Every couple experiences rough patches, but not every couple reacts the same.  Some give up, while others work to survive.  So if you and your spouse are ready to move from a season of difficulty to a season of joy, here are 5 game-changers to have a great marriage.  First, stop comparing your marriage to an unrealistic standard.  Understand that no matter how happy other couples seem on the surface, there’s no...

In marriage, there are two people and two sides to every story.  When it comes to affairs, both spouses can often point to things that led to the infidelity.  The person having the affair cannot justify it…it’s never a good thing…but there may be some things that pushed them in that direction.  Here are some ways to push your spouse toward an affair.  First, don’t really listen.  Be sure to glance down at your...

When we think about what’s valuable to us, we often think about material things… our home, car, investment portfolio. We think about business success. We think about getting praise… getting the credit… all temporary things. But we should value relationships above results, the process above the product, what’s “God-made” above what’s “man-made,” serving others above being served, giving others credit above...

You pour everything you’ve got—your time, emotions, energy—into raising your kids, but you aren’t seeing any return on your investment.  As your kids move into the teen years, you may even begin to see a “dip” in your parenting portfolio.  But don’t lose heart. Remember that parenting is a long-term investment. So don’t look at the day to day returns which will fluctuate, but take a long term approach. You may not...

Do you remember leaving the hospital with your first child? You may have thought, “what do I do now?” As you’ve continued your parenting journey you may have also thought, “Am I even doing this right?” Well, there is no instruction manual that comes with our kids.  There’s no scientific check-up to determine if you’re being a good parent.  But there are some things to consider. First, check where you’re spending...

We all want to be the best husband we can be.  But it’s not easy. Why? Well, women are different—their desires and their ways of communicating are often not like our own.  Here are 5 things wives wish their husbands knew.  First, that women desire appreciation.  Wives want to feel valued. And being a mom is hard work, so never take them for granted.  Second, that wives desire attention.  So in a world where...

Marriage is messy.  When two imperfect people come together, there are bound to be mistakes made and feelings hurt.  So when your spouse does something wrong and apologizes, how can you move towards accepting their apology and letting it go?  Here are 5 steps to forgiveness in marriage.  First, understand that forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling.  If you wait until you “feel” ready to forgive your spouse, then...