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Luv Coach Q&A: Keep The Flame Alive In Marriage

Posted Jun 26th 2008 1:55PM by Rebecca Brody
Filed under: Lifestyle, Love, Weddings

My wife and I have been married for 14 years, and have been together since we were 17 years old (1986). Now that we're older she is more into church, God. I have been going more often than usual to learn more myself. But the last three years it seems that we have grown apart. She even mentioned before in an argument that she needs for me to come up to her level, spiritually. I still like to have fun, watch TV, and go to the movies. I have since sold my motorcycle, the one thing I had left that I enjoyed, because she said it brought too much attention from other women. She gets a message from the pastor and runs with it. Sometimes my family can't watch TV or listen to music. She just wants everyone to be still all day and read the word.

What can I do to bring the fun back into my marriage?

In every marriage there is a give and receive that must take place for each person in the relationship to find balance and harmony together. Your wife is doing a lot of giving, but she has forgotten how to receive. It's time to sit down and have an intimate talk with her about the need to meet each other half way, and work with each other to live in harmony. This is your opportunity to find out what she is searching for in her connection with the divine, and to understand, support and embrace her choice. Explain that life also gives us the experience of fun and enjoyment, and show her how together the two of you can create a balanced and healthy environment for your children. Everything in moderation leads to a balanced existence, and allows you to grow into well rounded, loving human beings.

I am going to my sons wedding and my ex-wife will be there. I haven't seen her in 10 years and she is remarried. How should I handle myself at the wedding?

This is one of the most important days in your sons' life, and an experience that may only come once in a lifetime. He will need you to be there for him, to help guide him through this special day. Focus on the needs of your son and put him first. Your ex wife has moved on, and it's time for you to do the same, therefore the best way for you to handle yourself at the wedding is by playing the greatest role you can take at such an event, the father of the groom.



The Hollywood Express Marriage

    10.) Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra

    In all honestly, Dennis Rodman getting married to anyone would have been a shocker but for these two to have found each other oddly enough seemed like a perfect match, given their marriage history (Prince and Madonna). These two are VH1 reality shows just waiting to happen.

    9.) Halle Berry and Eric Benet

    On the surface, this relationship of two beautiful people seemed too perfect... and it was. The couple, who were married in 2001, separated in 2003, due to... irreconcilable differences. Under the surface though, the rumors abounded that Benet was a rabid sex addict and the cat quickly got out the bag. Today, Halle's got her baby and her new beau and as for Eric... well he's still walking around barefoot.

    8.) Treach and Pepa (Salt-N-Pepa)

    Although the two have them had been linked for years, they never made it official until 1999. Of course just two years later, the pair broke it off, but managed to produce a daughter, Egypt, in their time together. Treach would go on to do some acting as well as a few "adult" films, while Pepa would go on to reunite with Salt and Spinderella, only to be constantly yelled at by Salt on their very own reality show. All's well that ends well.

    7.) Jennifer Lopez and Chris Judd

    Unfairly sandwiched between P. Diddy and Ben Affleck, former back-up dancer, Chris Judd had the distinct honor of being one of J.Lo's many love interests for all of a millisecond. Predictably, the marriage lasted less than a year,effectively ending in June 2002, around the same time J.Lo was seen hugging up with half of the soon-to-be ill-fated "Benifer," Ben Affleck.

    6.) Eddie Murphy and Tracey Edmonds

    This marriage was a wrap before it even had legs. The couple, who were faux-married on the New Year's day in Bora Bora, ended up splitting on the 16th of January. Lucky for them, it wasn't official or that divorce would have been something else. On the bright side, Eddie can now put a little more time into paying Mel B. some of that child support with all his stacks from quality films like 'The Adventures of Pluto Nash.'

    5.) Janet Jackson and James DeBarge

    In one of the most brief and forgettable marriages ever, Janet Jackson covertly eloped with one of the many Debarge's in 1984 only to break it off a year later in 1985 due to his constant drug use. And to think, the world could have been blessed with a possible clan of singing/dancing Jackson-Debarge babies managed by the jovial Joe Jackson. Oh well...

    4.) R. Kelly and Aaliyah

    Before he was trapped in the closet and years before he beat those child molestation charges like they owed him money, R. Kelly was briefly married to a 15-year-old Aaliyah in 1994. It was later reported that Aaliyah lied about being 18 and the marriage was annulled shortly thereafter. Coincidentally, Kelly is also known as the pied piper... SUSPECT!!!

    3.) Gary Coleman and Shannon Price

    Former Diff'rent Strokes star Gary Coleman had long been remembered for either his catchphrase on the show or through the many antics/unfortunate circumstances which have affected him following the show. So when word came out in August 2007, that he wed 5-month girlfriend, Shannon Price, the reaction was not unexpected. What?!?! Who?!?!?! Well low and behold, a year later, this lovely couple soon found themselves in Divorce Court with Gary pretty much saying that he was still a virgin and that she wasn't giving up the goods. Truth is, this couple may not be separated, but those sparks better start flying or Gary's going to blow a fuse.

