All Articles for Marriage

work/life balance

Balancing Family and Career for the Young Pr...

More stuff means more bills. More bills require more work.The work life balance cycle is as paralyzing as it is addictive. And it is luring every American family.

marriage counseling

What Marriage Counseling Is … And Isn...

Meghan McCain's version of marriage counseling is "drinking Jack Daniels, shooting some guns and hanging out." Is that what you should expect?

debt in marriage

I Thought Our Debt Was His Problem

I didn’t want to work hard to hand my paycheck over to cover his debt. I wanted to spend my money my way. He is the one who went to college and accrued it!

sex after baby

Sex After Baby: From His Side of the Bed

When and how do you get back into physical intimacy with each other after a new baby? As the husband, I have learned 3 nonnegotiables for sex after baby.

be a better wife

15 Ways to Be a Better Wife

I polled other women on ways to be a better wife. Because I never want to assume that I have all the right wife answers. Let's see if our husbands agree.

sex after baby

Sex After Baby: From Her Side of the Bed

I struggled with a lot of fear when it came to sex after baby! I avoided telling my husband that I was wrestling with a lack of desire for quite awhile.

I don't love him anymore

I Don’t Love Him Anymore

I no longer felt anything for my husband. That thought terrified me--I don’t love him anymore. "Would I be happier with someone else?" I wondered.

things husbands should start doing

25 Things Husbands Should Start Doing

Have you ever thought, I just don't get her? You're frustrated at your wife's frustration with you. You desire to please her. But where do you start?

newlywed

To The Newlywed Wife … From a Decade L...

I wish I could speak to that fresh-faced, 22-year-old newlywed. She needed some of the wisdom that God has deposited in me over the last decade of marriage.

“I want sex more than he does!”...

1 in 5 women have the higher sex drive. But when our husbands decline--or rarely initiate sex--it leaves us thinking, What's wrong with him? Or is it me?

Dad taking child to school

If Bill Gates Can Drop Off His Kids, So Can...

When dads share the household responsibilities, it’s a win-win for the family and a win-win for society. Bill Gates, tech guru, and wife Melinda proved it.

husband's work

When Your Man’s Long Hours Don’t...

Following a Major League Baseball career, my husband's work led to a new demanding position. So, I came home to an empty house and had dinner alone again.

5 Keys to a Truly Romantic Marriage

5 Keys to a Truly Romantic Marriage

Adding a little tenderness to your marriage is easier than you think.

Romantic Summer Getaways for Less

Romantic Summer Getaways for Less

Invest time in your marriage so your family will have a firm foundation.

Save Sex for the Honeymoon

Save Sex for the Honeymoon

There are benefits to abstaining from sex while engaged. Here are five reasons to say “I won’t” until you say “I do.”

We Didn't Have a Clue We Had a Problem

We Didn’t Have a Clue We Had a Problem

Attending FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember^® early in our marriage gave us the tools we needed to build a healthy and sustainable union.

Staying close in remarriage

How to Say ‘Not Tonight’ Without...

Is it ever okay to deny his advances? Everybody needs an occasional raincheck, right?

should we cancel the wedding

When to Call It Off Before the Big Day

Marriage is a big deal. It makes sense to work through the hard questions together so you're equipped to keep the lifetime commitment you're about to make.

My husband

All My Husband Heard From Me Was ‘BOOO...

After we'd been married awhile, I realized I had gone from Dave's biggest cheerleader to his biggest critic.

Dave and Ann Wilson

‘I Told God I’d Rather Die Than Be Marri...

Meet Dave and Ann Wilson, the new cohosts of FamilyLife Today® who bring the authentic voice of a couple who has struggled greatly in their marriage—yet found hope and help in Christ.

Alzheimer's

How Should We Feel About B. Smith’s Hu...

Suffering from Alzheimer's, lifestyle guru B. Smith hardly seems to recognize the other woman now living in her home. Should we sympathize with her husband?

Married Single Parent

I Am a Married Single Parent

I am still legally married. But all the things that a marriage typically brings, especially in the world of parenting, do not exist in our marriage.

Improve your sex life

10 Surprisingly Effective Ways to Improve Yo...

Maintaining the marital bed isn’t always easy. Here are some ideas to help you keep your marriage strong by coming together often as husband and wife.

avoiding adultery

Guard Your Heart From Adultery

The core issue regarding sexual temptation is the condition of our hearts.

Cost of parenting kids

Kids Are Worth Every Single Penny—and More

At the end of my life, I won’t be sad about what I couldn't afford. I’ll be thankful for the rich memories and lives we’ve built with our children.

young couple with heads on pillows–woman looking at man who is facing away from her

Young, Married, and Unable to Have Sex

Having grown up in the church, it came as a shock to me when my husband and I encountered difficulty consummating our marriage.

Shopping on a budget

Soothing the Shopping Itch Without Breaking...

Ideas to help you feel like you’re living in luxury without spending much money … or any at all.

setting goals for your marriage

Making Resolutions for a Thriving Marriage

Setting goals is important to maintaining a healthy marriage. Here are a few ideas to help you stick to them.

Advice for the new bride

For the New Bride: 4 Things to Remember Afte...

I had no idea what being a wife meant other than we’d live together forever, hopefully have some kids, and file a joint tax return.

A marriage license is not a receipt

A Marriage License Is Not a Receipt, It’s...

Exchanging one spouse for another isn’t as easy as returning the wrong pair of shoes. Choose wisely from the beginning and forget the return policy.

Maintaining Our Individuality in Marriage

When you look at our marriage you see unity, but you also see each one of us as a different and unique person.

Why I Wish We Hadn't Lived Together Before Marriage

Why I Wish We Hadn’t Lived Together Before...

Here are five reasons I wish my husband and I hadn’t moved in together before saying “I do.”

What I Wish for Jeff Bezos and Tim Tebow

Despite their differing marriage scenarios, my prayer for both the Bezos and Tebows is the same: a happy ending

Fairy tale marriage

Moving Beyond the Fairy-Tale Marriage

The divine design of marriage calls us to something deeper—to God’s daily involvement. Because we can’t uphold our vows without Him.

How to ruin your sex life

How to Ruin Your Sex Life in 10 Easy Steps

It takes little energy, time, or even thought to take your bedroom romps from great to nonexistent.

Our favorite comments from 2018 Weekend to Remember getaways

Our Favorite Weekend to Remember Stories of...

Marriages are being transformed at Weekend to Remember® marriage getaways. Here are just a few of our favorite stories guests shared with us last year.

Stay Connected With Your Spouse While You're raising your kids

Connecting With Your Spouse Through the Busy...

When we became parents, our entire universe shifted. What happened to the couple we were?

Photo Credit: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum

George H.W. Bush and the Marriage America Ne...

I want my own marriage to resemble the one our 41st president had with his late bride, Barbara.

Not All Millennials Wait For the “Righ...

There’s no doubt that marrying my high school sweetheart benefited us for the better.

Is a happy divorce possible?

Is “Happy Divorce” a Thing?

And if there are really no tears, no heartache, and we can remain friends–is divorce really the most healing and whole option?

Marriage

When Was the Last Time Your Marriage Had a P...

You might make sure to head to the doctor each year like clockwork, but when is the last time your marriage had a physical?

Healthy Marriage Expectations

After ‘I Do,’ Now What?

Marriage is a relationship that will transform you, if you let it. Saying “I do” is only the beginning of a lifetime of laughter, frustration, forgiveness, happiness, and deep joy. It’s worth it.

Healthy marriage expectations

Not Another Statistic

What was the last negative statistic you heard about marriage? Most of us can quickly cite sources that point to the fact that half of all marriages end in divorce.

Not Another Top-Ten List

You don’t have to look far in order to find advice for how you can improve your marriage. Articles are all over the internet about what you should say to sustain your spouse’s interest, the type of clothes you should wear to appear more attractive, and how you can be even more intimate with your partner.

