Now that I have your attention, you may be thinking a variety of things. Some may say, “Nothing is better,” while others may think, “Lots of things are.” Regardless of which camp you may fall into, sexual intimacy, when approached with love in a lifelong relationship, is potentially one of the most bonding activities a…
DetailsI learned an important lesson last week. We were cleaning out some things from our downstairs and had put in a pick-up call to Goodwill. As my wife was giving them a list regarding any larger items, which included two TVs, she discovered that they don’t accept TVs anymore. She assured them that they are…
Details“The stories we love are filled with struggle, conflict, and failure, yet so often the stories we present to others are a highlight reel of accomplishments, perfect meals, and sunny days.” – Brian Bailey. As I reflect upon this quote, I realize the many ways that we see the truth of his statement. Think about…
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Remember when you were dating your future spouse and you seemed to agree on everything? You wanted two children and so did he. You both liked Italian food, wanted to travel, enjoyed hiking, and had the same spiritual goals. Nothing could be better. However, once you got married, you discovered that you weren’t quite as…
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We all have times when conversation flows pretty easily, as well as other occasions when communication can be strained. Then there are those times when it is downright difficult. So, what can you do to jump start your conversations with your mate? I want to suggest 4 strategies today to help reinvigorate your communication. 1)…
DetailsWe have all experienced those times when we have walked into the room and our spouse has “that look.” I have heard it called the “evil eye,” or the “stink eye”, but regardless of what you call it – we all know the look. We used to get it from our parents. We didn’t like…
DetailsEarlier this week I had the privilege of being interviewed by a radio station in Ohio. As we discussed the challenges of marriage, we began to explore the details of relationships that have “gone cold.” These may be couples who have not given needed attention to their relationship, resulting in a staleness or complacency. On…
DetailsYou find yourself in one of those discussions again that just doesn’t feel good. A disagreement has arisen with your spouse and you are trying to work through it. But something is eating at you. You find yourself irritated and you are not sure why. You feel as though you are being condescended to; almost…
DetailsI recently had a discussion in my university Marriage and Family class regarding finances, which is often seen as a major source of marital conflict. The discussion centered around debt and financial priorities. It was interesting to hear what various students would go into debt for. The list ranged from houses and cars to televisions…
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