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According to Jesus, some will be rewarded equally to us even though they came at the last hour whereas we served for a lifetime (Matthew 20:1–16). Jesus’ parable about the landowner and his laborers in Matthew 20 stuns us.
Did you know we can ask a husband and wife identical questions about identical issues but receive two different replies? Why? Because the husband and wife are each experiencing two different marriages: his and hers.
Can you relate to the couple who was driving on the highway, with their exit still a few miles away, when the wife said matter-of-factly, “You’ll need to get in the right lane”?
Wives, I’m sure you’re well aware by now of your husband’s need for sexual connection. He needs sexual release as you need emotional release.
Do you ever reach the point of exhaustion in your relationship, where you feel like you are always being criticized, unappreciated, dumped on and ripped apart—like a doormat? You think you are being taken for granted or are expected to simply agree with whatever your spouse says or does.
Sarah and I have just finished an exciting fall season with seven conferences all over the country and Canada. We are so grateful for each and every person who attended. The testimonies of lives changed, marriages transformed, and commitments made have humbled us. We are rejoicing!
We are in the middle of our busy fall conference season. While living out of suitcases and hotels is not everyone’s idea of fun, we are always filled with wonder and awe at God’s faithfulness as we get to experience changed lives. And when we receive a letter like this one – telling how a couple went on to share this transforming message with their friends, family and community after their own marriage was changed – well, nothing is more rewarding!
It’s been said that expectations often lead to disappointment. I tend to agree. In fact, when it comes to behavior in marriage, I would say this: When you do the right thing, expect two things: negative reactions or quiet unresponsiveness.
Occasionally someone will say to me, “Emerson, I’m contemplating your theory of love and respect…and I think you may be on to something.” I smile at this but I also clarify that this isn’t “my theory”…this is a command from the all-wise God in Ephesians 5:33, and this is why it is a message that resonates around the world. It’s not a message exclusive to Americans, or a certain age group, or ethnic group. The Love & Respect message is for men and women everywhere.
We’ve been talking about wedding anniversaries and romantic expectations… and how to get free from the blame game. Here’s a story from a wise wife who made a powerful discovery about her wedding anniversary:
Men, you may not be as romantic as your wife (you sleep during the movie Sleepless in Seattle), but you are a man of honor, and a man of honor discerns the desires in the heart of his wife. Let me recommend two things that feed the romance for her: she needs predictable face to face time with you and she wants periodic surprises.
Romance. Women generally want more of it…and men feel pressured to deliver. Why does it remain so elusive? Last week I shared how our different expectations as men and women can really mess up a romantic anniversary celebration. But this whole romance thing can get complicated for other reasons as well.
Celebrating a wedding anniversary seems to be an area that magnifies the pink and blue differences between husbands and wives. We recently received the following question from a wife, which pretty much sums it up:
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