5 Things No One Told Me About Marriage

Young and Married: Five Things We Learned fr...

There’s a secret that nobody likes to tell dating or engaged couples: Marriage is really hard.

Why you need to get away

Why You Need to Get Away

Spending an entire weekend learning how to communicate, grow in oneness, and love one another better was like hitting a reset to our busy lives.

War of words

Overcoming Communication Barriers With Your...

Communication in marriage is not easy. But the fight to communicate is worth the work. In the end, you’ll find a thriving marriage rooted in oneness, not division.

Every Marriage Needs Community

Marriage Is Not an Island: Our Need for Comm...

At the Weekend to Remember marriage retreat I found a profound sense of community. It reminded me of one simple fact: We are not alone.

Marriage

Marriage Is for Me… Right?

Conflict over money and infidelity might be some of the most common reasons for getting a divorce in our society, but I’d argue that there’s a more common root to most separations:“I’m just not happy anymore.”

Better Marriage

Your Marriage Is Not Your Parents’

Having divorced parents doesn’t mean your own marriage will also end in divorce. You are not destined to live out the same mistakes as your parents.

Our Fixer-Upper Marriage

Our Fixer-Upper Marriage

My husband and I have learned much about putting our relationship into the hands of the Master Renovator.

Connecting with my spouse

4 Ways to Prioritize Your Spouse Above Your...

In our crazy, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to be distracted from what is most important. Here are some ideas to make more time for the person you love most.

The Secret to Marriage

The Secret to My Marriage

One simple concept will guide you into the relationship you always wanted to have.

Sex matters in marriage

Why Sex Matters In Marriage

Married couples who have sex regularly live longer, have better heart health, enjoy a deeper connection, and can let go of annoyances easier.

billy-grahams-incredible-ministry-and-his-incredible-marriage-2

Billy Graham’s Incredible Ministry … and...

Billy’s marriage to Ruth was a partnership that had a worldwide impact.

I’m Not a Nag, Am I?

Four suggestions on how to be nag free and make life easier for you and your family.

Learning to Pray With My Wife

My journey of committing to praying with my wife for 30 days and the tips I learned along the way.

Ways to show respect to husband

11 Ways to Show Respect to Your Husband

Some wives don't understand how important respect is to a man. Here are some ideas for how a woman can give her spouse the esteem he longs for.

4 Ways to Harness Your Power for Good in You...

God has given us women the privilege and the ability to bring life to our husbands with our love.

5 Ways to Help Your Husband Step Up to Manho...

A wife plays a pivotal role in her husband’s transition from boyhood into manhood.

Passion in marriage

9 Ways to Feed the Passion in Your Marriage

We need to make a practice of tending fully to the love of our life for a few moments a day, every day.

A Hard Act for a Husband to Follow

Here’s a new way to think about leadership in your marriage.

Communication tools for marriage

5 Communication Tools That Saved My Marriage

Early in our marriage, these simple principles changed our hearts and transformed our relationship.

Resolving conflict

6 Steps for Resolving Conflict in Marriage

There is no way to avoid conflict in your marriage. The question is: How will you deal with it?

Wedding anniversary ideas

25 Anniversary Ideas for Couples

Are you looking for some new ideas to help your next wedding anniversary really stand out? Take steps now and begin planning a memorable celebration.

Revive the romance with date night

3 Ways to Recapture the Romance

If you want to rekindle the romance in your marriage, you'll find it doesn't require a lot of money, and it often doesn't even take that much time.

Digital Valentine's Day Ideas

5 Romantic Needs of a Woman

I've spent a lifetime learning about how to satisfy my wife's romantic needs. That means meeting her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

7 things husbands and wives need to remember about sex

7 Things to Remember About Sex

Your spouse approaches intimacy much differently than you. Here are some things husbands and wives need to know about sex.

Meeting your spouse's sexual needs

When You Lose Interest in Sex

After you marry you have a duty before God to meet your spouse’s sexual needs. But sometimes healing and restoration must happen first.

Romancing my wife

Your Wife’s 3 Relationship Nonnegotiab...

As you study your wife and learn how to define romance according to her dictionary, you will become an irresistible man.

What Should Be the Husband’s ‘Ro...

If you apply these concepts correctly, you'll experience freedom in your roles and work better as a team to combat isolation and conflict in your marriage.

How to improve marriage

15 Things Wives Should Stop Doing

I asked some girlfriends, “What should a wife stop doing if she wants to improve her marriage?” This list is based on their responses.

Seven Things I Wish Id Known About Men Befor...

Growing up with my stepdad and younger brother I thought I knew a thing or two about men. While I knew not to change the channel during a football game, not to serve quiche for dinner, and not to attempt to fix a broken doorknob with a rubber band, there were a few important things […]

It’s Not Your Husband’s Job to Make You...

The only way you can experience true joy is by pursuing intimacy with Christ on a daily basis.

40 Consequences of Adultery

The counterfeit pleasure of an affair can never overcome the ways infidelity can destroy a life and marriage.

Forgiving Your Spouse After Adultery

Four lessons from my journey of regaining trust in my husband.

3 Ways to Move Toward Oneness in Your Marriage

3 Ways to Move Toward Oneness in Your Marria...

Marriage is like a three-legged race; these suggestions will help you cross the finish line in first place.

A Passion for Building Godly Families

Two ordinary couples who are helping change the world.

Shock Your Spouse and Kids With This Questio...

Here’s a practical way to revolutionize your relationship with your family. But it requires some risk.

Building a Marriage That Lasts

Isolation can be defeated if you are willing to make the right choices to build oneness and intimacy.

Building Your Family With the Right Set of B...

Like the box top of a puzzle, God’s Word provides a necessary picture of what our lives are supposed to look like.

Do I Deserve Marriage My Way?

Do I Deserve Marriage My Way?

Our selfish nature distorts our view of life and marriage. But God has a different plan.

Marriage

Embracing God’s Purposes for Marriage

Women have the tendency to pursue secondary purposes over God's primary purpose.

5 Essentials for a Thriving Marriage

5 Essentials for a Thriving Marriage

Take a few minutes to evaluate how you can improve your marriage relationship.

Giving Up My Independence

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

Improve Your Marriage by Being Worse Parents

Parents often put their marriage relationship on the back burner. These four principles will help you balance working on your marriage while attempting to raise children.

Wedding and marriage

Is Marriage a ‘Dying Institution’...

Marriage is facing some big challenges today, but that doesn't mean we should replace it with something different.

Is Marriage Just a 'Piece of Paper'?

Is Marriage Just a ‘Piece of PaperR...

A growing number of couples are choosing to avoid marriage altogether.

Marriage Is Not Our Ultimate Destination

The real 'happily ever after'

On the Mountaintop or in the Valley

We found that attending a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway was a different experience at different points in our lives.

The Futility of the 50/50 Plan

One the surface, this approach to marriage sounds reasonable, but in the end it won't work.

God’s Purposes for Marriage

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

God's purpose for marriage

How Should We Define Marriage Today?

What does it mean for followers of Christ to live in a culture that often defines marriage differently than the Bible does?

A Surprise Celebration

What started as a family reunion turned into a time of intense gratitude for the goodness of God in giving us the years my husband and I have had together

What the Latest Shooting Taught Me About Pro...

How a husband can best protect his wife from the evil that lurks in this world.

Dating, marriage, and delighting in God

6 Ways to Make Yourself ‘Marry-able’

In these days it takes an intentional effort to arrive at marriage with optimal spiritual, relational, and emotional health.

A Marriage Struck by Lightning

When Ryan and Sarah were jolted by forces out of their control, they saw God transform the circumstances into good.

Save marriage

Afraid of Commitment?

The story of two people who realized that commitment to one another is grounded in surrender to Jesus Christ.

Wedding and marriage

Are You Preparing for a Wedding or for a Mar...

