Christian Marriage Articles

Does Your Spouse Have Your Permission? From Steve and Barbara Telzerow

Can You Make These Four Statements When Disagreeing?

Can You Make These Four Statements When Disagreeing?

No two people will agree with each other all the time. Conflict doesn’t mean the marriage is in trouble, and disagreement doesn’t mean you married the wrong person.

Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Disagreeing with Your Spouse

Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Disagreeing with Your Spouse

You’ve likely heard me talk about “when the issue is no longer the issue.” What begins as a normal difference of opinion can quickly leave both spouses feeling unloved and completely disrespected.

Does Your Spouse Have Your Permission? From Steve and Barbara Telzerow

Does Your Spouse Have Your Permission? From Steve and Barbara Telzerow

Courtship and the first few months of marriage is a unique time in a couple’s relationship. We are usually focused on our partner’s strengths and rarely aware of the weaknesses or quirks that all of us have.

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.

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

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

Is It Time to Split Up?—Part 2

Is It Time to Split Up?—Part 2

(If you haven't read Part 1 of this post, make sure you do so before continuing!) We have established that the “man” Jesus refers to in Matthew 9:5–6 who is putting the marriage asunder is the husband and/or wife in the marriage, not the third party too many people are quick to blame. However, Jesus has also in this verse given us three motivations to avoid putting the marriage asunder: 1) God 2) Hath 3) Joined Together.

Is It Time to Split Up?—Part 1

Is It Time to Split Up?—Part 1

Jesus says, "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and the twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:5–6 KJV).WHO IS THE “MAN”? I have read that verse countless times over the years but not until after many readings did I see something I never saw!

Who Makes the Final Decision When You Are Stalemated? Part 2

Who Makes the Final Decision When You Are Stalemated? Part 2

In Part 1 I introduced a topic that many within the Christian community have discussed and debated about for centuries. Who makes the final call in a marriage where both spouses are caught in a stalemate over a non-moral issue? At the end of Part 1 I encouraged you to read and meditate on Ephesians 5:23 and 1 Timothy 3:4,5,12. Did you catch what the apostle Paul was--and was not--saying there?

Who Makes the Final Decision When You Are Stalemated? Part 1

Who Makes the Final Decision When You Are Stalemated? Part 1

When a husband and wife need to make a decision, should they wait for God to change the other person on the matter? What if they must make a decision by a certain time and cannot wait any longer? While there are many times when lesser decisions can be put on hold until one or both change their opinion, what about those moments when waiting is not feasible, like public versus private schooling for the kids in the fall? A decision must be made, but how?