6 a.m. Conversations

Where love meets faith…one morning at a time.

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Just a guy that believes in love. 6 A.M. Conversations was born from those quiet mornings when the world is still, and God has something to say if you slow down long enough to listen.

  • The Marriage You Post vs The One You Pray For

    Let’s talk about the highlight reel.

    You know what I mean, those anniversary posts with matching outfits, candlelit dinners, and captions that sound like a Hallmark card. “Married my best friend. Couldn’t imagine life without you.” Yeah, that one.

    But the picture never tells the whole story, does it? Because what we don’t post are the nights you slept back-to-back, the mornings you argued on the way to church, or that moment in the kitchen when you realized “forever” requires way more forgiveness than you expected.

    Don’t get me wrong…post your joy. Celebrate your person. But don’t start believing that curated version of love is the real thing. The marriage you post is polished. The marriage you pray for is processed.

    See, social media will have you out here comparing your behind-the-scenes to somebody else’s highlight reel. You’re looking at their beach vacation photos while you and your spouse are arguing over what to cook for dinner. You’re seeing “#CoupleGoals” while wondering if y’all even still have the same dream.

    But here’s the truth, what’s sacred doesn’t always look spectacular. Real love is sometimes ugly, quiet, and un-Facebookable. It’s the two of you learning to laugh through disappointment, pray through frustration, and keep showing up even when nobody’s watching.

    I remember one time I posted a picture of us smiling at dinner. We looked happy and we were, for about two new york minutes. Five minutes later, we were arguing over who ordered the wrong dessert. The waiter probably thought we were auditioning for a courtroom drama.

    That’s real life. And that’s okay.

    Because the marriage you pray for, the one that keeps you grounded is built in those moments. It’s the daily decision to stay when it’s inconvenient. The whisper of “Lord, help me love them right” when you’d rather prove your point.

    Marriage isn’t performance art; it’s purpose work. It’s two flawed people trying to love each other the way God loves us…unconditionally and without filters.

    So yeah, post your wins. But remember, the best love stories are written offline, in the quiet spaces where you choose grace over gossip, patience over pride, prayer over pretending.

    So think about this, are you more focused on proving your relationship looks good or doing the work that makes it be good?

    Loving By HIS Word–“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9 

    God isn’t impressed by public display. He honors private discipline. The love you nurture behind closed doors will always outlast the one you perform in public. Pray more than you post, and let your actions preach louder than your captions.

    6 a.m. Quote–“The world sees your pictures, but God sees your practice. Don’t chase likes, chase longevity.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at a time”

  • Pillow Talk and Silent Treatment

    Now let’s talk about the part of relationships nobody brags about…The Quiet Wars.

    You know, those nights when you both go to bed mad, laying back-to-back like two statues auditioning for a mattress commercial. Ain’t no “good night, baby,” just the loud hum of pride between you and the sound of someone fake snoring out of spite.

    Yeah, that one.

    See, when you’re young, you think communication is all pillow talk. Deep conversations, soft laughs, saying “we got this” after every argument. But when real life shows up, communication turns into who left the lights on, who didn’t take the chicken out, or why you always “say it like that.”

    Let’s be real, sometimes it’s not even the issue that’s the problem. It’s the tone, the timing, or that look they give you that says, “You done yet?” And next thing you know, y’all not talking for two days…over something you don’t even remember starting.

    But here’s the thing, the silent treatment might feel powerful, but it’s really poison. It’s emotional distance dressed up as control. You think you’re teaching them a lesson, but really, you’re teaching them to live without your voice. And that’s dangerous.

    Because once communication dies, connection follows.

    See, love was never meant to be a guessing game. We’re supposed to talk through the mess, not pack it away. Pillow talk is where honesty meets humility. Where you both lay down your pride long enough to listen.

    Now, I’m not saying it’s easy. There have been nights I stared at the ceiling saying, “Lord, I know You said be slow to anger but this woman is testing ALL the limits of grace.” But then I remember if God went quiet every time I messed up, I wouldn’t have heard from Him in years.

    Relationships thrive on what you say, but they survive on what you’re willing to hear. It’s not just about getting your point across, it’s about understanding the heart behind theirs.

    You can’t fix what you won’t face. And you can’t heal what you refuse to talk about. Sometimes, the apology ain’t even about being wrong. It’s about protecting peace.

    And that peace? It’s worth more than being right.

    So, stop letting pride keep y’all in separate corners of the same bed. Roll over, swallow that ego, and start the conversation even if it starts with, “You still mad?”

    Because sometimes the softest “I love you” is hidden behind the hardest “I’m sorry.”

    Now think about this; when silence shows up in your relationship, are you protecting your peace or punishing your partner?

