Negative Emotion is Vital For a Healthy Relationship
In preparation for my shiny new blog plan (month long themes complete with corresponding love experiments, social media posts and podcast episodes),...
Are You Giving Too Much This Holiday Season?
I’m an expert at killing—plants, that is. No matter what I do, I cannot seem to keep my plants alive. They call...
Why Men Need Words of Affirmation in the Bedroom
Today's post is about the needs of men, but husbands, your wives need words of affirmation too! Here's 102 ways you can...
4 Ways to Dig Marriage Roots That Last a Lifetime
In 1962 someone built our home. I don’t have the deeds for the other homes on our street, but I assume they...
Can Love Languages Be Harmful For Your Marriage?
I like giving and receiving gifts.
My wife Lisa doesn’t.
In my young stupid pride, I used to double down on gift giving opportunities,...
3 Golden Rules For Rekindling Romance
Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church–a love marked by giving, not...
3 Types of Conflict in Marriage, And The Danger of Confusing Them
There is no one-size-fits-all for dealing with marriage problems, because not all types of conflict are alike.
This month, our Wednesday series is...
Words Hurt, So Don’t Say Everything You Think.
Words hurt, deeply. Check out this verse from the Bible:
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the...
Words of Encouragement Can Revolutionize Your Marriage. Here’s How.
It’s been exactly a year since Lisa went into surgery to have her tumor removed. That morning, she told me she wanted...
7 Common Christian Marriage Myths. #3 Might Surprise You!
Q: We have a Christian marriage—so why is it so painful? Shouldn’t being believers shield us from the problems we’re having?
A: Many...
What To Do If You’re Bored With Your Marriage
Want to know what to do if you're bored with your marriage? Here's helpful information if you're feeling bored with your marriage.
Q:...
Conflict and Fighting Aren’t the Same Thing. Here’s Why That Matters.
I’ve shared with you in past blog posts that my husband, Mike, and I are very, very different. Early in our marriage,...
Broken Trust Can Be Restored … But It Takes Time
Your spouse has blown it. You don’t trust him/her anymore. But you want to save your marriage, despite your broken trust. How...
The “Seven-Year-Itch” Is Real … But You Can Avoid It.
My husband and I are leading a Bible study with mostly newlywed couples. After a few weeks, we noticed how often we...
Good News! Your Spouse’s Needs Aren’t As Hard to Meet as You Think. This...
My wife is super in to any sort of words of affirmation. It is easily, without a doubt, her number one love...
Close the Loop: The One Vital Habit That Will Keep Your Marriage Moving Forward
The moment you do or say something that hurts your marriage partner, you stand at a fork in the road. Whether you...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Why Most of Our Fights Start in Our Imagination...
In her recent Netflix special author, researcher, and all-around national treasure Brené Brown describes an argument she had with her husband. They were...
Actually, Communication in Marriage Isn’t What’s Most Important. What Is Might Surprise You.
What you have probably heard is the number one problem is communication in marriage.
I don’t believe that’s the case. It’s a problem,...
102 Words of Affirmation Every Wife Longs to Hear
People can't get enough words of affirmation. A while back I was speaking and asked for a show of hands, “How many of...
Not Sure How to Write a Love Letter? Here Are 100 Love Letter Prompts
If you want to know how to write a love letter, check out this best list of love letter prompts on the...
It’s Not About the Nail? Actually, Sometimes It IS About the Nail
It's Not About the Nail was a popular marriage video that made the rounds (we've done a post on it!. This post is...
How to Ask For What You Need Without Arguing
Sometimes you just have to ask your husband for what you need!
I’ve been talking all month about how to change the dynamic...
What to Do When You Are Last on Your Spouse’s To Do List?
Today's post from the always-helpful America's Family Coaches is a great conversation starter between you and your spouse. The desire to feel...
Your Marriage’s Scratches and Dents Are What Make It Priceless. Here’s Why.
Mike and I recently attended a wedding. The bride was stunning, and the groom gleamed with pride. Not a dry eye in...
Sometimes Your Spouse Doesn’t Want Your Help. Here’s The Reason Why.
The scene is a couple driving in the car on the way to dinner:
Silence for several minutes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
A few more minutes of...
Bids for Connection: The Tool This Expert Says Is the Secret to Great...