A wedding is not the completion of engagement but the beginning of a new life.

Proposal Stories to Remember

When I asked my coworkers about how they got engaged, I discovered some proposals that put a smile on my face.

Wedding and marriage

Sabrina’s Wedding: Including the Fathe...

The second in a 3 part series.

Sabrina’s Wedding: The Covenant

October 2003 Editor’s Note: This is the final article in a three-part series. You can read part one here and part two here. Our wedding day couldn’t have been more beautiful. The sun was shining, and the breeze was cool. My first waking moments were serene. “It’s my wedding day,” I thought as I enjoyed […]

Still Looking for Prince Charming

If you want a truly "happily ever after" ending, you need to look for love the wise way

Stopping the Cycle Entering Marriage as a Ch...

So you’re getting married! Congratulations! According to the latest research, if you are under the age of 30, there is a 58% chance that you are entering your marriage as a child of divorce. Do you fall into this category? If you’re wondering what on earth that has to do with the fact that you […]

The Eight Symbols of Isolation

The 8 Symbols of Isolation in Marriage

Every day each partner in a marriage makes choices that result in oneness or in isolation.

Repentant spouse

3 Characteristics of a Repentant Spouse

If you want a strong marriage, there comes a time to be honest about yourself.

Caring for loved one

Who Does the Housework?

How can we uphold what the Bible says about marital relationships and make good decisions about housework?

Can God Do the Impossible in a Marriage

I wrote an article for The Family Room ezine called “She Hated Her Husband.” It was about Brian and Julie Moreau’s disintegrating relationship and the key role that a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway played in saving their marriage. A skeptical reader posted this comment below the article: “If this story is really true maybe […]

Indivisible Movie

‘Indivisible’ Deals With Conflicts in Wa...

New film tells the true story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner, who survived on the battlefield but almost lost his marriage in the process.

Wife's role in marriage

What Should Be the Wife’s ‘Role...

While the Bible doesn't apply our modern word "role" to marriage, the Scriptures are clear about the unique responsibilities God assigns to a wife.

Managing emotions in disagreement

Managing Emotions in the Midst of Disagreeme...

The goal of a balanced communicator is to properly manage and express both thoughts and emotions.

married-and-lonely

Are You Married and Lonely?

Most people believe marriage is the cure for loneliness, but you actually began battling the dreaded foe of isolation when you drove off on your honeymoon

Words to make your husband feel great

50 Things To Say to Your Husband to Make Him...

Your words have great power in the life of your husband ... they can lift him up and give him confidence, or they can beat him down.

Sex is important to your husband

Why Sex Is So Important to Your Husband

God wired men and women very differently. And a man's sexual performance with his wife is an inseparable part of who he is.

when-your-marriage-is-dying

When Your Marriage Is Dying

A marriage can't be restored if only one person wants reconciliation, but don't give up hope. God can give you the strength and wisdom you need.

Bible

What Does the Bible Say About Divorce? When...

Too many couples today decide that if their marriage isn't working, they should get out. But the Scriptures point to a God who can bring healing.

Engagement

Surviving ‘Engagement Season’ as a Singl...

If you’re anything like me, you dread the feelings this season brings.

Love and marriage

Does Your Marriage Need Help?

In a culture of self-sufficiency, seeking help may seem shameful or weak, but teachable followers of Christ know better.

Improve my marriage

5 Biggest Little Ways to Improve Your Marria...

A few small actions carry surprising power in building a lasting relationship.

3 Practical Steps to Biblical Leadership in...

For the sake of our wives, we must once again assume our role as leaders who execute our God-given responsibility with humble hearts and loving service.

Love your wife

Do You Love Your Wife Out of Obligation?

It takes courage for husbands to fulfill God’s calling to love their wives for a noble purpose.

Giving Your Spouse the Freedom to Fail

Six gifts you can give that remove the pressure to perform.

Romance

Romance for Dummies

Romance isn’t something you bring out on special occasions. It's one way you can express your care and love for each other.

Communication in marriage

10 Rules for Good Communication With Your Hu...

Good communication requires certain rules and guidelines, which are simple in one sense and extremely difficult in another.

Protect yourself from an affair by watering your own marriage

Avoid the Greener Grass Syndrome

The best way to protect yourself from an affair is to water your own marriage.

My dad's advice about love and marriage

My Father’s Secret to Staying in Love

As a wonderful example of a godly husband and father, I've always been able to go to my father for advice about anything.

Counseling organizations

State and Local Counseling Organizations

The purpose and objectives of this list of state and local counseling organizations are strictly informative and educational.

My parents stayed together

His Lies Finally Caught Up With Him

Mary Murray felt betrayed, and Mike felt desperate and suicidal. That's when God stepped in.

Affair

Would Their Marriage Survive Multiple Affair...

When Gerald Varlack lost his job, he was involved with several women—at the same time.

He Didn’t Know His Marriage Was Dying

Alberto and Debbie Rodriguez were two strangers living in the same house. One was getting lonelier and lonelier … while the other was clueless.

Save marriage

It’s Never Too Late for God to Save Yo...

If you drink deeply from the well of God’s love, you will inevitably pour that love into each other.

He Returned Home a Troubled Man

Rusty Mauney couldn’t forget his wartime experience in Iraq. As he found relief in alcohol, his wife, Marsha, began asking God to save their marriage.

3 Keys to Living in Contentment

3 Keys to Living in Contentment

We can learn to live happily even if we are denied things we consider essential.

Small group bible study

10 Tips for Leading Marriage Small Groups

As you prepare for facilitating a small group, you will find God strengthening your own marriage and giving you a heart to minister to others.

Intimacy in marriage

A Great Love Life Without 50 Shades of Anyth...

These five steps have personally helped me have enjoyable and satisfying intimacy with my husband.

Why Mike Pence Is Wise to Protect His Marria...

Constructing "zones" or "hedges" around marriage can help protect against temptation and appearances of impropriety.

Encourage husband

10 Ways to Let Your Husband Know You’r...

Don't let another day go by without communicating admiration for your husband.

3 Priorities for Every Wife

3 Priorities for Every Married Woman

No matter what your marriage stage—newlyweds, raising young children or teenagers, empty nest with grandkids—we share some common needs as wives.

Invest in your husband

3 Tips for Investing in Your Husband

Likewise, you can strengthen your husband's self-esteem. But first you must recognize where he needs bolstering.

Wife prays for her husband

30 Ways to Pray for Your Husband

A list of things to pray for your husband

Becoming Your Husband’s Personal Cheer...

Your encouragement can breathe life into your husband.

What Husbands Wish Their Wives Knew About Me...

A wife can help her husband be what God wants him to be by understanding his needs.

Cherish your spouse

A Backdoor to Happiness in Marriage

If you want a great relationship, learn to showcase your spouse.

Remembering How God Is Working

A couple weeks ago, in my work here at FamilyLife, I was feeling lazy and listless, uncreative and unmotivated. Looking for some inspiration, I began reading through a pile of comments from couples who attended a recent Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway in Indianapolis. It took me all of two minutes to shake away my […]

Romance your husband

10 Ways to Romance Your Husband

These ideas will help you freshen your love life.

Show love to your wife through words of affirmation

30 Ways to Love Your Wife

Here's a list of non-sexual ways to make your wife feel loved, valued, cherished, and affirmed. It will do wonders for your marriage.

Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages

If research showed you there were five things you could do to turn a marriage around or to keep a marriage strong, and that they were easy and free, what would you do? Well, here’s your chance. Shaunti Feldhahn spent years interviewing couples to find the ones who had the happiest marriages. Her purpose was to […]

Guarding Against Adultery

We should be alert for the initial warning signs of unfaithfulness.

Unrealistic Expectations Almost Destroyed My...

In the midst of my pain and self-centered complaining, I exhausted my husband and saddened God.

Save marriage

I Decided to Give the Whole ‘FaithR...

