You want to be your spouse’s hero? Their most trusted confidant? The one who supports them and helps them flourish? The one they share their wildest, most audacious dreams with? None of it happens if you aren’t the emotionally safe person your spouse needs. When you’re emotionally safe, you’ve removed yourself as a barrier to…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-william-fortunato-6392957-1-scaled.jpg7962048Reggie Madisonhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-03-26 13:05:582021-04-28 12:11:48How to Be An Emotionally Safe Spouse
Communication is the lifeline of any relationship. —Elizabeth Bourgeret
We have all seen the sitcom where one spouse is talking, and the other one seems zoned out. And maybe you laugh as your friend rolls their eyes while making a talking motion with their hand as their spouse repeats that “same old story.” However, it’s not so funny when someone does it to you.…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4308042-1.jpg13652048Gena Ellishttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-03-25 09:21:152021-03-25 16:14:39Reasons Why Your Spouse Won’t Listen to You
Here's some help for those times when silence is NOT golden.
When your spouse gives you the silent treatment, it can be frustrating, painful, and confusing. It happens when one spouse refuses to communicate, ignores, withdraws from, or totally avoids their partner. It may not mean there’s absolute silence. You might still talk about daily tasks like who’s picking up the kids, who’s handling laundry, or…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-alex-green-5700173-1.jpg13652048Reggie Madisonhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-03-25 09:16:212021-03-25 10:28:16What To Do When Your Spouse Gives You The Silent Treatment
Talking about your expectations can help your relationship thrive.
Expectations are part of a healthy marriage. But unmet expectations can cause frustration and tension. You expect something from your spouse. Maybe you expect them to do something (but they’re not). Or to not do something (but they are). Your expectation is for them to live up to a certain standard. And for whatever reason,…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/josue-michel-jOyLoY6JGb0-unsplash.jpg23844240Chris Ownbyhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-03-23 16:44:192021-05-12 14:42:33What to Do When Your Spouse Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations
Your expectations don't have to derail your relationship!
We all have expectations. We expect the sun to rise and seasons to change (all in one day for those of us in Tennessee). Perhaps we expect our spouse to put their dirty clothes in the hamper. We expect the post office to deliver our mail. We base our expectations on personal experiences and understanding,…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/charly-pn-o2w2ylrLyRE-unsplash.jpg10412048Mitchell Quallshttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-03-23 09:45:452021-03-25 10:46:54The Difference Between Realistic and Unrealistic Expectations in Marriage
Here are some tricks to help them feel your support.
You want to get a degree. Your spouse wants to lose some pounds. You want to stop smoking. Your spouse wants to start gardening. You want to tap into your artistic talents. Your spouse wants to tap dance. And you, being the committed, loving spouse that you are, want to be fully supportive. But, if…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cesar-abner-martinez-aguilar-_Z4Wb077Gfo-unsplash-1-scaled.jpg6532048Chris Ownbyhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-03-12 21:07:262021-03-16 12:39:49How to Be a More Supportive Spouse
When you dreamed about marriage, you probably had some things on your perfect partner ABC list. Things like attraction, brilliance, compassion, does anything I ask, etc. The letter “L” would have included stuff like loving or long kisses. Let me tell you what probably didn’t come to mind: Lazy spouse. Realizing that your spouse is…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/erica-marsland-huynh-Rvf2UJ3JO5U-unsplash.jpg40323024Kris Nashhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngKris Nash2021-03-12 10:57:232022-02-18 14:46:14So, Your Spouse Is Lazy… Here’s What to Do
The reasons are complex and different from person to person.
Your husband watches porn. I’m sure this has caused some mixed feelings within you. Should you be concerned? Or should you be okay with this? Or maybe you’re concerned about how okay you are with it. And you’re not sure how you feel about that. But your big question is, Why? What’s the allure, the…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-junior-teixeira-2047905.jpg20481365Chris Ownbyhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-03-08 16:25:032022-06-30 13:18:20Why Does My Husband Watch Porn?
