When Is It Time For A Separation?

Ronald and Linda had been married for 7 years when he called with the question. “I don’t know if I need to separate, divorce, or try to work on our marriage with you guys?”

Things were dark in their home. He told us that she seems to not care about how the home looks, how their two young children are parented, what their finances are, and has little to no concern about their relationship. “Every time we get help, she does better for a little while and then slips right back into the same old pattern of doing nothing.”

Common Reasons For Separation

Happy New Year and 2017

We have been writing two articles a week to help spouses do life together forever.  It has been a privilege to share with you what the Bible says and what research says about how to do life together forever.

In 2017, we will be taking a break from writing.  In the meantime, feel free to search through the extensive list of topics available to help you have the marriage you truly want.

God bless you with a Happy New Year and a 2017 filled with love, peace and joy!

Is Your Marriage Starving For Reconnection?

Larry was tired. “I can’t take her anymore. I can’t take this life any more.”

Larry and Shandra had been married for fourteen years. Seven of those years they had parented their only son, who was diagnosed with autism early in life.

Larry described a life of full time caregiving. The only break he got was when his wife would tag in. As she gave her required full attention to her son, he was lonely. He was miserable in his marriage and wanted to have his wife back.   He couldn’t see a way forward.

Starving for Reconnection.

Larry and Shandra’s situation was drastic, however, in our Life Together Forever Weekends and our Marriage Intensives, we meet couples who are similarly starving to reconnect. Is your marriage starving for reconnection:

How to Know if You Are in a Dangerous Relationship

Over 2,000 people are murdered every year because they are in dangerous relationships. Whether it is called Domestic Violence, Dating Violence or Intimate Partner Violence, it is a dangerous relationship. Researchers have found some common tell-tell signs that indicate the relationship might be headed to the danger zone.

Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. I Peter 3:7

Is Your Marriage Worth Having the Crucial Conversations?

Too many couples have called us over the years in despair at the eleventh hour asking for help. Frequently when we meet with the couple in our office for a full day Marriage Intensive, what we learn is that they have unresolved issues that neither is willing to have a conversation about. The thing that is in their way, (usually because it elicits one or more of the Marriage Killers) is fear. They are afraid to have any in depth conversation.

Fear has so much power. When it is around, we usually get stuck. We become paralyzed and fail to act. We stop and hide. We run away from the issue as fast as we can. Fear debilitates us and moves us away from each other instead of toward each other.