During the early years of their marriage, Jim and Nina Roesner made some life-changing decisions at Weekend to Remember getaways.

Could God Heal Their Marriage?

There was an invisible barrier between Marc and Lisa Lavalas.

Love my wife

50 Ways to Inspire Your Wife

Ideas to help you make your bride feel cherished.

The Enemy of Your Marriage

The Enemy of Your Marriage

It doesn’t take long for fear to replace trust, for intimacy to be broken. Just look at what happened in the first marriage.

Sex and marriage

What if I Want Sex More Than My Husband Does...

If your needs are vastly different than your husband's needs, work together to find the right balance or compromise for mutual sexual fulfillment.

Support husband

A Marriage Raised From the Dead

Less than 12 months after Tim and Teena Hoover married, their vows to God and to one another were shattered.

7 Truths to Remember in Troubled Times

Concerned about economic, political, racial, and moral instability in our culture? Disheartened by struggles in your personal life? Here’s what to focus on when the ground shakes beneath your feet.

Defeating Selfishness in Your Marriage

Defeating Selfishness in Your Marriage

Marriage offers a tremendous opportunity to do something about our tendency to go our own way.

Dating, marriage, and delighting in God

Wondering If God Will Give Me a Husband

I have come to see that I must think about my singleness in terms of a space for growth toward Christlikeness.

The commitment of marriage

Would She Walk Out on Her Marriage?

Troy and Sara Groves once said divorce was not an option. But they didn’t anticipate the struggles they’d face with weaknesses, expectations, and bitterness.

Recovering intimacy after an affair

Recovering Intimacy After an Affair

If you're willing to wade into the deep waters, God will help you put the pieces of your broken relationship back together. You can survive—and even thrive.

Shut Up and Listen

It was one of the biggest conflicts of our marriage. And as I sat there full of anger and self-righteousness, I knew that I hadn't handled it correctly.

What’s the Real Problem in Your Marria...

Instead of focusing on treating the symptoms, identify the underlying "disease" in your marriage with these six suggestions.

Troubled marriage

When Should You Involve Someone Else in Your...

Five issues that warrant outside intervention.

Wrestling With God Over a Broken Marriage

Trusting my husband was not an option, but I wondered if I could trust God.

When my husband needs help

When Your Husband Needs Help—and Doesn’t...

You have strengths your husband doesn’t have. It takes a bit of wisdom and skill to help in a harmonious, nonthreatening way.

10 Things a Man Needs to Know About Marriage

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

2 Steps to Keep Your Marriage From Going Stale

2 Steps to Keep Your Marriage From Going Sta...

A husband and wife often begin drifting apart so slowly that they hardly recognize it's happening.

The Gambler Took a Chance on Marriage

He wasn’t looking for love… but love found him.

Sexpectations or expectations about sex in marriage

What Are Your ‘Sexpectations’?

It's easy to allow unrealistic or harmful expectations about sex to run rampant through my mind. When that happens I need to stop and ask a few questions.

Reader Responses: Marriages We Most Admire

Editor’s note, May 2015: In a recent FamilyLife contest, participants were asked, “What marriage do you most admire, and why?” Here’s a selection of their responses. For more, read “The Marriages We Admire.” 1. My former pastor and his wife … they are both with the Lord now. They had very different strengths but they […]

Shut Up and Let Her Talk

Your wife's need to be heard is her way of letting you be the caretaker and confidant her mother and friends used to be.

Marriage Always Turns Out Different Than Expected

Marriage Always Turns Out Different Than Exp...

My wife's suffering taught us that marriage can bind our hearts together in an unconditional love that our human emotions could never manufacture on their own.

15 Ways to Refresh Your Marriage

No matter where your marriage is, it can always become stronger. Here are some ideas for those who want to shake things up a bit.

Are You Listening?

Three communication tips based on wisdom gained from years (and years) of trial and error.

War of words

Winning the War of Words

Getting to the heart of your communication struggles.

When Sex Is at the Bottom of Your List

Marriage has taught me how different I am sexually from my husband.

Annual questions to ask my wife

10 Questions to Ask Your Wife Every Year

An annual exercise to listen to your wife's words and hear from her heart.

A husband nourishes and cherishes his wife

Nourishing and Cherishing Your Wife

The goal of our love is to see our wives become more like Christ. I must be ready to die to myself as I cleanse her, nourish her, and cherish her.

Embracing Your Differences in Marriage

The unique, fresh traits that attracted you to your spouse can become tiresome after you are married.

3 Weeds to Pull From Your Marriage Garden

3 Weeds to Pull From Your Marriage Garden

No matter how much effort goes into a garden, it will all be in vain if you don't deal with weeds.The same goes with marriage.

Reader Responses Ideas for Special Getaways

We asked readers to send us ideas on special getaways with their spouse. Here are some of the replies.

Renewing romance in your marriage

Romancing Your Man

Renewing romance in your marriage means taking the time to work on your relationship. Epress love to your husband like you want him to express it to you.

The Dugan Family

Adrift in Marriage

Jerry and Olivia Dugan wanted to stay married but didn’t know how.

Isolation in marriage

9 Steps to Defeat Isolation in Your Marriage

Every marriage, no matter how good, needs a plan to combat isolation and to bring about intimacy.

Create a handwritten lover letter for your spouse

How to Write a Love Note

The most meaningful of love letters are simply true, humble expressions of the heart. Learn about the elements of a love letter and things to avoid.

The Same Old Argument

The Same Old Argument

It seemed like the 1948th time we’d had the same exchange. But the solution this time was different.

I Never Made It to the Super Bowl

As an NFL quarterback, I yearned to make the big game. But as much as I love football, I realize it can easily distract us from more important goals.

Face Your Blitzes With Confidence

When you face hardships, it helps to know the truth about God’s peace and sovereignty.

7 More Things a Man Should Know About Marria...

In last week’s Marriage Memo, I wrote of seven things men need to know about marriage. In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, it’s important to understand what marriage is about. Here are seven more things men should know. As you read through the list, ask God to remake you and help you understand what […]

7 Things a Man Needs to Know About Marriage

The North Star of relationships is is knowing Jesus Christ and His purpose for marriage, and trusting in His strength.

Balancing romance with roles as wife and mother

5 Tips for Investing in Your Wife

Your wife needs your creative energy if she is to become all that God designed her to be.

Caregiver

Growing Old Together: Like a Beautiful Old B...

I wouldn’t trade our empty nest years for the relationship we had in our youth for anything.

“Boss” in the Workplace, “...

How does marriage work when the wife has a high-power position in the working world?

How to encourage your husband

Encouraging Your Husband

How you can put wind in his sails.

More romantic marriage

10 Surprising Ways to Increase Romance

Believe it or not, these small changes can amplify your feelings of love without mood lighting or lingerie.

Save marriage

Bill and Vonette Bright and the Early-Marria...

Early in their marriage, Bill and Vonette Bright realized they needed an anchor for their relationship.

Temptation

The Courage to Resist Temptation

One foolish choice made in a moment of weakness can wipe out years of integrity.

After the Affair: Rebuilding Our Marriage

When Brad left a note saying he was moving out for good, I wondered where God was.

Bitterness in marriage

Don’t Let Bitterness Poison Your Marri...

Over time, repeated hurts can build up to destroy a relationship, but these suggestions can help you heal before the damage is done.

building-a-spiritual-foundation-for-your-marriage

Building a Spiritual Foundation for Your Mar...

Make sure you use all the resources and tools God makes available to build oneness in your relationship.

Romantic movies to watch with your husband

10 Classic Romantic Films Your Husband Won&...

These movies fall somewhere in between 'chick flicks' and 'man movies,' with strong romance to please wives, and enough other elements to attract husbands.

Experience deeper intimacy in marriage

Affair Proof Your Marriage

In this on-the-go, always-plugged-in culture, our lives are hectic and our schedules are packed. Here are some ideas to improve intimacy in your marriage.

