Our bodies require maintenance to stay healthy. Gardens need maintenance to grow. Cars need maintenance to run well. A business needs maintenance to be successful. Why should it be any different for marriages? Many couples have premarital counseling before tying the knot, which is great. But you’d never expect four or five workouts at age 22 to keep a person …
Keep Your Marriage Running on All Cylinders
Thoughts on oil changes and marriage… What do you make time for, even when life gets busy? Does routine car maintenance make the list? When there’s a lot going on, it can be more than a little inconvenient to get the oil changed in your vehicle (or to change it yourself, if you’re so inclined). But it’s one of those …
A Marriage Fit for Royalty
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones (Proverbs 12:4). A Wife of Noble Character Although the meaning has changed, apparently the idea of a trophy wife has been around for a long time. The author of Proverbs lays down a pretty stark comparison to show what he thought …
When Three Isn’t a Crowd in Your Marriage | Marriage Dynamics Institute
Learning to Include God in Your Relationship You’ve probably heard it. Two’s company, and three’s a crowd. If someone says those words to you, you’ll probably get your feelings hurt. If you’re not up to snuff on idioms, it means if someone is having an A to B conversation, you can C your way out. In other words, they want …
Don’t Give Up. Surrender.
You said divorce wasn’t an option. If you’re having second thoughts, consider this. Remember that old saying, “your word is your bond?” That’s not always true in relationships. Seems like it should be true in marriage, though. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Maybe it was yesterday, or maybe it was a long time ago, but the vows you shared …
10 Things to Try if You Regret Getting Married
Does this story sound familiar? You met the man or woman of your dreams. You went out for coffee or a meal and couldn’t believe how easy they were to talk to. The two of you began dating, and you felt so alive when you were with them. As time went on, you began to imagine what it would be …
Work on Your Marriage Goals with an Accountability Partner
How are you doing in your marriage? Every couple faces challenges, and may need outside help at times. One great idea is to take a reputable marriage course with a proven track record, which will equip you with practical strategies to keep your marriage healthy and strong. Another good strategy is finding a trustworthy accountability partner to walk alongside and …
Fight the Temptation to Retaliate
Want to battle for your marriage? Want a healthier, happier relationship? Fight the temptation to retaliate every time your spouse hurts your feelings or angers you. Proverbs 24:29 says, “Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did’” (NIV). Proverbs is the ultimate guidebook for living a life …
Lessons in Math and Marriage: How to Be Better Together
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 …