Four Ways to Support Your Spouse in Tough Times

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommunication, Conflict, Listening, Marriage Health, When Life is Difficult

Ever been caught unexpectedly in a severe storm? There aren’t many things more terrifying. Even if you are not physically harmed by the wind or high water, the long term after-effects of a major storm can derail your life as you deal with damage to home and property. Forbes recently published a list of some of the worst storms ever …

couple pointing fingers at each other

Is Criticism Getting in the Way of Intimacy in Your Marriage?

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommunication, Conflict, Criticism, Goals, Intimacy, Listening, Romance

No marriage is perfect. And if we are honest, sometimes we all wish our spouse would speak or behave differently. In a healthy relationship, a husband and wife can communicate these irritations or frustrations in ways that don’t tear each other down. When there is mutual love and respect, such conversations can bring about positive results. By comparison, when spouses …

Four Good Reasons to Pray Together

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommitment, Communication, Contentment, Faith, Marriage Health, Reconnecting

Pray together. It’s kind of a crazy idea when you think about it. The Creator of the Universe invites us into a conversation. We talk, and Almighty hears. We listen, and God has messages for us. Prayer is both intimate and powerful, and inviting God into your marriage relationship through prayer is full of possibilities. So while there are lots of …

smiling couple with husband giving flowers to wife

Is It Possible to Fall Out of Love?

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommitment, Communication, Conflict, Divorce, Marriage Courses, Marriage Health, Reconnecting, Selfishness

Albert Einstein once said, “You can’t blame gravity for falling in love.” No indeed. So if you’ve been “bitten by the love bug” or shot by one of “cupid’s” arrows, you may seem “head over heels” or even “love sick”. Researchers have discovered chemical reactions in the brain that account for such behavior. It seems that increased levels of the feel-good …

smiling senior couple outdoors looking into the distance

We saved our marriage.

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommunication, Conflict, Divorce, Reconnecting, Separation

Did we return home after our weekend at A New Beginning all lovey-dovey and fixed? Absolutely not. But we did come home armed with tools, knowledge, processes, and most importantly, hope. We had hope that, with work, we could save our marriage.

Couple holding hands in field - question that could change your marriage

The Question That Could Change Your Marriage

Marriage Dynamics InstituteConflict, Humility, Reconnecting, Uncategorized

Richard Paul Evans is the No. 1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than 35 novels. He has received numerous awards for his books, as well as his humanitarian work to help abused and neglected children and teens. Yet none of this helped him when his marriage began falling apart. The tension between Richard and his …

Couple separated by wall - criticism

Criticism: An Enemy of Intimacy – Part 1

Marriage Dynamics InstituteCommunication, Marriage Health, Uncategorized

The words we speak are powerful. You may be familiar with an illustration about bullying that has been widely circulated around the internet. A teacher instructed her students to take a piece of paper and crumple it, stomp on it, and really mess it up—everything short of ripping it. Then, she had them unfold the paper and try to smooth …

Couple outdoors in fall - fun fall date night ideas

14 Fun Fall Date Night Ideas

Marriage Dynamics InstituteQuality Time, Reconnecting, Uncategorized

Have you taken time for a date lately? Just the two of you, with no little ones in tow? With the colorful foliage and a slight chill in the air, fall is a wonderful season to enjoy a romantic afternoon or evening together. Here are some fun ideas to inspire you… 14 Fall Date Night Activities Go for a hike …

Young African American family - keeping love alive while parenting

Balancing Marriage and Parenting: Keeping Love Alive While You Raise Kids

Marriage Dynamics InstituteContentment, Marriage Health, Reconnecting, Uncategorized

Balancing marriage and parenting is not for the faint of heart. For most of us, bringing home our first child introduces a whole new kind of love into our lives. Holding that newborn baby for the first time, we know we’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe and warm and happy. Yet we soon discover that bringing that little …