Marriage Partnership articles from March 2008

Marriage Partnership archives from March 2008

We're looking for people to--write children's books.
March 22, 2008... If you've ever dreamed of writing for publication, this may be your best chance to turn that dream into a reality. If you qualify and show promise, we'll teach you--the same way I was taught--how to break into one of the most rewarding of all...

Time to celebrate!(from the editor)
March 22, 2008... You did what?" Dawn, MP's associate editor, asked when I told her about what my husband and I did for our anniversary. I nodded. "Yep. Scott and I spent the night in our Explorer in a Wal-Mart parking lot." "On purpose?" She...

Surprise resort stay.(from the editor)
March 22, 2008... In a previous job, I used to travel a lot. During the week of our fifth anniversary, I told my husband, Darrell, I'd taken a full-day booking on Friday "Friday is our anniversary," he said, irritated. "Why would you take a booking that...

An Irish blessing.(from the editor)(Editorial)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For our 30th anniversary, we traveled to Ireland. The first week we went with a tour group, staying at hotels and closely watching the bus driver navigate those tricky round-abouts. Then the second week we ventured...

Our almost tropical getaway.(from the editor)(Editorial)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... For years, Ron and I had vowed to spend our 10th anniversary in Hawaii. But as the date drew closer we were forced to consider the facts--a mortgage, two kids, and a now single income. No problem! Being adaptable, we set our sights on...

The big question.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 22, 2008... The article "Will We or Won't We" (Winter 2007) was excellent, and I commend author Gary Thomas for his accurate comments on both the male and female sides of the issue. I'm going to print it and give it to my husband, and then I'm going to...

An issue of trust.(letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 22, 2008... I read with interest the response to the wife's concerns in "He Wants to Try New Things" (Real Sex). But shouldn't the columnists have addressed the fact that her husband calls her a "prude" for feeling uncomfortable doing things he suggests?...

Getting "choosy".(letters)(Letter to the editor)
March 22, 2008... I needed to read "The Three Most Important Choices." My husband and I are both at fault for how we've talked to and felt about each other. We never pray together; he doesn't believe anymore. But I know I still love him and have faith that God...

Share the fun.(couple minutes)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... Want to get your spouse on board with your new hobby? Try these five tips 1. DON'T PUSH. Allow your spouse time to get used to the idea. Not everyone feels love at first sight. Some require courtship. 2. DITCH THE...

Today is life-the only life you are sure of.(couple minutes)
March 22, 2008... "TODAY IS LIFE-THE ONLY LIFE YOU ARE SURE OF. Make the most of today. Get interested in something. Shake yourself awake. Develop a hobby. LET THE WINDS OF ENTHUSIASM SWEEP THROUGH YOU. LIVE TODAY WITH GUSTO." --Dale Carnegie

Conquering disappointment.(couples devotional)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.--Psalm 22:5 Disappointment can corrode a marriage like rust eats away at a car. Any number of things--a spouse's unemployment, a...

Befriending couples of a different race.(couple minutes)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Expanding your circle to include couple friends whose ethnic backgrounds differ from your own can be eye-opening as well as rewarding. George Yancey, co-editor of Just Don't Marry One: Interracial Dating, Marrying,...

About zinc.(the stink)
March 22, 2008... Does your spouse overdo his cologne? Envelop herself in a cloud of perfume? If your mate's use of fragrance seems overpowering to you (and the neighbor down the block), yet just right to her, it may actually be the result of a nutritional...

Marriage goes green!(couple minutes)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Want to do your part to benefit the environment. Stay married. According to a groundbreaking study conducted by Dr. Jianguo Liu of Michigan State University, THE RISING DIVORCE RATE IS TAKING ITS TOLL ON THE...

What was your strangest anniversary celebration?(couple minutes)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For our 10th anniversary, I booked us a room at a nearby resort on Lake Erie that promised a Jacuzzi and a lovely view. When we arrived, however, everything was locked up. Since we'd already paid for the room, we...

What was your most romantic anniversary celebration?(couple minutes)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While we were dating, my husband played trombone in his college band. When I expressed doubt that THE TROMBONE COULD BE A ROMANTIC INSTRUMENT, he said that someday he'd write me a love song to prove it. So on our...

What was your most memorable anniversary celebration?(couple minutes)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our most unique anniversary celebration was the year we were so broke we barely had enough money to buy food for dinner. So the kids and I TURNED OUR HOME INTO A RESTAURANT, complete with menus, candlelight, a small...

Go a little crazy.(couple minutes)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tired of the same old, same old when it comes to dates with your spouse? Try trading dinner and a movie for a weird and wild festival. Whether you attend a Horned Toad Derby, National Hollerin' Contest, or Toy Piano...

