the time to consider the whole counsel of God.
A related example is the fact that I know multiple professing Christians who struggle with confidence and assertiveness. One went further to describe his desire to avoid being prideful. He makes a good point, and his desire for humility is commendable.
But the indisputable fact is that God commands us to be confident and assertive. It’s explicit in verses like 2 Timothy 1:7 and implicit throughout Scripture. God wants believers to be unafraid of any mortals, and bold enough to look a bully in the eye to compel them to change their behavior.
In Exodus, Moses and Aaron fearlessly confronted Pharaoh and told him God says “let my people go.”
David confronted Goliath with smooth stones and a slingshot.
Peter and John confronted the Sanhedrin, letting them know they’ll obey God rather than man.
Paul confronted his Jewish opponents, false apostles, Roman governors and leaders.
It’s absolutely unquestionable. God uses confident and fearless believers to perform his mighty acts of salvation. Being confident, assertive and fearless is clearly commanded throughout God’s word, sometimes explicitly, but very often tacitly.
As Christians, we’ve waived our rights and desires and submitted them to Christ. But there’s nothing wrong with having desires, or graciously asserting our rights. When dealing with their adversaries, Paul and Jesus knew and firmly insisted on their rights. Knowing one’s rights for salvific purposes is encouraged in scripture, e.g. when Paul asserted his status as a Roman citizen after he was flogged without trial (Acts 22:25, 16:37), and when Jesus firmly defended himself from accusations of blasphemy in John 5:17. This article offers great biblical insights on assertiveness and self-defense.
Similarly, that God wants couples to be as close and intimate as humanly possible cannot be overstated. It’s clear from passages like Genesis 2:24, Ephesians 5:22-33, Proverbs 5, Song of Solomon and 1 Corinthians 7. It’s also implicitly commanded in several passages like Genesis 1:28, 9:7, Deuteronomy 24:5, Psalm 128:3, Proverbs 6 and 7, Matthew 28:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:3 and many others.
Since God knows our nature and tendency to abuse his gifts, he carefully, and repeatedly, commands us to use these gifts — only for gospel purposes. I think he avoids making an explicit emphasis on these commands because he knows most of us tend to run to the other extreme.
The whole counsel of God considered, I think it’s abundantly clear God exhorts us to do lots of nursing in marriage.
5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. 2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
NIV Study notes:
128:3 A faithful and fruitful wife. vine. Symbol of fruitfulness (Ge 49:22) — and perhaps also of sexual charms (SS 7:8 – 12) and festivity (Jdg 9:13). within your house. She is not like the faithless wife whose “feet never stay at home” (Pr 7:11).
8 I say I will climb the palm tree and lay hold of its fruit. Oh may your breasts be like clusters of the vine, and the scent of your breath like apples,
[God] no longer looks with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.
15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. d So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.
16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” e says the Lord Almighty.
So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful.
— Malachi 2
Footnotes:
d15 The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain. e16 Or “I hate divorce,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “because the man who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,”
9 “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’
Oh Lord, I’m so amazed when I dig up in Your Scripture Focused and trying to get You, hoping to get a picture Of who You are, true You are, Holy hoping I miss You When I get away and I miss a day spending it with You That’s foolish, I hope to know You and be a student And learn Your Holy ways all my days with no excuses Ooh its such a privilege to know the God that moves and Soothes this wretched soul, it was cold but he renewed it And when I look at the Psalms I just pause Got me dropping my jaw, its clear You got ’em in awe And we can see that they yearning for Your person Panting after You, and their passion for You is burning I’m trying to pursue You ’cause You precious as a pearl More than I did with them girls, I used to mess with in the world Relentless in my pursuit, I surrender it all to You And I pray You draw me closer in intimate time with You
There’s a longing for Your love Not just a moment, intimate touch There’s a longing for Your love Not just a moment, intimate touch
It’s way too many times, I’m staying off on the grind In other areas and I bury You in my mind Then my life starts getting terrible, scarier and I find Myself trying to get near to You, but You was here all the time But I was having my share of affairs with things You designed Kind of like a bad marriage, it’s scary it’s like I’m blind And I’m praying You’d help me, hold me, and make me focus I know that when I’m lacking You I’m more than hopeless Mold this wicked heart to delight in Your precious person Fighting, confessing, searching for Christ and lessons for learning It ain’t even nothing good in me that I might show You But I can see that eternal life’s that I might know You I want to know You, be close to the God who saved me And raised me, I pray we can be much closer And I- I can embrace the beautiful life that You gave me I count it all loss, Lord, that I might know ya
