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Married 4 Life
Join a growing list of couples who are committing to be married for life.
View all of our previous M4L E-Weekly newsletters. Read and post comments on each one.
Go To Bed Early - 02/24/2009
For communication purposes only, turn off the television and put down the newspaper and go to bed with your spouse. Share a time of holding each other and talking about your day before fading int ...
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No Mind Games - 02/17/2009
The only game you shouldn't play with your spouse is "the mind game." Be careful not to let your experience in controlling situations and use of body language selfishly manipulate your spouse's de ...
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Soak It Up - 02/10/2009
Spouses don't frequently complement each other. It's not because they aren't thinking something nice about each other, but they may not say it because they've been together so long and don't feel ...
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Let's Get Physical - 01/20/2009
One of the best ways to love your spouse is to make sure they take care of themselves. If they abuse their body by overworking, overeating, not exercise, etc., seek to lovingly encourage them to m ...
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Let It Go! - 01/13/2009
You know-that one little thing you do that drives your spouse nuts. The one that's caused countless arguments. Let it GO! Stop doing it! If you don't, it's only going to cause more frustration a ...
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A New Year! - 12/31/2008
A new year is almost upon us. Get together with your spouse and reminisce about your relationship over the past year. What was good, what would you like to forget and where can you improve. Then ...
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Merry Christmas Sweetheart - 12/23/2008
Christmas is just a few days away. You and your spouse have probably been rushing around buying gifts, cleaning the house, and baking some fabulous treats for the holidays without spending any tim ...
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Hobby Heaven - 12/16/2008
Here's a great idea. You know your spouse's hobby, right? Next time they get involved with it - join them! Perhaps even suggest it when they don't expect it. Go have fun together. It's possibl ...
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The Gift - 12/09/2008
This is a season for giving regardless of what holiday you celebrate. Have you gotten into the spirit of giving yet for your spouse? A gift doesn't have to cost a lot to be meaningful as long as ...
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Let Love Win - 11/04/2008
Determine in your heart that you will always love your spouse. You're committed to stay married for life. When it's better, let love win. When it's worse... let love win!
Is it importa ...
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Encourage Openness - 10/28/2008
Create an environment in which each of you feels free to share true feelings. Honesty and openness - without fear of rebuke - will build your relationship and give you confidence. It's important ...
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Benefit Of The Doubt - 10/16/2008
Instead of assuming where your spouse is headed in a conversation or assuming why he/she took a certain action, let them have the opportunity to explain their reasons for the behavior. Then seek ...
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Don't Panic - 10/14/2008
If you have the tendency to panic when unexpected news comes your way, work on changing that behavior. Your spouse may fear telling you certain things because of your reactions. Your panic could ...
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Use Positive Phrases - 09/30/2008
Build self-esteem. Some examples are:
"You've made me the happiest man/woman in the world."
"Our children are blessed to have a mom/dad like you."
"I love you."
"You're beauti ...
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Top Ten List - 09/17/2008
Make a list of the top ten qualities you love about your spouse. Post them in a prominent place in your home. Point to them and have fun with them. Hearing praise can never get old.
Ca ...
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Say "I Love You" With Your Actions - 09/10/2008
Take out the trash. Change the light bulb. Fix a hole in the wall. Put the lid down. Pick up your newspapers. Take care of your dirty clothes. Wipe your feet. Wash the dishes. Do all of this ...
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Couples can be lonely - 08/27/2008
Even in marriage, spouses can feel lonely or isolated. Seek to bring couples and friends into your life that will help you build relationships with others. Pray for the Lord to send people into yo ...
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Read to Them - 08/19/2008
Ask your spouse to choose their favorite book. Then invite them to lie on the couch with their head in your lap as you read it to them. This definitely requires a servant's heart, but it will be ...
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Special Treats - 08/12/2008
This idea can be such a delight for your spouse. Sometime, when he/she mentions something that would be delicious to eat, surprise him/her by making it immediately. It's best if you keep it a secr ...
