Marital success or failure can now be predicted before the wedding day with 81 percent accuracy. The following is a seven-point checklist for preventing faulty mate selection. The decision to get married is made too quickly. It is a fact that choosing a mate for life is much more complex than the movies make it out to [...]
It’s getting harder by the day distinguishing Christians for non-Christians. This is particularly true in the area of divorce. Statistically, our failure rate for marriage is not significantly different from those outside of the faith. As a Christian counselor, nothing disturbs me more than to see a couple deliberately throw in the towel with little or no attempt [...]
Beware of thinking, "Adultery would never happen in my marriage." Sadly, many who believed they were invincible are the very ones who have fallen into immorality. I have counseled countless men and women who have sat with their heads in their hands lamenting their stupidity for having been involved in adulterous behavior. I have [...]
Respect the image of God in the other person. Gary Smalley, one of the country's best-known authors and speakers on family relationships, has said, “How would you treat your spouse if you saw them as being autographed by God?" The Bible tells us that we're ALL made in the image of God (and that [...]
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” I Pet. 3:7 (ESV) It's been a bad day; a really bad day. So, what do you [...]
How many times have you thought you were communicating clearly, only to discover that your words were taken in a way you never could have imagined—and likely, more negatively? Here are 5 explanations as to why communication that, however carefully delivered, might be quite different from what your mate actually heard: The other person is angry [...]
Key Thought The process of becoming one depends heavily on a couple’s ability to communicate effectively with one another. It is the lifeblood of a healthy and growing relationship. Without it, a marriage will weaken and die. What is effective communication? The process of listening and talking with one another in order to truly know [...]
Key Thought: There are three basic principles that a couple must consistently practice in order to fully enjoy their sexual experience. I Corinthians 7:3-5 “Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the [...]
Origin: Marriage was instituted or ordained by God at the beginning of human history (Gen.2:22). Implication: It was not man’s idea but God’s. God, Himself, performed the first marriage ceremony in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 2:22). Man, therefore, has no right to set it aside or make rules/regulations concerning marriage. 2. Marriage is a [...]
Key Thought: Oneness grows only through the consistent practice of marital love by both spouses. Introduction: The ability to speak the same language is critically important for people (i.e. person to person, groups, nations, etc.) understanding and working together cooperatively (see Genesis 11:6—Tower of Babel). Principle: The development of oneness between a couple is greatly [...]
