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Recent Marriage Posts

CAN WE CHANGE OUR FOCUS TO SEE THE SCENERY OF TOMORROW IN OUR MARRIAGE?
Marriage
I wonder what our lives would be like if we reframed how we thought about our tasks. What if we regularly took time to stop and see how far we’ve come, and then gave thanks for our progress?
May 24, 2022

MY WIFE CONSTANTLY CRITICIZES ME: A GUIDE FOR MENTORS
Communication
When a husband says, “My wife constantly criticizes me,” what do you do? Help him deal with the issue using these tips.
May 19, 2022

MAKING ROOM FOR THE IMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR MARRIAGE
Marriage
Marriage requires making room for someone else in your life. To add this relationship to your life requires letting go of some of your other commitments and giving your spouse priority consideration.
April 26, 2022

30-SECOND MARRIAGE BOOSTERS
Marriage
Couples can find the balance between a busy life and a growing relationship, and they can further enhance their love with these simple, 30-second habits.
April 19, 2022

5 WAYS HELPING OTHERS CAN IMPROVE MY MARRIAGE
Marriage
Helping others together as a couple can make your marriage stronger.
April 12, 2022

HOW TO FORGIVE YOUR SPOUSE WHEN IT’S NOT EASY
Marriage
The Bible tells us to forgive unconditionally, but it doesn’t say we are to forget immediately. Sometimes it takes time to rebuild the trust that’s been lost.
April 11, 2022

MISMATCHED MARRIAGE: WHEN ONE SPOUSE IS AN UNBELIEVER
Faith
While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula that will instantly revolutionize a mismatched marriage, a few principles can contribute to the health of a relationship.
April 11, 2022

EVERYTHING WILL BE EASIER … AND OTHER MYTHS ABOUT BLENDING YOUR FAMILY
Marriage
When expectations are realistic, a difficult reality becomes a lot less difficult. Overcoming blended-family myths.
April 8, 2022

HOW TO FIX A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP: FIND THE TERMITES
Marriage
Long-term problems, like termites, can eat away at the foundation of your marriage. But you can fix a broken relationship by exterminating them.
April 6, 2022

10 ENCOURAGING FACTS ABOUT MARRIAGE YOU NEED TO HEAR AND SHARE
Marriage
Do you know the real facts about marriage or just the myths? Find out the positive truth about marriage today.
April 5, 2022

JUMPSTARTING YOUR STALLED MARRIAGE
Marriage
Does the repartee between you and your spouse consist mainly of shrugs and one-syllable grunts? If so, your marriage-mobile may be heading for a blown gasket.
April 1, 2022

OVERCOMING FOUR FEARS OF PREPARING FOR FATHERHOOD
Marriage
With our wedding only a couple of months away, I was nervous about the idea of getting pregnant quickly into our marriage. To be honest, I didn’t feel ready to be a dad and wasn’t sure how to share this concern with my fiancé.
March 29, 2022

THE GIFT OF GRACE
Faith
If we want our marriage partnership to be beautiful, meaningful and lasting, then we ought to be living out God’s grace by extending it. And that means building each other up one word at a time.
March 28, 2022

IS THIS A SPIRITUAL ATTACK, OR IS MY SPOUSE JUST A JERK?
Marriage
Have you ever wondered if you and your spouse are under spiritual attack or if your spouse is just a jerk?
March 28, 2022

THE INTIMACY OF PRAYER
Faith
Praying with your spouse intensifies and strengthens your spiritual bond. When you pray together, your vulnerability with your heavenly Father deepens and enriches your marriage relationship.
March 24, 2022

DEALING WITH YOUR CHILD’S DIVORCE
Emotional Health
It’s hard to describe the pain of walking through your child’s divorce. Here are some ways to deal with the hurt and be a safe place and a firm foundation for them.
March 21, 2022

ABSORBING THE INITIAL SHOCK OF TEMPORARY SEPARATION
Marriage
You need to confront the what-ifs and how-tos before the separation to lessen the worry.
March 19, 2022