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Apologize - 07/30/2008
If you're wrong, say it. Stubbornness is simply selfishness.
Selfishness destroys marriages. You're going to be just as wrong
tomorrow as you are right now, so stop reading and apologi ...
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Kill the "Zingers" - 07/22/2008
One negative comment to your spouse will offset twenty-five wonderful statements you have already made. Work at speaking "kind" to your mate. See how long you can go without saying anything harmfu ...
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Time Away - 07/16/2008
Every couple needs time away with each other. Remind your spouse of the joy you feel when you have that private, focused time. Make sure plans are made for an upcoming experience together. This is ...
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Wear His Shirts - 07/08/2008
Many husbands love for their wives to wear their shirts to sleep in, relax around the house in, etc. This creates a certain level of intimacy which only a husband and wife should and can share. As ...
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Become More Knowledgeable - 06/24/2008
There is probably some interest or hobby your spouse enjoys that you're "clueless" about (i.e. sports, scrapbooking, card collecting, knitting, etc.). Read up on it. Surprise him/her by asking que ...
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Just a Big Kid - 06/17/2008
Sometimes, husbands are just big kids at heart. They need the same things children need: love, encouragement, and someone to nurse them when they're sick. Don't tell them you're doing it, but love ...
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Leave a Note - 06/10/2008
When you leave the house, put a note on the bathroom mirror reminding your spouse of your love and that you will be thinking of him/her today. Don't stop there! Leave notes in other places where y ...
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Take a Walk - 05/27/2008
On the spur of the moment, ask your spouse to join you for a walk. Take a stroll on the beach, down a favorite street, or in the park. Find a place your spouse finds peaceful and go there. Talk ab ...
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Hold Hands - 05/20/2008
The next time you're walking together, snuggle up beside your spouse and take his/her hand. It makes him/her feel special and creates unity. This simple act of love is a public display of your com ...
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Keep a Journal - 05/13/2008
Write down things that occur in your marriage. Include both good times and bad. From time to time, look back and recall some great moments to share how other no-so-great moments have strengthened ...
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Send Secret Signals - 04/30/2008
Send Secret Signals Establish a secret signal - a nod of the head, a wink of the eye, or some such notion - that means something special to the two of you. Using your secret signals allows you to ...
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Give a Good-Bye Hug and Kiss - 04/22/2008
This old favorite is hard to beat. There are no guarantees that you will get another chance to show your love. Always leave your husband or wife with a hug and a kiss, so that their last memory of ...
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Honor Their Goals - 04/15/2008
Do you know your spouse's goals and aspirations? If not, take time to find out what they are. Discuss them with him/her and encourage them to accomplish each one. Assist in whatever way you can. ...
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Help Her With Commitments - 04/08/2008
Wives seem to have many diverse responsibilities. How many men do you know who volunteer at school, bake cookies for the bake sale, help with homework, make a dozen phone calls and balance the che ...
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Relieve Him/Her of Worry - 03/25/2008
If your spouse tends to worry, seek to build her trust by reminding them of God's love and provision. Share with them Matthew 6:27, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Cont ...
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On Long Trips - 03/18/2008
The next time you go on a trip, buy some of his/her favorite treats and put them in the glove compartment or another concealed place in the car. After a while, reach in and pull out a surprise to ...
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Listen... - 03/11/2008
Normally, women are better listeners than men. Sometimes men attempt to communicate deeper issues, but don?t know how. Listen for these deeper issues. Try to help your husband communicate. Ask ...
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Compliment Your Spouse in Public - 02/26/2008
When the opportunity arises, share complimentary statements about your spouse when you?re out with family and friends. Talk openly about your love and admiration for him/her. Find the good and c ...
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Since You Know His/Her Weakness - 02/19/2008
Be sure to encourage and support your spouse in prayer in this critical area. So many times we focus on the weakness and only make the problem worse. According to scripture, you are one fle ...
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LOVE GOES TO THE PLAY - 02/12/2008
We were sitting across from each other in two aisle seats on a flight from Georgia to Michigan. His gray suit and glasses gave him a distinguished air, but he seemed approachable too, so I st ...
