tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41911668149419087342024-03-05T07:13:15.117-06:00Truth and Intimacy: The Classified FilesBuild your marriage by using thoughtful tips and biblical truthsLensey C. Hayeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02008108867994091251noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-46872528153235411392011-04-28T10:51:00.000-05:002011-04-28T10:51:24.658-05:00HAPPY FOUR YEARS TO US!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v9yEoB4xwAX9sZdgCFkXB8A4tYQt5KFn40zXyEhyphenhyphenHJpJZlDmhabju-6srVWaOWvto_47_6mn0ZeqKBbEm3ejoD0PcOPhWkq7hRvjqic7Axvfs0GPymzL1wxIIGX11tR5Ddis74Wg7Ag/s1600/Couple+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2v9yEoB4xwAX9sZdgCFkXB8A4tYQt5KFn40zXyEhyphenhyphenHJpJZlDmhabju-6srVWaOWvto_47_6mn0ZeqKBbEm3ejoD0PcOPhWkq7hRvjqic7Axvfs0GPymzL1wxIIGX11tR5Ddis74Wg7Ag/s200/Couple+1.jpg" width="141" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today marks our 4th year of marriage. Not four amazingly easy years, but four years of leaning on God and following His plan for marriage. It takes day-by-day trying and praying but we've made it this far by faith.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Celebrate with us by purchasing a copy of our special marriage building tool, <b><i>TRUTH AND INTIMACY: A COUPLE'S JOURNAL</i></b> book. Order in the sidebar. God bless and keep you all!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-4399473286080545742011-04-26T07:14:00.001-05:002011-04-26T07:14:00.153-05:00Today's Assignment<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For today, we give you a simple assignment. If you read this too late over in the evening, then use it for tomorrow.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commit yourself to complimenting three things about your spouse, sincerely taking in their reaction. Don't just rattle something off. Put some thought into it and compliment three things that really impress you or that you've found attractive in your mate. For this assignment, no physical compliments. We'll get to those later. Have fun!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-53143893156586574092011-04-20T11:09:00.001-05:002011-04-20T11:09:00.772-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj285GasnyTmZdeHxfm836R9KDYEakBjP0jfIeZLwKQ2_18IMyBo33Tj2ltzy6spPbMIWyFC5BvHO-kHIK1O0e0H1v8vSymWFVEVVz1Pjg7U7tI32x2L-fQILWMHpCo1kTGbdubtZ19KJE/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj285GasnyTmZdeHxfm836R9KDYEakBjP0jfIeZLwKQ2_18IMyBo33Tj2ltzy6spPbMIWyFC5BvHO-kHIK1O0e0H1v8vSymWFVEVVz1Pjg7U7tI32x2L-fQILWMHpCo1kTGbdubtZ19KJE/s200/011.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does commitment mean if it isn't tried? Unfortunately, most of us make commitments based upon favorable circumstances. That's common. It can be found anywhere. But marriage isn't for those who cannot endure tough times. Commitment is a promise that remains in place rather times are good or bad, prosperous or skim, rather in times of health or illness, times of boredom or excitement. Commitment isn't commitment if it cannot endure trials.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In these times, everyone is looking for someone to believe in them, to witness their lives, to understand their pain, to share in their joys and stand beside them when all others run away. That is supposed to be the beauty of marriage. Today, renew your commitment with your mate. Don't wait on some ceremony or big date. Do it now and do it everyday. Don't see yourself as a lone person anymore. See yourself as part of an entity much larger and greater than you and stay fully invested in it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you need more encouragement, pick up a copy of our book, <i><b>Truth and Intimacy: A Couple's Journal</b></i> in the sidebar or on Amazon.com. We look forward to helping other couples and to all feedback. God bless!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-21522985549410173892011-04-18T12:00:00.001-05:002011-04-18T12:00:04.416-05:00Do Your First Works AGAIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY25CIPma7lwBsZadq3Psy5pISPoIbfPhUtXQtGRY10b_rilkl1tlxJLLMqzgTi2UOQQCpf1bQFKtLEVMTHKf5xc7YRaCOfgySVJ0qHVb3Y1Qa_xAC39bofOXr3hTzG-LOi6GdHyPzMls/s1600/lips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY25CIPma7lwBsZadq3Psy5pISPoIbfPhUtXQtGRY10b_rilkl1tlxJLLMqzgTi2UOQQCpf1bQFKtLEVMTHKf5xc7YRaCOfgySVJ0qHVb3Y1Qa_xAC39bofOXr3hTzG-LOi6GdHyPzMls/s200/lips.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you remember the times when you sent each other love letters, texts, emails or all of the above? In the beginning, you sat around and thought of things to do to impress your amante, your lover. You wanted to please him/her. You wanted to win the heart and the mind of this person. What happened?