On my blog, I focus a lot on providing practical solutions to people’s deepest marital problems.  With the year coming to a close, I looked through the marriage blogs I wrote, pulled out the most popular ones, and put them into a short list for you.  Tens of thousands of readers consumed “10 Things Wives Want to Hear from their Husbands” and its counterpart, “10 Things Husbands Want to Hear from their Wives.” ...

Sound familiar? For many of us, it’s easier to give than to receive. We just aren’t comfortable accepting gifts or gestures of appreciation. So, to deflect the attention, we say things like, “You didn’t have to do that…” or “You shouldn’t have spent so much money on me.” And even though our intentions might be humble ones, our actions belittle the generosity of the giver. So the next time you’re on the receiving...

When you care for a military family, and include them in your holiday plans, that’s one way to serve your country. Sharing your holiday meal with a military family who has someone overseas would be a blessing… for both the family and their deployed soldier. Or consider hosting a single soldier who’s based at a military installation near you… someone who may be lonely, and a long way from home.  Remember the...

Born in an obscure village to a peasant woman. He worked as a carpenter until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.  He never wrote a book or held office.  He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. While still a young man, popular opinion turned against him… he was nailed to a cross, died, but rose again. Twenty centuries later, he is still the central figure for much...

Here’s what I mean.  When we get married it seems like the niceties of dating go out the window.  She stops shaving her legs every night and he stops covering his mouth when he belches—the whole neighborhood can hear him.  Now sure, it’s great to be comfortable with our spouse, but we still need to work at keeping the magic alive.  So as you’re going through your daily routine, think back to the nice things you...

Days can be filled with so much insecurity…insecurity about a job, about paying this month’s bills, about a parent’s health, about a child making wise choices.  But when it comes to marriage, it’s really important for your wife to feel a sense of security.  How can you help? First, help her be secure in your finances.  Keep your finances strong by working hard to provide for your family, creating a budget, and...

The gifts have to be wrapped just so. The decorations have to be hung on the tree like this. The Christmas cookies must have this color icing. Sound familiar? The holidays can bring on a lot of extra pressure – if you let them. To avoid that intensity, be flexible. If traditions turn out a little differently this year, it’s ok. If the kids don’t hang the ornaments on the tree just right…let it go. And the cookies...