Christian Marriage Articles

When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

What’s Really Going On with the Husband Who Doesn’t Want His Wife’s Input?

What’s Really Going On with the Husband Who Doesn’t Want His Wife’s Input?

Sadly, many a man will not include his wife in decisions because he fears her input as an attempt to control him rather than as her desire to be his helpful teammate. Not only is this man extremely insecure (which calls into question his manhood), but some would call him imprudent.

Do Different Reactions Toward Their Spouse’s Contempt Mean One Is More Justified than the Other?

Do Different Reactions Toward Their Spouse’s Contempt Mean One Is More Justified than the Other?

Over the years, I have heard from many women who feel they have more of a right to speak harshly and disrespectfully to their husband than he does to speak unlovingly toward her.

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.

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?

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

A husband has a need to be respected by his wife. That is what Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:33. As well, a wife has a need to be honored (respected) by her husband.

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

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

How Pink Can Deal with Blue Thinking When It Seems So Unloving

How Pink Can Deal with Blue Thinking When It Seems So Unloving

One of my favorite analogies to share in our Love and Respect Conferences is comparing men and women with pink and blue. There is an immediate ripple of recognition and agreement in the audience when I talk about how she sees through pink sunglasses and hears with pink hearing aids while his world is shaded in blue.

You Still Control the Secret to the Chemistry in Your Marriage

You Still Control the Secret to the Chemistry in Your Marriage

Whenever we talk about "chemistry" between a man and a woman, many of us envision an igniting of romantic passions that give birth to incredible emotional bonding. Not only are we attracted to each other physically, but as we share heart to heart, we are stunned with delight by how we feel, think, and act alike.

A Look Inside: Why She Feels She Is Right and He Is Wrong

A Look Inside: Why She Feels She Is Right and He Is Wrong

“Not wrong, just different.” These four words illustrate much of what I’ve talked about for over twenty years now. In fact, many others have repeated them within their own marriages countless times as they notice the differences—both subtle and not-so-subtle—between them and their spouse.

Toilet Seats and Near Empty Gas Tanks

Toilet Seats and Near Empty Gas Tanks

Unless there is a clear violation of Scripture, morality, or the law, our spouse is not inherently wrong when varying with us on such topics as toilet seats and near-empty gas tanks. These would be gray-area issues or what I refer to as clashing preferences. Neither is absolutely wrong, just different, relatively speaking.