Show him the love.(couple minutes)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... You've heard of Mother's Day, Father's Day, and even Grandparents' Day. But did you know there's Husband Appreciation Day? The third Saturday of April (this year, April 19) has been designated a day for wives to reflect on the various ways...

You said it!(couple minutes)
March 22, 2008... "STRONG MARRIAGES, UNDER STRESS, GET STRONGER. The White House has made a good marriage really good." --President George W. Bush with Laura, his wife of 30 years [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Redeeming childhood.(snapshot)(Jim Daly)(Interview)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For Jim Daly, life is good. President and CEO of Focus on the Family, he's been married to Jean for 21 years and has two sons. But Jim overcame significant obstacles to reach the place he's in today. He shares his...

You don't have to argue!(snapshot)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As we neared our wedding date, my wife, Shirley, and I committed to ourselves and to God that we'd live without verbal clashing. Now married 52 years, here are six tips we've found helpful in achieving that goal. ...

A Labor with Love: A Dad's-to-Be Guide to Romance During Pregnancy.(between the covers)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A Labor with Love: A Dad's-to-Be Guide to Romance During Pregnancy by Leon Scott Baxter (Lulu.com). After reading this title, I'll admit I thought, Oh great--a guy telling all the other guys how to "get some" while...

Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage.(between the covers)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage by Stormie Omartian (Harvest House). The bestselling author of a series on prayer, Omartian's latest book focuses on stressors that most frequently cause a marriage to...

The Spark.(between the covers)(Brief article)(Book review)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Spark by Jay and Laura Laffoon (Baker Books). In The Spark this husband and wife team, who have been putting on marriage conferences for more than 10 years, explain that "the spark" is intimacy, and "how that...

Generation NeXt Marriage.(between the covers)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Generation NeXt Marriage by Tricia Goyer (Multnomah). Goyer delves into the unique challenges facing married Gen Xers (born 1961 to 1981), such as living through the sharpest increase of divorce in the U.S. Using...

Taking the plunge.(that thing we do)(a wife talks about scuba diving)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My husband, Lance, was scuba certified as a teenager. I stumble walking in flip-flops. Coordination, agility, and the thrill of victory never met me, but the agony of defeat and I are on intimate terms. At...

Gimme some space! After our long workdays, I couldn't wait to be together. Apparently he could.(starting out)
March 22, 2008... [Laura and Anwar Allen: married 1 year; met: through mutual drug dealer in college (their "Before Christ" years); favorite movie: Ratatouille] We were married as my husband finished a summer job as a camp counselor. Since Anwar's new job...

We have nothing in common.(couple counsel)
March 22, 2008... My wife and I have nothing in common. We've been married nine years, and I find myself wondering what it would be like if I were married to a woman who likes the same things I do. It irritates me that we can't do anything together. What should...

New security for your accounts.(common cents)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... Have you ever signed up to view your checking, savings, or credit card account and were asked to answer security questions that required at least a six-letters-and-a-number answer? With identify theft on the rise, these questions are...

Gray market goods.(common cents)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... If you're in the market for an item, such as a flat screen TV, you'll probably compare prices with several merchants. Occasionally you may find a merchant on the internet offering the item at a huge discounted price. The product could be an...

Common cents.(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] question My wife and I have a budget--but we can never stick to it! Are there some tips or secrets to staying within our plan? answer Budgeting is a dreaded word for most couples. Especially if both...

Fowl play! These 4 communication styles are for the birds.(twenty-four/seven)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] She sat in my office, tears running down her face. "I wish my husband would tall to me. But most of the time, he says nothing. I don't know how much longer I can take the silence." This wife was expressing a deep...

Thanks for a whole lot of nothings: my gratitude for everyday actions improved our opinions of each other.(soul to soul)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After several minutes I still sat staring at the blank piece of paper. Lord, please help me think of something. This was my first night attending a marriage class. I hoped I'd learn something that would save my...

Pushy wives and pushover husbands: what 3 couples from the Bible teach us about ...
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the beginning was Eve, that foodie from Genesis 3, who "gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate" (Genesis 3:6). To be fair, Eve simply handed over the fruit; she didn't insist that Adam chow down....

20 Ways to spice up your intimacy.(the most (unusual) romantic things)(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] 1. TURN ON THE ELECTRIC BLANKET or heated mattress pad 30 minutes before he heads to bed. 2. Empty the dishwasher or do the dishes without being asked. 3. MAKE COFFEE or tea in the morning and take it to the...