FOR BETTER OR FOR WHAT?
Marriage
Heart connection is when two people delight in living their individual lives in a way that breeds trust and consistently adds value to their identity as a pair.
March 17, 2022

CANCER DRAWS ONE MAN CLOSER TO HIS WIFE AND TO THE LORD
Emotional Health
Each day Steve was able to give his cancer diagnosis to God and experience a genuine peace in acceptance. This allowed him to come together with his wife, Pat, emotionally and spiritually.
March 17, 2022

6 THINGS ABOUT MARRIAGE I WISH I’D KNOWN SOONER
Marriage
Ladies, do you find yourself being snarky to your husband way too often? I’ve done that and worse. If I could go back and sit down with my newly married self, here’s what I would tell her.
March 15, 2022

FAITH CONVERSATION: STUDY YOUR SPOUSE TO DEVELOP STRONGER EMPATHY
Faith
Is your spouse the same person you married? Your spouse keeps changing in preferences and interests. To stay current, study your spouse to understand, serve and love him or her better each day.
March 8, 2022

MEANINGFUL TOUCH IN MARRIAGE
Love & Intimacy
The same need for meaningful touching we see with our children is equally important in a marriage.
March 7, 2022

HOW TO RECONNECT WHEN YOU’RE LONELY IN YOUR MARRIAGE
Emotional Health
Experts identify seasons of marriage prone to producing loneliness. The challenge is to anticipate those lonely periods, learn how to navigate them and turn them into growth opportunities
March 3, 2022

DEALING WITH YOUR DIFFERENCES: DO YOUR PART
Communication
We will all blow it sometimes. But if you really strive to limit your reckless words, you will create a climate that fosters openness and closeness in your marriage.
March 2, 2022

WHAT CHERISHING YOUR SPOUSE REALLY MEANS
Love & Intimacy
For 20 years, I had loved my wife — serving, sacrificing, persevering. But I had conveniently forgotten to consider what it meant to cherish her. To do that, I had to figure out what cherishing meant.
March 2, 2022

UNMET EXPECTATIONS
Marriage
By recognizing the true source of anger, you can create an environment in your marriage that allows for apology and restoration of the relationship.
February 28, 2022

CHORES AND YOUR MARRIAGE
Marriage
When you share the chores with a teammate mentality and when your goal is to out-serve each other, you can bring an end to the chore wars in your home.
February 23, 2022

GOD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU
Faith
Bo Stern writes of her husband’s struggle with ALS, testifying to God’s strength being made perfect in their weakness.
February 21, 2022

MARRIAGE NOTES: I FEEL LOVED WHEN
Marriage
The best way to understand how you can nourish your marriage is to ask your spouse to finish this statement: “I feel loved when …” The answers are a gold mine of information.
February 18, 2022

FORMULA FOR AN ACTUALLY AMAZING LOVE STORY
Love & Intimacy
Every popular romance story portrays a loving bond so special it comes just once in a lifetime. How can you ensure that your own romance has a lifetime filled with those happy-ever-after endings?
February 18, 2022

FAITH CONVERSATION: A BEAUTIFUL LOVE
Marriage
All the excitement about Valentine’s Day makes it easy for us to spend a day focusing on romantic love, but committing to act in love all year long is more difficult.
February 14, 2022

HOLDING ON TO FAITH WHEN LIFE DOESN’T GO YOUR WAY
Marriage
Whether you’re dealing with an unfaithful spouse or a child who is wreaking havoc in your home, rest assured that you, too, can have faith in the dark.
January 31, 2022

JUST THE TWO OF YOU
Marriage
The empty nest years don’t have to be filled with longing for the good ol’ days with the kids. By adding some effort, the two of you can thrive together.
January 31, 2022

HOW TO STAY MARRIED WHEN LIFE IS TOUGH: KEEP PADDLING
Marriage
Facing tough times is like paddling a kayak against a strong ocean gale. How do you stay married when life threatens to swamp your relationship?
January 29, 2022

