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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

Marriage Maintenance

Recently I came across a blog entry written by a woman who communicated so effectively the mutual fear couples often experience related to a husband’s spiritual leadership and authority. She nails it! So this week I’m honored to share a portion of her blog, with her permission. Thank you, Bekka!

Marriage Maintenance

The Jean Jacket

I proposed to Sarah when we were both still in college, and she said yes. While still engaged we got a hint of how husbands and wives can get into arguments over practically nothing. That first Christmas Sarah made me a jean jacket. Yup…you read that right. She MADE me a jean jacket! I opened the box…

The Jean Jacket

Spiderwebbing [Video]

You won’t find a formal definition of this term in the dictionary, but most married couples will recognize what spiderwebbing is. Someone starts with this point and goes to that point but doesn’t finish that point before going on to another point, not finishing that point but doubling back to an earlier point.

Spiderwebbing [Video]

"What I Learned About Leadership From A Fight With My Wife"

"What I Learned About Leadership From A Fight With My Wife"

My friend Michael Hyatt is one of the most profound writers on leadership that I know. His recent blog post linking leadership principles to marital conflict resolution did not disappoint.

Powerful Enough to Change Your Life

Powerful Enough to Change Your Life

In last week’s blog, I addressed whether the biblical truth of Love and Respect is too simplistic for marriages that are in serious trouble. This week I share a testimony that beautifully communicates how love and respect, though simple, can powerfully transform a troubled marriage!

More Energizing Examples…

More Energizing Examples…

Last week I shared a testimony from a couple who discovered mutual respect for one another. Because I talk about a woman’s deepest need for love, and a man’s deepest need for respect, I sometimes get the comment from women, “Well, I need respect too!” To which I reply, “Absolutely!”

Mutual Respect

These last several weeks I have been sharing with you the “if-then” principle that keeps the Energizing Cycle humming in your marriage. Today I want to share the final "if-then" principle:

Mutual Respect

Time for an Attitude Adjustment (Loyalty and Conquest)

Time for an Attitude Adjustment (Loyalty and Conquest)

An FBI agent confided in me that the amount of time he spent on his job was causing his wife to complain and question him even though he actually thought he was balancing things “pretty well.” He would get defensive and lash back at her, saying he was trying his best to do a good job and he didn't appreciate her questioning.