Romance in a busy marriage

Romance in a Busy Marriage

For mothers, parenting children can be an enemy of romance. Check out these practical tips for reining in a busy lifestyle.

4 Tips for Giving Grace in Your Marriage

4 Tips for Giving Grace in Your Marriage

Don’t let little issues grow into resentment and isolation.

Role as stepparent

8 Steps for Redeeming Your Marriage Relation...

The next time you and your spouse find yourselves in a “discussion,” follow these steps for resolving relational conflicts in marriage.

FamilyLife Articles

Choose Your Conflict Style

It's nearly impossible to connect your life to another and not have significant disagreements. These ideas will help you direct your conflicts in a positive way.

Avoiding the Tough Conversations

When I was a freshman in college—back when I was skinny and long-haired and pretty inexperienced when it came to relationships—I met a girl named Nancy. We sat together five days a week in a French class, and at some point we began dating. I wouldn’t say it was serious, but between those dates and […]

Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for Your Marriage?

Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for You...

Because God is faithful, powerful, and willing, you can be realistic and hopeful about your marriage at the very same time.

Emotionally Destructive Relationship Questionnaire

Emotionally Destructive Relationship Questio...

Help in evaluating the emotional health of your marriage.

FamilyLife Articles

Enslaved by Bitterness

These three steps will help you restore freedom in your life.

Fight fair

Fighting Fair

A few ground rules can transform verbal brawls into a communication breakthrough.

FamilyLife Articles

I Love Fall So Ill Overlook Halloween

One of the most important principles for resolving conflicts or differences in relationships is overlooking an offense.

Work at getting along with your husband

My Husband Is an Overbearing Jerk … an...

When did our culture decide that marriage was supposed to be light and fluffy?

My Mate Is Not My Enemy

My Spouse Is Not My Enemy

Viewing your spouse as a gift from God is a life-changing perspective.

FamilyLife Articles

She Learned Her Lessons the Hard Way

Practical suggestions that any married couple could apply—no matter how healthy your relationship.

FamilyLife Articles

Speaking the Truth in Love

It's all in the way you package it.

How to address conflict in your marriage

Tired of Fighting About the Same Things?

Here are three principles that can help you address the issues that keep popping up to disrupt your marriage relationship.

When Conflict Keeps Popping Up

When Conflict Keeps Popping Up

Some issues in a marriage demand ongoing engagement.

FamilyLife Articles

Who Is Your Closest Neighbor

What could be closer than your own home, and who could be closer than your own spouse.

Whose Fault Is It?

Recognizing and fixing a fatal flaw in many marriages: the blame trap.

FamilyLife Articles

Why Do We Keep Arguing?

Once we understood each other’s dreams, and once we each realized what the other person was valuing, our attitudes changed.

She Was Ready to Leave Her Husband

She Was Ready to Leave Her Husband

Before she got a divorce, her mother had one task for her to complete.

Are-you-in-a-Abusive-Relationship

Are You in an Abusive Relationship?

An abuser typically has a well-stocked arsenal of ways to exert power over you.

Attend the Weekend to Remember marriage getaway

11 Reasons Couples Come to a Weekend to Reme...

Why would husbands and wives devote an entire weekend to a seminar designed to improve their marriage relationship? Here's what they tell us.

How to have a Successful Marriage

8 Keys to a Successful Marriage

Looking back, it was easy for us to fall in love. But staying in love, well … that takes hard work.

Man who prays

There Is Nothing Sexier Than a Man Who Prays

Four things men can do when initiating prayer.

An Investment in Your Marriage

Even before I began working for FamilyLife, I used to tell people that the Weekend to Remember® was the “best conference I’ve ever attended.” Merry and I went when we were engaged, and we’ve attended several times since then. The weekend provided an invaluable foundation for our marriage—a clear biblical understanding of God’s purposes for […]

The Ashley Madison Bomb

If your name is on the Ashley Madison list, or if you have some other secret infidelity like pornography or strip clubs, here are some steps to take right now.

They Got an Annulment for Their Divorce

Alex and Jill Averitt learned that nothing is impossible for God.

Do We Have to Talk About Submission?

Submission is one of those often caricatured, rarely understood parts of the Christian life.

Principles to Keep Christ at the Center of My Home

10 Principles to Keep Christ at the Center o...

God has a purpose for our lives and for the homes where we spend those lives.

Balancing romance with roles as wife and mother

Those Little ‘Foxes’ That Rob Ma...

How do you balance motherhood with being an attractive, romantic, interesting wife?

She Never Gave Up on Her Husband

Tom Flippin resisted God nearly all his life. But in the end, God answered his wife’s prayers.

Becoming the Man of Her Dreams

Your wife needs you to pursue a relationship with her—not just when you want sex, but as a way of life.

FamilyLife Articles

Honoring and Encouraging Our Wives

First Peter 3:7 tells me to live with my wife “in an understanding way” and to “grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life.”

Memories That Make Us One

During the first two days of our recent vacation in western Montana, the air was filled with smoke from forest fires. My wife, Merry, and I could barely make out the outline of the Bitterroot Mountains. Then a cold front swept out the smoke … and replaced it with rain and low-hanging clouds. We drove […]

what-happens-when-couples-pray

What Happens When Couples Pray

Seven stories of couples who decided to make prayer a daily discipline.

20 Ideas for Dating Your Wife

Only you know how to best cultivate and guard the woman God has given you.

Write a love letter or statement of love

The Legacy of a Love Letter

High touch in a time of high tech.

Money and budget

Balancing the Family Budget

Five pointers that will benefit any couple.

The Freedom of Forgiveness

The result of obeying God and forgiving your spouse is not bondage, but freedom.

Praying Together Makes Our Joy Complete

A radio listener tells how God used the radio to get her attention.

‘Are You Pregnant With My Husband’s Chil...

A story of impossible forgiveness and amazing grace.

The Danger of Flirting

Protect your marriage by watching how you talk with the opposite sex, even in jest.

remembering-how-god-is-working

Remembering How God Is Working

Letters from a Weekend to Remember marriage getaway show that people are still hungry to know Christ.

4 Reminders for the Directionally Challenged

Some would call me “directionally-challenged.” While my husband, Jim, seems to know where he is at all times, I have difficulty following a map or someone’s directions. I’ve been lost more often than I’d like to admit. It happened again when I went to visit a new friend who lives in the country. She gave […]

A Real Life Vacation

My wife, Merry, and I have enjoyed some wonderful, adventurous, and romantic vacations over the years. We’ve been on trips to London, New England, Montana, Oregon, Washington D.C., New York City. We’ve relaxed on sunny beaches in Hawaii, Florida, and South Carolina. And then we’ve taken lots of vacations like the one last week: working […]

Astonished at Radical Obedience

If your spouse wouldn’t talk to you for a day or two, you’d probably find it difficult. But what if your spouse refused to speak for three years? That was the situation June Sims faced after 34 years of marriage to her husband, Lamar. As you can read in a fascinating article by Mary Larmoyeux, Lamar […]

What Every Husband Needs to Know

Most men are not necessarily unwilling to meet their wife's needs; they simply are unaware of what those needs really are.

Don’t Get Stuck in the Empty Nest

As we've moved through this new season of our lives, we've realized that God has something great planned for our future together.

Three Pitfalls to Avoid in an Empty Nest Marriage

Three Pitfalls to Avoid in an Empty Nest Mar...

When your kids leave the home, you are forced to consider your marriage relationship in a new light.

8 Ways to Protect Your Marriage

These suggestions will help you stand firm in the battle for a strong marriage.

A Hollywood Ending

The true story of a husband, a wife, and an online affair.

Affair Repair for Your Marriage

Can a Christian marriage survive an affair? Mine did.

Avoiding Emotional Adultery

As I began to delve once again into God's Word, I recognized three steps I should have taken when faced with the temptation.

