Marriage >
Words are powerful. That’s why the Bible is full of directives concerning the way we communicate. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you ...
Marriage >
Words are powerful. That’s why the Bible is full of directives concerning the way we communicate. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you ...
Marriage >
In order for a couple to have the kind of healthy sex life God intended within marriage, positive communication about each other’s needs and desires is essential. But in my years counseling married couples, I’ve found one thing over and over again that hinders good sexual communication. It’s a repressive ...
Marriage >
We live in a culture that’s obsessed with independence, but it’s important to remember God created us to be dependent beings. We are His sheep. He is our Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11). We must rely on him for protection, provision, and guidance. We can’t make it on our own—nor were we ...
Marriage >
We hear a lot about personal independence these days. We’re told to “be your own person” and encouraged not to follow the crowd. And there’s a lot of truth to that, because “the crowd” doesn’t always make godly decisions. But as focused as we are on independence, we need to ...
Marriage >
One of my favorite word pictures related to a successful family is “a playground with a fence around it.” A family should be fun. It should be a warm and welcome place built around enjoying God and each other. Through planned activities and prioritized relationships, it should be a sanctuary ...
Marriage >
Once I counseled a man who was raised in a “hellfire-and-brimstone” preaching church. As a child he lived in insecurity and the fear of eternal punishment, hearing from his pastor and parents how he failed to meet God’s standards. He grew up thinking his eternal security was tied to obedience ...
Marriage >
Romance means different things to different people. Mention the word, and women think of a candlelight dinner with meaningful conversation. Men think of an exciting sexual encounter. Those are two extremes, but the importance of romance within marriage can’t be underestimated. It keeps your relationship going and your passions alive. ...
Marriage >
The 4th chapter of John tells us the familiar story of the Samaritan woman who met Jesus at the well. It looks at the dysfunction that occurs any time we fail to trust entirely in God. The woman was stunned when Jesus asked her for a drink. After all, he ...
Marriage >
God created sex for two reasons. First, He wants us to procreate. Second, He wants us to experience pleasure in marriage. As we pursue the latter, we need to feel free to explore the realms of sexual pleasure while also knowing our boundaries. As you might imagine, during my years ...