Browsing: relationships

Many women dream of that special day. You know the one, where all of the attention is on her in that gorgeous white dress. The flowers, the decorations, the fancy cars and let’s not forget, her Prince Charming. Most women have an idea of what age they will be when Mr. Right asks her to spend the rest of her life with him. She has the colors picked out, the ideal season, the wedding party and even the guest list! To many women, the wedding day is the turning point in her life that will lead to her happily ever…

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Once upon a time, I got led on. Yep, you heard me.  The “relationship expert” herself, got led on.  In fact, getting led on was not a one-time deal when it came to my interactions with the opposite sex back in the day.  At one point in my life, a predictable relationship pattern started to emerge between me and men.  It went something like this: Step 1:  He starts interacting with me. Step 2: I get very excited about the prospect of this potential interest, and show some interest back. Step 3:  We start hanging out, talking more often, and interacting…

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For dating Christians, having a relationship full of fun and love must be weighed with self-control and upholding the faith. At times, Christian principles of chastity, honesty and worship present challenges but these same foundational guidelines also promote a wholesome and holy relationship based on trust, love and respect. These are all important qualities in a healthy, long-lasting Christian relationship. Plan activities reflective of the faith. Attend church together, pray, read the Bible, volunteer at charities or do mission work together. Venues such as bowling alleys, parks and bookstores sometimes sponsor Christian events. Go on dates in public places that…

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I remember so clearly, a time when my heart was broken.  And boy do I mean broken! It was an awful time in my life.  In my mind there was no way on God’s green earth that this man who’d professed his love for me over and over again for nearly a year and a half was suddenly walking out on me.  He had come on so strong and determined to acquire my love.  From the very beginning he’d made it perfectly clear to everyone that knew us that I was going to be his wife. But sadly in the late evening hours…

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I think I’ve dreamed about  my wedding from the time I had my first school age crush. From my dress, to my cake,  to my bridesmaids, even down to my groom. He was going to be tall, dark, handsome, and well dressed. Two years ago my dream came true (or so I thought). We met through a mutual friend so I thought right away I had an advantage by bypassing all the serial killers and crazies out there. From what I was told about him, he was a police officer (so that at least meant he didn’t have a record), He was…

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Since the beginning of time, woman has been a gift to man. Eve didn’t have to do much to win Adam over in the perfect garden. She probably hadn’t shaved or spent tons of money at the salon and definitely hadn’t learned 50 ways to cook chicken to win Adam over. He knew that she was a gift and he was thankful. Unfortunately today women are doing all they can to convince a guy that they are worth having. Magazine articles, books and well meaning friends and family constantly remind us that we are not doing enough. We are told…

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Why hold on to something or someone you know you have to let go of? I traveled to my hometown of New Orleans a few days ago and I made a stop at that the French Market just to take a stroll and check out the vendors. I passed several vendors within the market, but there was one vendor that I passed who happened to stand out the most. I did not have any intentions of stopping at his table, but something prompted me to stop and talk to him. This particular vendor was a poet and a man of…

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There are so many factors that can get in the way of a good marriage, but often, they are the small, unnoticed things that make their way in. In order to make sure our marriages survive and thrive, here are some relationship killers every couple should be on the lookout for: 1. Family The number one relationship stress for most couples has little to do with their relationship and much to do with the relationships they are surrounded by. The role of your parents, in-laws, siblings, and friends all shift the moment you say “I do,” because when you join…

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Sometimes we pray for Mr. Right, but when he comes along we forget all about God. We don’t talk to Him anymore. We don’t spend time with Him anymore. We barely find time to pray, except for when things are going bad for us. When God is the center of your marriage, you aim to be a good spouse, not because you are head over heels in love, not because your spouse deserves it, but because you want to honor God. A few years ago, my ex husband and I started going through difficult times. I can easily blame it on our careers. He…

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Conflict, disagreement and anger have the potential to wreak havoc on a relationship. When tempers flare, words are sometimes spoken that you later regret. To avoid saying things you don’t really mean, partners must learn how to disagree more effectively. Recognizing there will be ideas and behaviors in which couples won’t see eye to eye is step one.  Next, is knowing it’s actually okay to disagree. It won’t end your relationship. However, the way you handle the conflict could. A common misconception in relationship disagreements is that the other partner just needs to hear they’re right. This isn’t usually the case. We…

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Should I submit to my boyfriend? That’s the keyword, ‘boyfriend.’ This question alone, reminds me of an eye-opening experience with my ex-fiancé. It had only been a few weeks since he’d proposed and I was still floating on air. I was only 20 years old and was a good church girl. I loved the Lord and my Sunday Best outfits followed the dress code of my church. I was very soft-spoken and obedient to authority. I had so much to learn but at the time, I thought these qualities added up to being a good, submissive wife. I quickly learned…

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In my line of work, I meet a lot of great husbands and the wives who adore them. Over time, it’s not hard to pick up on a pattern among these men “” especially when I chat with other wives about why they chose the men they’ve married and what qualities in their husbands have most shaped their marriage. For all those single women out there who often wonder what type of man they should marry, or how they will know if he’s The One they’re meant to spend forever with, this list is 100-percent for you. It has been…

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If your Facebook news feed looks anything like mine this season it’s full of holiday pictures; with images ranging from your friends latest Christmas party; to picture perfect family photos with Santa. A third set of pictures that seem to be on the upswing this holiday are photos of newly engaged couples. As the holidays represent numerous celebrations of love, life and relationships; this is often a time when many people feel an increased desire for romance and intimacy. It’s also a time when single people can feel an increased sense of isolation. With so many images of perfectly poised couples both…

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Sometimes we choose our “Mr. Right” without consulting with God and this can only lead to disaster and heartache. Before you get married, check your motives. Why do you want to get married? Is it for the right reasons? I remember when my ex husband and I first started dating. I was convinced that he was a gift from God. He was so different from all the other men I had dated before him. He was a protector, a provider, and it was evident to everyone who saw us together that he loved him some me. We argued frequently because…

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