    Loving by HIS Word–“Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26

    God never said you wouldn’t disagree. He just said don’t stay disconnected.
    Love isn’t about avoiding conflict; it’s about learning how to fight fair and forgive fast. When you choose communication over comfort, you honor God and your covenant.  

    6 a.m. Quote–“Pride builds walls. Humility builds bridges. You can’t kiss across a wall.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at a time”

  • When Love Feels Like A Job You Can’t Quit

    Let’s be honest, some days, love feels like clocking in to a job you didn’t apply for. No benefits, no paid time off, and management (aka your spouse) always has notes about your performance.

    Don’t act brand new, every long-term relationship hits that point. The “I love you, but I don’t like you right now” phase. The “you breathing too loud” phase. The “why do I have to be the mature one again?” phase. Yeah…that one.

    See, folks don’t talk about the grind of love. Everybody’s excited about the wedding, the honeymoon, the “we’re a power couple now” energy. But nobody hands you the manual for when life starts handing out assignments.

    Bills. Kids. Work stress. Body changes. Unmet dreams. That’s when the real curriculum starts.

    Love is work and not the easy kind. It’s the kind that stretches you, humbles you, and sometimes sends you to bed mad, whispering a prayer like, “Lord, fix them…but if You’re busy, fix me first.”

    The truth is, real relationships require daily effort. You don’t just fall in love; you keep working in love. And sometimes that work looks like forgiving when you don’t feel like it. Sometimes it’s letting your partner win an argument because peace pays better than pride. And sometimes, it’s cooking dinner even when you swear you already retired from the kitchen.

    Now, before you start feeling underappreciated, here’s the other side — they’re working too. Maybe not the way you think they should, but they’re showing up the best they know how. Sometimes love looks like a sacrifice you didn’t see. Sometimes their silence is them holding it together.

    One of the biggest lies we were sold is that love should always feel good. Nah. Sometimes love feels like patience on probation. It’s being committed to the assignment even when the feeling fades.

    But here’s the beauty: when you stay consistent, something shifts. Love starts to evolve. You start seeing your partner differently. The same person who once irritated you with their habits starts to comfort you just by being there. You start realizing that love isn’t a paycheck, it’s a purpose.

    See, when you work a job, you get compensated. But when you serve in love, you get transformed.

    And if you stick with it, one morning you’ll look at them messy hair, morning breath, the same person who left socks on the floor and realize you wouldn’t trade it for anything. Because love, the real kind, ain’t about quitting when it’s hard. It’s about clocking in again, grateful that you still have someone worth showing up for.

    Here’s a question; when love starts to feel like work, do you check out or clock back in with gratitude?

    Loving By HIS Word–“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” — Colossians 3:23

    God didn’t design love to be effortless; He designed it to be eternal. When you love with intention, even on the tired days, you’re honoring Him. You’re saying, “This union matters, even when it’s messy.” And that kind of faithfulness builds something feelings never could. 

    6 a.m. Quote–“Love isn’t a vacation, it’s a full-time calling. Some days you’re the boss, some days you’re the intern, but every day you better show up.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at a time“

  • Small Acts, Big Love

    Everybody talks about “keeping the spark alive.” Sounds nice, right? Flowers, trips, surprises, all that. But let’s be real, life ain’t a Hallmark commercial. Sometimes love looks a lot less like fireworks and a lot more like somebody taking out the trash without being asked.

    Somewhere along the way, we got conditioned to believe love has to be big to be real. Grand gestures. Expensive gifts. Facebook moments. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that small acts done with a genuine heart last a lot longer than flashy moments that fade after the picture’s posted.

    I remember a time when I came home from one of those long, everything-went-wrong kinda days. I was tired, irritated, halfway talking to God and halfway talking to myself. I walked in expecting chaos, but instead, the house was calm. Dinner was on the stove, the TV was low, and the only thing she said was, “You good?” That simple question hit different that day. It wasn’t fancy. It was grace.

    See, love doesn’t always need to announce itself. Real love whispers. It’s in the coffee that’s made before you wake up. The text that says, “Just checking on you.” The way somebody prays for you when you don’t even ask. Those are the moments that build something solid.

    I get it, small things don’t always feel romantic. But if you’ve ever had a season where everything felt heavy, you know how powerful it is when somebody shows up for you in the little ways. Love isn’t proven in the big promise, it’s in the daily proof.

    And here’s the truth: small acts take effort. It’s easy to buy a gift. It’s harder to stay consistent. It’s easy to post about love. It’s harder to live it quietly, when nobody’s clapping. But that’s the kind of love that builds legacies.

    People underestimate how far simple things go. A compliment when you could’ve stayed silent. A hand on the shoulder when words won’t do. Choosing kindness when you’d rather be right. Those are love’s building blocks.