Found With Another Man

Strange as it may seem, it was a relief when I realized my husband knew my secret.

Signs my spouse is having an affair

Infidelity’s Warning Signs

Be on guard for your spouse … and yourself.

Lust Love and Loyalty

As I read through several articles about an MSNBC.com/iVillage survey “Lust, Love & Loyalty," I was struck by the fact that I was reading a lot more about lust and love than I was about loyalty.

Affair

My Wife’s Affair Shattered and Saved O...

Our marriage was a mess, and we needed to break a lot of bad habits in how we related to each other.

Rental Car: $211.15 … Protecting My Marria...

Some women would feel comfortable taking a four-hour drive to the airport with a trusted male friend. I didn’t.

Sharing Past Extramarital Affairs with Your...

Your affair may have ended in the past, but unless it's dealt with, it will continue to impact the present and threaten the future.

The Unmasking of an Online Affair

I was so trapped in my sin that I didn't know how to break free.

every-marriage-needs-renewal-and-refreshment

Every Marriage Needs Renewal and Refreshment

Comments from the I Still Do event show the power of getting away to get it together.

Every Marriage Needs Renewal and Refreshment

“Just a week before the I Still Do™ event,” she said, “I used the ‘D word’ against my husband in front of our daughters.” The “D word” is “divorce.” And that’s a word that children don’t like to hear from the lips of their parents. “My 9-year-old broke down and cried, exclaiming ‘What’s happening?’ She […]

Grieving after a tragedy

Walking Through Tragedy: Looking for Graces

The blessings that took place in my life after tragedy gave me hope and reminded me that there was someone larger than this life who is in control.

When a Spouse Dies

Sometimes the futility of life strikes hard and we're forced to look for the hidden treasures.

Are You Done Making a Difference?

Too many men over 55 think their best days are behind them. It’s time to resurrect the noble mantle of “patriarch.”

Dancing With the Stars? Not Exactly.

I learned more than rhythm while taking dancing lessons with my husband.

Loving the Prime Time Years

Part of our passion is encouraging couples to determine how God can use them after their children leave the nest.

Overcoming Loneliness When Your Children Leave the Nest

Overcoming Loneliness When Your Children Lea...

Adjusting to a new reality can be an especially difficult task.

Overcoming the Challenges of an Empty Nest

A couple can either move toward the death of their relationship, or look forward to what this new season of marriage has to offer.

The Midlife Question: Who Am I?

When you define your identity vertically, you will be able to stand even when the things around you are passing away.

This Old Sack of Bones

The older we grow, the more our bodies deteriorate. And that's not necessarily bad.

5 Principles for Living With Less … and Li...

Learning to be content with enough.

Lessons From a Memorial Service

I have been challenged by Kathy Helvey's life and legacy.

Bringing Back the Sabbath

Many of us have forgotten or never learned how to rest.

How to Say ‘Yes’ to Forgiveness

It's very difficult to ask God to forgive those who hurt us, especially when the hurt runs deep.

Twenty Ways to Pray for Your Wife

This topical list will guide you to praying for your wife in every area of her life.

FamilyLife Articles

Ten Things a Husband Can Say When His Wife F...

Here is some advice that can help you navigate these waters successfully, including a few good lines that always work.

Relating to wife

6 No-No’s for Relating to Your Woman

If you want to understand and love your wife, here are some things you should never do.

Remarriage

8 Mistakes I’ve Made in Marriage

After 25 years, I can see a few things I should never have done (and sometimes still do).

FamilyLife Articles

Do You Have the Courage to Take Your Spiritu...

These five suggestions are not for the weak of heart.

FamilyLife Articles

He’s Been Gone for Years

We talk about how important marriage and family is, but where are we directing our emotional energy each day?

FamilyLife Articles

How to Frustrate Your Wife

Two ways husbands can leave their wives needing more.

FamilyLife Articles

I Married Wonder Woman … Now What?

Valuing your wife above everything.

Manhood

Manhood Is Knowing Where the Plunger Is

We should resist the highly-romanticized modern visions of manhood and look to Christ as the true model.

FamilyLife Articles

Give Your Wife a Mom’s Night Out

When my husband surprises me with a night out, he shows me that he has a sincere desire for me to have some time to myself. And that makes my heart soar.

Praying for Your Wife

Praying for Your Wife

If you want to pray significantly for your wife, stay tuned to her needs.

When a man loves a woman - How to love your wife as Christ loves the church

What Did Jesus Do?

How do you love your wife as Christ loves the church? For husbands, this involves understanding what Christ does for us, thinks of us, and becomes for us.

FamilyLife Articles

What Will Be Your Legacy?

A challenge for men to become the sacrificial lovers and servant-leaders of their families.

What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Me...

Husband's don't need to 'fix' the problem, just show that they care.

Men who won't grow up

Who’s Wearing the Pants in Your Family...

Why is it that some men can initiate great tasks and conquer overwhelming obstacles at work and remain so passive in relationships or in leading at home?

Why Can’t Women Just Come Out and Say...

Whatever you mean by the statement, it doesn't cut it with husbands in the truth department.

Love my wife

Why Do I Act Like I Don’t Love My Wife...

It’s the underside of marriage, the reality of living with someone day in and day out in a fallen world. We need to see ourselves as we really are.

Gift of forgiveness

Frequent Forgiveness

Even after more than 40 years together, our need to forgive each other is as fresh as it was on our wedding day.

Feelings of guilt and shame about having premarital sex

If You Were Sexually Involved Before Marriag...

I believe a negative attitude about sex wages war against Christian marriages.

Meet America’s Longest-Married Couple

Eighty-one years ago, John and Ann Betar were told their marriage wouldn’t last.

A Ship With Plenty of Power

Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine, co-hosts of FamilyLife Today®, returned recently from FamilyLife’s third annual Love Like You Mean It™ cruise. The same week of the LLYMI cruise, another cruise ship made headlines when it lost power and had to be towed back to port, but Dennis reports that the LLYMI cruise had plenty of […]

Changing a Sour Attitude: The Readers Respon...

I could tell I touched a nerve in my recent Marriage Memo on “How Do You Change a Bad Attitude?”. When I asked for input from readers, quite a few began by admitting to the same problem. “I have found myself in the position you describe far more times that I like to admit,” one […]

Give Your Wife a ‘Moms’ Night Ou...

What’s next after mom’s big day? If you’re a mom (or have one in your house), Sunday may have been a glorious day. Breakfast in bed. Cards and drawings from the kids. A family meal together where someone else did the cooking. Or maybe it fell a little short of what you expected for that […]

Meet America’s Longest-Married Couple

John Betar and Ann Shawah grew up across the street from each other in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They fell in love, but her father had arranged for her to be married to a man 20 years her senior. So John and Ann eloped. That was in 1932. John and Ann recently celebrated their 81st anniversary, […]

My FamilyLife: Connecting Through Your Smart...

There’s no doubt about it—for many people, life seems to revolve around the smartphone. It’s their connection to friends and family. It’s their source of information and entertainment and distraction. It’s what they use to read and listen and watch. It’s their phone, their camera, their map, their appointment calendar, their address and phone book, […]

Readers Comment on Date Nights

In a recent Marriage Memo, “Reclaiming Date Night,” Suzanne Thomas wrote of her dismay after asking FamilyLife Facebook readers about what they do for date nights with their spouses. “I expected people to respond with some creative ideas, but I was surprised at the response,” she wrote, “Nearly everyone said they have no date nights […]

Readers Talk About Negotiating the New Norma...

After Dennis Rainey’s June 10 Marriage Memo, “Establishing the ‘New Normal’ in Your Marriage,” a number of readers wrote to tell about the struggles they faced with this issue. As Dennis wrote of the “new normal” dilemma: Each of you brings a different background and a different set of expectations into your marriage. Your family […]

FamilyLife Articles

I Needed to Know He Loved Me

My husband knew me—dark and light—and he loved me anyway.

