Christian Marriage Articles

Does Your Spouse Intend to Offend?

Is It Okay to Expect to Be Special to My Husband, Making Me a Priority Above His Family?

Is It Okay to Expect to Be Special to My Husband, Making Me a Priority Above His Family?

We read in Genesis 2:24 that God’s plan is for a man to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. Unfortunately, some husbands never cut the umbilical cord.

When You Can’t Explain to Your Spouse How You Are Feeling Unloved or Disrespected

When You Can’t Explain to Your Spouse How You Are Feeling Unloved or Disrespected

Have you ever been asked to make a Christmas list and come up completely empty? Much more serious is voicing to your spouse the ways you believe he or she could show you more love or respect.

Does Your Spouse Intend to Offend?

Does Your Spouse Intend to Offend?

Does your spouse ever do or say something that really gets under your skin? I wonder, though, do some of us become resentful and unforgiving toward a spouse who never intended to hurt or offend us?

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.

Can You Make These Four Statements When Disagreeing?

Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Disagreeing with Your Spouse

Who’s to Blame When Pinocchio or Mr. Magoo Reads Love & Respect?

Who’s to Blame When Pinocchio or Mr. Magoo Reads Love & Respect?

One person said about my book Love & Respect: This was one of my chief concerns with the book when I read it 10 years ago. Wives are portrayed as being actually disrespectful, while a husband is portrayed as simply being misunderstood. The problem was always ultimately the wife, either her own actions, or her perception.

When You Can Be Right but Wrong with the Choice of Your Words

When You Can Be Right but Wrong with the Choice of Your Words

For many years I’ve shared the sentiment that “you can be right but wrong at the top of your voice.” This stemmed from a conversation I had with my wife, Sarah, one night as we were driving home from a small group meeting I was leading.

Do Wives Only Need Love and Husbands Only Need Respect?

Do Wives Only Need Love and Husbands Only Need Respect?

In my book Love & Respect, I wrote, "I sometimes get the question, ‘You say women need love and men need respect. Isn’t the opposite just as true? Don’t gals need respect and guys need love?’ My answer is, of course, women need respect and guys need love" (page 47).

Is He Making Innocent Suggestions or Unloving Criticisms?

Is He Making Innocent Suggestions or Unloving Criticisms?

A wife who wrote to me recognized that her husband’s suggestion to do something in a different way was rooted in his goodwill. As a result, she sought to apply a respectful demeanor in response to his suggestion, which motivated him to be more loving. Great news, right?