The trash is overflowing. The check engine light has been on for weeks. The dishes are piling up. You have a free night coming up and no plans have been made. You thought marriage would fix your problems, yet you find them magnified. Phones, emails, and text messages rule over conversation and quality time. Expectations. We all carry them, and never more so than in the context of marriage. They can be powerful, but can also go very wrong. When they are realistic and communicated in a healthy context, you will typically find a marriage that is thriving. When unmet,…

The contrasts between men and women are sometimes so striking that we often hear couples say they’re amazed that the attraction between them can be so strong. Distinctions in gender are undeniable, and in recent years researchers have discovered that men and women have different biological, psychological, and professional realities. There is an inherent completeness when a man and woman marry. Our partner makes up for what we lack. Too often in marriage, though, the fundamental differences between men and women are overlooked and become sources of great frustration and tension. To ignore the gender gap is to risk putting…

A strong marriage may seem simple and easy from the outside looking in, but in reality, there are many factors that must work together in harmony to create a stable, lasting marriage. It’s complex, yet so simple–but each element is essential for your relationship to thrive. In this post, we’ll explore 5 important layers of a good marriage: characteristics that will carry you and your spouse through many happy, fulfilled decades together. 1. Friendship A critical element of any successful marriage is the foundation of a solid friendship between you and your husband or wife. Becoming friends with your spouse…

How Much Truth is Too Much? Being open and honest with your spouse is one of the most important components of a successful marriage, but it’s possible to present the truth in such a way that it is hurtful. Wounding your husband or wife with “truth” will damage your relationship, creating distance between the two of you in the process. In this video, we share our thoughts about speaking the truth in love, and maintaining a godly attitude in the process. Are you and your spouse comfortable being completely truthful with one another in love? Have you experienced “too much…