Christian Marriage Articles

Your Husband Does Have a Need for Emotional Intimacy!

Same Facts, Different Views: His and Her Marriages

Same Facts, Different Views: His and Her Marriages

Did you know we can ask a husband and wife identical questions about identical issues but receive two different replies? Why? Because the husband and wife are each experiencing two different marriages: his and hers.

Pick Your Battles Wisely (And Avoid Those About His Driving!)

Pick Your Battles Wisely (And Avoid Those About His Driving!)

Can you relate to the couple who was driving on the highway, with their exit still a few miles away, when the wife said matter-of-factly, “You’ll need to get in the right lane”?

Your Husband Does Have a Need for Emotional Intimacy!

Your Husband Does Have a Need for Emotional Intimacy!

Wives, I’m sure you’re well aware by now of your husband’s need for sexual connection. He needs sexual release as you need emotional release.

What Can I Say to My Spouse When They Treat Me Like a Doormat?

What Can I Say to My Spouse When They Treat Me Like a Doormat?

Do you ever reach the point of exhaustion in your relationship, where you feel like you are always being criticized, unappreciated, dumped on and ripped apart—like a doormat? You think you are being taken for granted or are expected to simply agree with whatever your spouse says or does.

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.

What Can I Say to My Spouse When They Treat Me Like a Doormat?

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

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.

How Peacemaking Connects With Authority

How Peacemaking Connects With Authority

If a husband chooses to be a peacemaker, taking the needs and concerns of his wife totally into account during any kind of argument or conflict, his wife will be motivated in turn to respond to his authority during stalemates. By the same token, if a wife chooses to respect her husband’s authority (desire to serve and to lead), he will be motivated to make peace with her and try to meet her needs and concerns during conflict at any level.