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Build Confidence - 01/29/2008
Every person is gifted in some way - most of us have many talents. Look for opportunities to tell your husband/wife how gifted he/she is. Focus on those little talents that make him/her ...
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Prepare a Bubble Bath For Your Wife - 01/22/2008
After dinner, excuse yourself and prepare a warm bath with perfumed bubbles. Lay out a towel with mints and escort her to this unexpected surprise. If she desires, help her undress. Assure ...
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Get Organized - 01/15/2008
Never be caught off guard because of your failure to communicate with your husband/wife. Put your appointments on his/her calendar. Know when doctor and dentist visits are scheduled. Becom ...
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Admit Your Mistakes - 01/08/2008
Don?t get into the rut of blaming others and never taking responsibility for your mistakes. The Bible teaches us that the husband is to love his wife as Christ loved the church. As you admi ...
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UNIQUE COOKIES - 12/25/2007
Bake some cookies and write little love phrases on each one. Make hearts with your names on them. Attempt to decorate one by drawing a picture of yourself on it. The goal is to get you spending ...
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BACK TO THE BASICS - 12/18/2007
Why did you fall in love with your husband/wife? Take time to recall your first few dates together and talk about what you did. Are those same flames still burning? If so, be thankful and talk ...
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What best describes your marriage? - 12/14/2007
a. Boxing gloves
b. Magnets
c. Oil and water
d. Koolaid mix and water
Think about what others see in your relationship. Do they want what others have or use you a ...
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Banner Of Love - 12/07/2007
Make a banner to hang across a room in the house or even on the outside of the house. On it, write a slogan for your spouse. (Example: I LOVE YOU___________________, WORLD?S BEST HUSBAND/WIFE) ...
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Be Thankful - 11/23/2007
Holidays are fun times, but sometimes the busyness causes stress in marriages. Enjoy the day and the extended time off work. Commit to not arguing about anything, but instead agree to laugh often ...
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Do something nice - 11/16/2007
Ask your spouse to join you in doing something nice for someone else without getting caught. Go buy some groceries or gas cards for a neighbor, a coworker, or someone you both know who could use ...
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Help kids with their homework - 11/09/2007
As we go through the school year there are days when our own homework seems to be overwhelmed by the kids' work. If you have children, you need to help each other cope with this sometimes stress ...
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Clown Around - 10/26/2007
Have fun together. Laugh. Sometimes just be silly and roll on the floor or play along with a silly game. Touch. Laugh again. Too often this is an ingredient that gets left behind after the "I ...
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Stop Whining When You're Sick - 09/28/2007
We men are usually worse than children, aren't we? We make loud moaning noises to get attention. We ask for all sorts of favors and pretend like we're going to die. When women get sick, they ju ...
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Sound The Music - 09/21/2007
Sing around the house-it sets a mood and lets people know you're happy. You might not be able to sing at all, but a melody will be contagious in your home. If you simply refuse to sing, then at le ...
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Hide some chocolate - 09/14/2007
Stash little (or big) pieces of chocolate or your spouse's favorite candy in places where you know he or she will find it. Attach a note that reminds them why they're as sweet as candy. Then share ...
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Accept your spouse - 08/30/2007
Romans 15:7 states, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." It's obvious we're all different. Sometimes it seems the person we married is totall ...
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Send a Single Red Rose - 08/24/2007
Begin a tradition of sending your spouse a single red rose or a box of candy on some particular day. Send it on the same day every year. Let it become your own holiday. Consider taking this day ...
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Try Love Listening - 08/17/2007
When your spouse is talking to you, look at her/him and listen carefully. Be thinking about what you are saying to each other and absorb each word rather than preparing your counter statement. W ...
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Love how they look! - 08/10/2007
Tell your spouse you love how he/she looks. Yes you're right-looks shouldn't determine how you feel about your spouse. But we all know it matters. That's why it's important to do what you can to ...
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