"It all sounds so romantic. Hate to burst your bubble. I've noticed this is very focused on making the male more happy and going out of the way...I'm just saying you seem to really focus on the female making the male happy, really big in this one." ~Facebook Comment The "this one" the reader was talking about was my article "10 Everyday Moments for which I'm Grateful." I … [Read more...]
10 Everyday Marriage Moments for Which I’m Grateful
When you slow down and take time to appreciate and experience your spouse, you realize there are more blessed moments than not. That moment when he rests his head in your lap and begins to sleep like a baby. That moment when he shares something with you that he’s never shared with anyone else. That moment when he turns the volume down on the television and turns to listen to … [Read more...]
A Marriage Like Velcro: Compliment or Criticism
Has a statement about marriage ever rubbed you the wrong way? Maybe you could tell that outsiders looking in just didn't "get it." This is how I felt while watching a recent episode of "The Braxton Family Values." Of course, it wasn't my marriage that was under scrutiny but Tamar's (who is married to music executive Vince Herbert). In one particular scene, the sisters, minus … [Read more...]
Speak Resurrection into Your Life and Relationships So They Will Live and Not Die
Easter is upon us. I have to admit that I love this season and its traditions. However, more important than new clothes, delicious feasts, and candied eggs, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many people consider Resurrection (Easter) Sunday to be the holiest day in the Christian year. It is the day that believers in Jesus Christ celebrate their risen Lord and Savior. But, I … [Read more...]
It Gives Me So Much Joy to See My Husband Happy
My husband and I both got the text message: I have 2 tickets to the ACC tournament, and you all can have them if you want. I didn't respond. It was 8:30 a.m. and work was calling. Heck, I didn't even know the ACC Tournament was in town. It's more than a big deal in North Carolina, so you would've thought I would be aware that traffic would be hectic around the coliseum … [Read more...]
My Word Is Bond
"All you have is your word." I remember hearing that growing up as a child. My father, in particular, was a stickler about keeping his word. He wouldn't let his children quit or break their commitments, not even for illness. If we gave our word, then we had to keep it. That childhood lesson is helping me in more ways than one as an adult. It all begins with God's word … [Read more...]
You Get What You Tolerate
My daughter is a lot nicer and softer than I am. At seven years old, all she wants to do is make friends and have play dates. But, as she is learning, life isn't always so nice. Some people are mean. Just this week she had a meltdown because two classmates were teasing her. So, her daddy and I stepped in to teach her how to speak up for herself. If bullies know they can pick on … [Read more...]
Making Love is Good, but It’s Not Good Enough to Sustain a Marriage
Yes, sex feels good, and it’s one of the perks of marriage. But, sex will not sustain a marriage. You must think beyond the flesh if your marriage is going to withstand the tests of time. In addition to sexual intercourse, there are two other types of intercourse in which married couples should engage if they plan to live happily ever after: emotional intercourse and spiritual … [Read more...]
6 Questions From Single Women about Intimacy, Relationships, and Prayer
Time is running out. . . the biological clock is ticking. . . you've approached or crossed over 40 years old and still no husband. What do you do? If you go by the media reports, black women, in particular, will die old maids. Oh, they will have their degrees, a house, and maybe even children. But what they won't have is a true love who they spend the rest of their lives … [Read more...]
My Kind of Man
Tall, dark, and handsome. . .where did that come from? Not all women desire that kind of man. We do have preferences when it comes to physical features. However, what I have learned is that when God chooses your spouse for you, he can make you fall in love with a person you never imagined you'd desire. The kind of man that makes your heart flutter or makes you want to look and … [Read more...]
Review TLC’s “The Sisterhood”: Jesus Didn’t Die for This
I know there is a lot of crap on television. Over 90% has nothing to do with Jesus. But when you intentionally create a show and act like it does, that's when you cross the line. "The Sisterhood," a reality-tv show about preachers' wives in Atlanta, premiered on TLC January 1. Leading up to the show, I thought, "Do I really want to begin the first day of the New Year with … [Read more...]
A Powerful Marriage is Better than a Perfect Marriage
It's a total waste of time to try and make your spouse or your relationship perfect. There will be times when all you can do is pray. This is just a nugget of wisdom my husband and I share with couples during pre-marital and marital counseling. In particular, the engaged couples who only see roses and rainbows need to know that their marriage will be far from perfect. … [Read more...]
Marriage is for Soul Mates not Roommates
I’ve had roommates before. Once, we shared a dorm room, and sometimes clothes. We laughed together even cried. It was cool, but the roommate relationship in that form wasn’t meant to last a lifetime. After the dorm room, I acquired an apartment-mate. We split the bills and gave each other privacy. Although we shared furniture and food, there was an uspoken rule that “what’s … [Read more...]
Sometimes We Think We Want a Divorce, But What We Really Want Is Our Joy Back
A woman wrote me recently asking for advice about her failing marriage. Life was really taking a toll on her and her husband. They were caring for a terminally ill parent. They were growing apart after 8 ½ years, resulting in a non-existent sex life. When they did speak to each other, well, you can imagine that their words were not always kind. So, they finally had “the … [Read more...]
6 Ways to Act Like You’re Married
He just couldn’t believe his wife went all day without checking in with him. Who does that? Surely not a wife, as my co-worker explained. You see, she’s married…to an amazing man…to a provider and protector of the family…and to a caring father of their three daughters. He takes his responsibilities as a Christian husband and father seriously. Which means, if he acts like he’s … [Read more...]