    So if you ever start thinking your relationship has lost its spark, stop chasing moments that look good and start creating moments that feel good. Small things, done with a pure heart, keep the fire steady and that’s what lasts.

    Let me ask you this, when was the last time you did something small just to make your person’s day a little easier? Not because you had to, but because love makes you want to.

    Loving By HIS Word–“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18 The biggest love is often found in the smallest moments.

    6 a.m. Quote—“Big love isn’t about big moments, it’s about small acts that never stop showing up.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at time”

  • When You Disagree But Stay

    Let me tell you something nobody preaches about: staying in love when you don’t like each other that much. Yeah, I said it. You can love somebody and still not like them in the moment.

    See, disagreements come standard with every relationship. Folks act shocked when they argue like it’s some kind of spiritual failure. No, that’s called being human. You’re gonna bump heads especially when two grown people with opinions, pride, and Wi-Fi try to share a life.

    I remember one argument clear as day. I can’t even remember what started it, probably something small, like who left the light on or who said they’d take the trash out yesterday. Next thing I know, we’re both silent, not the peaceful kind, the “I’m saying nothing before I say something I regret” kind. You ever had that silence? That “Lord, hold my tongue before my mouth ruins my blessing” silence? Yeah, that one.

    Here’s what I’ve learned though: love doesn’t disappear just because you’re frustrated. But pride will surely try to make you act like it has. Sometimes the real test isn’t who’s right, it’s who’s willing to protect the peace first.

    And look, I’m not saying be a doormat. But every argument doesn’t need a winner. Some days you just need a timeout and a prayer. I used to think staying meant pretending everything was fine. Now I know staying means working through the mess even when it’s uncomfortable. It means learning how to disagree without destroying the foundation.

    Funny thing is, God doesn’t waste even those moments. That friction? It refines you. It shows you where your ego still lives rent-free. You find out real quick whether you’re trying to build love or just trying to win an argument.

    See, people want relationships that feel good all the time but that’s not love, that’s delusion. Love is when you can stand toe-to-toe, disagree, roll your eyes, maybe even sleep on opposite sides of the bed and still show up the next morning with a softer heart and a stronger commitment.

    I’ve realized that “staying” isn’t weak…it’s wise. It means you value growth over being right. It means you understand that one disagreement doesn’t cancel the covenant. Some folks break up over things that could’ve been solved with a deep breath, a little humility, and maybe a nap.

    So here’s a thought: are you fighting to be heard, or fighting to be healed? Because one brings distance and the other brings understanding.

    Loving By HIS Word–“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
    Love doesn’t run when it’s hard, it roots itself deeper.

    6 a.m. Quote—“Every argument is a chance to prove that love’s bigger than your pride.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at time”

  • Grace For Each Others Growth

    You ever look at your partner and think, “Now, Lord… this can’t be the same person I married”?

    Yeah, been there done that.

    See, nobody tells you that the person you say “I do” to is going to evolve…sometimes into a version you don’t fully recognize. Life has a funny way of growing people up, breaking them down, and stretching them in ways that don’t always fit your comfort zone. And when that happens, grace has to show up where patience runs out.

    I had to learn that growth doesn’t always look pretty. It doesn’t come with a progress report or a warning label. One day, you’re vibing; the next, you’re arguing about why they suddenly need “space” or why they started eating kale. Growth can look like distance, disinterest, or just change you didn’t approve of. But here’s the thing, God doesn’t just grow you; He grows them too.

    I remember a season when my communication was trash, straight-up garbage. I thought “I’m fine” was an acceptable response to everything. Meanwhile, she was over there trying to have real conversations, and I was ducking accountability like a pro. It took time, prayer, and a few hard truths before I realized: if I want grace for where I’m still growing, I have to extend grace for where she is too.

    The problem is, most couples want growth without the growing pains. You want your partner to evolve, just not in ways that make you uncomfortable. You want maturity, but you also want things to stay familiar. But you can’t have both. Sometimes love requires you to let go of the version of your partner that existed five years ago so you can make room for who they’re becoming today.

    And listen, growth is rarely synchronized. One of you might be deep into self-reflection while the other’s just trying to make it through Monday. That’s normal. The goal isn’t to grow at the same speed — it’s to grow in the same direction.

    Here’s the funny part: we’ll pray for God to change our spouse, but the moment He does, we catch an attitude. “You’ve changed.” Well yeah…that’s what we prayed for!

    Grace means allowing people to evolve without holding them hostage to who they used to be. It means realizing you’re not in a competition for who’s more mature; you’re on the same team, trying to win the same game.

    So before you judge how your partner’s changing, ask yourself this: are you giving them room to grow, or are you punishing them for not staying the same?

