Marriages only thrive as each spouse accepts responsibility for the impact of their own disappointments, fears and priorities on the relationship. by Dr. Harold L. Arnold, Jr. Jim and Irene sat at opposite ends of my couch, as far apart as possible. The tension between them so charged the room that I knew we were in for a rough ride [...]
You want to have children, he doesn’t. He’s a homebody, you’re ready for a party every night. She likes to spend money and enjoy life, you are frugal and like to save your money. You see opportunities and want to pursue them, she is adverse to risk and wants to feel safe. If you feel hopelessly gridlocked over a problem [...]
This month's post is part two of a three part series discussing how to cope with typical problems. [divider] Last month we looked at the typical problems of Stress and In-Laws. Maybe these aren't problems for you. Maybe you were saying to yourself, "I don't really have any issues with these things". If that was true for you, then maybe [...]
This month's post is part one of a three part series discussing how to cope with typical problems. [divider] How many times have you heard someone say, “a good marriage takes work”. Most people would readily agree with that statement, but what does that really mean? Every marriage is faced with certain emotional tasks that husband and wife need to [...]
This month's post is a bit long, but it has some great information on solving those problems that are not perpetual problems—those that cannot be resolved to mutual satisfaction. If you'll follow these steps, I think you'll find you can solve a lot more problems—and in a healthier way—than you have before. [divider] Last month we talked about perpetual problems [...]
It's a new year with a clean slate...or is it? Do you experience the same conflicts over and over again seemingly making little or no progress to resolve them? Your not alone. Sharon and I have several conflicts like these that pop up with way too much regularity. Despite our best efforts to change, we end up going over the [...]
Last month we looked at some myths about marriage and what really makes a marriage work. This month we continue our series on Dr. John Gottman's classic book about marriage relationships, "The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work" and examine six signs that you may be having trouble in your marriage. When predicting if a couple will divorce, or stay [...]
You're never through dealing with conflict. If you have any passion—any preference about anything, you will have conflicts with someone. And since you spend so much time with your spouse, they are often times the one you have the most conflicts with. And the more intimate you are with your spouse, the more painful these conflicts can be. The good [...]
Last month we discussed the importance of maintaining a clean slate in your relationships, especially your marriage relationship. Without the expression of forgiveness and grace on a regular basis we develop resentment, bitterness and negative attitudes toward each other. This month we are looking at one of the culprits that sabotage our efforts at keeping a clean slate. Anger. But [...]
Have you ever found yourself in an endless cycle of arguing about an issue until one, or more likely, both of you ended up hurt and wounded with no resolution to the issue? Whether this has this been a pattern for your relationship, or just an ocassional occurance, there is a better way. God gives us the blueprint for God-honoring [...]