FamilyLife Articles

Let It Go

Bitterness often costs us more than forgiving would, even if forgiving doesn't seem fair.

“Letting Go” in Emotionally Destructive Relationships

Letting Go in Emotionally Destructive Relati...

Three steps for experiencing healing and growing in maturity.

Romance and sex

10 Ways to Create a More Romantic Bedroom

The bedroom should be a place where love and romance are cultivated, encouraged, and celebrated. And yet it is often treated as a storeroom for clutter.

Ideas to help improve your lovemaking

4 Ideas to Improve Your Lovemaking

Your sexual relationship can be an oasis for the two of you in marriage. These ideas can help relief from routine and a refuge from stress.

How to increase romance with your wife

Before You Touch Her Body

For romance to deepen, here is a truth that should be emblazoned on the heart of every husband.

Revive the romance with date night

10 Ideas to Help You Renew Romance in Spring

This spring, why not bring back to life the buds of romance you once enjoyed? These ideas can help you make romance come alive in the season of new birth.

Keeping emotional love tank full in marriage

Keeping the Love Tank Full

Marriage is designed to meet the need for intimacy and love. Perhaps deep inside a hurting couple is an invisible "emotional love tank" with its gauge on empty.

Write a love letter or statement of love

More Than a Love Letter

Words don't cost anything, and yet when used the right way they are priceless ... truly a gift of the heart.

Overcome the barriers to romance and sex

Not in the Mood? Ask Yourself, ‘Why No...

Whether it’s bad breath, a headache, or hot flashes, something often gets in the way of sex. Here are some ways to overcome roadblocks to intimacy in your marriage.

QA When Your Spouse’s Weight Turns You...

Dealing with a large weight gain in your spouse.

Real manhood

QA Reviving a Diminishing Sex Drive

Communication is the key to making intimacy thrive.

Romance your husband

Rekindling the Fire of Romance

It doesn't require much money to revitalize the spark of romance in marriage. What you do need is the commitment to do it.

Encouraging romance

Romantic Ways to Fan the Flames

Ten creative ways to add some sugar and spice to your marriage.

The power of touch

The Power of Touch

Twenty-five suggestions for non-sexual touching.

The Marriages We Admire

Responses from readers show that the love you demonstrate for your spouse will be one of your greatest legacies.

Reader Responses: Marriages We Most Admire

Editor’s note, May 2015: In a recent FamilyLife contest, participants were asked, “What marriage do you most admire, and why?” Here’s a selection of their responses. For more, read “The Marriages We Admire.” 1. My former pastor and his wife … they are both with the Lord now. They had very different strengths but they […]

Their Marriage Was a Train Wreck

Roger and Tonya Haskin had no clue about marriage.

Bitterness Is Like a Dirty Diaper

Forgiveness is the key to getting rid of the nasty emotions churning inside you.

Forgiving the Unforgivable: Marital Unfaithf...

My husband could not ignore the fact that I had an affair, but he chose to let go of my offense. Then I had to learn how to receive it.

Help! I Married a Sinner

It didn't take long for me to realize my spouse would fail. It gave me the opportunity to practice what I preached.

It All Starts With the Cross

Kirk and Chelsea Cameron describe what has made their “Hollywood marriage” work.

What It Means to Forgive

Thinking about forgiveness in terms of four basic decisions helps us forgive others the way God forgives us.

Gift of forgiveness

When It’s Hard to Forgive

As Christians, we can excuse the unforgivable in others because God has excused the unforgivable in us.

5-things-the-church-can-do-to-build-up-marriage

5 Things We Can Do to Build Up Marriage

The most important cultural question is not, “What are we going to do about same-sex marriage?” It’s, “What are we going to do about marriage?”

An ‘Oh, Wow!’ Insight on Marriag...

After one of my messages, a man told me about the turning point in his marriage relationship.

Grow into true intimacy

Are You Settling for Artificial Intimacy?

A good marriage isn't something you find; it's something you make. And you have to keep on making it.

Married for 71 Years

Who doesn’t enjoy a good story? Especially a love story? As a writer for FamilyLife, I’ve had the privilege of interviewing lots of men and women about their marriages and families. But no one has been married as long as Orvil and Edith Thomas. Their commitment to one another has never wavered for more than […]

My First Christmas Without Laurie

On July 8, 2009, my wife Laurie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Almost three long years later, she died on April 4, 2012. Soon my two sons and I will have our first Christmas without Mom. Although it hasn’t been easy, I am filled with hope. Like lots of other people I know, Laurie and […]

Wedding and marriage

The Big Fat Cheap Wedding

Many couples today view the wedding as a celebration of what they’ve attained rather than a commitment to spending their lives together.

im-not-going-anywhere

I’m Not Going Anywhere

In marriage we need a love that is faithful to the end—because Christians are a people who lean into the covenant of grace.

Marriage saved

Would They Throw Away 22 Years of Marriage?

Tracey Penrod refused to give up when she learned her husband was having an affair with his ex-wife.

God Answers Prayer

A Weekend to Remember prayer team volunteer tells his story.

An Extra Reason for Rejoicing

by Abraham Lara As Christmas day approaches many of you will be finishing last-minute details at work, or driving to Grandma’s house, or shopping for groceries before the big meal. As we gather with friends and family to celebrate Christmas, I am reminded of couples who have an extra reason for rejoicing this year. Couples […]

Attitude check

How Do You Change a Bad Attitude

I knew I had a bad attitude, but I couldn’t break out of it.

Married couple

When Strangers Observe Your Relationship, Wh...

Our world is in desperate need of married couples who strive to love and to serve each other.

Marriage saved

A Remodeled Barn and a Transformed Marriage

Jim and Penny Nally's barn was once a sore spot in their troubled marriage, but now is a place of hope.

My FamilyLife: Connecting Through Your Smart...

FamilyLife's new smartphone app is a tool to help you improve communication and cultivate your marriage relationship.

Wedding and marriage

What Makes an Unforgettable Wedding?

Why is God so often absent from our ceremonies, except as a token prayer or Scripture reading?

Would She Choose Her Husband … or Her Fath...

An unexpected trial in the early years of one marriage.

Decisions defined marriage

8 Decisions That Will Define Your Marriage

How we answered these questions set the direction and foundation for our married life.

Marriage counseling and conflict coaches

Do You Need Counseling

Evaluate the issue you're facing to determine the level of help you need.

When your marriage or family are in crisis

When Your Marriage or Family is in Crisis

Here are four biblical reminders when you face serious family problems.

God can save a marriage

3 Questions That Can Transform a Marriage

No matter what your situation, I'm confident that there is hope for any marriage.

doing-nothing-is-not-an-option

Doing Nothing Is Not an Option

Join us in standing firm for families and committing to faithfulness in marriage.

National Counseling and Conflict Resolution...

National Counseling and Conflict Resolution Organizations

What Are You Worth?

If people can come to grips with the real purpose of money and understand the truth about it from God's perspective, their lives and marriages will benefit greatly.

A Final Gift to a Grieving Wife

In death as in life, my brother reflected Christ’s love and compassion.

Things husbands should stop doing

40 Things Husbands Should Stop Doing

Some down-to-earth, practical advice for men who want to step up to their responsibilities.

the-50-50-myth

Why the 50/50 Plan Won’t Work in Marri...

If you're keeping score in your marriage, you're in trouble.

Q & A: Encouraging Husbands to Lead Spir...

It's important to realize there are different ways to give spiritual leadership in the home.

Q & A: Respecting Your Husband for the L...

What to do when you lose respect for your husband.

Romance your husband

Refresh Your Lovemaking

Here are 18 tips we think your husband will love.

The Popular Sport of Male Bashing

Your spouse is likely to reflect what he or she hears and feels from you

Wishing He Were Your Husband

When you're caught in emotional adultery, these four steps will help guide your heart back to your spouse.