FINDING STRENGTH IN YOUR DIFFERENCES
Emotional Health
If you find yourself married to your opposite, rejoice! You have access to a whole new set of skills and strengths that can make life a whole lot more well-rounded.
January 26, 2022

DANCING ON THE EDGE
Infidelity
You think it won’t happen to you, can’t happen to you. You think, There’s no way. Not me! Think again.
January 19, 2022

DEVOTIONAL: LOVE AND RESPECT
Faith
To assume that our ability to love another person has its source in our own hearts carries with it the potential to be embarrassing, painful, or dangerous.
January 19, 2022

THE SPIRITUAL DANCE: LETTING HIM LEAD
Faith
Who’s the spiritual leader in your family? Some husbands may be intimidated by their wife and don’t want to fail, so they do nothing. Maybe the best solution is to let God work in their lives.
January 18, 2022

FIVE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT MENTORING
Communication
Maybe you’ve heard about mentoring but don’t really know what it is. Let’s clear up five of the most common misconceptions.
January 17, 2022

FOR WIVES: A NEW TAKE ON THE NEW YEAR
Marriage
What if this year you give your husband a new marriage? Join Erin Smalley as she takes the challenge and commits to living out the Greatest Commandment in her home.
January 11, 2022

IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH: TIPS FOR COPING WITH A DIAGNOSIS
Marriage
When your spouse is diagnosed with a chronic illness, you begin to realize that your life, your spouse’s life and your marriage will never again be the same.
January 11, 2022

AUTISM AND MARRIAGE: 3 SIGNS YOUR SPOUSE MAY BE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM
Communication
Marriage stressors reach a whole new level if one spouse is on the autism spectrum — and the couple isn’t even aware of it. If one spouse has ASD and the other does not, the two have significant differences in the way their brains are wired.
January 7, 2022

HOW SHOULD A CHRISTIAN VIEW MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE?
Marriage
God, the Creator of humanity and of marriage itself, has laid out His plan for marriage as a lifelong union.
January 5, 2022

6 SMART WAYS TO BE MORE PATIENT IN MARRIAGE
Marriage
Practical steps for developing a fruit of the Spirit in your marriage — patience — which will help you better love your spouse
January 3, 2022

LAUGH TOGETHER AS A COUPLE
Love & Intimacy
A simple way to keep your marriage fresh and fun — take every opportunity to share laughter-filled moments with your spouse
December 31, 2021

12 PIECES OF ADVICE I’D TELL NEWLYWED ME
Marriage
For my 12 year anniversary, I’ve highlighted 12 pieces of newlywed advice I wish I could share with the newlywed version of myself.
December 30, 2021

HOW TO ENCOURAGE YOUR SPOUSE OUT OF HIS OR HER COMFORT ZONE
Marriage
There are many reasons your spouse may be hesitant to leave the familiar and try something new — even if they really want to.
December 28, 2021

12 QUESTIONS EVERY FATHER SHOULD ASK HIS FUTURE SON-IN-LAW
Marriage
What questions should you ask a young man who wants to marry your daughter? Answers to these 12 big, important, overarching questions might hold the key to your daughter’s future happiness.
December 22, 2021

YOUR CHRISTMAS MONEY PLAN
Managing Money
For so many couples, Christmas and the gift-giving experience can move from feelings of anticipation to disappointment. The Palmers share ways to turn frustrating exchanges into opportunities.
December 10, 2021

MARRIAGE: A TIMELESS TREASURE
Love & Intimacy
All Christians are called to preserve the God-ordained institution of marriage and share with their neighbors its benefits and His ultimate reasons for it.
December 7, 2021

THE PROBLEMS OF PORNOGRAPHY: SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION AND BEYOND
Communication
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is not new, but ED is no longer occurring only in middle-aged and older men. Many men with ED are under 40. Research suggests this might be the result of pornography addiction.
November 30, 2021

SPEAKING HIGHLY OF YOUR HUSBAND
Marriage
A wife can talk about and treat her husband as either an incompetent dad or a wonderful father. Are you willing to frame your husband as a “hero” to your kids?
November 27, 2021

