Jesus knew that words are powerful. He once said, “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder….’ But I say to you that…whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery...

Grace Honor

May 1, 2023

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The Blog I (Kinda) Hate to Write

by John Salmon

Yes, this is the blog I hate to write. I guess I don’t “hate” to write it…I’m just a little reluctant. And I hope my wife doesn’t see it. She likes to dance, but me, well, I’m not really much of a dancer. I mean I danced in the living room with my children when...

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Celebration

dance depression intimacy marriage well-being

April 15, 2023

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Subtle Kindnesses That Will Save Your Marriage

by John Salmon

Many marriages that end in divorce failed due to a lack of kindness. In fact, research reveals kindness as one of the most important predictors of satisfaction and stability in marriage. It makes each partner feel valued, understood, and validated. I’m not just talking about the grandiose shows of kindness—the big gifts, the beautiful vacations....

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Celebration Grace

admiration adoration empathy kindness listening marriage

April 10, 2023

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Three Practices to Curb Defensiveness in Marriage

by John Salmon

Defensiveness: one of the John Gottman’s Four Horsemen that spell doom for a marriage. We have all become defensive in our marriages, I’m sure of it. We become defensive when our view of the world or ourselves is threatened: or, when we fear our spouse is seeing us in a way we don’t want to...

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Grace Honor

apology arguments defensive humility marriage repair

March 20, 2023

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Generosity is Great…But What Kind?

by John Salmon

A study completed through the University of Virginia’s Marriage Project looked at the role of generosity in marriage. The researchers asked 2,870 participants how often they behaved generously toward their partners. Those who scored the highest in generosity also reported they were “very happy” in their marriages. The association between generosity and marital happiness was...

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Celebration Grace

generosity happiness marriage

February 18, 2023

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The Power of a Simple Thank You

by John Salmon

When encouraging married couples to express gratitude to one another, one or both of them often asks, “Why should I thank my spouse for something they should do anyway?” For one thing, because every thank you is a deposit in the Family Bank of Honor…and every deposit strengthens your marriage. For a second reason, read...

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Celebration Honor

connection gratitude intimacy marriage relationship

February 13, 2023

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The Kindness Connection

by John Salmon

We all experience days of sorrow, and, if you’re like me, maybe even periods of feeling down-right depressed. These periods can impact our marriages and our families. What can you do about those times when you’re feeling down? A study conducted at Ohio State University and entitled Healing through helping: an experimental investigation of kindness,...

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Grace

connection intimacy kindness marriage

February 11, 2023

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Don’t “Blow Up” Your Marriage

by John Salmon

None of us want to “blow up” our marriage. But too many of us do “blow up” our marriage before we even realize it. How? By spending too much time on our cell phones, getting too caught up in social media, spending too much time scrolling. The “technical” term for this is technoference. It sounds...

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Celebration Honor

cell phone intimacy marriage phubbing technology

February 6, 2023

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2 Lies I Hear About Marriage

by John Salmon

Over the years, I have heard many lies about marriage. In counseling couples, the lies I hear are often justifications of what the person really intends to do or a pleading for the other person to step up and show their love. There are two lies I have heard most often though. Both statements are...

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Celebration Honor

marriage maturity personal growth sacrifice

January 23, 2023

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A Quiet Threat to Your Marriage

by John Salmon

It can happen so easily, quietly, subtly. We are happily married and enjoying our lives together when the busy-ness of daily life creeps up on us. The rush and pressure of work, children, community activities, and finances encroaches on our lives; and, in the midst of the busy-ness and pressure we take for granted that...

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Celebration Honor

marriage schedule time

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Family by God's Design

Just My Words Can Do What?

The Blog I (Kinda) Hate to Write

Subtle Kindnesses That Will Save Your Marriage

Three Practices to Curb Defensiveness in Marriage

Generosity is Great…But What Kind?

The Power of a Simple Thank You

The Kindness Connection

Don’t “Blow Up” Your Marriage

2 Lies I Hear About Marriage

A Quiet Threat to Your Marriage