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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
This Christmas Will You Speak Only What is Necessary When Gathered as a Family? Why?

This Christmas Will You Speak Only What is Necessary When Gathered as a Family? Why?

A person who modeled thinking before speaking what was unnecessary was my mom. My parents divorced when I was one, remarried, then separated again for five years. Even though Mom could’ve thrown Dad under the bus while raising me on her own, I appreciate that she abstained from doing so. She expressed later in her life that it was unnecessary for me to hear such things. Mom was other-focused. Because of her heart of love for me, she sought to serve my needs with her words. She was not careless in her words because she cared. She pulled back from communicating information that I didn’t need to hear, even though she may have felt better after having done it.

This Christmas Will You Speak Only What is Necessary When Gathered as a Family? Why?
Christian Life
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3
min read
Does An Apology Work?

Does An Apology Work?

The Bible says, “It’s harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars” (Proverbs 18:19 NLT). According to this Proverb, if you have offended each other, will healing easily come to your marriage if you express words of love or respect? Why?

Does An Apology Work?
Marriage
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1
min read
What To Do When He Says He "Isn't In Love"

What To Do When He Says He "Isn't In Love"

A wife wrote me: “HELP!!!!! What happens when he tells you he’s not in love with you due to all the fighting and arguing? I’ve been doing the Love and Respect challenge, but he says it will not work for him since there is no love. Emerson, can this work?” My Reply: Not knowing your situation, I cannot reply with wisdom. I can say, “Yes, Ephesians 5:33 does work, but not with people who do not wish to receive the love and respect we give to them.”

What To Do When He Says He "Isn't In Love"
Marriage
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3
min read
The Everyday Challenge to Communicate Successfully with Your Mate

The Everyday Challenge to Communicate Successfully with Your Mate

It was a beautiful June morning where we live in Michigan, a great time to be eating breakfast on the patio in our backyard filled with colorful flowers and overlooking a beautiful watery marsh covered with lily pads and cattails. I was just finishing my bowl of cereal when Sarah came out, her Bible and devotional books in hand. The moment I saw her, I said, “I’m leaving.” No “Good morning” or even a “Hi.” Just “I’m leaving.”

The Everyday Challenge to Communicate Successfully with Your Mate
Marriage
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4
min read
In a Time of Trial? This Prayer May Help

In a Time of Trial? This Prayer May Help

The following prayer is for anyone going through deep waters in his or her marriage and needing God’s sustaining love and help. Lord, whether or not my marriage turns around, I know You are using this struggle to reveal more of Yourself to me. I thank You for that because I need You in so many ways right now.

In a Time of Trial? This Prayer May Help
Christian Life
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2
min read
The Difference Between Saying "Thanks" and Being Grateful, Part 3

The Difference Between Saying "Thanks" and Being Grateful, Part 3

In part 2, we discussed the need to focus on the tangible things that we do have instead of on what we do not, in order to help develop a more grateful heart. But there is one more suggestion on what our focus should center in on. Two, focus on the intangible things that we do have instead of fixating on the tangibles we do not have.Those of us who lack material goods could whine, "Well, I cannot be grateful for tangible blessings since I have so few."

The Difference Between Saying "Thanks" and Being Grateful, Part 3
Christian Life
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8
min read
The Difference Between Saying "Thanks" and Being Grateful, Part 2

The Difference Between Saying "Thanks" and Being Grateful, Part 2

In part 1 of this Thanksgiving-themed article, we discussed the idea of being like a parrot in our giving thanks: we say the words with our mouth but have no heartfelt understanding behind the words and do not truly have a grateful heart. But I have two suggestions for you on how to live your life more with a grateful heart.One, focus on the tangible things that we do have instead of fixating on what we do not have.

The Difference Between Saying "Thanks" and Being Grateful, Part 2
Christian Life
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8
min read
Should You Read a Letter Like This to Your Family This Thanksgiving?

Should You Read a Letter Like This to Your Family This Thanksgiving?

A wife shared with me the following letter that she read aloud to her family on Thanksgiving 2007: “Every Thanksgiving we usually go around the table and say what we are thankful for before saying grace. This is usually a very easy task for me because God has blessed me so much, with three healthy children that I am able to stay home with, a beautiful home, my own health, good relationships with all of my family members, and the list could go on and on.

Should You Read a Letter Like This to Your Family This Thanksgiving?
Parenting
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4
min read

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