Look at Your Spouse Through Rose-Colored Glasses (Seriously)

"When you started dating your partner, you probably had glowing things to say about them. You noticed every gesture (flowers for no reason!) and every sweet compliment. Fast forward a few years, you both may have collected hurtful emotional bumps and bruises along the way, making it hard to focus on the good things. It’s easy to fall into a rut and imagine that your partner doesn’t care, even if they still do. Does this negative perspective hurt a relationship? Let’s take a look at what the research says".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/look-partner-rose-colored-glasses-seriously/?utm_source=Marriage+Minute&utm_campaign=598e6dfd46-MM_02282017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56abe07ac5-598e6dfd46-135378537

Loving Your Spouse for all the Wrong Reasons

"True (biblical) love is found in “absolute benevolence,” which is a state of the heart that is bent toward loving someone’s highest good, regardless of their actions or character. It is a disposition to do what is best for the other person, out of the inner compulsion from the Holy Spirit, to serve this person’s best interests".....

http://www.garythomas.com/lovingyourspouseforthewrongreasons/

30 Ways to Love Your Wife

"Here are some nonsexual ways to cherish your bride through words and acts of affirmation".....

http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/romance-and-sex/30-ways-to-love-your-wife

What to Do When Your Spouse Leaves the Faith

"It’s devastating when your spouse leaves a faith that the two of you shared when you married. This is a totally unexpected turn of events, and it will rattle even the strongest person. You thought you had a completely wonderful spiritual match for life–what happened? More importantly, what can you do?".....

http://www.symbisassessment.com/blog/spouse-leaves-faith/

4 Things You Need to Fear if Your Spouse is Low Maintenance

"One of my biggest fears in marriage is that Kristen and I would just co-exist in a good marriage. Because she is such a low maintenance wife, I can take her for granted or even take advantage of her. I don’t want this to be our story".....

http://www.scottkedersha.com/low-maintenance/

Stop Waiting for These Things in Your Marriage

"It’s great to have things to look forward to in our marriage.  But, there are a five common scenarios in which waiting for these is actually detrimental to our marriage".....

http://sixseeds.patheos.com/ashleywillis/5-things-that-you-should-stop-waiting-for-in-your-marriage/

7 Intimacy Killers

"As I’ve interacted with couples from all over the world, I’ve found that many of the issues that ultimately lead to infidelity and divorce creep in unintentionally. People don’t usually set out to sabotage their marriage and wind up in divorce court, but small choices can ultimately lead to big disasters".....

https://www.xxxchurch.com/men/7-intimacy-killers-that-happen-after-valentines-day.html?utm_term=twitter-followers&utm_content=buffere0e51&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

The BIG 12

"12 nuggets of marriage wisdom that can change YOUR marriage are (in no particular order)".....

http://sixseeds.patheos.com/davewillis/advice-changed-marriage-forever/

23 Things That Love Is (A REMINDER)

"Valentine's Day is over. That means all those advertisements for roses and chocolate-covered strawberries and pendants are over, too. At least until next year. What's the main message in those advertisements? 'If you love your spouse or significant other, you'll purchase them our special item'...But those gifts are signs of our affection for one another; they are not love.".....

http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=509ecea52119cbd6842d93ff8&id=e9d8eb7537&e=b149990a83

Unity Doesn't Mean You Lose Your Identity

"Unless there is an intentional protection and respect for each other's unique identities, purposes, talents, skills and callings, a couple is prone to fall prey to a marriage that consumes them rather than compels them both to greatness".....

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/strengthening-your-marriage/unity-in-marriage?utm_campaign=Tony+Evans+on+Unrealistic+Expectations+About+Marriage&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nl_focusenews

A Gift for Valentines

"...the Bible teaches that a marriage of unity, understanding and love is rooted in worship. What do I mean by that? Well, for Valentine's Day this year, I want to give you a free gift. Below are the first two video sessions from my marriage conference, What Did You Expect? Redeeming the Realities of Marriage"....

https://www.paultripp.com/articles/posts/biblical-marriage-advice-for-valentines-day

Breaking the Ice When Communication Goes Cold

"...sometimes chilly weather in marriage is the result of poor communication and little else".....

https://fiercemarriage.com/lighten-up-breaking-the-ice-in-your-marriage

How to Fight a Good Fight

"Conflict is an unpleasant state to find yourself in, no matter what the situation. But the idea of facing conflict in your marriage can be downright paralyzing, whether you’ve been married for years and have developed bad fighting habits, or you’re newlyweds and disagreements are relatively new territory".....

http://www.symbisassessment.com/blog/fight-good-fight/?utm_source=Devotion+by+Les+and+Leslie&utm_campaign=f3cc37efea-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_02_07&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e61eb22cfc-f3cc37efea-138139101&mc_cid=f3cc37efea&mc_eid=82de7e3bbf

Turn Towards Instead of Away

"The couples that stayed married were much better at one thing – the third level of the Sound Relationship House, Turn Towards Instead of Away. At the six-year follow up, couples that had stayed married turned towards one another 86% of the time. Couples that had divorced averaged only 33% of the time. The secret is turning towards".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/turn-toward-instead-of-away/?utm_source=Marriage+Minute&utm_campaign=b38fe10f53-MM_02072017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_56abe07ac5-b38fe10f53-135378537

Before You Touch Her Body

"There is a truth that should be emblazoned on the heart of every husband. If you remember nothing else from this article, remember this: In order for romance to deepen, you must touch the heart and mind of your wife before you touch her body".....

http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/romance-and-sex/before-you-touch-her-body

Staying Connected to Your Spouse with Little Ones in the House

"Kiddos change everything about your life, especially your marriage. Little kiddos in particular take a lot of, well…everything you got. Any amount of physical or emotional energy you have, they want it all (as well as the cookie you’re trying to eat without them seeing)".....

https://fiercemarriage.com/staying-connected-spouse-littles-house

Make a Serious Choice to Have Fun!

"There's no doubt you've heard the expression "Laughter is good medicine." That same idea is also found in Scripture: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength." (Proverbs 17:22 NLT) We believe with all our hearts that this is also a truism for marriage"......

http://us3.campaign-archive2.com/?u=75289e928ed245d8cbef6fdc1&id=7e7c2845b9&e=8518314b91

Are you a "3:7" husband?

While this article is about "counseling domineering husbands", it also gives great insight to how a husband should love and treat his wife.  If you don't want to read the whole article, skip down to the heading "Three Applications of the Seven Truths" and start reading there.  A "3:7" husband is based on I Peter 3:7...Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers

http://www.careleader.org/counseling-domineering-husbands/

Marital Intimacy is More than Sex

"Usually when people begin to feel disconnected from one another, the root issue of the problem is intimacy. There are a number of reasons that intimacy may decline"......

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/marital-intimacy-is-more-than-sex

Is God the Center of Your Marriage?

"Making God the center and highest priority of your marriage may be the key to saving it, even if it’s not in trouble — yet".....

http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/is-god-the-center-of-your-marriage