Pileups happen. Especially in families. That’s what happened to mine. That’s what happened to Keith’s. That’s the nature of family. The ties are so close that the same cord that hangs one tangles all. They say alcoholism is a family disease, but it’s not the only one. Both of my girls experienced some second-hand effects from…
One Choice Every Couple Should Make in Their Suffering
What is one choice every couple should make in the midst of their storm? It might sound like a simple question, but it is incredibly important. One of the most important choices we can make as a couple is to move toward community instead of away from it. The challenge for most of us is…
God’s Plan for Partnership with Us
One of my favorite things about God is that nothing ever surprises Him. I take the greatest comfort in knowing that no matter how crazy the world gets, God is in Heaven saying, “Yep, I saw that coming. I’m still in control. You’re okay.” Knowing that the Creator of the Universe is in control reassures…
Don’t Forget These Two Things About Loving Your Spouse
I came into marriage thinking that between Song of Songs and the “marriage passages” of the New Testament epistles, we were fully equipped to tackle anything married life threw at us. I was excited to awaken the desires the daughters of Jerusalem had told us to keep a tight rein on until the time was…
Secret to an Awesome Marriage: Choose to Connect
Secret Number 3: from 7 Secrets of an Awesome Marriage Connect – The Art of Listening and Being Present Putting God first in your marriage creates an environment for success. That is where God wants to be, and that is how He designed it to work. Then God makes it clear that the marriage relationship…
Secrets to an Awesome Marriage: Three Keys to Connecting Well
The foundation of successful communication is first and foremost found in looking in the mirror. How does your spouse view you? What are the qualities that you possess as a spouse? All of this informs how your spouse will frame you in his or her mind, and it’s to your own advantage to keep this…
Desperate for Immanuel
Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need; rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. — Psalm 142:6 Years ago, when my second daughter, Morgan, was about two years old, I arrived home from my church office early one afternoon I was eager to spend a…
Healing Your Heart When It’s Been Rubbed Raw
Today’s Truth “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” Jesus answered, “No, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” — Matthew18:21-22 NLT Friend to Friend One day I received an e-mail from a woman who was still bitter over a statement her husband made to her cousin ten years…
Understanding Biblical Forgiveness
It doesn’t take very long for a couple to figure out that marriage isn’t a continuously fun and easy ride, a big bundle of happy days tied up with a sparkly bow of hugs and kisses. It’s often the sandpaper of chafing personalities, unmet expectations, and hurt feelings that rub us the wrong way and…
Learning to Love… Sacrificially, Passionately, and Crazily!
Dr. John Barger gave an extraordinary address to a gathering of men on December 12, 1987. The address included his testimony of how he had walked the road from being a domineering husband to a serving one. The crux of the message, however, wasn’t just that husbands can do better. We all know that. What…