Marriage Partnership articles from December 2004

Marriage Partnership archives from December 2004

Beyond "I do".(From the Editor)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... A few months ago my husband, Scott, and I met a woman whose husband is serving a two-year sentence in prison. They've been married nearly 30 years. Now twice a month, she drives a six-hour round trip to visit him. As Scott and I listened...

The right choice.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 22, 2004... I enjoyed reading "A Child-Centered Life" by Jill Savage (Fall 2004). Recently my husband and I decided we'd make "us" a priority. Now that we've read this article, I feel relieved that we made the right choice. To know I'm not being selfish...

Reading room.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 22, 2004... I keep a basket of reading material in the bathroom with a few of my husband's favorite magazines, as well as my own. When he tires of his reading material, he checks out the other magazines. The other day, he emerged with MARRIAGE PARTNERSHIP...

Tightened security.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 22, 2004... Browsing through your "Couple Minutes" department, I noticed an inset about protecting yourself against identity theft. One item, regarding online ordering, suggests ordering only from websites located on secure servers, identified as starting...

Love lessons.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 22, 2004... Wow! What a great article ("The Real Thing")! I wish I'd read this a couple years ago before my wife and I continued down the path that's led to our nine-month separation. A major area that destroyed our marriage was selfishness. We didn't...

It's never easy.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 22, 2004... I've been married almost 28 years now, and wish authors would remind the reader that it isn't easy. So often, as Christians, we want a formula to follow. But life isn't as easy as we want it to be. So while I think it's great that Golden...

Resuscitating romance.(Couple Minutes)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... The dog is barking, the kids are fighting, and you're 20 minutes late for work. Who has time for romance? You do! Try these four ideas for breathing new life into your relationship from marriage therapist Linda Janowitz. Know each...

God provides.(Couples Devotional)
December 22, 2004... "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not he dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10). My husband, Vic, had been out of work for more than a year, which...

You said it!(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... "The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost." --G. K. Chesterton "We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly." --Anonymous "Love your wife for who...

Want a tip?(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Want a Tip? Should you or shouldn't you? How much? Check out what you might not know about tipping. Dining Out 15-20 percent (pretax total) Buffet 5-10 percent Take-out delivery ...

Cozy couch potatoes.(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Yes, you could curl up at the opposite ends of the sofa, but you'd be missing a chance to get more connected. "If there's dose, full-body contact, cozying up on the couch together can ignite intimacy--without all the pressure of being in the...

The gift of appreciation.(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Combing the mall for a special gift for your spouse? Try giving a note of appreciation! You can serve it with your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, tuck it into a Christmas stocking, or read it by candlelight on Valentine's Day. Don't know...

Marriagepartnership.com surveys: balancing act.(Couple Minutes)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Our checking account is A nightmare: 18 percent A little troublesome: 18 percent Flawlessly balanced: 21 percent Pretty good most of the time: 42 percent Source: 800 respondents Wanna give us a...

Fighting fair.(Couple Minutes)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Conflict is an inevitable part of marriage, but it doesn't have to be a negative one. Here are 11 ways to confront each other in a healthy way: 1. Admit your anger. Own up to the first sign of irritation. The Bible says, "Go ahead and be...

Good Spousekeeping.(Snapshot)(Interview)
December 22, 2004... When Dave Meurer began dating his wife, Dale, he was working in a retail store and she was a college student. Twenty-three years of marriage later, he's the successful author of humorous books such as The Clueless Guy's Guide to Good...

What's the best Christmas present your spouse gave you?(Couple Minutes)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... When Gary sent me out of the house so he could work on my Christmas gift, I was nervous. There was no handmade present I could think of that he could make and I'd enjoy. So on Christmas morning, when I unwrapped his box and found a...

Heart-ening news.(Couple Minutes)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Want a healthy heart? Studies show that happily married couples are less likely than unhappy couples to suffer from heart disease. They also have less acute and chronic illness, better-functioning immune systems, fewer fatal accidents, less...