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you allow life to come in and rob you of your romantic connection with your spouse? Did hard times steal the joy from your relationship? It doesn't have to remain that way. It's never too late to pick up where you left off, even if it does feel awkward and out-of-place. Just like in the beginning, you can choose to make your lover's thoughts and feelings important again. You can choose to please the person you share your bed with in new ways. It's really just a choice, albeit a difficult one if it has been awhile since you two shared that kind of bonding. Nevertheless, don't let it be said that you had the tools to work your marriage out yet refused to use them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you hadn't already, use the ordering link in the sidebar and get a copy of our marriage book, <b><i>Truth and Intimacy: A Couple's Journal</i></b>, and be blessed with encouraging techniques to improve your relationship today!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-78375169005215435542011-04-15T14:03:00.000-05:002011-04-17T14:09:51.415-05:00Growing Together<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marriage isn't something that automatically happens. It's something that has to be worked at daily. And even though I use the word "work", that does not mean that it's all bad. If you've married someone, some kind of bond had to have been established beforehand. With marriage, you are simply doing what you were doing and learning about each other to keep that bond growing stronger, deeper and more meaningful.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't let your marriage suffer from laziness. Choose to listen, to learn, to share, to care, to nurture and to grow together by going back to your first works - wooing and romancing, talking and laughing together.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My husband is my best friend. We share everything, even the painful stuff. And through the good and bad, we grow together.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-2863944063555198122011-02-27T07:45:00.001-06:002011-02-27T07:45:00.498-06:00Room to Grow<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">There are times when relationships change. Because people are mutable, relationships by default are too. Things change, but that doesn't mean you can't protect your marriage in the midst of those changes that occur.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj161Qe-6urMb2txCjQ9z6M_n642UGfFgGUcxp93kKdJ3x3qwaXoHgWsKfhVeJ5jZH787-_dsoPVgseTewmDgFGWZ_S862XEM2O_wekbdg1yRw0hJ3E4wJKsh6PbJnipYJ10Ne8AKPLDWA/s1600/Just+us.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj161Qe-6urMb2txCjQ9z6M_n642UGfFgGUcxp93kKdJ3x3qwaXoHgWsKfhVeJ5jZH787-_dsoPVgseTewmDgFGWZ_S862XEM2O_wekbdg1yRw0hJ3E4wJKsh6PbJnipYJ10Ne8AKPLDWA/s200/Just+us.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">As you move through life together with your mate, remember that your spouse is human. That person is changing, evolving as lessons are learned and situations happen. Give your mate room to grow and choose to grow with them. Don't get so comfortable in the relationship that you begin to take your spouse for granted, assuming everything will always be how it has always been. Rather, look for the opportunities to share growth together. Share in all times, good and bad. This is the makings of a good marriage!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-10425862716555969162011-02-16T18:41:00.000-06:002011-02-16T18:41:42.801-06:00Relationships Need<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Relationships need to be fed. Relationships need watering which means that the rain has to fall sometimes. Relationships also need sunshine which means it is imperative that you smile and laugh together and at each other sometimes. Relationships need to evolve, which means some things need to stay loose, maneuverable, etc.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Let your relationships have room to grow and expand, but know there are times it will feel like it is contracting and that's okay too.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-33110859723344993822011-01-05T16:06:00.000-06:002011-01-05T16:06:23.010-06:00Married but Separate<div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today's thought is just a few quick lines to make married couples reflect upon their marriage vows. </div><div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Some people are married in every sense of the word. Others are married legally but separate in every meaningful way as it concerns oneness. Most divorces that happen in the courtroom are just prolonged extensions of a separation that happened long before the couple would admit they have a problem. And still some are about as useless as a wooden nickel because the couple never accepted each other fully and hence were never truly married.