There’s a longing for Your love Not just a moment, intimate touch There’s a longing for Your love Not just a moment, intimate touch
I’m longing for Your endless love The knowledge of who You are The truth that lies within Your Word Show my heart who You are
Truly I can’t wait ’til this flesh is removed And I’m forever with You, sin’s mess is removed Then there’s nothing in the way, there’s none better than You To ignore that I’m more wack, this fella’s a fool You so mysterious, I read about You see I I am so in awe of You, I’m all for You, You truly fly The truth is I’m in love with You and hope that You see I Would like to see You and I in U-N-I-T-Y
There’s a longing for Your love Not just a moment, intimate touch There’s a longing for Your love Not just a moment, intimate touch
Lord bring me closely Intimately So to show me Who You are And to fill my cup, Lord Lord bring me closely Intimately So to show me Who You are And to fill my cup, Lord Just a lil’ bit more I need a lil’ bit more Na-na-na-na Just a lil’ bit more I need a lil’ bit more Na-na-na-na I need, I need more and more More and more
I got something on my mind, bro some folks might not like that Feel like it’s about that time to hit ’em with the Truth where that light’s at But still some folks wanna fight that, ’cause hand that feeds wanna bite that ‘Cause they think it’s pleasin’, it’s makin’ demons of all that He made but despite that He grants good gifts like sex, I ain’t tryna start no messin’ I don’t wanna get graphic with all the fact cause He gave it so we could be blessed Please don’t, act like I’m gone, please don’t, just say I’m wrong, just stay Confident in the Word, you’ll see, that He condones it Sex ain’t the problem, it’s sinners who just forgot Him Distortin’, corrupt like Soddom, the gifts, they want ’em without Him It’s beautiful in it’s proper place, marriage, until we pop it up And turn our footsteps from His face, and then we problem Please don’t miss the problem, mayne it is not the God who reigns It is not the gifts He gave, this is what I gotta say, say Don’t exalt them over the God we praise You can’t really enjoy Him till your heart’s replaced The gifts and the Giver of good The gifts and the Giver of good The gifts and the Giver of good Your heart is where the problem’s at, let’s get that understood
— Second verse and hook of “Heart Problem” by Trip Lee
A Native American pastor recently announced plans to author a book with the above title.
That had me considering ways my faith might have been colonized, to which I am completely oblivious. As a black African-born American Christian, with a blog that aims to revive Christian marriages by pointing couples to the Ancient Hebrew practice of Adult Breastfeeding, the more I think of it, the more I realize how all English translations of the Bible suffer from Western colonial misinterpretations to varying degrees.
Take for example Old Testament scholar Dr. Bruce Waltke, who as mentioned in this post, demonstrates that Proverbs 5:19 refers to drinking a liquid, then he immediately denies the possibility of this liquid being breast milk.
His Western sensitivities are offended by the notion of Husband Breastfeeding, so he twists his interpretation to fit his cultural tastes, and those of his readers.
Makes me wonder how many thousands of Bible verses have been intentionally mistranslated to match our cultural paradigms.
The word “slave” in the New Testament is an example, and is rightfully addressed by Pastor John MacArthur. We are slaves of Christ, not bondservants.
In Biblical times, breastfeeding one’s husband was culturally accepted. In some Asian cultures and other places today, it still is somewhat accepted. It’s time to reclaim our faith from Western colonial influences. Biblically speaking, there’s absolutely zero shame or taboo in Husband Breastfeeding. It glorifies God and strengthens marriages. View your faith through hermaneutically sound Biblical lenses, not colonially-imposed or contemporary cultural ones.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12
Guard your heart from idols and “the sin that so easily entangles.” It’s all too easy to be ensared by good things. Nothing wrong with enjoying good things, but we must take utmost care to avoid turning them into ultimate things. Satan doesn’t use the obvious to tempt and mislead.
Each time you let your heart become consumed with an ANR, what you’re saying is “God, you’re not enough. You’re not trustworthy. If you truly loved me, you’d give me what I want right now.”
Take care not to be misled by the bountiful blessings of Adult Nursing. Instead, fix your heart and mind on God and watch him rearrange your desires and give you unassailable joy.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
10 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan.(B) Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.(C)
2 Some Pharisees(D) came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”
3 “What did Moses command you?” he replied.
4 They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”(E)
5 “It was because your hearts were hard(F) that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. 6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a](G)7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b]8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c](H) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.(I)12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”(J)
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Christ-centered ANR 