When we marry, the Bible says that two become one. That oneness is one of the many beautiful blessings of marriage. Yet it is not always easy to maintain as we contend with our individual wants and needs…. Early spring in Chicago is usually quite chilly, especially when the wind is brisk. My husband and I had been married for …
Self-Driving Cars May Be the Future, But Self-Driving Marriages Don’t Exist
Volkswagen is emerging as a leader in one of the newest innovations in driving. The auto manufacturer is paving the way for self-driving cars, which they think (if the idea gets far enough down the road) will hit the streets by 2021. The car won’t have any pedals or steering wheel inside, instead relying on cameras and sensors, radar and high-torque …
Get Closer By Serving Together
How’s your serve? Kick your relationship up a notch by serving together. People devote untold amounts of energy to drawing closer together with their spouse. At MDI, we’ve developed entire courses to help you achieve this critical task. We do our best to keep you stocked with helpful tools and resources to stay on track in your marriage. It’s what we’re …
10 Lessons from 21 Years of Marriage
My wife and I celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary on Thursday last week. It seems like yesterday when we met for the first time. She was walking down the street in Buckhead, Atlanta, and I was standing outside a restaurant that I had just opened. I was 24 and she was 27. For me, it was love at first sight. …
Grow Closer Spiritually with These 6 Ideas
Want a happier, more fulfilling marriage? One route to greater intimacy in your relationship is to grow closer spiritually. Studies show that couples who share a steadfast devotion to their spiritual lives have happier marriages than those who don’t. While that sounds appealing, how does the couple who’s never been “religious,” or those who come from different backgrounds get started? …
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 …
Banish Anxiety with Four Prayerful Steps
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4.6-7). Do Battle with Your Fears by Enlisting Your Chief Warrior Heaven knows marriages are under the gun these …
12 Practical Ways to Strengthen Your Relationship with Your Spouse
What constitutes a strong foundation for a marriage? A marriage relationship can be one of the most rewarding experiences two people can have this side of heaven—or it can be one of the most difficult. Too many couples enter into the marriage relationship relying solely on the power of their feelings rather than establishing healthy relational habits. But feelings can …
Trusting God in Your Life and Marriage
Learning to trust God with everything…. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). If you have children, you know the direction you point them isn’t always the direction they want to go. You don’t steer them …