Photo courtesy ||||.·.·.·.·NI·.·.·.·.| |||

If you are neanderthal or cromagnum man reading this, your reaction to the title may be “What? Me must procreate!” If you are somewhat more enlightened you may be saying, “Yeah right, like there is such a thing.”

We are all sexual beings. It’s part of our design. Sexuality plays a role in most everything we encounter. Our society has become more and more sexualized. But in a marriage, there’s more to life than sex. Did I really just say that out loud?

A major component of a fulfilling marriage is the connection you sustain with your partner. However, many times this bid for connection can be met with skepticism. As if there is an ulterior motive with your wanting to touch your spouse.

There may be times where your spouse sees right through your motives. It may also be that your “moves” need a little work. Read more »

Photo by HarveNYC

Editor’s note: This is a repost from Art of Manliness.

Several weeks ago New York Governor Eliot Spitzer was forced to confess his involvement in a prostitution ring. The story has been all over the media and many blogs have done posts compiling lists of other prominent men’s fall from grace. But some of the most important questions aren’t being asked. Mainly, how does this happen, especially to a man who has spent his life crusading against corruption? And how can other men avoid falling into the same trap?

The Sptizer case, while certainly high profile, is hardly a rarity. 25% of all American men (and some studies put the number even higher) will have extramarital affairs during their lifetime. Will you be 1 of the 4? Or will you be able to stay true?

Many people look at infidelity as if it was a natural disaster; no one could see it coming; it just inexplicably happened. Perhaps this is because we are a country that has abdicated its belief in personal responsibility. The truth is that not only can men see it coming, they can prevent it from happening as well.

It is possible to affair proof your marriage. Will it be a lot of work? Yes. But that’s what you signed up for when you decided to marry your sweetheart. Read more »

Photo courtesy Anne A

As the father of a 15 month old and a 3 year old, there are some days when I really look forward to their bedtime. When they go to bed, the house slows down dramatically and I get some time with my wife. We can sit on the deck, talk, work on unfinished projects, make out, veg in front of the tube, whatever. The other reason for the anticipation of bedtime is the time spent together tucking them in.

I love the bedtime routine around our house. Typically each evening after dinner is spent playing, either outside, throughout the house, or we walk to the park nearby. While obviously this doesn’t always happen every night, many nights a week the routine remains the same.

As men, I believe it is extremely important that we be part of the bedtime routine with our children. I’ve come across too many men who have left this to the woman. While they are “busy” watching TV, working, or tinkering around the garage their spouse is taking care of getting the kids to bed.

The sad fact is, they are missing some valuable time with their kids. Read more »

Editors note: The Woman Up series is written by my wife Pam. Enjoy!

Most of us recognize beauty when we see it. God created a universe full of beauty for our eyes to behold – oceans, mountains, flowers, skies, human bodies. Some people were just blessed with fabulous figures. I see some of them and think, “Wow. That’s a work of art.” Unfortunately, sometimes the artwork becomes worthless when I hear what comes out of their mouth.

Sure, physical attraction usually starts off a relationship. There are definitely reasons to try and maintain our bodies which will be discussed in a future article. But, in order for our relationships to grow and thrive, what’s inside us has to come out.

Beauty is so much more than the physical. It really manifests itself more in who we are than what we look like. Read more »

I’m sitting at Panera one morning and notice a group of guys meeting together. The interesting thing about this is the way they were interacting with each other and those around them. The guys were obviously friends and enjoyed their time together, but every time an attractive woman walked in, each one of them noticed. They noticed to the point that their conversations stopped for a moment in order to take in the new addition to the scene. While they said nothing to each other about the objects of their glares, they definitely stared.

Men are visual creatures. It’s hard wired. I’m not disputing this. The issue I have is each one of the guys was wearing a wedding ring and to top it off, at the end of their breakfast meeting, they prayed together. Not to come across judgmental but it seems to me if you are willing to pray with others in public, you are declaring you have a spiritual basis for your life and your actions.

Now before you respond with, “hey, they were just looking, there’s nothing wrong with a little window shopping,” let me ask you, really? Read more »

Welcome to the seventh edition of the Manival. In this week’s edition the ride to manly manhood continues. Feel free to burp, scratch, or even pass gas while you are going through all the great entries.

Thanks for all those who contributed. Please be sure to Stumble, Digg, or otherwise tag these posts so others may find them.

Enough of the intro talk.

Ready to man-up?

Let’s roll! Read more »

Photo courtesy delitefulimage

This is part 3, if you missed the money or the sex discussion, follow the links provided. Now on to power.

Males today live in a precarious position. If a male steps up to the plate and strives to become the man the media displays, he soon discovers it was not masculinity being displayed. It was pseudo-masculinity. The poser. The man that plays the part of the man, but isn’t truly being one at the core. On the other hand, most males don’t know what it means to be a true man. They lack a role model that can bestow masculinity to their life since their father is either checked out, lost in his own life or both.

A great deal of emphasis is placed on this idea of power in a man’s life. Jobs are sought that have this label attached. Career advancement is pursued at all cost in order to get more power. You get the idea. Life has become about getting more. Money. Toys. Things. Status. Women. Sex.

The truth is, power corrupts. Read more »