Basketball net - 7 Tips to Survive March Madness

Seven Tips to Help You Survive March Madness Together

MattQuality Time, Uncategorized

Can love and basketball coexist? If you’ve seen the 2000 romantic movie Love & Basketball, you’d think so. The film, starring Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps, shares the story of neighbors who pursue basketball careers and eventually fall in love. But in the middle of March, it may seem like the challenge is too much to overcome. They call it …

Woman writing "Forgive" in her diary - The Who, What, and How of Forgiveness

Forgiveness: Who, What, and How

MattDevotionals, Uncategorized

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6.14-15, NIV). If You Want What God Offers, Do What He Asks If we were honest with ourselves, we might admit that there are some …

Couple reading Bible together - spiritual growth

How to Grow Closer Together Spiritually

Marriage Dynamics InstituteFaith, Family, Uncategorized

Spiritual growth in your marriage starts with you…. Achieving spiritual intimacy with your spouse is a fantastic goal. It’s a gift many long for but never seem to find. You can meet this lofty summit, but it doesn’t start with two. It begins with one. You. While it’s great to get to a point where you and your spouse are …

holding hands - staying united during marital disagreements

Marital Disagreements – Don’t Air Your Dirty Laundry in Public

MattCommunication, Marriage Health, Patience

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 …

Rose with note - Show How Much You Care

10 Simple Ways to Celebrate Your Love Every Day

Marriage Dynamics InstituteContentment, Quality Time, Romance

What if every day were Valentine’s Day? I know, I know. You want to show how much you care for your spouse, but it feels like it takes a ton of effort and thought just to make the officially recognized holiday special. Just hear me out. Think about the mindset that makes February 14th such a romantic day.  The happiest …

Married couple - National Marriage Week 2018

Celebrating National Marriage Week 2018!

Deb PattersonFamily, Marriage Health, Uncategorized

It’s National Marriage Week! National Marriage Week 2018 (Feb. 7-14) is a great time to celebrate one of God’s most precious gifts to us—marriage! This annual celebration raises awareness of the need to build stronger marriages and reduce the divorce rate, which in turn benefits children and helps curtail poverty. Chuck Stetson, chairman of National Marriage Week USA, says, “The …

Stressed businessman - quit your job

Three Reasons Not to Quit Your Job

Marriage Dynamics InstituteContentment, Get Marriage Dynamics finances insights to help couples tackle money challenges, improve budgeting, and build financial harmony.Finances

You may be tempted to quit your job. But is that the best choice right now? Fred the Baker is an all-star. Who is Fred the Baker? You mean you don’t remember him? He remained the faithful face of Dunkin’ Donuts during the 1980s and was famous for always saying “time to make the donuts.” The best thing about Fred …

I love you sign - study of what love is

What Love Is and What it Isn’t – A Few Thoughts from 1 Corinthians 13

Marriage Dynamics InstituteDevotionals, Faith

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV ) How do we know what love is, exactly? From days of old up to this minute, people have answered this question in many different ways. Greek philosopher Sophocles, who was around before Jesus, said, “One word frees us of all the weight …