Marriage Archives - Page 4 of 4

15 Tips to a Happy Marriage

Yesterday I wrote about being single and today I am writing about marriage. What can I say, I like to spread the love around evenly.

Earlier this week, Carlos Whitaker wrote a post on the top 11 things he and his wife do to make their marriage a happy, healthy one. I loved the post and thought I would pay homage to Los Whit by writing my own list.

I have to say, and I’m not bragging…okay, maybe I’m bragging just a teeny tiny bit…but, my husband and I have a rockin’ marriage. We enjoy marriage and we enjoy each other. We have a few tricks up our sleeve, too. Here are our 15 tips to a great marriage: Continue reading 15 Tips to a Happy Marriage

5 Reasons Why Women Cheat

Last Wednesday on He Said/She Said, I asked, why do men cheat? I then gave 5 reasons why I think men are tempted to fall into adultery.

Today, we are shifting over to the ladies. Adultery among women is up significantly from years ago. More and more women today are cheating. Some believe this is true because of more lax adultery laws against women and the topic of adultery being more openly discussed in general.

Perhaps this is true, but I suspect that some of the very same reasons men cheat, compel women to cheat, as well. There are also more complex reasons as to why more and more women are seeking adulterous relationships. The reasons may surprise you… Continue reading 5 Reasons Why Women Cheat

Have Sex…Even When You Don't Feel Like It

Having sex in marriage is important. Necessary. Crucial.

Women need sex to feel emotionally connected. Men need sex to feel loved and desirable.

But as most married women will tell you, marriage sure slows down the frequency of sex and sexual mood. Whether it be long work days, stress, children, or other daily distraction–a woman’s sexual impulse can be sucked right out.

All too often in marriage, women find themselves saying “no” to sex much more than “yes.” There is even the mythical male who turns down sex with his wife… a very rare breed, indeed.

I have heard it said before that women should just go ahead and have sex, even when they don’t feel like it. I agree with that sentiment and here’s why: Continue reading Have Sex…Even When You Don't Feel Like It

Your Husband is NOT a Pervert, Part 2: Top 3 Ways to Help Her Understand

This is a guest post from none other than my hubster, Jonathan, in follow-up to last week’s first-parter. It’s a doozy.

Well I’m glad to know that my wife doesn’t think I’m a pervert. I would’ve guessed that, but it’s always good to have her own written words to point back to in our future discussions about sex. Ah, the joys of a blogging wife.

But what about you poor fellas out there that don’t have my same fortune? You men out there with wives who think you’re just a plain sick-o that thinks about sex “all the time” and happens to be “in the mood” at the absolute worst times. Or perhaps you have a wife that gets the general gist, but could still use some coaching on what you want in the bedroom. This one’s for you, gentlemen.

Your mission, whether you choose to accept it or not, is to help your wife understand your sexual needs and wants. Easier said than done, right? Well, let’s brainstorm, guys (and ladies, we’ll even let you listen in and provide your thoughts, too)…

Continue reading Your Husband is NOT a Pervert, Part 2: Top 3 Ways to Help Her Understand

Sex: Good, Clean Fun

It’s He Said/She Said Wednesday again, which means it’s time to talk about two of my favorite subjects: men and women. Today, though, is going to get a little saucy, as I am tackling the issue of sex.

The Church and sex have a long and checkered past. Either the Church is silent on the subject, or it’s all too vocal. But how do individual Christians deal with issue of sex?

We believers are not known for being sexy people. We are known for being a whole lot of other things before being sexy. But why not sexy? The Lord, in His goodness, created sex, after all. He even created it for enjoyment and pleasure. So are married believers actually enjoying sex? Or are they perhaps stilted in the bedroom by the negative connotations that the Church, and sometimes the world, attaches to the word “sex”?

Sex is supposed to be fun–so is it? Are you enjoying good old fashioned sex the way God designed it? Continue reading Sex: Good, Clean Fun

5 Years of Bliss, Babies, and Baldness

Tomorrow is my 5 year wedding anniversary with my husband Jonathan. Can I get a “woot, woot!” It seems like only yesterday we were two young kids crazy-in love, ready to spend forever together. Yet, in other ways, it feels like we have been married 50 years already, especially when we act like some old, married couple.

A lot has happened, though, in 5 years. For instance… Continue reading 5 Years of Bliss, Babies, and Baldness

Is it Okay to Have Rules in Marriage?

Ah, marriage. I love it. I love everything about it. I love the companionship, the company, the camaraderie. I even love the fact that I end up spending so much time with someone, which for an introvert like me can be difficult.

God knew what He was doing when He created marriage. He knew the needs we hold and the desires we keep. He designed men and women to be in partnership.

I realized quickly within marriage, though, that it was necessary to have guidelines and boundaries in place, both for the unspoken and the obvious. Jonathan and I talk often about our expectations for marriage and we check in with one another to see how we are doing as spouses. There are certain things we have agreed upon through our conversations that we will never do nor allow to happen within our marriage. Do you have guidelines like that, whether you are married or not? Things you and your spouse have committed to keeping in or keeping out of your marriage?

Need some inspiration? Well here are some of the things that Jonathan and I have sworn that we will never do or always do within marriage…. Continue reading Is it Okay to Have Rules in Marriage?

What Makes a Woman Worthy of Marriage?

Last Wednesday on He Said/She Said I posed the question: What makes a man worthy of marriage? A lot of you weighed in on the subject, mostly men in fact. I determined that in order for a man to be worthy, he has to actually be a man. Then I listed three qualities that I think make a man a man, man (I love those Old Spice commercials, sorry). This week the question goes out to all the ladies:

What makes a woman worthy of marriage? Is it her good looks? Oh, I sure hope not. Is it her mothering skills? The way she cooks, cleans, or says “Yes, honey”? If so then I am in trouble.

I was mulling over this question. It seemed so much harder for me to answer. I was talking over the topic with my husband and he said this:

Just like men need to be men in order to be worthy of marriage women need to not be men, to be worthy of marriage.

Huh? “Yes, that’s right,” I thought. Women need to stop trying to be men if they are to be worthy of marriage. Here’s why: The “F” word. Continue reading What Makes a Woman Worthy of Marriage?

What Makes a Man Worthy of Marriage?

We have all heard the saying: A good man is hard to find. This phrase is sad, but true. A good man is hard to find.

Good woman aren’t much easier to find. It seems that many young men and women today grow up to be anything but. Long gone are the days of men acting like men and women behaving like women. The values that once helped shape a young person into a admirable adult are no longer taught or even acknowledged, values like: honesty, integrity, courage, honor, responsibility, and respect.

Today, culture values values individualism, self-reliance, wealth and material success, education, and a cut-throat drive. In a world teeming with self-absorbed, self-focused individuals it is difficult to find people to befriend let alone marry. And if you are a woman looking to be married, it can be as I said before “hard to find a good man.”

So where do you look to find such a man? Once you have found him how do you evaluate whether or not he is marriage material? What makes a man worthy of marriage? Continue reading What Makes a Man Worthy of Marriage?