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M Simone Boyd

Dating

The Making of a Marriage: DeVon Franklin & Meagan Good

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Devon Franklin and Meagan Good
DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good

A couple weeks ago, I got to interview DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good about their new relationship book, The Wait. My editor asked that I write a story about the arch of their relationship—being single, married, and eventual parents. And I did.

But today, I wanted to share parts of the interview I had to leave out.

Why I’m SO Excited

It’s not often we get to hear from a Hollywood couple on why they decided to honor God by saving sex for marriage. (To say that I am excited about their message is an understatement, y’all!)

But I also wanted to get another perspective from a Christian, black, man and get some clarity on points I didn’t quite understand in the book.

We talked about:

  • Why singles should put themselves first
  • Why we shouldn’t be treated like spouses until we’re married
  • Why Meagan didn’t ask DeVon out
  • And whether or not women should make the first move

…

What Men Wish Women Knew (Part 2)

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The Chat

Earlier this year, I shared the first part of this video series by Priscilla Shirer. (She is one of my favorite Bible teachers.)

And in the second part of this series she discusses: the male ego, why guys don’t lead, submission, and sex.

I love this video series, because we get to hear from God-fearing men (one of them single) on how to steward our relationships and help our men be all that God has called them to be. …

The Odds Are Against Us, But It Don’t Even Matter

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The odds say that black women are less likely to marry.  CNN was kind enough to do an entire series on it in 2008. And a recent report by the Brookings Institute is reminding us of those dismal facts.

This is not new information.

But, I’m writing about this today because I had a conversation with a new friend about the topic. It was one of those conversations you walk away from and you’re like ‘Dang. I gotta DO SOMETHING.’ But, you’re just not quite sure what. …

Confessions of Faith: Breaking Soul Ties

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Guest Blogger: Faith Simone  (@FaithSimone2011) 

I’m about to go in on a touchy subject, soul ties. And I’ve gotta say, I’m not too comfortable with it.

But I’ve been around long enough to know that when I’m afraid to speak, the words I have to say will have the most impact for someone. So I speak them anyway.

I do it because I know that someone needs to hear these words, feel them, and tuck them away right next to their own quiet shame or sour bitterness or red-hot rage. Until they’re ready to let it all go, walk into the cool calm waters of acceptance, and float on the weightless glory of forgiveness. …

Dating Someone from a Different Denomination?

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Different Denomination“If we have children, we’re going to raise them Baptist, right?”

That’s how a conversation began after church one Sunday. Morris and I  had been dating for a few months, and decided that we’d take our relationship to the next level by going to church together.

We went to his church at 8 AM and my church at 10 AM.  But our churches were different denominations.  And when Morris asked that question, I realized that I was a bit concerned about being a Baptist. …

The Problem with Being Unequally Yoked

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Have you ever wondered what it really means to be unequally yoked?

It’s a term that’s thrown around a lot in Christian circles and it’s based on a passage of Scripture in 2 Corinthians 6:14. It says “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ”

Now, that term “yoked” is actually an agricultural term that describes two oxen pulling a burden. But when the oxen aren’t evenly matched…an interesting thing happens. …

Our Blogiversary + What Do You Want to Ask Mr. Right?

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It's My Blogiversary!I was sitting in  Belga Cafe on Capitol Hill talking to a friend about how I really wanted to be a writer.

I was feeling a little dissatisfied with my job as an energy analyst and really felt the pull to get back to writing. (I’d been itchin’ to write ever since Mrs. Butzer told me I was a good writer during my Junior year in high school.)

And my friend, Morris, asked me: …

What Men Wish Women Knew (Part 1)

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The ChatDid you know that the phrase “can we talk” is a conversation killer for most men? Or that the best way to talk to your fella is while you are doing something else?

Those are a couple of the relationship tips I learned from watching the video “What Men Wish Women Knew.” There were soooo many nuggets of wisdom from the fellas. …

A $1,000 Lesson on Identity

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happy people are those who do the mostThe past week was pretty crummy. It started last Friday when I got a check and a letter in the mail. I was happy to receive the check. But not so happy to receive the letter. The letter said something along these lines “Dear Simone: We really like your writing, but we can no longer afford to pay you.”

Dang.

Just when I was getting comfortable telling people that I’m a writer. A real one. It feels like the rug is getting pulled up from under me.

The second boot dropped when I realized that the magazine I’m writing for is probably not going to pay me for my work. (I know this because I reached out to two of the other writers and we are all in the same boat. And combined the magazine owes us thousands of dollars.)

But more than the loss of money, what I’m really struggling with is the loss of identity. Am I still a writer if no one pays me to write? …

How Will I Know If He Really Loves Me?

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How Will I Know
I was having dinner with a few friends last year and one of my friends asked me “when is it a good time to have emotional intimacy?” I wasn’t fully prepared to answer that question and I think I mumbled something about trust developing over time.

But, as I went home I began to think about the question more. I think the question my friend was asking was the same question that Whitney Houston asked in her song “How Will I Know?” Both my friend and Whitney Houston wanted to know — how do you know if your fella really loves you? And I think it is a question that every girl asks at one time or another.

Hollywood: A Set-Up for Disappointment

The thing is Hollywood can set us up for disappointment. They’ll have us thinking that– the birds are going to sing, that time will slow down, and that trumpets will sound when the man of our dreams whispers those three simple words into our ears: I love you. …