Storybook journey.(That Thing We Do)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Around the world we've shared the joys, heartaches, and journeys of generations of families... all while lounging in our bed, driving in the car, or relaxing on the beach. Our first journey together took us to the land of Narnia. After...

Grand prize: intimacy vs. orgasm?(Couple Minutes)(Letter to the Editor)
December 22, 2004... Take a new approach to your sex life. Instead of thinking of sex as the climax, try for intimacy as the climax. During sex, while still lying intertwined in each other's arms, verbalize your appreciation for each other. This honest,...

Honey, I don't have a headache tonight.(Between the Covers)
December 22, 2004... "While sex may be wonderful, for many women it's not always worth the effort," says author Sheila Wray Gregoire. In Honey, I Don't Have a Headache Tonight (Kregel), Sheila shares practical tips on how to turn up the heat in the bedroom--even...

Feeding Frenzy: keeping up with my husband's snacking was weighing me down.(Starting out: what I wish someone had told me)
December 22, 2004... Friends told me that after James and I were married, we'd discover things about each other that we'd never noticed before--cleaning patterns, bathroom habits, little quirks. They were fight. But nothing prepared me for the greatest shock...

She tells our business.(Couple counsel: everyday advice you can trust)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Q. My wife talks too much about things I feel are private. I've spoken to her about it, but she a doesn't think it's a big deal. Am I making too much over this? A. The issue isn't whether or not she thinks it's a big deal. The reality is...

Love, but not in love.(Couple counsel: everyday advice you can trust)
December 22, 2004... Q. I'm married to the most loving and understanding man. I love him dearly; however, I feel no physical attraction toward him. I'm sad to admit I was in a sexual relationship before my husband and I met. While that relationship was physically...

He wants to leave church.(Couple counsel: everyday advice you can trust)
December 22, 2004... Q. Recently, my husband decided to leave our church because he doesn't feel spiritually led there anymore. I see this as a division in our family, because I haven't heard God tell me to leave our church and go with my husband. I like our church...

He shuts me out.(Couple counsel: everyday advice you can trust)
December 22, 2004... Q. Every time my husband's upset, he shuts me out for days I've told him this hurts me, but he keeps doing it. He tells me he doesn't want to say things he'd regret. But by the time he's cooled down and ready to talk, I'm aloof. I can...

Beat the clock: differing sleep needs required Chris and Amy Kirk to creatively schedule some "together time.".(Work it out: real couples, real solutions)
December 22, 2004... Amy's side: I need more sleep! When Chris and I began our friendship four years ago, we'd stay up all night talking, laughing, sharing stories, and getting to know each other. We'd barely realize what time it was until we'd notice the sun...

Shadows of the mind: what to do with negative emotions toward your spouse.(Work it out: doing marriage God's way)
December 22, 2004... Bob is lying in bed, wide awake. Earlier, he'd been laughing, smiling, and telling Susan how beautiful she looked. But his mood crashed when he approached her for sex and she said three simple words: "I'm tired tonight." He feels rejected,...

Exposed! How marriage uncovers the sin in our lives--and why that's a good thing.(Soul to soul: where faith and marriage meet)
December 22, 2004... I've always thought of myself as reasonably patient and charitable--that is, until I got married and discovered how passionately annoyed I can become at pulling out empty ice cube trays. When I grew up, my family had a simple rule: If you...

2004 holiday gift guide.(Advertisement)
December 22, 2004... GRACE POINTS Times of transition can bring about a sense of loss and bewilderment. Jane Rubietta has written Grace Points to encourage women through times of change, helping them to make important choices: to be found by God and others, to...

Husband bashing: when I joined in on a gripe-fest about spouses, God taught me a lesson I'll never forget.
December 22, 2004... It Was Girls' Night. There we were, five 30-somethings munching on snacks while Sleepless in Seattle played in the VCR. We ate. We giggled. And we complained... about our husbands. It all started when one of the girls said, "The other day...