Bring more fun and joy to your relationship by dating each other!
It’s the time of year for flowers, birds, and butterflies. Spring is known as a time of rebirth after the dormant season of winter. For many, it’s the time for spring cleaning and sprucing up your home, inside and outside. Likewise, making time to spruce up your relationship may be what you need to stir…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-cottonbro-4886788.jpg13652048Gena Ellishttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-03-08 16:16:392022-04-14 09:52:5725 Fun Dates to Spruce Up Your Marriage This Spring
These things can get you on the road to a more fulfilling marriage.
Do you want to knock your spouse off their feet? Want your spouse to want more sex without even saying the word “sex”? Wanna keep a smile on your spouse’s face and have them bragging about you to others? The secret (drumroll, please): Generosity. Overwhelm them with generosity. Generosity in marriage is quite underrated. But…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/pexels-laura-garcia-4924903.jpg13652048Reggie Madisonhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngReggie Madison2021-03-01 12:59:052021-03-12 08:54:46Practical Ways to Practice Generosity in Marriage
Strengthen the foundation of your relationship with these tips.
Trust is the foundation of a healthy marriage. It’s like oil in a car engine, heat in an oven, Beyoncé in Destiny’s Child. Without it, things just don’t work well. Ideally, marital trust should grow with time. It’s a glue in your relationship that ought to get stronger, even though it isn’t always the case.…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pexels-terrillo-walls-2230015-1.jpg13652048Chris Ownbyhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-02-26 11:57:282021-03-09 10:23:487 Ways to Increase Trust in Marriage
You know that couple. The one who has been married for many years and seems just as madly in love today as when they said, “I do.” You know who I’m talking about. Do you ever sit back and ask yourself how they do it? I do. If you could sit down and talk to…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pexels-keira-burton-6147180.jpg20481365Mitchell Quallshttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-02-24 09:18:562021-03-12 08:50:28Why Generosity Matters in Your Marriage
Turns out, taking care of yourself helps you take care of each other.
Want a healthy, lasting marriage? Be prepared to be alone and focus on yourself. Totally. Backed. By. Research. “Alone Time” is part of what is frequently referred to as “Self-Care.” You and your spouse need it. You both probably work and stuff, so free time is couple time, right? And it should be. That’s why…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/team-fredi-Giofbyn4TTE-unsplash-e1613684068438.jpg492900John Daumhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-02-18 16:34:372021-08-18 08:46:22Why Alone Time in Marriage Matters
What would the world be like without good communication? Airports would be a complete wreck (figuratively and literally). Kids couldn’t learn reading, writing, ’rithmetic, and computer coding. The barista at Starbucks would write a completely different name on my cup for my order. (Okay, well, that happens anyway.) Not to mention… marriage would be chaotic! …
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/amy-humphries-eWxB-BMzd5w-unsplash.jpg13572048Chris Ownbyhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngChris Ownby2021-02-16 12:43:062021-11-10 16:12:24How to Communicate Better With Your Spouse
Don’t beat yourself up over the blues; just beat ‘em.
“Post-Wedding Blues” are absolutely a thing. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. And definitely don’t feel bad for feeling them. You don’t need to be worried or secretly guilt-ridden. “Blues” are totally understandable. And you can get your head around your heart. Check this out… Which of these television couples were you just hoping could…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/blake-carpenter-uOrmKHggRY4-unsplash.jpg20481368John Daumhttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngJohn Daum2021-02-15 09:18:332021-02-18 10:29:30Do I Have Post-Wedding Blues?
With Black History Month upon us, my wife and I decided it’s a good time to talk about how we celebrate Black History, not only in February but throughout the year. Appreciating diversity has been a core value in our marriage since day one, partly due to necessity. I’m an American, born and raised in…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/steven-wei-G1xqbmi_YE0-unsplash.jpg13662048Mitchell Quallshttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-02-11 19:22:172021-02-18 09:40:06How Does Our Marriage Promote Cultural Diversity?
