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.
Criticism: An Enemy of Intimacy – Part 1
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 …
Is Your Defensiveness Hurting Your Marriage?
Defensiveness is a natural reaction. Everyone has heard a cat hiss or a dog growl when they sense a threat. Maybe you’ve even been the unfortunate victim of a skunk’s smelly defense mechanism. The Indonesian mimic octopus has quite an impressive defense system. This remarkable creature fools potential predators by impersonating other animals or objects. It can change its shape, …
Are You and Your Spouse Speaking Different Love Languages?
Do you have trouble understanding what your spouse needs to feel loved? As soon as we were old enough to understand it, most of us were probably taught some version of “Do unto others as you’d have done to you.” The Golden Rule, as we call it, is a wise biblical principle to keep in mind as we deal with …
Stop Trying to Clean Up During the Storm
Ever been caught unexpectedly in a severe storm? There aren’t many things more terrifying. What’s worse is when it hits your home, your sanctuary suffers as a result. Forbes recently published a list of some of the worst ever to hit the United States, and seeing what people have had to go through is jaw-dropping. During a storm, it’s essential …
Check Your Heart Before You Speak Your Mind
Why it’s good to think before you speak… Communicating in your marriage is essential. However, remember you can’t unsay the things that cross your lips. Though it was not specifically related to her marriage, if you had the opportunity to ask the late Barbara Bush if there was something she wished she could take back, it might be a comment …
How Well Do You Know Your Spouse?
Whatever else you may know, be sure you know your spouse…. While more people than ever are earning bachelor’s degrees, the U.S Census Bureau reports only about two percent of the American population holds an earned doctorate. That’s a pretty small number of people who are either dedicated or crazy enough to jump through all of the hoops required and …
6 Ways to Stay Connected When You Have a Busy Schedule
Keeping communication lines open when life gets crazy With work, family, church, and the occasional nap competing for space in your life, it can be hard for you and your spouse to stay connected. With all the directions you find yourself pulled, the two of you may feel like two ships passing in the night. It’s evident that a busy …
Marital Disagreements – Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry in Public
Know the right time and place to tackle marital disagreements. Pop quiz: What’s one of the most awkward things to endure? Is it: Accidentally telling your boss “I love you” before you get off the phone. Having someone point out to you that you’re pants are unzipped. Having someone point out that you forgot to wear pants. Watching a married …
Is Your Spouse Stressed Out? Five Ways to Help
It’s vital in a marriage to help your spouse when they are overwhelmed—even if they don’t know how to ask for help. You know when you pull into the garage and you’ve got a lot of groceries to carry inside? You don’t want to have to come back out, so you try to take everything to the house at once. What …
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