</div><div style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="color: #660000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you're going to be married, listen to and ponder your vows. Keep them at the front of your heart and mind. Be married to one another in every sense of the word. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-33482920417856307742010-08-23T12:08:00.000-05:002010-08-23T12:08:04.098-05:00Truth and Intimacy Testimonial<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">We received another testimonial of our book, <b><i>Truth and Intimacy: A Couple's Journal</i></b>. Please read below and feel free to share it on your blog, website or social networking site.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HL4k_9d9qRR2-2ih0dYNYiOn8bpS8GiHoRrszUR7iXIsuAnmKgiTzMF-mY22z6gOvMsDerjp0xPeUS2WwUc8cfR51MW93YiN9cpv0pdcmGIEbBDEUE7vqK8eENrJg2ArsfhhzaqAw8k/s1600/Truth+and+Intimacy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HL4k_9d9qRR2-2ih0dYNYiOn8bpS8GiHoRrszUR7iXIsuAnmKgiTzMF-mY22z6gOvMsDerjp0xPeUS2WwUc8cfR51MW93YiN9cpv0pdcmGIEbBDEUE7vqK8eENrJg2ArsfhhzaqAw8k/s320/Truth+and+Intimacy.jpg" /></a></div><i style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">My husband and I were on the brink of divorce. I am so happy I heard about your book on Facebook through a mutual friend. We were both a little reluctant so we skilled all the reading and headed straight to the back where the interactive exercises were. After the second one, we discovered a whole lot of misconceptions about one another. We went back and read the book, doing one chapter a day and trying to apply it. Things improved by day 10, chapter 10. Now that we've completed the book, we have a new understanding and a closer marriage. Great book.</i><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> ~ </span><b style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shirley, a Facebook user</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-47767722200670451702010-08-21T11:34:00.000-05:002010-08-21T11:34:38.367-05:00Embracing the Person<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DHHLdk6M5nYWQR-APQrYzDhi8imWic38-_1nqsgJzXGJTBcMfEv5eTnCP-nsGgsZ1wMeoc4MLjgObZVFP9e-IqxqZi3782hmcMgGHocETXp6RffjZIWhmWgFpdKIDzAjhKHlt9L7gaA/s1600/Truth+and+Intimacy+cover+stock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4DHHLdk6M5nYWQR-APQrYzDhi8imWic38-_1nqsgJzXGJTBcMfEv5eTnCP-nsGgsZ1wMeoc4MLjgObZVFP9e-IqxqZi3782hmcMgGHocETXp6RffjZIWhmWgFpdKIDzAjhKHlt9L7gaA/s320/Truth+and+Intimacy+cover+stock.jpg" /></a><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A couple that refuses to accept one another as they currently stand is a couple destined for rocky roads. An embrace is empty if you are embracing an idea yet to come rather than the person actually before you.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It is imperative for the health of your relationship that you learn to fully love, fully accept and fully support the <i>person</i> you married. If he/she is to become anyone greater, it will be inspired and fueled by unadulterated love and belief in your mate. </span><br />
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<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-45647302066499002082010-08-10T12:00:00.001-05:002010-08-10T12:00:03.897-05:00Beautiful Qualities<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">When was the last time you took a moment to study the beauty of your spouse? I don't mean the physical only. Maybe your spouse is the most patient person you know; maybe the funniest person you know; maybe the most loyal and devoted person you know; maybe the most humble; maybe the trustworthiest; maybe the sweetest; maybe the most giving person. Whatever those beautiful qualities are, take a moment to appreciate them and then tell them so</span>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-65592470543030402842010-08-08T16:50:00.000-05:002010-08-08T16:50:30.988-05:00Oneness in Sharing<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marriage is most beautiful when shared among two people who are honest enough with one another as to share their weaknesses and fears. When that happens, you witness two people who are absolutely one because they've chosen to trust one another with something I can hardly trust themselves with. The deeper we share, the closer we become. Don't be guilty of sharing more of you with outsiders than with your own spouse. Begin building that oneness today by sharing yourselves with one another.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-37427705930421990122010-07-28T06:23:00.002-05:002010-08-21T11:42:53.118-05:00Value of Commitment<div style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Love cannot be truly summed up in emotions alone. Emotions are great, but there'll be times in a relationship when you won't feel the heat of passion or desire to cuddle and hold hands. There will be times when the stress of life might overshadow the romantic feelings of marriage. Does that mean the thrill is gone and you need to go with it? Heck no!