Family by God's Design

Be Your Spouse’s Dream Champion

Everyone wants their spouse to grow into their best self. Unfortunately (or, maybe fortunately) you cannot make them grow into their best self. But you can nurture and support their dreams. You can help them grow into their dreams and their best self by keeping these four practices in mind. Be your spouse’s dream champion...

Celebration Honor

comfort dreams intimacy marriage support

May 21, 2022

Sweet Marital Moments That “Keep On” Giving

We all experience disagreements and arguments with our spouses. We probably even get irritated and agitated with them from time to time. Researchers in this study opened the door for such experiences by asking 154 middle-aged and older heterosexual married couples to have an intimate conversation about a “conflict in their relationship.” Can you imagine?...

Celebration Honor

adoration conflict dreams marriage student

June 28, 2021

The Blessing of a “Royal We”

My spouse and I live alone in our house now…just the two of us. Our children have grown into beautiful young ladies, each of them living in their own homes. We can even have a pillow fight without anyone interfering or telling us to “settle down.” In addition, when my wife asks,” Did we run...

Celebration

connection dreams intimacy marriage responsiveness rituals

September 3, 2018

Communicating As An “Us”

The party was long and I was getting tired; but, I didn’t want to rudely get up and leave. My wife was across the room enjoying a conversation with another guest. When I looked her way, she caught my eye. She made a very subtle motion with her head and changed the expression on her...

Celebration Honor

communication dreams listening love map marriage

November 6, 2017

8 comments

A Funny Happened on the Way to the…Donut?

Twenty-seven years ago I found a beautiful woman standing between me and a cream-filled chocolate-iced donut. She began to talk with me and I, with one eye still on “my” donut, spoke with her. Ironically, I enjoyed the conversation even more than the donut. Two years later, we married. This month, we celebrate a joyous...

Celebration

dreams gratitude marriage play

March 11, 2017

Give Your Children the Gift of Confidence

She walked onto the stage with such poise. She calmly explained her song in a very articulate manner. Then, she performed the song beautifully. I sat among those in the crowed and listened. The performance was beautiful. Even more amazing to me was the confidence with which this 16-year-old girl presented herself. She appeared comfortable...

Family Shepherds

confidence dreams effort emotions healthy development value

March 6, 2017

Building a Purpose-Filled Marriage

Marriages benefit when partners take the time to reflect on their marriage and establish the driving values of their relationship. Your marriage will grow more intimate when you and your spouse acknowledge your common purpose and the values behind that purpose. Discussing your marital values and purpose will set you marriage on a trajectory of...

Celebration Honor

dreams intimacy listen marriage purpose values vision

November 21, 2016

“You Complete Me” Kills a Marriage

At least two quotes came out of the movie Jerry Maguire (1996): “Show me the money” and “You complete me.” I wouldn’t mind if someone took the time to “show me the money.” Better yet, hand me the money. I’m glad to work for it, but I still want someone to “show me the money.”...

Grace Honor

dreams intimacy marriage maturity responsibility

February 23, 2015

Trying Out for Family Happiness

We all want to live in a happy family. Happy families enjoy one another’s company more than unhappy families do. They resolve arguments and outside stresses more quickly and easily as well. Happy families produce happy people. Happiness is good for us, too. People who learn the skills of happiness tend to become more successful....