50 ideas to inspire your husband

50 Ideas to Inspire Your Husband

A wife has the unique ability to help her husband feel the freedom to reach his fullest potential as the man God has created him to be.

3-things-your-spouse-needs-to-hear

3 Things Your Spouse Needs to Hear

These simple, heartfelt statements will deepen your love for each other.

A Tribute to Barbara

As their 40th anniversary approached, Dennis wrote the following letter to his wife.

Its All About Commitment

Keeping your vows, not just saying them, is what builds a strong union

Encouragement for my spouse

10 Ideas: Workday Encouragement

Even simple acts of support can give your spouse the boost he or she needs during a busy work week.

Conversation starters for husbands and wives

30 Ways to Start a Conversation With Your Sp...

A list to keep you talking with your spouse for a whole month.

A Small Harbor of Reconnection

Just a five-second look helped connect my mom and dad during a frenzy of activity.

Need my spouse

Do You Really Need Your Spouse?

True partnerships are cemented by couples who frequently and specifically verbalize their need of one another.

Q&A: Engaging an Unresponsive Spouse

Recognizing what is your responsibility and what you need to leave in God's hands.

Revive the romance with date night

Reclaiming Date Night

Intentional sharing and meaningful time together are too important to the health of your marriage to be neglected.

Bible verses to help improve communication

Scriptures to Help Guide You Through Your In...

Ten Bible verses to help family communication.

Talking Through Difficult Issues

You can’t avoid the tough conversations in marriage, but you can conduct them in a way that will ultimately bring you closer to your spouse.

The Bass I Found on the Bargain Rack

Using word pictures was the key to communication in our marriage.

The Power of Words

One of the greatest challenges of marriage is how you speak to your spouse.

Why It’s Important to Get Away With Yo...

When did you last have time to talk about the important things of life?

Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages

Research shows that five little things separate great relationships from the rest.

Does God Rule Your Mundane?

Seeking grace and serving God in the midst of ordinary days.

Christmas

Divorce Changes the Flavor of Memories

How many couples considering divorce underestimate the impact it will have on their children?

Family Recipes

Editor’s Note: Here are three recipes mentioned on the July 12, 2014, broadcast of FamilyLife This Week®. The bon bon recipe is very old; if you try to make it, we hope that you are successful and have fun! Bon Bons (Dalcie Rainey) 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup white corn syrup 1/2 cup whipping cream […]

No Matter What, I Still Do

Every day, good or bad, my husband and I remain committed to our marriage

Does Your Spouse Annoy You?

Accepting your differences will help you mature beyond the downsides of your personalities.

Give Your Wife a ‘Moms’ Night Ou...

New film is encouraging and refreshing for mothers.

Is Marriage All About You

In 2007 the Pew Research Center surveyed over 2,000 Americans for a study on attitudes about marriage and family. In one of the questions, participants were asked: Here is a list of things which some people think make for a successful marriage. Please tell me, for each one, whether you think it is very important, […]

Raising Kids in a Spiritually Mismatched Hom...

Regardless of how we arrived in our unequally yoked marriage, we are part of God's plans and our spiritually mismatched homes are vital to His purposes.

After 70 Years of Marriage, They Both Died W...

The love story of Kenneth and Helen Felumlee was anything but ordinary

I Thought I Married the Wrong Person

My husband and I couldn’t stand one another.

‘I Prayed This Would Be the Miracle We...

A testimony from I Still Do™.

‘Now We’re Committed to Spending...

A testimony from I Still Do™.

Marriage

Marriage Requires Humility

Every day, the world bombards you with messages of power, independence, and control. Jesus tells you the opposite: Die to yourself.

Is It Okay to ‘Go Ahead and Shack Up&...

A recent study suggests that cohabiting couples do not face a greater risk of divorce after they marry. But the whole picture is a bit more complicated.

Believe the Gospel Today

Reaffirming the truth of the gospel each day is the most important thing we can do to mature in our faith and to build a stronger marriage and healthier family.

God, Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Love

Moving from loving yourself to loving others.

Treat Him Like a Man

Love your husband without expectation and respect him as the man God created him to be.

Hershey Pennsylvania Weekend to Remember

Watching God at Work

When I see God using us to change lives, it stokes my passion for families.

Connecting With Your Spouse

Two tips for battling the “illusion of permanence” in your marriage relationship.

They Each Had Secrets

Learning God's principles for marriage the hard way.

Faith and Hypocrisy in the Family

The home may be the place where it’s most difficult to live out our faith—and also the most important.

40-lessons-from-40-years-of-marrage-entire-list

40 Lessons From 40 Years of Marriage

The Humpty Dumpty Syndrome

Our modern notion of "falling in love" is based on feelings. And following your feelings can get you hurt.

7 Thing a man should know about marriage

7 More Things a Man Should Know About Marria...

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

7 Thing a man should know about marriage

7 Things a Man Needs to Know About Marriage

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

7 Thing a man should know about marriage

21 Things a Man Needs to Know About Marriage

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

Making Those Early-Marriage Adjustments

Couples quickly learn that adjustments are inevitable and necessary in the first years of marriage.

Your Husband's Two Biggest Fears

Your Husband’s Two Biggest Fears

You can do something about your husband’s twin fears. In fact, he will never get over them without you.

5 Lessons I’ve Already Learned as a New Husband

5 Lessons I’ve Already Learned as a Ne...

Whether you’re six months or 60 years into your marriage, God can and will continue to teach you about how to become the man He wants you to be.

5 Lessons I’ve Already Learned as a New Wife

5 Lessons I’ve Already Learned as a Ne...

Here are some practical things I discovered during my first six months of marriage.

What It Means to Be God’s Man

5 things to share with boys about being men of God.

Reader Responses What Husbands Appreciate Ab...

We asked husbands, “What is one thing you most appreciate about your wives this Thanksgiving?” Here are the replies we received by email. 1. I love the insight into our children’s’ hearts that my wife, Karla, brings into our marriage. She is a wonderful household manager who performs miracles of joyous memories, sometimes with […]

Reader Responses What Wives Appreciate About...

We asked wives, “What is one thing you most appreciate about your husband this Thanksgiving?” Here are the replies we received by email. You can find more responses in the comments section at the end of the original article. 1. Terry loves me no matter what my faults are. —Barbara Robinson 2. Well… to be […]

Habits Grooves and Ruts

When Tommy Nelson began his teaching series from an Old Testament book, his church in Denton, Tex., had about 700 people. Within a few weeks, attendance was up to 1,400. His service for college students grew from 300 to over 700. And what Old Testament book was the focus of this pastor’s messages? Would you […]

Dealing with an ex-spouse

Coping With a Difficult Ex-Spouse

These 10 tips will help you in your discouragement.

12 Tests of Love

Understanding the difference between love and infatuation.

Lies about marriage that can lead to divorce

8 Lies That Destroy Marriage

Every wrong behavior begins with believing a lie.

Does a Good God Want Me in a Bad Marriage?

Does a Good God Want Me in a Bad Marriage?

Even though we seldom can see how God uses trials for our future benefit, He has promised to use them for good, and He is faithful to keep His word.

Sex is important to your wife

Why Sex Is So Important to Your Wife

God created sex in marriage to be shared, not withheld.

Expectations for your marriage

25 Great Expectations for Your Marriage

Most couples face common challenges in marriage. If you don't discuss and resolve the differences between you and your spouse, you're headed for rough marital waters.

Readers Comment on Date Nights

Many who wrote echoed the words of one reader who said, “I think date night is vital to a marriage.”

Reader comments date night

In a Marriage Memo on the value of date nights in marriage, we asked readers to share comments and ideas. Here are their responses. 1. Oh I am so, so, so very sad to hear that so many couples are not finding a way to create regular date nights … and by regular I really […]

Coming Home After War

Allowing Christ to reset the course of your life.