</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We need to understand the value of commitment. Commitment is precious because it is an institution that operates outside of feelings. It is an issue of will. You have to have a made up mind to keep your marriage healthy in order to survive the ebb and flow of relationships and emotions, hardships and mishaps. A simple prayer to start your day with could be:</div><div style="color: #990000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #990000;"><i style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Father God, give me the ability to see my spouse the way you see them today, to love them how you love them today, to minister to them as if ministering to you today, and to forgive them like you have forgiven me today. </i></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-26165771755429284652010-07-26T08:07:00.001-05:002010-07-26T08:07:00.189-05:00Longevity in Love and Commitment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yUapp5XpaP4/TEo9IyK8dKI/AAAAAAAAAW4/HGSXpDSg-zg/s1600/Us+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yUapp5XpaP4/TEo9IyK8dKI/AAAAAAAAAW4/HGSXpDSg-zg/s200/Us+2.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">There are billions of people in the world. All of us with our dreams, goals, heartaches, fears, doubts, hopes and beliefs. And in all this huge world, the beauty of love and marriage and longevity in them is that two people commit to one another without regard to whatever else may be out there. That's beautiful!</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Further, commitment and love allows you to finally have someone to live with you as the person you truly are. There are no blinders. There are no airs. The gloves are off. You and this person live, love, know and hope together. You suffer together. You prosper together. You celebrate one another when success comes. You cry with one another when failure happens, and then swiftly lend your hand to help pick one another up. You witness the greatest parts of life. You witness the worst parts of life. Ultimately, you become one another. THAT is a beautiful marriage.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">At the end of the day, what someone looks like, what they drive, how much money they make and all the other superficial things we look at are not as important as we think they are. Choose your partner wisely, but after you've decided, don't allow hell or high water to divide you if it is within your power to avoid it. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-78710016690614299142010-07-24T07:08:00.000-05:002010-07-24T07:08:00.184-05:00Victorious Marriages<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Victorious marriages are those who endure hardships and even through shakiness manage to come out on top. No marriage is without its hardships because this life can be uncertain. Looking for a perfect relationship is foolish. Instead, we should focus on perfecting our imperfect relationships by focusing on love and understanding, the foundation of a healthy relationship.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For my husband and I, our relationship with God has been the glue that holds us together when everything else seemed to be shaky and unstable. From there, we had to learn how to love one another and make special efforts to understand one another. It's so easy to fall into selfishness and self-righteousness, but a victorious marriage is one where both parties make every effort to consider one another in all things whether present or absent from one another. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">If you want a victorious marriage, the first step is to step outside yourself and focus on understanding the person in front of you, the one you vowed to love and honor for life. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-80724920594699165892010-07-23T18:16:00.000-05:002010-07-23T18:16:01.673-05:00Heavenly and Earthly Relationships<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Not everyone is fortunate to get into the right relationship the first time. That does not mean you have to give up hope in God's ability to make the right match. Often, our problem is we don't acknowledge God while building our relationships. Don't forget your heavenly relationship while building your earthly ones.