Thinking the Best of Our Spouse
Stinkin' Thinkin'
Sheila Gregoire, author of "9 Thoughts That Can Change Your Marriage," reflects on her early years of marriage. After she decided to change her way of thinking, her marriage began to improve.
Starting Over
Author Shauna Shanks felt wave after wave of discouragement, but she refused to give up on her marriage. She shares what inspired her to give herself completely in obedience to God's word. Shanks remembers the day when she gave her wedding ring back, and recalls with joy the day her husband put it back on her finger again.
Persisting in Love
Author Shauna Shanks never imagined her husband would ask for a divorce after ten years of marriage. But she made a decision not to give up. She also decided not to base her love on her feelings, but to love her husband based on what the Scriptures teach in 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter. Her husband, Micah, resisted her at first. Then he admitted to having an affair. Shanks cried out to God. Find out how her perseverance and patience paid off.
For Better or Worse
Spring break 2003 couldn't have been better for college co-ed Shauna Shanks. That's when her boyfriend, Micah, proposed at the bottom of the Golden Gate bridge. They were blissfully unaware of the future challenges. After all they both loved Jesus and each other, so what could go wrong? Marriage happened, children arrived quickly, and work was hard to come by. As the years passed resentment and restlessness began to set in. Shanks tells of the shock she felt when Micah asked for a divorce ten years into the marriage.
Changing the Way You Relate
Author Laura Taggart, a licensed marriage and family therapist, explains how the wounds and lessons of childhood carry over into our marriages. This often leads us to overreact to situations that might confuse our spouse, and even us. Once we understand our spouse's past, we can extend compassion. Taggart encourages listeners to fully embrace their identity in Christ, and to start seeing themselves, and their mate, through His eyes.
Overcoming Despair
Licensed marriage and family therapist Laura Taggart knows what it's like to despair over your marriage. Taggart explains how the wheels fell off her marriage around year 13 when her husband decided he'd had enough of her criticism and left for a brief time. That's when Taggart knew she and her husband had to do something different for the sake of their marriage and their children. Taggart talks about conflict she sees couples having, and explains how marrying later in life often leads to high expectations, and later, high disillusionment.
The Weight of Debt
At a point in their marriage, D.A. and Elicia Horton had to file for bankruptcy which led them to recognize their need to repent of their greed, which had driven them to live beyond their means in the quest to obtain the American Dream. Now financially stable, the Hortons reflect on what they would say to their younger selves about financial stewardship.
F.E.A.R.
Married in 2003 after almost calling off the wedding, DA and Elicia Horton continued to battle in the early years of marriage. Years later they learned that the Bible was to be used for mutual edification, not ammunition. Becoming parents caused them to take a second look at their behavior and their priorities.
Fighting for a Gospel-Saturated Life
Authors DA and Elicia Horton have had wrestling matches occur in their relationship—first as a dating couple, and then later as newlyweds. Although they had grown up together, their family backgrounds and different communication styles often clashed, lead them to question their engagement, but they sought counseling and went ahead with the wedding.
Needs of Kids Part 2
Dennis and Barbara Rainey spent 28 years parenting their six now grown children. The Raineys gladly share their wisdom about what they learned over the years regarding what every child needs.