Lift lines: questions to take your marriage to higher levels.
December 22, 2004... Just as ski slopes progress from bunny hills to black diamonds, so conversation starters in marriage range from simple to sizzling. But with greater risk comes greater adventure. So hit the "slopes" with these questions on your next date and...

Irreconcilable differences--so? Why you don't need to see things the same way.(A marriage revolution: loyalty)
December 22, 2004... It didn't take long into my marriage to discover how incompatible my wife and I were. One reason I was attracted to Barbara in the first place was her apparent interest in theology. We'd spent many happy hours in college taking Bible and...

For better or for worst: two couples who have faced tragic, unforeseen circumstances--together.(A marriage revolution: loyalty)
December 22, 2004... A Terrorist Act Lt. Col. (Ret.) Brian and Mel Birdwell Married: May 16, 1987 Hometown: Manassas, Virginia Children: 1 son I was run over by a 757," Lt. Col. Brian Birdwell explains as he lifts his scarred arms and lianas and points at...

Committed for life! Remaining loyal brings a treasure trove of blessings to marriage--not a life sentence.(A marriage revolution: loyalty)
December 22, 2004... We've been married for more than 41 years now, so we think we can talk confidently on the subject of loyalty. Not we've "arrived" in marriage. None of us has, since marriage is constantly growing and changing. Yet, we can say honestly that,...

Vanishing act: we should have money. So where does it go? And what can we do about it?
December 22, 2004... Hi, I'm Jim, and I'm a financial nincompoop. I make a decent salary. We live in a nice house, have plenty to eat, dress well, and go on vacation every year. We don't live extravagantly. So how come we never get ahead financially? And how...

The best sex (survey) ever! Ever wondered how your sex life compares to that of other readers? Sure, you have! So read on.
December 22, 2004... The Basics: How satisfied are you with your sex life? Very satisfied 30% Satisfied 33% Neutral 15% Dissatisfied 17% Very dissatisfied 5% * 63 percent have a good sex life! If...

Divided loyalties: I couldn't please both my wife and my parents.(Back from the brink: true story of how a marriage was saved)
December 22, 2004... What do you mean, 'Pack for the drive home'? We're going to visit your parents every weekend?" my new bride exclaimed. We'd just returned from our honeymoon when it began: the tug-of-war over my loyalties between my wife and my parents. ...

Long distance service.(Real sex: frank answers to everything intimate)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Q. My Army husband was deployed six months ago. Our sex life is active when we're together. Now that we're living apart, we continue our sexual intimacy by phone and through the Internet. Is this okay? A. You've been wise and creative to...

Forgotten foreplay.(Real sex: frank answers to everything intimate)
December 22, 2004... Q. My husband's idea of foreplay and sex is taking off his clothes and lying in bed. He barely touches my breasts, and I have to be on top every time. He won't discuss trying anything different. I don't know what else to do. If I want to have...

"I'm impotent".(Real sex: frank answers to everything intimate)(sexual technique)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Q. How can I please my wife even in impotency? My impotence doesn't take away from my desire. And don't ask me to try any of the pills because I have and they don't work! A. There's an exciting and satisfying approach to sex that doesn't...

Allergic to ejaculate?(Real sex: frank answers to everything intimate)(Brief Article)
December 22, 2004... Q. Have you ever heard of a wife being allergic to her husband's ejaculate? Is this common? What can we do about it? A. Since allergic reactions are the body's defenses against foreign protein materials and a husband's seminal fluid...

My obsession with work: my wife thought it was a problem. Since nagging didn't work, she found another method to get my attention.(Ever after: marriage for a lifetime)
December 22, 2004... Early in our marriage, Norma came to the unpleasant realization that I was also married to my work. The long hours I spent at the office frequently included evenings and weekends. This left Norma alone a great deal of the time in the trenches...