Category

Time

The Work/Family Conflict: When Priorities Clash

By Careers, Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Time No Comments

My wife wants me to work overtime over being with the kids. Which one is unreasonable? Getting married and creating a family of your own is a wonderful thing–but married couples are often blindsided by some of the challenges that come along with it. Finding the right balance for your family is an important pursuit, but it takes the two of you working together to make that balance a reality. So what do you do when you disagree on each of your roles in the family? Maybe your spouse wants to be at home with the kids, but you’d prefer…

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The Importance of Spiritual Intimacy: Choosing to BELIEVE TOGETHER in 2016

By Communication, Conflict, Self Reflection, Time No Comments

Of the various “types” of intimacy in a marriage, the pursuit of spirituality together is one that’s often forgotten. When schedules get busy and life is chaotic with jobs and chores and kids, seeking God with your spouse too often becomes last priority. But spiritual intimacy is immeasurably powerful, and its fruit flows into and invigorates all other facets of a marriage. Even the most happily married couples eventually discover an innate longing to bond with their lover in a deeper way, not just for comfort, not just for passion—but also for meaning. Our lives go on day after day….

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Sharing Spirituality: Tips for Creating a Consistent Devotional Time Together

By In-laws & Family, Scripture, Self Reflection, Time, Uncategorized No Comments

How can we have a consistent and meaningful devotional time together? Remember when you were dating? It seemed like it was so easy for the two of you to share a special devotional time together. The two of you were eager to spend time together in the Word, and you promised yourselves that you would always continue that ritual. But something’s different now. Since you got married, it’s hard for you to engage in shared prayer and study time. Maybe the demands of daily life have interfered with your ability to coordinate with one another. Or maybe devotional time just…

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6 Dangerous Statements To Say In Your Marriage

By Communication, Conflict, Self Reflection, Time 2 Comments

Your words matter. They carry power, and they can be forgiven–but hardly forgotten. They can fuel or kill momentum, build up or tear down. They are givers and takers of life. And it’s so very important to remember that they can never be taken back. We have all said things that we regret. We have hurt, torn down, or criticized in moments of frustration. And it’s likely that you have done this to your spouse–perhaps multiple times. You know the drill: harsh words, immediate regret. Most of us know better. To cut down our spouse with our words is never…

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7 Ways to Dial Back Holiday Stress

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Scripture, Self Reflection, Time No Comments

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’” – Luke 2:13 (NIV) Jesus came to earth to bring peace and save humanity. Christmas was established to celebrate his birth, and to give us time to focus on the greatest gift ever given. But somewhere along the way, the holiday season shifted from a time of thankfulness and peaceful reflection to a time of overwhelm, stress, and discord. Unfortunately, the holidays have become a season that…

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5 Ways to Refocus Your Marriage for the New Year

By Communication, Self Reflection, Time No Comments

Here we are at the end of another calendar year. For some of you, this year has been a high. Your marriage and family are in order, finances are good, loved ones are healthy. For others, maybe you have faced some significant challenges this year. Most likely, you fall somewhere in between. There is something about a new year and a fresh new start that triggers new hopes and dreams in all areas of our lives. For the purpose of this post, let’s focus on marriage. In this coming year, let’s resolve to refocus, rekindle, and maybe even revive our…

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Loving Your Spouse Well in a Time-Starved Marriage

By Communication, Self Reflection, Time 2 Comments

How Do We Find Time as a Couple When We are So Busy with the Activities Our Kids are Involved in? One of the biggest struggles most married couples with children face is finding time to spend together one-on-one. It can be very difficult for parents to set aside “husband and wife” time because the everyday demands of having jobs, children, and chores can make you feel like you simply have no extra time for anything else. You are likely overwhelmed these days, but the best gift you could ever give your children is the reassurance that their mom and…

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You’re invited to a FREE online marriage event!

By Careers, Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Scripture, Self Reflection, Time 11 Comments

Our newly expanded edition of New York Times bestseller Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS) hit shelves on Tuesday, October 27, and we are celebrating its release with a one-of-a-kind, exciting event. And the best part? You’re invited! We’re launching a very special, FREE online marriage event: The Lifelong Love Marriage Summit. The summit begins Tuesday, November 3. You’ll hear from 20+ of today’s most engaging Christian influencers, including Shaunti Feldhahn, Donald Miller, Fawn Weaver, Dr. Henry Cloud, Michael Hyatt, and Dave Ramsey. They’ll be sharing their secrets to lifelong love, plus stories of struggle, faith, and hard-won triumph…

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3 Ways the Comparison Trap Can Kill Your Marriage

By Communication, Self Reflection, Time 5 Comments

Comparison is a trap and a dangerous gauge for the health of our lives and relationships. It’s often based on partial truths and unattainable reality. Most of us know this, yet we all do it. And thanks to social media, highlights, and sound bytes flooding our daily moments, we step willingly into the comparison trap early and often in our days. The problem with comparison is that we tend to do it under the influence of extreme emotions or insecurities. A fight with your spouse can simultaneously shout a lie that every other marriage is perfect. Swing to the other…

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FREE Companion Resources When You PRE-ORDER Today

By Communication, Conflict, In-laws & Family, Scripture, Self Reflection, Time No Comments

We’re giving it all away! The ultimate package for a great marriage We are excited to officially announce here on the blog the release of the newly expanded edition of our best-selling book, Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts: Seven Questions to Ask Before–and After–You Marry. This book has sold millions of copies, and the revamped edition hits shelves on October 27. When you pre-order it, you’ll get all the companion resources for free! The pre-order freebies are a collection of relationship products that we’ve put together over the years, and we’re giving them all away! It’s the ultimate package…

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