Romance isn't what you think it is.
March 22, 2008... "That was the most romantic thing you've ever done!" I said when I stepped out of the airport to find my husband, Mark, waiting in the pouring rain. My car was in the airport parking lot. So when it began to rain hard, Mark had decided to drive...

I want to hold your hand.(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My stepdad was just beginning to come out of the anesthetic after minor surgery. As I watched him regain consciousness, before he even opened his eyes, he reached for my mother's hand. A simple act, yet so profound....

Positive & negative words: why the 5-to-1 ratio works.
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Why do so many of us remember--in detail--all the negative things our spouse did or said, from the beginning of the relationship until today? "You're always late." "This place is a mess." "You never listen to me."...

Branded! what business can teach you about God's purpose for your marriage.
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Knowing how much I love to meddle in other people's business--literally--my husband, Rafi, handed me a packet of papers and asked, "Could you help me brainstorm some of my branding stuff later?" I glanced at the...

Way too busy: what to do when your schedules leave little time together.
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Not long before my husband proposed, he traveled 1,500 miles to visit me during New Year's. As much as I hate to admit it, I was working--something I did too much of. "Why did you invite me to visit if you didn't...

Ah, to sleep: are bedtime issues interfering with your marriage?
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Getting a good night's sleep is a major challenge for millions of Americans. The National Institute for Health reports that more than 60 million Americans struggle with sleep issues--from waking repeatedly during the...

Relaxed fit: what my 20 year marriage and Levi's[R] have in common.(TWENTY GREAT YEARS)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When I was a kid, moms made their sons wear stiff blue jeans that were way too long. All the boys showed up on the first day of school walking like zombies, with pants legs turned up halfway to our knees. These were...

Grate expectations: was a swanky dinner by a fireplace too much to ask?(TWENTY GREAT YEARS)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our 23rd wedding anniversary was just one week away, and I could hardly wait to top the excitement of last year's romantic adventure--buying a new toilet seat. Giddy with plans of a dreamy dinner for two at the...

Still the one.(TWENTY GREAT YEARS)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In recognition of our 10-year anniversary, MARRIAGE PARTNERSHIP profiled four couples who were celebrating their tin/aluminum anniversaries. This time around, MP tracked down those couples to find out how their...

Our best sex advice: for two decades Marriage Partnership has offered real, biblical, practical insight for bedroom issues. Here are 20 of the best.(TWENTY GREAT YEARS)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Giving pointers Expressing positive messages during sex enhances the experience for both spouses. In contrast, criticism and sexual arousal just don't mix. When we're aroused, we are open and vulnerable. So avoid...

Twelve dates: here's a fun way to celebrate your anniversary all year long.(TWENTY GREAT YEARS)
March 22, 2008... It was our 15th anniversary and we were, ah, less than rich. We'd recently moved out of our starter home and into a slightly larger one to accommodate our three kids and 80-lb black lab. Add to that fact that our anniversary is in January, two...

He drives me crazy: marriage lessons from the road.(TWENTY GREAT YEARS)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After our wedding 20 years ago, my husband, Alvin, and I loaded our meager belongings into a 5'x8' U-Haul trailer. Instead of sunbathing on Tahiti's black sand beaches, we honeymooned our way cross-country from...

When a son kills: Gene and Carol Kent had a loving family, strong faith, and a great marriage. One gunshot changed everything.(portrait of a marriage)
March 22, 2008... The phone rang in the middle of the night. Carol Kent rolled over as her husband, Gene, reached for the receiver. She glanced at the clock on her bedside table: 12:35 A.M. [ILLUSTRATIONS OMITTED] Who would be calling in the middle of...

My wife's gynecologist is a man.(real sex)
March 22, 2008... How should I handle a male doctor doing a pelvic exam on my wife? Do I have the authority as her husband to insist this be done by a female physician? not accusing my wife of wrongdoing and I won't deny her medical attention. But is this exam...

I want to orgasm!(real sex)
March 22, 2008... I feel disappointed that I can't have an orgasm. I'm not one of those women who don't mind not having one. Is my desire wrong? There's nothing wrong with desiring to experience orgasm--it's part of how God designed sex to work. If we...

Thanks a lot, Jane Austen: one trip to the movies had me wondering, where's the love? the romance?(ever after)
March 22, 2008... I was completely captivated by the beauty of his words. They were tender, heartfelt, poetic. "You must know--surely you must know that it was all for you.... You have bewitched me, body and soul." Too bad these words were written by a...

It figures.(Brief article)
March 22, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] when something around the house breaks: He fixes it: 62% She fixes it: 10% We call a professional: 8% He/she "fixes" it, then we call a pro: 14% What? You're supposed to fix it?: 6% (2,257...