Marriage Articles

Do You Have the Humility Necessary to Move First?

Not All Men Need to Keep Talking about Their Hurts and Vulnerabilities

Not All Men Need to Keep Talking about Their Hurts and Vulnerabilities

When I used to do marriage counseling during my days as a pastor, I noticed a distinctive trend among the couples who would come to my office. The husband typically played it close to the vest during the session.

Are You Fighting a Battle Your Spouse Doesn’t Even Know You Are Having?

Are You Fighting a Battle Your Spouse Doesn’t Even Know You Are Having?

Husbands and wives will find themselves in conflict with each other—that is undeniable. In fact, because the apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:28 that those who marry “will have trouble in this life,” we can also conclude that some conflict within marriage is by God’s design.

Do You Have the Humility Necessary to Move First?

Do You Have the Humility Necessary to Move First?

When a husband and wife find themselves on yet another out-of-control Crazy Cycle—where feeling unloved, she reacts without respect; and feeling disrespected, he reacts without love—how do they decide who is going to be the first to stop reacting unlovingly or disrespectfully?

What Do You Think When You Hear “Happy Wife, Happy Life”?

What Do You Think When You Hear “Happy Wife, Happy Life”?

"Happy wife, happy life!” Why will a one-sided happiness, even if it helps in the short term, come back to bite both husband and wife in the long term?

Why Does a Wife Not Hear That Her Husband Needs Respect?

Why Does a Wife Not Hear That Her Husband Needs Respect?

The idea of unconditional respect for the husband has always been the Love and Respect message’s unique feature, based on Ephesians 5:33. Many books stress Paul’s instruction for husbands to love their wives (“each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself . . .”), but few spend equal space if any at all, to the rest of the verse (“. . . and the wife must respect her husband”).

What Do You Think When You Hear “Happy Wife, Happy Life”?

Why Does a Wife Not Hear That Her Husband Needs Respect?

On Abuse in Marriage

For decades, my position regarding abuse has been clear: when in harm’s way, get out. Separate. My mom separated from my dad for five years because of his abusive conduct. I have zero tolerance for abuse. I was a victim of this, even having watched my dad attempt to strangle my mom. I have incessantly made this point of getting out of harm’s way whenever the issue of abuse arises.

On Abuse in Marriage

Lightbulb Moments in Marriage Part 2: Our Effective Interactions

Lightbulb Moments in Marriage Part 2: Our Effective Interactions

This January webinar is Part 2 of a 3-part journey inspired by my new book Lightbulb Moments in Marriage, focusing on effective interactions with our spouses.

Lightbulb Moments in Marriage Part 1: Our Core Beliefs

Lightbulb Moments in Marriage Part 1: Our Core Beliefs

In this webinar, part 1 of a 3 part series, Emerson discusses the upcoming book '”Lightbulb Moments in Marriage.”

The Angry Christian Husband: Understanding a Hidden Struggle in the Christian Home

The Angry Christian Husband: Understanding a Hidden Struggle in the Christian Home

This webinar will help you understand each other with truth, compassion, and a path forward. It’s time for healing conversations in Christian homes—and for couples to discover renewed hope together.