How Roommates Helped Prepare Me for Marriage

“How can I be better prepared for marriage should God eventually bring someone into my life?” As someone who serves in single adult ministry, I get this question often. Those who ask it are often surprised by my response: “Find a roommate!” After community college, I moved from home to attend a university that required first-year students

Guys, Shut Up and Listen

Good communication is key to any relationship. If you’re talking with your girlfriend or husband or boss or friend or even a stranger on the street, you’ll never make much progress or maintain a healthy relationship if you can’t communicate effectively. I have two degrees in communication, so let me impress you with my vast

Should You Get Engaged? – Boundless

Thirty-two years ago I asked the question before the question. Recently my two sons did the same. Every year 2.3 million couples ask the same question. Though the question can be asked in as little as four words — “Should I get engaged?” — the potential impact is huge. That’s why if you’re currently considering

Your Future Marriage Is Bigger Than You

When you first meet Ryan and Cyndi Livingston, you are immediately drawn in by their smiles and genuineness. They truly care about everyone. At church picnics, while everyone else is comfortably sitting with their group of friends, they spot the not-so-popular or new people who are by themselves and go chat with them. They are

Don’t Give Up on Getting Married

I went to a physical therapist a few years ago to help me fight migraines. As she worked on my neck and shoulders, she mentioned God and seemed to be open to spiritual things, so I invited her to visit our church. “Oh, I can’t,” she said. “I’m dedicating Sundays to self-care.” Her response surprised

What Men Bring to a Dating Relationship

When I started dating my wife, GraceAnna, in the summer of 2008, I was a Marine officer stationed in Japan, and she was on CRU staff at Duke University. As I began to have feelings for her and think that I wanted to pursue her in an exclusive relationship, I decided to call her dad

Irresistible Taste: The Five Points of Attraction

When I was little, growing up in Maine, my friend and I decided to make a “concoction.” It was fun, it was complex, and, yes, it was not exactly edible. We took almost everything we could find from his poor mother’s kitchen, mixed it together, and stowed it safely away. Or so we thought. Suffice

Three Dos (and One Don’t) for Your First Date

I recently met a guy named James* at a local event for Christian singles. I thought we really hit it off. He seemed very nice, and we had a great conversation. He was cute, too. But when the event ended and I headed home, I wondered if I’d ever see him again. The following week

How to Know When Someone Wants Your Attention

At my house, there’s little debate over which actor has best portrayed legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. Under this roof’s majority rule, there’s a clear winner, and it may not be the first name that popped into your head. But if that name is Jeremy Brett, you’d be correct. This English actor, also known for playing