God's Knot Blog

Quality time is more about quality than time. We can watch television with our spouse. We can sit in the same room as them, but loving your spouse is taking it to the next step. Creating quality time with your spouse is all about creating quality conversation. It’s not enough for you to be home together in the evenings. If your spouse desires quality time, you need to talk about her/his day- commenting, listening and showing interest. You need to take a moment with your spouse before you are bombarded with children, dinner plans and activities. Gary Chapman says, “Quality...

This book offers some powerful guidelines for creating and sustaining a Christ-centered, thriving, productive marriage. “Marriage is a lot of work. Period.” If couples are willing to pour their hearts into this hard work, the marriage not only sustains but grows and deepens.If marriage is not all about happiness, than what is it about? This book provides six values that work to produce great boundaries in marriage.   Love God first, with all of your heart, mind, soul and strength. Loving your spouse: Seeking the best for the other person no matter whether they deserve it or not. Honesty, accompanied...

In the next few weeks, we will be looking at the 5 love languages: Physical Touch, Acts of Service, Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, and Receiving Gifts. Whether you are preparing for marriage or you have been married for many years, it is vital you and your partner explore how each express and interpret love. In his book, “The 5 Languages”, Gary Chapman says, “The need for love is primary human emotional need. For love, we will climb mountains, cross seas, traverse desert sands, and endure untold hardships. Without love, mountains become unclimbable, seas uncrossable, deserts unbearable, and hardships our...

‘Words of Affirmation’ is not just about kind words. Mark Twain may say, “I can survive for two months on a good compliment,” but your spouse may need more than just a couple of complements. Encouraging Words: We each have areas in our lives where we lack courage. Through our spouse’s encouragement, we can reach our full potential. Through encouraging words, we can show our spouse we believe in their abilities. (Example: You are a great guitar player; you should find an open mic night in town. I think others would really enjoy your music.) Kind Words: We have the...

The wife says “I have nothing to wear.” What does she mean? “I have nothing new”. The husband says “I have nothing to wear.” What does he mean? “I have nothing clean.” :) Emerson Eggerichs, author of Love and Respect recently spoke at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, WI about the “Crazy Cycle” in marriage. It was an excellent look at how husbands and wives interact and view the world differently by design. You can find out more about Love and Respect ministries on their website at: loveandrespect.com