marriage

The next chapter in Murray’s Humility opens with this quote from Thomas à Kempis:

Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish yourself to be.

Doesn’t that just stop you in your tracks?

We started our fall small group last night, and we’re doing Emerson Eggerichs’ Love and Respect, a wonderful teaching on marriage. As I prayed yesterday about what to say by way of introduction, three things came to mind, with this quote very much in the mix: read the complete post

One Million Dads sent an email asking members to contact Revlon and Dyson about their advertising during ABC’s new show Sons and Daughters. The email included the dialogue between a mother and her 13-year-old daughter regarding her parents’ level of intimacy. The mother says that sometimes after couples marry, they discover that sex just isn’t that important. The daughter responds, “Mom, no offense, but I’d rather kill myself than be in a relationship where sex isn’t the most important thing.” I’ve heard similar statements from some of my college students over the years.

The daughter’s statement was put in perspective a little while later as I was listening to Joyce Meyer, who has been married for more than 35 years. Joyce said, “When Dave walks in the room, I don’t get all aflutter anymore… When we kiss, my heart doesn’t pound… but I love him more than I can say.” Her point was that somewhere along the way, a relationship should be controlled by more than emotion; it’s controlled by something deeper and more lasting–true love. Physical intimacy is important in a marriage, but it’s certainly not “the most important thing,” and I suspect you wouldn’t have to hunt very long to find successful couples that would tell you as much.

hostility and control can damage your heart

March 9, 2006

Spousal spats can damage your heart: According to this article on MSNBC, wives who are hostile or experience hostility from their husbands in marital disputes are at greater risk for heart damage. Husband who are controlling or experience controlling behavior from their wives are at greater risk.

Read the full article →