Relationship Tips
Know Your Spouse’s Unique Love Profile
Falling in love is a conversion experience. Most of us start out as self-centred individuals and suddenly find ourselves caring more about someone else’s happiness than we do our own. Some of the joy that we associate with being ‘in love’ is really that freedom to be outside of ourselves, caught up in the goodness…
Read MoreStop-Reflect-Connect
Whenever you are making an important decision or disagree about how to go about something, Stop, Reflect and Connect! This tool will help you to avoid an argument by refocusing you on your priority – your spouse and your relationship. Stop! Before the argument escalates any further, call a time out and cool off. Take…
Read MoreIs Cohabitation Different to Marriage?
Is cohabitation different to marriage? Lots of cohabitors will say ‘no’. We regularly hear comments to the effect: “We’ve been living together for 5 years – we’re just as committed as any married couple!” They seem offended by the suggestion that couples in marriage would be seen as more committed than they are. We recall…
Read MoreLove Busters and Love Builders
What are Love Busters and Love Builders? Love Builders: a behaviour or gesture which communicates love to you and helps you feel close and connected to your spouse. Some Examples: Cherishment Caring for me, being tender and gentle with me Being of service to me, doing things for me that I enjoy Nurturing me, doting…
Read MoreHelping Yourself Heal When Your Spouse Dies
This article is reposted from O’Neill-Hayes Funeral Homes about the loss of a spouse. Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Few events in life are as painful as the death of your spouse. You may be uncertain you will survive this overwhelming loss. At times, you may be uncertain you even have the energy or desire…
Read MoreSmart Dating #3: 21st Century Courtship
Dating With Purpose In times past, dating and courtship were closely linked to marriage in a clear sequence of relationship development. Dating was a low-commitment means of getting to know a person in their character. Once one individual was singled out for special attention, courtship followed and the unspoken assumption was that this was a…
Read MoreSmart Dating #2: Ask ‘Why’ before you Try
Sexual Compatibility Since the 1960’s the slogan ‘try before you buy’ became a common excuse for premarital sex. It’s still popular today and has underpinned the rise in cohabitation. We’ve been led to believe that ‘sexual compatibility’ is the most influential factor in a successful marriage. Of course when you think it through, the line…
Read MoreTo Have and to Hold
The Meaning How often have we heard those classic words from the silver screen or at a church wedding! At its most basic, “To Have and To Hold” refers to the physical embrace of husband and wife. “To have” is to receive without reservation the total self-gift of the other. It’s not a statement of…
Read MoreTwo of Us: Sexual Awareness
Exploring the gift of yoursexual relationship Reflect Separately, say the prayer and spend some time reflecting on the questions. Write some notes so that you can share more fully with your spouse. Prayer Father, What a wonderful gift You have given me in my sexuality. It was so good of You to do that for…
Read MoreMarrying the ‘Right’ Person
We came across a really interesting article the other day – You Never Marry the Right Person, By Timothy Keller. The author makes some really great points. Firstly, the Soul Mate thing that is so common among ‘marriage seekers’. We have this belief, that if we can just find our soul mate, that perfectly compatible…
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