    Loving by HIS word–“Bear with each other and forgive one another…forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) Grace is the gift you give when love matures past convenience.  

    6 a.m. Quote— “If you want grace for your growth, give it for theirs.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at a time”

  • When Conversation Feels Quiet

    Let’s be honest there are mornings when “good morning” feels like too much conversation. Have you ever sat across from the one you love, staring into space, and wonder if they’re mad, deep in thought, or just deciding what to eat next? That silence can feel loud enough to make you start a fake argument just to break it.

    But here’s a truth you won’t hear in premarital counseling: silence in a relationship doesn’t always mean something’s wrong. Sometimes it just means two people are tired, grown, and out of small talk. And that’s okay. You don’t need a daily TED Talk to prove your love.

    People love to romanticize constant communication — “we talk about everything.” That sounds great on Instagram, but in real life? Try talking about everything after 15 years and three loads of laundry. The mystery fades when you’ve already heard every childhood story, know every facial expression, and can tell what kind of mood it is just by the way they shut the fridge.

    Still, here’s where a lot of couples get it twisted, they mistake silence for distance. They panic when things get quiet, as if peace is a bad thing. Maybe love doesn’t always sound like laughter and conversation. Maybe sometimes it sounds like two people breathing in the same room, doing their own thing, but still showing up.

    And sometimes silence is… strategic. Because when tension’s in the air, words can become weapons. You ever been mid-argument and thought, “I should stop talking now” but then kept talking anyway? Yeah, me too. That moment right there is where silence could’ve saved the day or at least the couch you ended up sleeping on.

    Here’s the funny thing about love as you get older: you start realizing that “comfortable quiet” is a luxury. When you can sit next to someone and not say a word…not out of anger but out of peace, that’s growth. That’s trust. That’s not needing to perform love because you’re living it.

    So maybe the next time things get quiet, don’t rush to fill it. Don’t ask, “What’s wrong?” like a detective at a crime scene. Just sit in it. Enjoy it. Let the silence speak for you.

    6 a.m. Thought: When was the last time you sat together in peace and called it progress?

    Loving by HIS Word–“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) Stillness isn’t the absence of connection, it’s the presence of maturity.

    6 a.m. Quote–“If love can survive the silence, it can handle the noise.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at time”

  • The Quiet Work of Love

    Since nobody told me I will give you this bit of advice before you say, “I do.” The the butterflies eventually retire, the fireworks fade, and one day, you’ll find yourself arguing over who left the gas tank on empty…again.

    That’s love, the real kind. It’s not picture-perfect smiles and constant excitement. It’s two people trying to navigate life, pay bills, stay sane, and somehow still like each other in the process. Love is beautiful, but it’s also work; quiet, consistent, often overlooked work.

    Let’s be honest at 6 a.m., I’m not out here trying to change the world. I’m just trying to gather my thoughts, remember what day it is, and not trip over the dog. But somewhere between the quiet and the sunrise, I’ve learned a few things about love, faith, and the in-between spaces where both get truly tested.

    At 49, I’ve discovered that relationships aren’t the fairytales we thought they’d be. They’re more like boot camp with blessings. Long days, early mornings, and moments where you question all your lifes decisions. But then, just when you’re ready to wave the white flag, something reminds you why you signed up in the first place.

    I’m a retired Air Force guy, family man, football coach, and a follower of Jesus Christ who’s still learning what love really requires. And even with Him leading the way, I can tell you now: relationships will test your patience, your pride, and yes, occasionally your liver and blood pressure.

    I used to think love was about passion, that spark you feel when everything is new and easy. But real love doesn’t need to be loud to be strong. These days, love looks like grace after disagreement, patience during silence, and laughter when things don’t go as planned. It’s remembering your partner isn’t your opponent, even when they’re getting on your last dang on nerve.

    Sometimes, love is just surviving the day without saying something you’ll regret. It’s realizing forgiveness is more valuable than being right. It’s choosing presence over perfection, and showing up when it would be easier not to.

    And yes, love can feel routine but I’ve learned that routine is what roots it. The rhythm of shared moments, the ordinary days, the inside jokes — that’s where the good stuff grows.

    So no, I don’t have it all figured out. But I’ve learned this: love matures. It trades the fireworks for warmth, the excitement for endurance, and the fantasy for faith. And honestly, that’s a trade worth making.

    Loving by HIS word–“Let all you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:1) Love does not have to be loud to be strong, sometimes it needs to keep showing up day after day.

    6 a.m. Quote—“Love isn’t always fireworks — sometimes it’s just two people deciding not to kill each other before breakfast.”

    Marlon Dean–6 a.m. Conversations “Where love meets faith, one morning at a time”