Category Archives: Uncategorized

Creating Healthy Ties There was a time in our country when a newly-wed couple would live with either of their parents until they were able to either, afford to live on their own, in a small house on the same property, or perhaps just next door in the same neighborhood.  Today we live in aContinue reading “#13 In-Law Relations”

The Marital relationship should be a partnership We have talked before about being ‘one’ with our spouse in marriage, and how nothing should come between man and wife in their marital relationship.  One of the most damaging struggles in a marital relationship is over power.  In fact, it has been found that issues having toContinue reading “#12 Power Relations and Children”

Fidelity and Physical Intimacy “Thousands of young people come to the marriage altar almost illiterate insofar as this basic and fundamental function is concerned.  The sex instinct is not something which we need to fear or be ashamed of.  It is God-given and has a high and holy purpose … We want our young peopleContinue reading “#11 Fidelity in Marriage”

Most Important Aspect of Marriage? Not too long ago, when I was asked what I thought the most important aspect of a successful marriage was, I answered without hesitation, that it was communication.  I have felt for some time that if two people are unable to communicate in a productive and appropriate way, their relationshipContinue reading “#10 Seeking to Understand”

Managing Conflict:  Consecrating Ourselves I’ve heard it said of marriages that if a husband and wife never disagree, then one of them is lying.   I can’t imagine that two individuals who were raised in two totally different environments and lifestyles can come together and be completely in-sync, never having conflicting ideas or tendencies.  Is itContinue reading “#9 Managing Conflict”

Let Your Partner Influence You John M. Gottman, Ph.D., states in the Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, “In our long-term study of 130 newlywed couples, whom we followed for nine years, we found that, even in the first few months of marriage, men who allowed their wives to influence them had happier relationships andContinue reading “#8 Pride Before the Fall”

Before my husband and I got married, he moved into a duplex where we would live once we tied the knot.  It was a cute little place, and I was excited to decorate our new home to be inviting and quaint.  However, when we walked into the apartment, newly occupied by my soon-to-be husband, IContinue reading “#7- Emotionally Connected”

Ready for another Love Map Game?

Love Maps I have often heard it said that we should lose ourselves in service to others.  I believe this means in marriage as well.  However, I do not believe this means that we actually lose ourselves within the marital relationship.  In fact, a very important aspect of the marital relationship in keeping our “LoveContinue reading “#6- Love Maps”

Seriously?  Am I one of the ones who actually believed this when I was young and naïve?  Life is full of ups and downs, and in marriage it can feel like a roller-coaster ride with no safety bar.  Is there really a way to live happily ever after?  I believe that all depends. Depends onContinue reading “#5- “And They Lived Happily Ever After””