Category Archives: Growing Strong Marriages

10 Ways to Defer and Prefer Your Spouse This Christmas

Posted on December 24, 2018 by Debi Walter

If you have managed to open this post, you most likely have a minute to spare this Christmas Eve. Congratulations! Let me encourage you in this minute to make the most of this time. Pause. Breathe. Remember why we celebrate … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Christmas, Encouraging Your Spouse, Growing Strong Marriages, Holidays | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 10 Ways to Defer and Prefer Your Spouse This Christmas

What We Didn’t Know Going In To Our Marriage

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Debi Walter

When we said our marriage vows we had no idea of what lay ahead of us. We didn’t know… In our first year we would move to the one city neither of us wanted to live. I would face health … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Conflict, Difficulty, Troubled Marriage, Wisdom in Marriage | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What We Didn’t Know Going In To Our Marriage

Step Up To Greatness

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Debi Walter

President George H.W. Bush has been honored well in his death by family, friends and even foes. I’m grateful that we, as Americans, haven’t lost our dignity in showing honor to whom honor is due. It has been refreshing to … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Step Up To Greatness

Marriage Fertilizer

Posted on November 15, 2018 by Debi Walter

Two years ago I inherited my late Mother-in-law’s Christmas cactus. It was small and in a temporary container when I brought it home from her house. But the blooms were beautiful. I knew it had potential to be more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Cherishing, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Marriage Fertilizer

Countdown Sale Day One

Posted on November 13, 2018 by Debi Walter
Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, resources | Tagged , | Comments Off on Countdown Sale Day One

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

Posted on October 26, 2018 by Debi Walter

The title of this post is a famous line from a Disney movie, Cinderella. But it begs the question, what do you dream of? This is the kind of question that makes for a great date. I’ll never forget sitting … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Encouraging Your Spouse, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Is Your Marriage Like This?

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Debi Walter

It seems more and more couples are sharing with us the current lack of health in their marriage. We can see the pain and disappointment in their eyes. It grieves us because we know this is not how marriage is … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Keeping It Real, Perspective in Marriage, Priorities | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Is Your Marriage Like This?

2018 Date Night Challenge – The Letter “T”

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Debi Walter

We are a bit behind on our monthly date challenge, but that hasn’t deterred us from pressing on. Tom, who happens to be my favorite “T” planned a special afternoon TEA for me at a local TEA shop. I am … Continue reading →

Posted in 2018 Date Night Challenge, Alphabet Dates, Christian Marriage, Date Night Ideas, Growing Strong Marriages, Keeping It Real | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Have You Ever Asked Your Spouse This?

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Debi Walter

Yesterday we had lunch with friends and this question came up… When have you been the most afraid? It was a good question that led to an hour-long discussion involving lots of emotion. Some had had near-death experiences involving themselves … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Intimacy, Newlyweds, Seasons of Life, Sexual Intimacy | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Have You Ever Asked Your Spouse This?

Vintage Post – Clinging Vines

Posted on September 28, 2018 by Debi Walter

The Clinging Vine The image was clear the minute I read the sign, “The Clinging Vine”.  It was one of those signs where a business sponsors a certain section of road in order to keep it clean from trash. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Vintage Post – Clinging Vines

A Gift to Avoid Drift

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Debi Walter

For my birthday this year Tom has committed to work out with me at home. He went so far and quit his gym membership too, so I knew he was serious. I am excited for this new chapter in our … Continue reading →

Posted in Boredom, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Keeping It Real, Priorities | Tagged | 2 Comments

This One Practice Produces Change

Posted on August 14, 2018 by Debi Walter

In our last post we talked about the detriment it is to have a condemning spirit towards your spouse. Today we want to talk about the antidote. In the Christian life the antidote to a condemning spirit is a grateful … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Growing Strong Marriages, Priorities | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Marriage Creed

Posted on August 6, 2018 by Debi Walter

We visited a church yesterday while staying with our daughter and her husband in Arkansas. In the lobby they had their creed on display for all to see. It was captivating and encouraged discussion. This caused me to consider what … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Growing Strong Marriages, Purpose | Tagged , | Comments Off on Marriage Creed

A Closer Look at What Bores You

Posted on July 23, 2018 by Debi Walter

Living life with the same person becomes familiar as it should over time. But when the familiar becomes boring this can be the sign there is something else at play. Jon Bloom wrote an excellent article on the Desiring God … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, communication, Conflict, Difficulty, Finding Joy, Growing Strong Marriages, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on A Closer Look at What Bores You

My Marriage Is Mediocre—Now What?

Posted on July 18, 2018 by Debi Walter

In our last post we shared 11 possible indicators your marriage might be mediocre. Today we want to offer some practical tips to help get you out of this trap. As a reminder here is our list: Your life revolves … Continue reading →

Posted in Boredom, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on My Marriage Is Mediocre—Now What?

11 Possible Indicators You Have A Mediocre Marriage

Posted on July 16, 2018 by Debi Walter

MEDIOCRE. Just the sound of it is blah, don’t you think? I looked up the definition and found this interesting… One of the things that is remarkable about mediocre is the extent to which it has retained its meaning over … Continue reading →

Posted in Boredom, Christian Marriage, Difficulty, Growing Strong Marriages, Priorities, Troubled Marriage | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on 11 Possible Indicators You Have A Mediocre Marriage

Marriage Markers to See and Follow

Posted on July 2, 2018 by Debi Walter

Tom and I visited Sequoia National Park several years ago. We decided to hike a trail through the giant trees. We were encouraged to try a shorter trail requiring little experience. As we headed out we found one that said … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Marriage, Encouraging Your Spouse, Growing Strong Marriages, The Gospel & Marriage, Wisdom in Marriage | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Marriage Markers to See and Follow

Where Will This Trail Lead?

Posted on June 22, 2018 by Debi Walter

Summer. The time when many of us plan family vacations to see places we’ve not seen before. I know some friends who have made it their goal to visit every National Park in America, and so far they’ve made it … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life, Wisdom in Marriage | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Where Will This Trail Lead?

Is Your View Of Marriage Too Small?

Posted on June 7, 2018 by Debi Walter

If you are a parent you know the challenge it is getting your child to see the big picture of why they do things. I remember asking my children to pick up their room cluttered with every toy from their … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Encouragement, Christian Marriage, Growing Strong Marriages, Sexual Intimacy, The Gospel & Marriage | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Is Your View Of Marriage Too Small?

Vintage Post – Meet The Gardners

Posted on May 4, 2018 by Debi Walter

(originally posted on April 23, 2013) Have you ever heard your spouse talk about someone over and over, but never had the chance to meet them? Someone they had met before you were together? You’ve heard so much about them … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Marriage, Death and Grieving, Growing Strong Marriages, Seasons of Life | Tagged | Comments Off on Vintage Post – Meet The Gardners