The moonlit walks, late-night talks, candlelit dinners, flowers… it all spells romance. Or does it? These gestures may be romantic, but are they “romance”? What is “romance” in marriage, anyway? Romance: What It Is I’d like to offer you a different way to look at romance. Now, this may be new to you, or you…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/lauren-richmond-lrUNqj6tBQs-unsplash.jpg42203376Mitchell Quallshttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-02-10 16:51:052022-03-02 16:18:22What is “Romance” in Marriage?
Make their heart happy with these out-of-the-box ideas!
Valentine’s Day is a great time to get outside the heart-shaped chocolate box and celebrate love and romance in a BIG way! If you want a hand in making this day unique for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place. These 10 creative ideas will help you connect and play as you set this…
We search for the secret of a happy marriage like Jack Sparrow searching for the fountain of youth. If he could find the ever-elusive fountain, eternal youth would be his. It can be easy to view a happy marriage through the same lens. It seems elusive and out of reach. But it’s not! In fact,…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pexels-olya-kobruseva-4630024.jpg23363500Mitchell Quallshttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngMitchell Qualls2021-02-03 14:30:262021-04-05 11:17:17The Key Trait Found in All Happy Marriages
Setting some limits can be a good thing for everyone.
Do you remember the first time you met your future in-laws? Was it important to you that they liked you, or did you even care? Did you dress to impress? Taking a walk down memory lane gives you a picture of how that relationship began. Once you got married, you may have thought your in-laws…
https://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/AdobeStock_204871977.jpeg13652048Gena Ellishttps://courses.firstthings.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/ftf-logo-300x186.pngGena Ellis2021-02-03 14:24:052021-09-23 19:02:21So, You Need to Talk to Your In-Laws About Boundaries
How to Be An Emotionally Safe Spouse
You want to be your spouse’s hero? Their most trusted confidant? The one who supports them and helps them flourish? The one they share their wildest, most audacious dreams with? None of it happens if you aren’t the emotionally safe person your spouse needs. When you’re emotionally safe, you’ve removed yourself as a barrier to…
Reasons Why Your Spouse Won’t Listen to You
We have all seen the sitcom where one spouse is talking, and the other one seems zoned out. And maybe you laugh as your friend rolls their eyes while making a talking motion with their hand as their spouse repeats that “same old story.” However, it’s not so funny when someone does it to you.…
What To Do When Your Spouse Gives You The Silent Treatment
When your spouse gives you the silent treatment, it can be frustrating, painful, and confusing. It happens when one spouse refuses to communicate, ignores, withdraws from, or totally avoids their partner. It may not mean there’s absolute silence. You might still talk about daily tasks like who’s picking up the kids, who’s handling laundry, or…
What to Do When Your Spouse Doesn’t Meet Your Expectations
Expectations are part of a healthy marriage. But unmet expectations can cause frustration and tension. You expect something from your spouse. Maybe you expect them to do something (but they’re not). Or to not do something (but they are). Your expectation is for them to live up to a certain standard. And for whatever reason,…
The Difference Between Realistic and Unrealistic Expectations in Marriage
We all have expectations. We expect the sun to rise and seasons to change (all in one day for those of us in Tennessee). Perhaps we expect our spouse to put their dirty clothes in the hamper. We expect the post office to deliver our mail. We base our expectations on personal experiences and understanding,…
How to Be a More Supportive Spouse
You want to get a degree. Your spouse wants to lose some pounds. You want to stop smoking. Your spouse wants to start gardening. You want to tap into your artistic talents. Your spouse wants to tap dance. And you, being the committed, loving spouse that you are, want to be fully supportive. But, if…
So, Your Spouse Is Lazy… Here’s What to Do
When you dreamed about marriage, you probably had some things on your perfect partner ABC list. Things like attraction, brilliance, compassion, does anything I ask, etc. The letter “L” would have included stuff like loving or long kisses. Let me tell you what probably didn’t come to mind: Lazy spouse. Realizing that your spouse is…
Why Does My Husband Watch Porn?
