Marriage

Special Feature Lance was furious when his wife Stephanie announced she had become a Christian and wanted the children to know Jesus. “I don’t want my children brainwashed with fairytales!” he yelled. Stephanie does not regret her decision, but she worries her children may reject Christ because of Lance’s resistance to Christianity and their spiritual …

Special Feature Were you ever convinced something was true only to discover you were mistaken? For instance, you wave at a friend. She ignores you. “She must be upset with me,” you assume. As you get closer, you realize it is not her. The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary defines assumption as “a belief or feeling that …

Special Feature “It’s been 45 years since we said, ‘I do,’ Stan mumbles, “but lately, I’ve wondered if I didn’t make a mistake.” Stan’s sentiments represent a disturbing trend among senior couples. In the early years, Stan and Lisa shared many interests and were best friends. But when children came, and Stan’s job became more …

Special Feature Have you considered all the things we measure with a thermometer? Assessing temperature is a normal part of life. We check the temperature of foods, our bodies, and the weather. Envision a thermometer with a sensor that calibrates and displays your marital health as hot, cold, or normal. Your assessment may involve inspecting …

Special Feature “I married you for life, but not for lunch” is a popular joke among some senior couples as they enter retirement. The quote is attributed to Lou Scott-Joynt from a talk made in 2008. Her speech weaves a tapestry of sad and whimsical stories from married couples in retirement. The captivating message crescendos …

Special Feature Are you motivated to get rid of items you no longer need or want? You know the plan. Assess what you have and divide it into three categories—give away, throw away, and keep.  Have you thought about steps you can take to get rid of marital clutter and develop an ongoing habit of …

Special Feature Irv Gordon was the original owner of a 1966 Volvo P1800. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest mileage recorded—3.25 million miles. What was the secret to this astonishing accomplishment? According to Hotcars.com, “He claimed that his secret to longevity was regular oil changes, closely following the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines, and …

Healthy Living Everything is going great. Then, without warning, your heart is racing, palms are sweaty, and you cannot sleep. You have fallen into a tangled web of anxiety. Life’s concerns can produce anxious thoughts and worries—fear of the future, dread over unsafe schools, feelings of hopelessness in marriage. Be encouraged. You can overcome these …

Special Feature While it has been said that familiarity breeds contempt, sometimes familiarity breeds complacency. Does your marriage feel like it is on autopilot, and no one is watching the flight control system? Marriage can be smooth until the turbulent winds of life come. Here are three strategies to keep your marriage flying safely through …