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-3018336633015275742010-06-10T08:24:00.001-05:002010-06-10T08:24:00.171-05:00Do It a Little Different<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The world is a serious place and living is serious business, but God still made room for us to enjoy life and each other. Today, make a decision to let something go undone so that you can remind your spouse of why they fell in love with you in the first place. Sneak up on them and surprise them with a back rub, a foot massage, a love letter or something. Wear their favorite color, favorite perfume/cologne, or play your favorite songs. Get back to the basics, to when your love was fresh and new. Do something different. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-75031478562922869502010-06-08T08:10:00.002-05:002010-06-08T08:10:00.623-05:00The Arms of Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdILsHCyxM7Qi5CVvmKiu_e8izup-7-TYvisPodAWvufkW_5XfZpQ1ipOWmAb5MyZm8RFTwBG0ibwcZvCVxHAIxE4DwakEMZZmaiD3O7L0RwBHHhROu483iTZ-HZ2xWzwidvEraAsP6I/s1600/Mike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdILsHCyxM7Qi5CVvmKiu_e8izup-7-TYvisPodAWvufkW_5XfZpQ1ipOWmAb5MyZm8RFTwBG0ibwcZvCVxHAIxE4DwakEMZZmaiD3O7L0RwBHHhROu483iTZ-HZ2xWzwidvEraAsP6I/s200/Mike+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some of you are wondering about the picture and why I chose it for this post. What you are seeing is maybe a tough guy, but what I see are the arms that comfort and protect me.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The other night as I laid in bed weeping silently trying not to disturb my husband's rest, I suddenly felt those huge arms encircle me and those big hands reach up in the dark to touch my tears and wipe them away. And he whispered to me, <i>I am right here with you.</i> <i>I'm not going anywhere. </i>He slowly began to rock me to soothe me as best he could and he prayed for me while I laid there helpless. My tears covered his arm and not once did he attempt to wipe them off. He just continued to hold me. I didn't say <i>thank you</i>. I didn't say <i>I needed this</i>. I didn't say a word, but my heart was saying <i>I need you to be strong for me right now. Thank you for holding me because I feel so alone in this pain.</i> My heart was afloat in love and gratefulness. It was as if I was being held by him and by God. And it hit me, <i><b>this</b></i> is what love and marriage are all about. It's about unity. It is about witnessing each others' lives. It is about comforting one another, partnering together, weathering storms, growing stronger together.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Thank you, God, for a wonderful man who represents you well. I ask only that I may do the same in this marriage. That my love for him will be so pure that he'll see and feel you in it. AMEN!</i> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-85568413466600053122010-06-07T10:07:00.000-05:002010-06-07T10:07:34.533-05:00Beauty, Wonders and Triumphs of Marriage<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sometimes, the beauty of marriage is lost in the day to day drudgery of life. We allow the work of marriage to drown out the wonders of marriage. We focus too hard on the trials of marriage to see the triumphs of marriage. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In marriage, you must remember that you agreed to be united to someone else. You agreed to leave selfishness for selflessness, to leave singleness and become part of an entity, a single entity that is composed of three parts- husband, wife and God. Trying to make a marriage without any of the three components is difficult, if not impossible.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Marriage is a splendid entity in and of itself. That two people in this world of billions can find each other, single each other out and discover love and passion is unbelievable. That two people in a world filled with bitterness, cruelty and hatefulness can trust in their love is miraculous. That two people can hang on in a society that feeds on lust, betrayal, adultery, fornication, lewdness, independence, freedom from anything that is difficult, a society that says chase happiness at any cost, that any two people make it through those things is the most beautiful thing in the world.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">You don't have to be married 10, 20, or 50 years to enjoy and celebrate and feel like you've accomplished something. Getting married was an accomplishment. Loving each other was an accomplishment. Each day that you survive the wilderness of life together is an accomplishment. I have seven years of relationship with my husband, only three of which we've shared in the bonds of matrimony and I believe that small amount of time is too large for me to give up on him, on me, on us, on the power of God, and on the potential we have as a couple. The beauty of our marriage is in the fact that it is flawed with the glorious and inglorious, yet it is not destroyed or devalued. It increases in value as we engage in battle with and prevail over the temptations that arise to threaten the union, the entity that is bigger than either of us, yet composed of us.