Your husband watches porn. I’m sure this has caused some mixed feelings within you. Should you be concerned? Or should you be okay with this? Or maybe you’re concerned about how okay you are with it. And you’re not sure how you feel about that. But your big question is, Why? What’s the allure, the…
25 Fun Dates to Spruce Up Your Marriage This Spring
It’s the time of year for flowers, birds, and butterflies. Spring is known as a time of rebirth after the dormant season of winter. For many, it’s the time for spring cleaning and sprucing up your home, inside and outside. Likewise, making time to spruce up your relationship may be what you need to stir…
Practical Ways to Practice Generosity in Marriage
Do you want to knock your spouse off their feet? Want your spouse to want more sex without even saying the word “sex”? Wanna keep a smile on your spouse’s face and have them bragging about you to others? The secret (drumroll, please): Generosity. Overwhelm them with generosity. Generosity in marriage is quite underrated. But…
7 Ways to Increase Trust in Marriage
Trust is the foundation of a healthy marriage. It’s like oil in a car engine, heat in an oven, Beyoncé in Destiny’s Child. Without it, things just don’t work well. Ideally, marital trust should grow with time. It’s a glue in your relationship that ought to get stronger, even though it isn’t always the case.…
Why Generosity Matters in Your Marriage
You know that couple. The one who has been married for many years and seems just as madly in love today as when they said, “I do.” You know who I’m talking about. Do you ever sit back and ask yourself how they do it? I do. If you could sit down and talk to…
Why Alone Time in Marriage Matters
Want a healthy, lasting marriage? Be prepared to be alone and focus on yourself. Totally. Backed. By. Research. “Alone Time” is part of what is frequently referred to as “Self-Care.” You and your spouse need it. You both probably work and stuff, so free time is couple time, right? And it should be. That’s why…
How to Communicate Better With Your Spouse
What would the world be like without good communication? Airports would be a complete wreck (figuratively and literally). Kids couldn’t learn reading, writing, ’rithmetic, and computer coding. The barista at Starbucks would write a completely different name on my cup for my order. (Okay, well, that happens anyway.) Not to mention… marriage would be chaotic! …
Do I Have Post-Wedding Blues?
“Post-Wedding Blues” are absolutely a thing. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. And definitely don’t feel bad for feeling them. You don’t need to be worried or secretly guilt-ridden. “Blues” are totally understandable. And you can get your head around your heart. Check this out… Which of these television couples were you just hoping could…
How Does Our Marriage Promote Cultural Diversity?
With Black History Month upon us, my wife and I decided it’s a good time to talk about how we celebrate Black History, not only in February but throughout the year. Appreciating diversity has been a core value in our marriage since day one, partly due to necessity. I’m an American, born and raised in…
What is “Romance” in Marriage?
The moonlit walks, late-night talks, candlelit dinners, flowers… it all spells romance. Or does it? These gestures may be romantic, but are they “romance”? What is “romance” in marriage, anyway? Romance: What It Is I’d like to offer you a different way to look at romance. Now, this may be new to you, or you…
10 Creative Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is a great time to get outside the heart-shaped chocolate box and celebrate love and romance in a BIG way! If you want a hand in making this day unique for your Valentine, you’ve come to the right place. These 10 creative ideas will help you connect and play as you set this…
The Key Trait Found in All Happy Marriages
We search for the secret of a happy marriage like Jack Sparrow searching for the fountain of youth. If he could find the ever-elusive fountain, eternal youth would be his. It can be easy to view a happy marriage through the same lens. It seems elusive and out of reach. But it’s not! In fact,…
So, You Need to Talk to Your In-Laws About Boundaries
Do you remember the first time you met your future in-laws? Was it important to you that they liked you, or did you even care? Did you dress to impress? Taking a walk down memory lane gives you a picture of how that relationship began. Once you got married, you may have thought your in-laws…
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