GRATEFUL FOR MY SPOUSE & POACHED EGGS & BROCCOLI
Marriage
Unexpected ways to be thankful for your husband
November 27, 2021

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR HUSBAND’S PORN CONFESSION
Communication
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Relational problems often get worse before they get better. Some husbands wait weeks after the discovery of porn use before they admit to additional bad behavior. Here’s what wives need to know.
November 26, 2021

HOW PORNOGRAPHY PREVENTS INTIMACY IN YOUR MARRIAGE
Communication
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Does viewing pornography as a couple enhance intimacy in marriage? Marital sexuality is to be exclusive. So, pornography not only decreases true intimacy in marriage but actually prevents it.
November 22, 2021

THE IMPORTANCE OF VULNERABILITY IN FIGHTING PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION
Communication
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
You can’t keep hiding. You can’t kick the habit on your own; no one can. If you really want to be free, you’re going to have to open up to others. You’re going to have to learn to be vulnerable.
November 18, 2021

PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTS MIGHT BE AVOIDING TRUE INTIMACY
Infidelity
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Pornography can be an unhealthy substitution for sex with one’s spouse, but often it’s a symptom of a deeper issue and a way to cope with unresolved pain. The user may be avoiding true intimacy.
November 14, 2021

5 REASONS TO TELL YOUR SPOUSE ABOUT YOUR PORN PROBLEM
Emotional Health
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
You’re ready to quit using pornography. Should you tell your spouse about your struggle? Ask yourself, If I maintain the secret, is that really the intimacy I’ve always longed for in my marriage?
November 10, 2021

THE TRUTH ABOUT EMOTIONAL AFFAIRS
Infidelity
Emotional affairs venture into dangerous territory. They may not lead to physical involvement, but can still devastate marriages.
November 7, 2021

A PORN ADDICT’S WIFE: FEELING INADEQUATE AND UNWANTED
Infidelity
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Karen was raised in a dysfunctional home where family members did not discuss issues. But as painful as talking about her husband’s use of pornography was, Karen simply could not ignore it.
November 6, 2021

SHOULD YOU TELL YOUR SPOUSE ABOUT YOUR PORN PROBLEM?
Communication
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Counselors have seen that the major benefits of truth-telling are worth enduring the challenges. Before you tell your spouse about your secret past, you have to admit a few things to yourself.
November 6, 2021

RESTORING TRUST AFTER PORNOGRAPHY ADDICTION
Communication
NO PORN NOVEMBER:
Restoring trust in light of your spouse’s pornography addiction
November 4, 2021

PERFECT ISN’T THE POINT
Marriage
Perfectionism isn’t healthy for us or our relationships. It feeds discontent. It fosters judgment. So, how do we get out from under the pressure of perfectionism? It all starts with grace.
October 12, 2021

SURVIVING UNEMPLOYMENT IN MARRIAGE
Managing Money
How can my spouse and I survive my recent job loss? Without my income I can’t see how we’re going to make ends meet. What will we do if I can’t find another employment opportunity?
October 11, 2021

REBUILDING THEIR FAMILY — AN UNEXPECTED PROPOSAL
Marriage
After two kids and 25 years of marriage, Mike told his family he was leaving. They all thought it was forever
October 8, 2021

HOW COULD DIVORCE AFFECT MY KIDS?
Communication
We now have an enormous amount of research on divorce and children, all pointing to the same stubborn truth: Kids suffer when moms and dads split up.
September 20, 2021

LIVING WITH HEALTHY GRIEF
Marriage
Learn how to deal with the grief that comes from the death of a loved one or from divorce. It includes the stages of grief and provides teens with ideas on how to walk through the process of grief after a loss.
September 20, 2021

10 WAYS YOUR MARRIAGE CAN SURVIVE THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE
Marriage
These weeks haven’t been easy. But there are things you can do to lower the stress level and find peace during the coronavirus quarantine.
August 30, 2021

SACRIFICIAL, AGAPE LOVE IN MARRIAGE
Marriage
“Love” can be defined in many ways. Christ’s love for us is an unconditional love, and this is the love we are to seek in marriage.
August 16, 2021

