Category Archives: Growing Strong Marriages

Six Kisses That Promote Marital Success

Ah! Kissing!! It is what makes a relationship special. When Tom kissed me for the first time I don’t remember much else but this one fact–he loved me! We reserve kisses for those whom we love the most, and this … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Romance, Romantic Ideas | Tagged , | 1 Comment

When Comfortable Isn’t Good

We are talking about painting the inside of our home. It has been years since we last did it–11 to be exact–and it is time. But considering the colors we want, it will most likely lead to changing furniture, wall … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Conflict, Forgiveness, Growing Strong Marriages, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Pruning A Marriage Is Hard Work

It is Spring in FL and everything in our garden needs pruning, weeding, mulching, fertilizing and/or repotting. It can be overwhelming when looked at as a whole. But Tom and I have found that focusing on one thing and completing … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Growing Strong Marriages, Priorities | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

“You’re All The Woman I’ll Ever Need”

We were young and had two, (soon-to-be) three small children. Our church was young as well. We had left a large mega church in order to plant, with our young couples’ pastor, a church to discover New Testament reality. We … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Death and Grieving, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays, Love Stories, romancing your spouse, Seasons of Life, Showing Honor, Testimonies, Valentine's Day | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Beauty To Behold

It’s the time of year in Florida where we have to prune, trim and weed our yard. Spring comes before the calendar says it’s so, and Saturday was the right time for us to get to work. We enjoy yard … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Conflict, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Dormant Season

We have a huge, very healthy bougainvillea in our backyard. It is so large it is pushing our new fence and making it difficult to walk by it without getting scratched by it’s enormous thorns. We needed to prune it, … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Growth Through Heartache

I referred to it in our last post. Today I want to share the story that took our marriage from the honeymoon stage to the next level of intimacy–growth through heartache. Tom and I wanted children. We had decided on … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Parenting, Seasons of Life | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Growth Through Heartache

When Opposites Don’t Attract

The old adage that opposites attract is often said in regard to marriage, and it is true most times. Tom and I couldn’t be more opposite in areas that aren’t important, e.g. how we like our eggs, hot beverage of … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Newlyweds, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , | Comments Off on When Opposites Don’t Attract

Forced To Embrace Something I Used To Hate

For one who doesn’t like it, I have had a lot of it in my life. I used to literally hate it. What is this thing I disdained so? Change. In all it’s varying forms I resisted change as much … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , | 3 Comments

How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Hope

We are in the first week of Advent where we are encouraged to focus on the Hope of the Gospel. Jesus was born of a virgin bringing with Him the hope of the world. It is a lasting hope that … Continue reading

Posted in Advent in Marriage, Christian Marriage, Christmas, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays | Tagged , | Comments Off on How Advent Informs Our Marriage with Hope

The Well Seasoned Marriage

I find it interesting that Fall brings me such joy. I’ve heard many others say Fall is their favorite season as well. But when it comes to the seasons of marriage I have to ask myself, do I enjoy the … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

No Tricks—All Treats This Halloween

I’ve started to write a post several times and my mind goes blank. Life has been unpredictable this year, and it keeps coming at us. Our youngest daughter gave birth to her first baby at 24 weeks and 5 days … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Caring for Parents, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Grandparenting, Growing Strong Marriages, Halloween, Keeping It Real, Seasons of Life | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Pandemic Marriage Check Up

Tension. Every marriage faces it. It comes from no where and sometimes settles so thick you could cut it with a knife. Many use words instead, which cuts deeper and always leaves a scar. Pandemics are like a boiler keeping … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Make Your Home Welcoming To Others

We have all been spending lots of time in our homes lately. It’s easy to neglect things because you no longer see them as visitors do. So this post is an encouragement to look at your home with fresh eyes. … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Open Nest, Seasons of Life, Showing Honor | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Making Memories That Last

I haven’t posted in a while because I’ve been on a retreat with several of my dear friends. I am learning to be present wherever I am, and last week I was present with them and with the Lord who … Continue reading

Posted in Cherishing, Christian Marriage, Emotional, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Love Songs, Music | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Marriage Many Will Never Know

You may have heard the news about Kelly Clarkson and her husband, Brandon Blackstock, divorcing. She filed for a divorce following the quarantine stating irreconcilable differences. It’s a known fact that celebrities have a harder time keeping the knot tied … Continue reading

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Testimonies, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Memories That Make Scents

It has been proven that our sense of smell triggers our memories more so than any other sense. I’m not sure why, but I agree. With one whiff of orange blossoms I am taken back to my grandparent’s orange groves … Continue reading

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Making Scents | Tagged | 1 Comment

One More “Let’s Be” to Practice

I’ve been surprised that I haven’t written more during the quarantine. One would think that a writer writes, and only needs time to do so. And that is true, unless you are practicing this final “let’s be”. Let’s be present. … Continue reading

Posted in Cherishing, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Perspective in Marriage, Priorities | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

“Let’s Be” These 8 Things Towards Our Spouse

How are you doing in the area of kindness towards your spouse? These have been trying times for everyone and none are affected more by our discontent than our spouse. I have noticed this in my own heart, which has … Continue reading

Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Fruits of the Spirit, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

How Will We Respond In Crisis? The Choice Is Ours

Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash[/caption] Today is a guest post by Sheri Bybee Mitchell with Good Job, Mama on Facebook. I met her a while ago after she left an excellent, thought-provoking comment on a post. Since she doesn’t … Continue reading

Posted in Blog Love, Christian Marriage, Conflict, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , | 2 Comments