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A Wife’s Hurt Feelings: Beyond a Husband’s Apology, Rethinking a Fresh Approach
NEWEST Article

A Wife’s Hurt Feelings: Beyond a Husband’s Apology, Rethinking a Fresh Approach

If I ranked comments from wives to me, this one comes in close to the top: “My husband hurts my feelings.”

A Wife’s Hurt Feelings: Beyond a Husband’s Apology, Rethinking a Fresh Approach
Marriage
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6
min read
Seek Mutual Understanding, Not Divorce
NEWEST Article

Seek Mutual Understanding, Not Divorce

Countless divorcees have told us over the years that had they known the Love and Respect truth underlying the negative cycle they found themselves constantly on (which we refer to as the Crazy Cycle), they would never have divorced.

Seek Mutual Understanding, Not Divorce
Marriage
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9
min read
When Disappointed in Our Spouse, Do We Address Their Conduct or Attack Their Character?
NEWEST Article

When Disappointed in Our Spouse, Do We Address Their Conduct or Attack Their Character?

Husbands and wives are going to disagree . . . many times. They’re going to have arguments . . . many times. On top of that, husbands will disappoint wives, and wives will disappoint husbands, bringing reason for the offended or hurt spouse to broach a possibly sensitive or tough topic. 

When Disappointed in Our Spouse, Do We Address Their Conduct or Attack Their Character?
Marriage
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6
min read
“My Response Is My Responsibility”—7 Fears and 7 Benefits
NEWEST Article

“My Response Is My Responsibility”—7 Fears and 7 Benefits

There is an axiom that I have used in my teachings for as long as I can remember that, to this day, I still fully believe in its simple but life-changing truth: “My response is my responsibility.”

“My Response Is My Responsibility”—7 Fears and 7 Benefits
Marriage
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10
min read
According To Jesus, All We Need To Be Content Is Food, Covering, And One More Thing...
NEWEST Article

According To Jesus, All We Need To Be Content Is Food, Covering, And One More Thing...

When I was on staff at a church in the 1970s, we sought to serve widows and orphans. Though they were not all widows, we decided to lean into assisting single parents specifically.

According To Jesus, All We Need To Be Content Is Food, Covering, And One More Thing...
Christian Life
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6
min read
Seek Mutual Understanding, Not Divorce

Seek Mutual Understanding, Not Divorce

Seek Mutual Understanding, Not Divorce
Marriage
Image duration icon
9
min read
When Disappointed in Our Spouse, Do We Address Their Conduct or Attack Their Character?

When Disappointed in Our Spouse, Do We Address Their Conduct or Attack Their Character?

When Disappointed in Our Spouse, Do We Address Their Conduct or Attack Their Character?
Marriage
Image duration icon
6
min read
“My Response Is My Responsibility”—7 Fears and 7 Benefits

“My Response Is My Responsibility”—7 Fears and 7 Benefits

“My Response Is My Responsibility”—7 Fears and 7 Benefits
Marriage
Image duration icon
10
min read
According To Jesus, All We Need To Be Content Is Food, Covering, And One More Thing...

According To Jesus, All We Need To Be Content Is Food, Covering, And One More Thing...

According To Jesus, All We Need To Be Content Is Food, Covering, And One More Thing...
Christian Life
Image duration icon
6
min read
Are You Trying to Improve Your Marriage with a Dull Axe?

Are You Trying to Improve Your Marriage with a Dull Axe?

Ecclesiastes 10:10 states, "If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success." Some of us are exerting a lot of effort to make our marriage successful but we are tired. We feel exhausted. Basically, we are attempting to chop down an oak tree with a dull axe that is in dire need of being sharpened.

Are You Trying to Improve Your Marriage with a Dull Axe?
Marriage
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3
min read
Use Comfortable Terminology in Stopping the Crazy Cycle

Use Comfortable Terminology in Stopping the Crazy Cycle

Many couples use this simple exchange successfully when there is a sharp disagreement, and one spouse has stepped on the other spouse’s air hose. They have bought into the need for unconditional Love and Respect to the point where they are comfortable with this terminology. Here are two typical reports:

Use Comfortable Terminology in Stopping the Crazy Cycle
Marriage
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1
min read
Righteous Indignation or Something Else?

Righteous Indignation or Something Else?

When we become angry toward someone because of their unjust or unworthy manner of acting or speaking, we are letting them know they cannot treat us or others this way. We feel righteously indignant, which is more than okay. Jesus, in fact, became righteously indignant toward the money changers who were attempting to profit off of those coming to worship at the temple (Matthew 21:12–13).

Righteous Indignation or Something Else?
Christian Life
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2
min read
Is It Their Issue or Our Issue?

Is It Their Issue or Our Issue?

Issues between husband and wife can pop up anywhere over just about anything. For example, a couple gets in a discussion over their son’s poor grades. The wife wants the husband to spend more time with the boy and help him with his homework; the husband is under tremendous pressure at his job and is having to work a lot of overtime. He says there is no time to help.

Is It Their Issue or Our Issue?
Marriage
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2
min read
Have You Shown Unconditional Respect?

Have You Shown Unconditional Respect?

In our love saturated culture, everyone understands and expects unconditional love. On the other hand, what is your reaction to the phrase “unconditional respect”? In 1 Peter 3:1,2 a wife is instructed that she can win her disobedient husband via her respectful behavior. These Scriptures say:

Have You Shown Unconditional Respect?
Marriage
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2
min read
How One Mother’s Respect-Talk Found the Hero in Her Son

How One Mother’s Respect-Talk Found the Hero in Her Son

In my book Mother &Son: The Respect Effect, I share the need for not only your husband to feel and hear your respect, but your son as well, no matter his age. Even your preschooler has a “man inside the boy” who naturally responds to words of respect, as little Samuel’s mother learned and applied in her relationship with her son. Read about her experience with using Respect-Talk and ask yourself how you might begin applying the same with your son:Dear Dr. Emerson,

How One Mother’s Respect-Talk Found the Hero in Her Son
Parenting
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7
min read
Who Moves First?

Who Moves First?

I have had people say that because in Ephesians 5:33a God first commands the husband to love his wife and then in Ephesians 5:33b God commands the wife to respect her husband, then a wife need only respect her husband AFTER he first loves her. They argue that the husband must move first because he is mentioned first. Do you believe this?

Who Moves First?
Marriage
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2
min read
It Began with Simply Deciding to Respect

It Began with Simply Deciding to Respect

It truly warms my heart to receive letters such as the following. I share it with you now, wondering if you might be able to relate with the writer’s personal story: Emerson, My parents divorced when I was thirteen, and I have struggled with my relationship with my dad ever since. I see the importance of healthy marriages, especially for the kids involved. It is my belief that if we can get our marriages to a healthy spot, then we can continue to move forward doing what God has called us to do together as husband and wife, to join Him in His kingdom work!

It Began with Simply Deciding to Respect
Marriage
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4
min read

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