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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
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6
min read
How To Respond To People Who Criticize Their Spouse

How To Respond To People Who Criticize Their Spouse

I received this question from someone: “I am surrounded by acquaintances (and even some relatives) that berate their spouses constantly. It is usually behind their spouse's back, but sometimes it is to their face. I see this as disrespectful, disloyal, and unloving. What is the best response? Should I tell them how bad this makes them look? I fear for their relationships, too. This behavior may lead to a worse situation.

How To Respond To People Who Criticize Their Spouse
Christian Life
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2
min read
Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part Three: Together Motivated by Christ’s Mission

Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part Three: Together Motivated by Christ’s Mission

In parts one and two we discussed the importance of your own maturity, as well as the maturity of your spouse, in leading to a successful marriage. But maturity alone is not enough. What matters most is jointly using your maturity in Christ’s mission for the two of you together. At Joy and Matt’s wedding I said, “What makes the relationship you have all the more special is your commitment to a third component. You are committed to something bigger than your relationship and marriage."

Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part Three: Together Motivated by Christ’s Mission
Marriage
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7
min read
Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part Two: Finding a Mature Person

Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part Two: Finding a Mature Person

In part one, we discussed the importance of your own maturity, if you are to have a successful marriage. But now that you are committed to being a mature person yourself, what does it mean to find a mature person? The Mythical Perfect Person - There is a difference between finding a mature person and finding a perfect person. The latter does not exist and perchance they did, they’d not give us the time of day. Besides, none of us would want to live with a perfect person. We’d feel judged each and every day. Perfect people have a problem with imperfect people! So why do some still hunt for the perfect person?

Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part Two: Finding a Mature Person
Marriage
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7
min read
Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part 1: Being a Mature Person

Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part 1: Being a Mature Person

On February 20, 2016, I had the unique experience of officiating the marriage of Matt Reed and my daughter, Joy. As part of the ceremony, I gave voice to what I believed about both of them. One, each sought to be a mature person prior to meeting the other. Two, each sought to find a mature person. And, three, each planned on being committed to Christ beyond their relationship, doing marriage motivated by a sense of mission.

Three Goals in Dating That Lead to a Successful Marriage - Part 1: Being a Mature Person
Marriage
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7
min read
How To Keep The Romance Going With A New Baby

How To Keep The Romance Going With A New Baby

With a 6 month-old to care for, time is at a premium around our house. And I worry that he's feeling pushed to the wayside - or that maybe even I will start to feel pushed to the wayside soon. How can I keep the romance going and let him know he's still my perfect match on a regular basis? ANSWER: I deeply appreciate your sensitivity to your husband. You are thinking wisely and pro-actively. For example, you will do fine if you voice this kind of thing on a regular basis: "You mean the world to me and are my perfect match."

How To Keep The Romance Going With A New Baby
Marriage
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4
min read
What is the Difference Between Loving Someone and Being In Love?

What is the Difference Between Loving Someone and Being In Love?

How can you tell the love you feel is the kind which will last a lifetime and not just some overwhelming infatuation which will fade with time? It seems simple enough but if it were so simple, why is the divorce rate so high in this country?

What is the Difference Between Loving Someone and Being In Love?
Christian Life
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4
min read
We Easily See What is Done To Us Before We See What We Are Doing To Our Mate

We Easily See What is Done To Us Before We See What We Are Doing To Our Mate

The Crazy Cycle says, Without Love She Reacts Without Respect and Without Respect He Reacts Without Love. Almost every time Sarah and I teach our seminar about the Love and Respect Connection, people tell us, “Why, of course, this is so obvious.” And then either the husband or the wife adds, “But why doesn’t my spouse get it?” Whether it’s a husband or a wife who “doesn’t get it,” the answer is the same: we often don’t see the obvious.

We Easily See What is Done To Us Before We See What We Are Doing To Our Mate
Marriage
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1
min read
Every Son Needs This One Thing

Every Son Needs This One Thing

As I’ve explored the dynamic of healthy family relationships over the past two decades, one thing has become abundantly clear: a boy needs his mother’s respect. Not only her love, but also her respect.Sarah, my wife, has said for many years, “If I had known this information when my sons were little (they are now in their thirties), I would have been a better mother.”

Every Son Needs This One Thing
Parenting
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2
min read

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