    2.) Mike Tyson and Robin Givens

    She played violin, went to acting school, and was once accepted into Harvard Medical School. "Iron" Mike on the other hand, grew up in the streets, became known as one of the most brutal boxers in history, and even gnawed a man's ear off. To say that this wasn't a marriage built to last is an understatement.

    1.) Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley

    Without a doubt, this had to be one of the most unexpected marriages in history. The king of pop, amidst his first child molestation ordeal, and the daughter of Elvis Presley were as mismatched as a square peg in a round hole. And if the marriage weren't enough, the two of them famously gave one of the most awkward and poorly acted kisses on stage at the 1994 MTV Music Awards, cementing yet another landmark in marvel that is Michael Jackson.

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Reader Comments

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1. My husband and I have only been married since Nov 07 and now the fire in the bedroom is suffering and I have tried talking to him and it just seem like it is always pushed to the backburner.We both run separate businesses and he is trying to get off the ground singing also. What can I do to get the fire back?

Michelle at 10:43AM on Jul 9th 2008

2. I would say that I agree with all that has been said. Time together, praying together, and communication are the the best keys to a good marriage. It's so important to talk to one another be real, open and honest with each other and never forget to involve GOD into your relationship. Know each others love language and be sure to have that emotional bond because without it all else fails. FOR me anyway all else fails without that, and being on the same page as far as faith and GOD is concerned. Be BLESSED...

EddiesWifeto be at 11:14AM on Jul 9th 2008

3. just try a littlr more to bring the magic into the bedroom

rosemeneese at 11:38AM on Jul 9th 2008

4. michelle have you tried to do other things to him that might try to ignite the fire back in the bedroom because me and mine have that problem but what i do is try to different things with him that involes wat he does cause mine is a sergeant in the army

rosemeneese at 11:39AM on Jul 9th 2008

5. a marriage or a commitment can work as long as both parties are willing to make it work also as in any relationship as long as there is faithfulness trust and honesty ne thang is possibble

rosemeneese at 11:40AM on Jul 9th 2008

6. i think marriages work as long as both parties are willing to compromise and as well as any relationship as long as there is honesty trust faithfulness and commitment

rosemeneese at 11:40AM on Jul 9th 2008

7. No one really answered the questions. Those answers were lame and straight from a text book. We know communication is important and it's obviously this is something lacking. relationships must grow and maybe he is not so that's why they are on different pages. No one likes to be they were 14 years ago.

Lynette at 12:46PM on Jul 9th 2008

8. Have you ever seen someone who is so spiritually minded that they are NO EARTHLY GOOD? When you tell your man that he needs to come up to your spiritual level, you are telling him first that he is beneath you. You have also given yourself the chops to judge his level of spirituality, and that power is GOD's. Feels out of order to me.I don't feel like GOD wants us to have a joyless existence, (Jesus didnt). I do feel that part of what ruins some marriages, and drives people away from spirituality in any form is the Dont drink, dont smoke, dont dance, dont dip, dont chew, almost don,t smile (too much happiness must be a sin) Christian. If you are miserable, overly pious, or controlling, please do not tell someone else (with eyes, that is)that they need what you have.

Lisa at 3:11PM on Jul 9th 2008

9. She's confused, the word says "if a non-believer wants to marry a believer and they can do so in peace, then so be it, if than non-believer wants to leave then so be it." There is many ways God can minister this to your heart, one way, I started belieiving after my marriage of many years, then I surely can still love my unbelieving husband and my faith sanctify my home. However, it seems she wasn't saved when you first got married or didn't have a better relationship with Christ lets say that, so now she does why does her love change for you, it should't, it seems she is allowing others opinions and their expectation come into your home, Daughter of Eve Child of Christ don't let the devil mess up your home by twisting up the word of God, satan hasn't changed either. Nevertheless, your wife can't pressure you to come up to what she calls her level of spritually, your the head, you must come up to Gods level of spirituallty He has called for the Head to do. I believe this is what your wife is trying to say, it is good for you to read more in the bible so you can understand where God is comeing from through her. A postive and a negative doesn't see eye to eye. To me she is bring into your home others opinions that is not fair to you. God didn't tell her to do that but He did say study His work to show thy self worthy and approved, in this there is no shame. A wise woman will build her home, She can't be so holy she puts down the love for her husband, and uses God as a excuse,He didn't call her to do that either. He did call for you two to live in more love and respect of each other, and sense she knows Him more to call her to be more peacful in her home. She is not suppose to debate over His holynesses Word. Your wife needs to listen to the Holy Spirit of God making sure that is who is talking to her, satan has not stopped twisting the word of God, and stop hearing others opinions and then bringing it into the home, and go and grow and love you, God is real stright on those issues, he said husbands love your wife as I have loved the church, well you should read the bible to find out what Christ did for the church, and wifes submit your selfs in love to your husbands, this doesn't call for a type of slavery men. God has set us free from that, if your husbands are loving you correctly that type of humble submission will come naturally, if your husband is nasty and disrespectful then its hard very hard to submit to a tyrant, there are laws on that too. Its called evenly yoked. I would encourage you to read the bible and allow God Him self to teach you what loving His church means, and your wife should really stop pressuring you, because one can sanctify the house hold. Don't feel forced to come to God becasue God is calling you in love, He doesn't want half of your heart, He wants all of your attention, He can't get that from you if your feeling forced. Nevertheless your wifes actions should be commened she is trying to help you save our soul but who said your soul wasn't saved, her gental talk shall win you over. Not force, and come up to her spiritual level, she needs to stop that spiritual abuse. With love, no one is perfect, we all must grow in Christ to stand agasint satan, even the elect has been fooled. Your sister in Christ Jesus with Love.

