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First Years of Marriage

Are You REALLY Receiving My Love?

by Marlon on December 19, 2011

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Why are couples having so many challenges in their relationships?

How can a couple be so much in love during their honeymoon and end up in divorce court?

Where is the disconnect?

These are some deep questions!   So what are the answers?  What do you think?

In my marriage, I’ve experienced a range of emotions… from love to disappointment to excitement to joy to anger to sadness to ecstasy to peace.

And there are times when Syreeta and I feel completely in love and then a few hours later, we’re having a “heated” discussion.

So what’s this all about?

The 5 Love Languages

This past weekend, Syreeta and I completed Dr. Gary Chapman’s “Love Languages” assessment so we could better understand how to give each other the type of love we are wired to receive.

It was amazing because I truly realize that Syreeta and I are “wired” differently.  And by completing the “Love Languages” assessment, we now have a better understanding of how we receive love.

For me, my top-3 love languages are:

1) Quality Time, 2) Words of Affirmation and 3) Physical Touch.

For Syreeta, her top-3 love languages are:

1) Quality Time, 2) Physical Touch and 3) Receiving Gifts.

Syreeta and I learned about ourselves and each other by completing this assessment.  For each of us, Quality Time is our #1 love language and we’ve realized that we MUST make spending quality time a priority.  This morning, we took a family walk and it blessed us.

So what’s your #1 love language?  And what’s your partner’s #1 love language? 

Do you know?

How will knowing your top love language and your partner’s love language strengthen your relationship?

Share your feedback.  Post your comment here.

Watch our next episode of “RELATIONSHIPS” TV, on Tuesday, December 20th at 9:00pm EST, because we will discuss this topic in greater detail.  Watch at: http://TVShow.MarlonSmith.com  Watch previous episodes and post your comments too.

Be sure to participate in our poll (below on the right column) to identify your #1 Love Language.  We are excited for you to share.

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Devotional – Married

by Marlon on September 15, 2010

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Is It Really Possible to Have a Loving and Healthy Marriage in Today’s Society?

“An excellent wife is the crown of her husband but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.”  Proverbs 12:4

Being in Love is Awesome

Being in Love is Awesome

When it comes to marriage, it seems like all we’re hearing in the news are the stories of infidelity, domestic violence, abuse and the alarming divorce rate.

So what’s going on?

Does marriage work or is it a thing of the past?

Is it really possible to have a loving and healthy marriage in today’s society?

I believe the answer is: “Absolutely! 100% Yes!”

And the second part of the answer is: “It takes wisdom and being intentional with your words and actions.”

Here’s an analogy: Before you can get your driver’s license, you have to pass the driver’s test.  Now I know some of you reading this had to take the test a few times…but that’s another story. J But seriously, in the area of relationships, there is no test to take to get your “relationship” license. So therefore, many people are just crashing, experiencing pain and problems as they learn from the school of hard knocks.

And so when it comes to marriage, you’ve got two people with their own “baggage” entering a life-long commitment without having a clear understanding of what it takes to make it work.

Personally, I have grown tremendously, learning insights and lessons about myself, God, and life as a result of being married.

Marriage can be a wonderful experience or it can be a major struggle.  For Syreeta and me, we have come to realize that we must keep God in the middle of our marriage and family in order for us to grow through challenges and issues.

Every day, I am on my knees praying to God to help direct me so I am all that He created me to be as a husband and father.  I do not have all the answers but it is such a blessing to reach out to the one, that being God, who has all the answers.

Feel free to post your comment to the following two questions.

Questions for Reflection:

  • Why do so many marriages that start out with so much “love” ultimately end in divorce?
  • What are the key strategies and insights for experiencing a healthy and loving marriage?

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The “Inspire Your Family” Seminar on June 19th

June 17, 2010

Are you and your family living with purpose? Are you maximizing your true potential? Does your family have hope and clear direction for the future? All of us can benefit from learning specific strategies for being our BEST. With all that is going in today’s society, it’s definitely important to apply leadership principles that make [...]

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Does the Honeymoon have to End? – Part 2

May 12, 2010

Tyrone and Alicia Partee are sharing three more insights for how to keep the Honeymoon rolling as the years continue! Check out their insights and post your feedback. Why is it that so many marriages are struggling to keep the excitement and passion after their honeymoon has ended? Does it have to be this way? [...]

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Does the Honeymoon Have to End?

May 11, 2010

We were married on December 21, 2008. I remember people telling me to enjoy the honeymoon stage because it won’t last forever.  Someone said, “A honeymoon is the short period between the bridal toast and the burnt toast.” We get messages from many different places, including Christians, that the honeymoon was only meant to last [...]

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Strengthening Positive Habits for Family Focus

March 29, 2010

Strengthening Positive Habits for Family Focus Where will your children be in 20 years? NOW is the time to reflect and determine your specific vision for your children because the clock is ticking.  Realize this: what they do today will dictate where they will be tomorrow. Various studies indicate that it takes between 28 and [...]

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Strengthening Your Family In Today’s Challenging Economy

March 26, 2010

Strengthening Your Family In Today’s Challenging Economy What is your life really all about? Are you making the most of your time? How important is your family to you? I ask these questions because in today’s challenging economy, it’s easy to get “caught up” in life’s hectic schedule and miss out on what’s truly most [...]

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Family Life’s Weekend To Remember

March 8, 2010

After talking to many couples, we all understand the importance of putting time into strengthening our marriage and family. Success leaves footprints! Two years ago, Syreeta and I attended a Family Life Weekend to Remember® program.  And we had such an awesome time that we have become group leaders to help encourage more couples to [...]

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The World’s Longest Marriage (Of a Living Couple)

March 5, 2010

Can you really imagine being married to the same person for 40 years?  How about 50 years?  What about 60 years? Is 70 years even a possibility?… Well, how about 85 years? Yes, you heard me correctly!… 85 years of marriage!  This is for real.  And coming this May, this couple will celebrate their 86th [...]

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Couple Profile – Bobby and Frances Allen – “Meeting Your Spouse at 17″

March 3, 2010

I’m thankful to say that I met my wife when I was 17 years old – the first day I set foot on my college campus at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. We were participating in a pre-college program as part of the scholarship we won (The Meyerhoff Scholarship program). I remember thinking the [...]

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