Category Archives: Growing Strong Marriages

Are You Defensive?

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Debi Walter

It happens more often than not.  Drivers who must think they’ve been hired to test drive the swerving power of their vehicle.  They weave in and out of traffic as if I’m merely a harmless obstacle to dodge for fun.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | Comments Off on Are You Defensive?

What Is The Gospel?

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Tom Walter

And what does it have to do with my marriage?  Everything, that is if you’re a Christian. This is the week when the Gospel is front and center in the mind of every believer.  It is Easter week, and we … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays | Tagged , , | Comments Off on What Is The Gospel?

Out Of The Depths

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Debi Walter

This month is challenging.  We are facing one of the most difficult times in our lives. No, we aren’t despairing over children who have walked away from the Lord. We aren’t facing unfaithfulness in our marriage. We are simply having … Continue reading →

Posted in Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Music | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Eradicate or Irrigate?

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Debi Walter

Last Saturday morning we were babysitting one of our grandchildren.  Tom made eggs for her – very sweet.  Then, he made breakfast for himself – yes, he loves to cook.  Finally, he sat down to enjoy it. About this time … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Growing Strong Marriages, Temptation | Tagged | 5 Comments

Bud Break

Posted on March 23, 2011 by Tom and Debi

You may think “Bud Break” is just a beer served during Spring Break on the beach, but you would be wrong. Bud Break is the term used in the vineyard when the first signs of spring arrive.  It is when … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Purpose | Tagged | Comments Off on Bud Break

10 Hindrances To Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Debi Walter

#8 – Friendships Can you imagine a vineyard owner who worked hard all year to produce great wine that he never enjoyed himself?  He painstakingly goes through all the necessary steps to make a great product and gives it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance | 4 Comments

Constrained or Compromised?

Posted on March 16, 2011 by Debi Walter

Driving down the road they stand as deformed sentinels declaring to everyone, “I was here first!”  Yet progress moves forward without regard for the hows, whys or who’s in the way.  I’m talking about beautiful trees mutilated by the onslaught … Continue reading →

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

10 Hindrances to Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Debi Walter

#7 – Selfishness In a Vineyard it is imperative that everyone do the job they are called to do, as well as help out others when they are under pressure or falling behind. This is necessary for the obvious reason … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance | 3 Comments

10 Hindrances To Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

Posted on March 3, 2011 by Tom and Debi

#6 – The Laziness Beast There are two kinds of lazy. The first is one who appears very busy, but never has time to do the things of most importance.  They constantly put off romance simply because the schedule is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance, Romance in Marriage, romancing your husband, romancing your spouse, romancing your wife | Tagged | 2 Comments

Controlling The Burn

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Tom and Debi

As we are posting tonight there is a wild fire raging in a neighboring county causing damage to property and the rerouting of traffic.  It is causing people to flee in fear of losing everything they have.  Last we heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Growing Strong Marriages | Comments Off on Controlling The Burn

10 Hindrances To Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Tom and Debi

#5 – Wrong Motives We’ve all done it.  It’s our human nature to want to look good.  When we look good we feel good, or so we think.  That is until someone comes along (many times it’s our spouse) and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Difficulty, Forgiveness, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance | 3 Comments

The Art of Marriage

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Debi Walter

I’ll never forget it. The hall was rented.  The tables were decorated in white and gold with a miniature wedding cake marking “50 Years.”  It was 1997 and my parent’s Golden Wedding Anniversary.  My brother, sister and I worked tirelessly … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Art of Marriage

A Fragrant Aroma – A Good Book

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Debi Walter

Books. One must be fully engaged in the story in order to actually get what the author wants you to get. When caught up in the middle of a chapter where struggle and conflict are playing out word by word, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, communication, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | 3 Comments

10 Hindrances To Cultivating a Romantic Vineyard

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Tom Walter

#4 – Financial Pressure   In keeping a vineyard it takes money to make money.  The owner has to continually invest in the process or risk losing everything.  As a former business owner I am well aware of the pressure … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance | 7 Comments

Bonus: For The Wives…

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Debi Walter

…Who are also called “Mommy!” Today I offer you an excellent article by Barbara Rainey to consider as you romance your husband.  She shares a point which has always been strong on my heart as I purpose to love my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance, Wives | Tagged | Comments Off on Bonus: For The Wives…

10 Hindrances to Cultivating A Romantic Vineyard

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Tom and Debi

#3 – Sickness Romance is hardly on the heart and mind of one experiencing the various effects of the flu.  And as you can see – our area has been hard hit this year! People react differently when facing sickness;  … Continue reading →

Posted in Growing Strong Marriages, Hindrances to Romance | Tagged | 6 Comments

A Happy Hum

Posted on February 1, 2011 by Debi Walter

As I am writing this post, my dishwasher is hard at work in the kitchen cleaning my grandmother’s dirty dishes.  I borrowed them today from my Mom for tonight’s dinner with some dear friends. How many times these dishes have … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged | 7 Comments

Fragrant Aroma: Marry Me

Posted on January 28, 2011 by Debi Walter

This week I had the privilege of sitting with a newly engaged young woman who will be married in less than 5 months.  She asked me to be her wedding coordinator, something I enjoy doing for close friends and their … Continue reading →

Posted in A Fragrant Aroma, Growing Strong Marriages, Music, Romance in Marriage | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

How Rude!

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Debi Walter

When our kids were little they loved the television sitcom, Full House.  We constantly had discussions about the bad attitudes displayed, including disrespect towards good old dad.  But the middle daughter was the queen of these attitudes.  Whenever anyone crossed … Continue reading →

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

11 Things You Won’t Learn In School About Marriage

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Tom and Debi

We have a winner for our first monthly “Here’s To Us”  Challenge.  Thank you all for participating – some entered by commenting to our post.  Others entered by commenting on Facebook.  We will add the Facebook comments on yesterday’s post, … Continue reading →

Posted in Contests, Growing Strong Marriages, Husbands | Tagged | 7 Comments