thismustbesaid at 3:44PM on Jul 9th 2008

10. Husbands go through the same up's and down's we wifes go through emotionally they just process it differntly. Stress can also take a toll on those wonderful moments, your husband may not be the type to have stress relations, I beleive that type relation is abuse, for a husband to releive their stress they relation it up and many wifes are confused thinking its love and its stress relations, I am not a stress relief, however, you can drink a glass of wine, talk about it, write in your journal, relationing it up with me will not take care of the problem its only a quick fix. If you notice your husband not responding try to do something to relax him, a glass of wine, a nice hot bath, a foot massage, go get some adult games, they are fun, the warming lotion's evey one loves those but hates to go into those types of placed to get them. Some times when we don't feel the need that is when they feel the need, so try to put your clock with his clock so then your not feeling left out, heck after working hard all day I don't even feel the need stess some times just takes it away. Understanding why husband or wife may not is also a good tool to use. Oh heck enough of this educated jargon, win him back girl, I don't care if you have to do a double sumersault from the chandeliers in your living room and land in the splits with a leather leopard suit on, go-go heals on clear girl, a whip in one hand, an the bible in the other, win, girl win your husbands love back girl. Lawd forgive me you know your daughter is a clown. Yawl stop worrying so much and live, learn how to enjoy each other without all that other stuff. This is grown up talk no children please.

thismustbesaid at 4:20PM on Jul 9th 2008

11. You can't feel a bette feeling in life than having your husband sitting next to you learning and hearing the word of God. This is the best feeling in the world, but there should be no shame if your husband is a good and peacful man and doesn't.

thismustbesaid at 4:21PM on Jul 9th 2008

12. WOW, Lisa I feel what you are saying but at the same time I do not think she meant it that drastically but I could be wrong but I do agree with you I do not think GOD inteneded for Christians to live a boring life. Just one that honors him and shows much love. It's also true that it's all about how you say things maybe she should not have said it to him in that way. We are all human and growing in GODS love.

EddiesWifeto be at 4:32PM on Jul 9th 2008

13. This is for heartbroken and confused. Listen I have been where you are except I knew when to leave. This man is having his cake and eating it too and as long as you allow him to do this he'll never stop. What you need to do is walk away. I know this is hard to do (like I said I've been there), but just know that something better will come out of it. Never let a man get you to a point where you have to question yourself. You'll never be able to love him anyway because you have not learned to love yourself. I say this because when we love ourselves we don't let anyone do anything to us that we don't like. Learn to love yourself more than a man then he will respect you more. When I separated from my husband I did not look back, we had kids and he had no dealings with them. I was a single mom for 11 years. I am a christian and I kept my faith in God and believe it or not He sustained me through this difficult period. There were times when I didn't know where our next meal was coming from but I never lost hope nad we ate (good meals) every night. I remarried last June (2007) to my childhood crush, a man I had known for 20 years and I have to tell you that this was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. So believe me when I tell you that there is something better waiting for you. You just have to get yourself together first so you can give the next man your all. Be blessed and because I care I'd like to give you my email address (dat710@yahoo.com) feel free to use it anytime.

dat710 at 7:07PM on Jul 9th 2008

14. I love my husband but he go out every night with his firend i don't know what to do he ask do i want to go i know that he is just talking but it make me want to get me a firend but i love the LORD it is about him we have only being married for 2yrs i don't know how more i and take

lydia at 9:01PM on Jul 9th 2008

15. Hay, My wife and I have been married for only three mouths and it seem as if our relationship has gotten boring. All we do is work and pay bills. some body help us please.

JC at 9:51PM on Jul 9th 2008

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