HUMILITY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN MARITAL CONFLICT
Marriage
Pride leads to conflict in marriage, so what are you doing to nurture humility in your own heart?
August 6, 2021

LISTENING IS THE FIRST STEP TO CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN L.U.V.E.
Love & Intimacy
True listening requires you to be fully present — clearly and intentionally focused on your spouse. Intent focus shows that your whole heart, soul, mind and body are present.
July 27, 2021

CAN SUMMER VACATIONS FIX MARRIAGE PROBLEMS?
Infidelity
Thinking that summertime fun will fix your marriage problems is unrealistic. But you can use the optimism of the season to improve your relationship.
July 21, 2021

TEN SECRETS TO A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE
Marriage
A successful marriage is possible! Here are 10 principles that will help you create and maintain a successful marriage.
July 12, 2021

WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF INTIMACY?
Love & Intimacy
What is intimacy? What is the definition of intimacy? Sometimes people will do just about anything to get close to someone they find interesting, intriguing or just plain irresistible. Is that being intimate?
July 1, 2021

LIVING TOGETHER BUT NOT MARRIED? CONSIDER THE POWER OF THE VOW
Marriage
My marriage vow kept me from making a grave mistake. Without it, I would have lost a lifetime of love. This special promise is powerful — and we need it for many reasons. If you’re living together but you’re not married yet, consider the power of the vow.
June 28, 2021

A BIG WEDDING DAY, A BIG HOUSE OR A MARRIAGE THAT LASTS A LIFETIME?
Marriage
Should couples invest the most resources in a dream wedding day, a dream house or a dream relationship — one that lasts for a lifetime?
June 22, 2021

MAKING PERSONAL TIME FOR GOD AFTER MARRIAGE
Faith
When I was single, I was deeply aware of my need for God. He was the only other Person in my apartment to talk to on quiet evenings. He was the one who gave me peace when I was scared and loved me no matter what. And while those things were still true after I got married, suddenly it was a lot harder to make time for God.
May 19, 2021

7 HEALTHY HABITS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR MARRIAGE
Communication
Boot these bad habits for better communication
May 19, 2021

LOSING A CHILD LED TO THE HARDEST YEAR OF OUR MARRIAGE
Communication
My husband, Russ, and I are the parents of 12 kids through birth and adoption, and sometimes more through foster care.
March 15, 2021

HOW CONTENT ARE YOU AS A SINGLE?
Marriage
If you experienced a low level of contentment as a single, expecting marriage to propel you to marital bliss probably won’t happen.
March 15, 2021

SINGLE DOESN’T MEAN ALONE
Marriage
As a single parent, resist the urge to retreat from healthy relationships.
March 15, 2021

INTIMACY — A PERFECT 10 MARRIAGE MEDITATION
Love & Intimacy
Intimacy is a lifelong invitation to let your spouse get to know the “real you” — your hopes, dreams, fears and secrets.
March 5, 2021

RECONNECTING WITH YOUR SPOUSE (Part 1 of 2)
Communication
If busyness, exhaustion, and distraction have caused you and your spouse to drift apart, listen in as Dr. Greg Smalley and his wife, Erin, offer practical suggestions for rekindling intimacy in a discussion based on their book Reconnected: Moving From Roomates to Soulmates in Your Marriage. (Part 1 of 2)
March 5, 2021

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE IN AN EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Emotional Health
Three types of emotional abuse can easily be disguised: gaslighting, retaliation and projection. Recognize when you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship.
February 25, 2021

7 WAYS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH WITHIN YOUR FAMILY
Emotional Health
Discovering how to improve mental health is a family affair. Here are seven ways to improve mental health within your family so that you can better handle any of life’s curveballs.
February 18, 2021

STAYING CONNECTED WHEN ONE SPOUSE IS TRAVELING
Communication
Travel is tough on a marriage. But with a bit of planning, you and your spouse can stay connected when one of you is away from home.
January 25, 2021