• #83: Not-So-Great Expectations

    #83: Not-So-Great Expectations

    Give preference to one another in honor. Romans 12:10 (NASB) “I expect you to love me!”“I expect you to listen to me when I’m speaking.” Nasty word – “expect”. Have we ever stopped for a minute to examine what it implies?When we say “I expect” we are basically saying that we are owed a specific…

  • #82: Honoring Your Spouse’s Strengths

    #82: Honoring Your Spouse’s Strengths

    Let marriage be held in honor. (Hebrews 13:4 NASB)Over the years we come to appreciate character qualities in our spouse – those strengths within them that bless us and others. For example, they are very supportive and loyal to us. They are convincingly diligent about getting tasks completed. They are discerning and insightful, truthful and…

  • #81: Healing The Hurt In Your Marriage (Part 4)

    #81: Healing The Hurt In Your Marriage (Part 4)

    Beyond Discouragement, Anger and Resentment to Forgiveness Last week we looked at The Open Loop of Conflict. This week we will be looking at the second and third aspects. The Fork in the RoadWhenever an offense opens a loop in our relationship, we have a choice. We can decide to do what is needed to…

  • #79: Healing The Hurt In Your Marriage (Part 2)

    #79: Healing The Hurt In Your Marriage (Part 2)

    Beyond Discouragement, Anger and Resentment to Forgiveness Every marriage has its share of relational misunderstandings and mistakes, clashes and cold shoulders, sharp words and shouting matches that result in pain. And sometimes it’s more like a head-on collision causing major damage – such as betrayal, unfaithfulness, or abuse. It doesn’t matter how deeply you or…

  • #77: Meeting Emotional Needs In Marriage ( Part 12)

    #77: Meeting Emotional Needs In Marriage ( Part 12)

    10 Emotional Needs in Marriage 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts,…

  • #75: Meeting Emotional Needs In Marriage (Part 10)

    #75: Meeting Emotional Needs In Marriage (Part 10)

    10 Emotional Needs in Marriage 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts,…

  • #69: Meeting Emotional Needs In Marriage (Part 4)

    #69: Meeting Emotional Needs In Marriage (Part 4)

    10 Emotional Needs in Marriage 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts,…

  • #33: WORDS (Part 7)

    #33: WORDS (Part 7)

    WORDS OF PRAISE 3. Praising AchievementsOur aim should be to commend our children more often than we criticize them. But what if our children do not seem to excel in any arena? They are not athletic, they struggle with school work, and they have neither musical nor dramatic gifts. In this case our words of…

  • #64: Strength In Gentleness

    #64: Strength In Gentleness

    Let your gentleness be known to all. (Philippians 4:5)I’ve heard it said that words hurt like punches. When we first hear that said, we feel regret because we realise how many “punches” we have hit each other with over the years when we spoke mean or insensitive words. We have thrown many a sarcastic remark…

  • #61: By What Authority?

    #61: By What Authority?

    Speak these things and rebuke with all authority. (Titus 2:15)True exhortation is grounded in God’s authority – the Scriptures. Pushing my opinions or advice on my spouse may be giving advice or even nagging, but it is not exhortation. “Exhortation with all authority” as it is stated in today’s Scriptures, is becoming familiar with the…