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Your marriage is beautiful. Treat it with respect and reverence. Love your love that is shared enough to protect it. And when it seems too heavy for you to hold, trust in the master of your entity- GOD. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-56678659244113707812010-05-05T06:17:00.001-05:002010-05-05T06:17:00.563-05:00The Odds of Coupling<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Have you ever stopped to think how hard coupling is on a spiritual level? What are the odds of two people connecting with one another when there is stiff competition on both sides to win one or both of the people in the relationship?</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you see it for what it is, those of us who find a suitable mate that truly loves us and wants to commit only to us are truly blessed. Don't take your miracle for granted because your spouse is your miracle and your partner for life. Just something to chew on. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-77078356361983771282010-05-01T05:46:00.001-05:002010-05-01T05:46:00.498-05:00April Showers, May Flowers<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It is said that April showers bring May flowers.</div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Even in marriage, things are no different. Sometimes, you have to go through rough patches, but it is in times of turmoil or heaviness that you find the companionship that much sweeter, the touches that much gentler, and the hugs that much more enduring. Hard times can grow your bond together exponentially. Don't run from hard issues in life. Embrace one another and let it grow you both together. Let the rain bring you flowers of joy and togetherness. </span><br />
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<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-29309039962569454922010-04-26T08:28:00.000-05:002010-04-26T08:28:00.490-05:00Manic Monday- Don't Be Overwhelmed<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Well, it's another Monday. The work week is starting for many. The weekend rushed by in a blur and you may have a tendency to feel overwhelmed. </div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When you are overwhelmed, your family can see it in your actions and hear it in your voice. Try something new today. Take a moment and breathe through it, and if you need help, kindly ask your spouse or even your child, co-worker or friends for assistance.</div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-72386497845126265792010-04-24T08:05:00.001-05:002010-04-24T08:05:00.479-05:00What Happy Couples Discuss<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was rambling through Yahoo and found a very interesting post about what happy couples talk about. Certainly it isn't people, though a certain amount of the past should be shared, including some of the uncomfortable stuff about exes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'd love to know what your thoughts are on this article. Follow <a href="http://dating.personals.yahoo.com/singles/relationships/24466/dating-tips-9-things-happy-couples-talk-about">this link</a>.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-82046828228592053562010-04-23T07:37:00.000-05:002010-04-23T07:37:00.945-05:00Those Blah Moments<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">All marriages have those blah moments when everything seems boring and mundane. In fact, that's just life. Married and not, you'll have those moment. The key is to remember it is only a moment you're having. There's no need to argue about the boredom or try to place blame. Just know that it won't always be that way. The better way to spend your energy is thinking of some inexpensive of free things you and your spouse can share together.</span><br />
<input id="gwProxy" type="hidden" /><!--Session data--><input id="jsProxy" onclick="jsCall();" type="hidden" /><div id="refHTML"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4191166814941908734.post-41392611342113557412010-04-20T22:56:00.000-05:002010-04-20T22:56:25.994-05:00Prepare for Marriage<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marriage is not something that is for everybody at any time in their lives. In other words, it is something that needs to be prepared for. Too many jump into marriage just because they love one another. But it takes a level of dedication to make a marriage last that frankly too few exercise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're considering marriage, then the first thing you need to do is take a good look at your life and make sure that you're ready to have another person in it full time, not from the perspective of loneliness, but from the perspective of responsibilities.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14104419416627022349noreply@blogger.com0