Ministry Together

Average or Awesome?

It brings to mind a quote often attributed to the great artist Michelangelo: 'The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.'”.....

http://www.markmerrill.com/goals-for-marriage-aiming

Accepting Responsibility

"In healthy relationships, partners don’t get defensive when discussing an area of conflict. According to the Gottmans, they instead take responsibility for their role in the issue and express an interest in their partner’s feelings".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/weekend-homework-assignment-accepting-responsibility/

Battling Sexual Temptation

"For the sake of our marriages, relationships, and spiritual well-being, we need to be able to find the answer. You are in a battle against sexual temptations, and it’s important to win early.
Here are 10 ways to battle sexual temptation".....

http://www.markmerrill.com/10-practical-ways-to-battle-your-sexual-temptations/

How to Support Instead of Solve

"Have you ever been caught off guard by a negative reaction from your partner in response to your suggested solution? You probably thought (or said), “I was just trying to help!” and maybe felt a little hurt or annoyed yourself. The thing is, sometimes a solution isn’t what your partner wants, or needs, or is ready for. So what do you do when they come to you in crisis or to share an issue or problem?".....

https://blog.prepare-enrich.com/2021/01/how-to-support-instead-of-solve/

Friendships in Marriage

Joy

4 Mindful Listening Principles to Better Navigate Conflict

"How can you practice listening in ways that help your relationship effectively move through whatever conflict or challenge it’s facing? Chances are, as you strengthen your capacity to listen more mindfully to others, you will start to receive the same in return".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/4-mindful-listening-principles-to-better-navigate-conflict/

Should I Confront My Passive-Aggressive Spouse?

"Passive-aggressive behavior is always harmful, but it’s especially hurtful when it happens between spouses. If you’re not sure what kinds of behavior constitute passive aggression, here are some examples".....

https://www.symbis.com/blog/should-i-confront-my-passive-aggressive-spouse/

Speaking the Truth in Love--It's all in the way you package it

"Was it wrong for the woman’s husband to be honest? No, but it was wrong for him to be honest only. His honesty needed to be tempered by another virtue. As Paul expresses it in Ephesians 4:15, we need to speak the truth in love".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/staying-married/resolving-conflict/speaking-the-truth-in-love/

How to Tame Your Temper When You're About to Lose It

"In my research I’ve found that when we are angry with a friend or family member, most of us handle it wrong. And following our instincts isn’t usually the best choice. So let’s review what those instincts might be, and consider some better options".....

https://shaunti.com/2021/01/how-to-tame-your-temper-when-youre-about-to-lose-it/

6 Steps to Make Relationship Goals Reality

"Let’s talk about relationship goals. No, not the vague social media hashtag, but the actual specific goals that you and your partner have for your own unique relationship. And that’s where it can get hard – putting your good intentions into real action instead of just remaining vague and abstract ideas of what you should or could be".....

https://blog.prepare-enrich.com/2021/01/6-steps-to-make-relationship-goals-reality/

3 Timeless Truths About Love, Family and Marriage

"Nouns without verbs lose their meaning. Love without action is just a word. How can we best act out love in our marriages and lives?".....

https://fiercemarriage.com/3-timeless-truths-love-family-marriage

10 Strategies to Restore an Ailing Marriage

"It’s important to remember that just because your marriage is ailing doesn’t mean it’s failing. With the right prescription, your marriage can be healed from those small cuts or even open wounds. But it’s going to take some work, patience, and perseverance".....

http://www.markmerrill.com/10-strategies-to-restore-an-ailing-marriage

The Odds Were We'd Split Up

"Any textbook prognosis would define our chance of a lifelong marriage as follows: 'better sign a good prenup and stay Facebook friends with your high school sweetheart, just in case!' But does telling people they probably won’t make it mean they’ll start believing they won’t make it? It’s almost like the perceived stats grant the permission to call it quits".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/troubled-marriage/saving-a-marriage/the-divorce-announcement-shouldnt-have-surprised-me/

Work on Yourself

When You Tease Your Husband, It's No Joke

"Have you ever been in a similar situation, where you teased your husband over something he tried that didn’t come easily—all in good fun, or so you thought—and it backfired, with him getting hurt or even angry?".....

https://shaunti.com/2021/01/when-you-tease-your-husband-its-really-no-joke/

Ways to Start the New Year Fresh with Your Spouse

"Knowing what you want out of the new year becomes clearer when you recap the year that has passed. Talk about this past year together, focusing on all notable elements of the year".....

https://www.symbis.com/blog/6-ways-to-start-the-new-year-fresh-with-your-spouse/

It's Time to Stop the Stigma Around Couples Therapy

As a couples therapist, 'We came in before there was a real problem' is music to my ears. This very wise couple doesn’t wait until a crisis hits. No one is flirting with a coworker. Vicious, repetitive arguments aren’t heard late at night. Or worse, silence hasn’t crept into their marriage. If only this couple were the norm".....

https://www.gottman.com/blog/its-time-to-stop-the-stigma-around-couples-therapy/

Who Does the Housework?

"Marriage works when you adopt a '100/100' philosophy, where each of you—as a practical demonstration of your love—is willing to serve the other".....

https://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/marriage/marriage-challenges/busyness-and-stress-challenges/who-does-the-housework/