It’s not big, blow out fights that wreck a marriage. It’s how we treat each other day to day. And that’s why...
Messy v. Neat Freak: How to Navigate the Cleanliness War In Your Marriage
Q: One of us is very neat, but the other is very messy. How can we keep from driving each other crazy?
A:...
1 Secret Every Man Needs to Know About Their Wives
Every day we hear from men who desperately want help and encouragement for their wives. Most commonly, they complain that their wives...
We All Believe Lies. Which Ones Do You Struggle With?
A few weeks ago I moderated a late night panel at the Merge premarital class at Watermark Community Church. The panel included two couples who...
Want to Improve Your Marriage? These 3 Small Changes Will Lead to Huge Results.
I am often trying to find ways of making myself a better person. I imagine all of us at some point wish we...
Husbands, Your Wives Need These 10 Things, They Just Don’t Know How to Ask
I remember watching What Women Want not long after its release in 2001. The movie chronicles a man, Nick Marshall, who receives a fresh...
Tone Deaf: Is What You’re Saying Hidden By How You’re Saying It?
I've said this several times, but Doug Fields is both a ludicrously gifted communicator and a very kind mentor and friend of...
What Are You Doing to Pursue Your Spouse?
You need to make it one of your highest priorities to pursue your spouse. One of my biggest concerns as a married...
Your Spouse’s Perspective Is Annoying. You Should Listen Anyway!
I don’t know about you, but I often overlook the Lord’s eternal perspective. He sees all of time, from beginning to end,...
The Only “Fair” Marriage Is When Both Spouses Give 100 Percent.
Happily married Eric and Jill climbed out of bed at their normal Saturday morning hour. They had a lot to do around...
Self-Righteousness is Satan’s Favorite Attack Against Your Marriage. Here’s What You Can Do About...
What if one of the most dangerous attitudes for believers is self-righteousness?
What if it’s possible to be “right” and toxic at the...
Husbands, We Need to Be Fully Present With Our Wives. Here’s How.
I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, but I feel like most men do. We think about our bills, the check...
Does Your Sex Life Feel Broken? You Can Always Rebuild It! Here’s How.
Today a reader is asking, “how do you reset your sex life?”
What if it’s been really difficult in the past, but now...
Silence Isn’t Always Golden. Your Marriage Needs Your Voice
While today's fantastic post from Pure Couples is written to women, this is something that applies to everyone. A marriage needs the...
The 3 Biggest Obstacles to a Healthy Marriage, and the Tools To Overcome Them
The other day I was telling my coworker stories from the early days of my marriage. It was one of those moments...
Want a Happier Marriage? Practice the Power of Positivity
One of the most often asked questions I get related to relationships is, “What are key ingredients that make up a successful relationship?” The...
Is Your Past Hurt Making You Kind or Cold To Your Spouse?
Today's post from Doug Fields doesn't directly mention marriage, but man is it so applicable. In marriage our personal wounds, past experiences,...
4 Ways To Build A Strong Community That Supports Your Marriage
We all need a marriage community – a support system around us of couples our age, and maybe a mentor couple that’s a...
36 Conversations That Will Turn Your Spouse On
Married couples should flirt and have intimate conversations. You stoke the fire of your interest about anything (i.e., job, hobby, faith, politics,...
How To Have Healthy Boundaries With Your In-Laws
Q: My mother-in-law really has my husband under her thumb. How can I get her to back off without hurting either of...
5 Signs That Your Marriage is Going to Make It
People often ask us, how can I tell if my marriage will last? In some cases, it may not be easy to...
If the Devil Can’t Make You Bad, He’ll Make You Busy
“If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy!” That’s what a friend of mine wrote me on the day...
Prayer Will Supercharge Your Marriage (Including Your Sex Life!)
Hi Thriving Marriages community, this is Josh, the guy bringing you this content each day. In addition to running this site I...
Your Past Can Be a Benefit, Not a Barrier, In Your Sex Life
In our house, we like this show called Impossible Engineering.
It’s documentary style and the basic premise is they look at a phenomenal...
6 Great Books to Give (or Read) for Valentine’s Day
You know you love it. Or maybe not. Regardless, Valentine's Day is coming like a freight train and you might be lacking...