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When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

A minor unannounced U-turn after church escalates into hours of tears and despair for one wife, revealing how everyday preferences quickly spiral into the Crazy Cycle of missing love and respect.

Since God Wants Me to Believe in Him, Why Doesn’t He Just Appear to Me?

Since God Wants Me to Believe in Him, Why Doesn’t He Just Appear to Me?

As a new believer in Christ at age sixteen, I recall one night going outside my home in Peoria, Illinois, and crying out to God to show Himself to me to confirm that what I believed about Him was true. “Just appear to me!” I begged of God.

Profiling a Spouse: The Invitation to Unearth New Insights Explaining Their Behaviors

Profiling a Spouse: The Invitation to Unearth New Insights Explaining Their Behaviors

Most of us long for a better marriage, and that longing is to be applauded. However, how might some go about improving the relationship?

When God’s Plan Does Not Match Your Expectations: The Untold Story Of Joseph Barsabbas

When God’s Plan Does Not Match Your Expectations: The Untold Story Of Joseph Barsabbas

When I went off to military school in eighth grade, where I stayed for the next five years, there was another cadet who entered eighth grade with me.

When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

Since God Wants Me to Believe in Him, Why Doesn’t He Just Appear to Me?

Profiling a Spouse: The Invitation to Unearth New Insights Explaining Their Behaviors

When God’s Plan Does Not Match Your Expectations: The Untold Story Of Joseph Barsabbas

YOU Can Make A Difference!

YOU Can Make A Difference!

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!

Great Expectations

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.

Great Expectations

A Cross-Cultural Message

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.

A Cross-Cultural Message

It’s Not All About Me!

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:

It’s Not All About Me!

Two Simple Things That Speak Romance to Her

Two Simple Things That Speak Romance to Her

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.

The Romance Game

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.

The Romance Game

Your Anniversary: Romantic – Or Just Another Day?

Your Anniversary: Romantic – Or Just Another Day?

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:

Can’t Buy Me Love…But Can You Buy Me Truth?

Can’t Buy Me Love…But Can You Buy Me Truth?

There’s a song by the Beatles with the theme, “Money can’t buy me love…” I think most of us would agree with that. Celebrities with plenty of money and fame move from one relationship to the next searching for love, while others with very little money have remained married and in love for 50 years!