Making Daily Connecting Intentional
by Dr. Gary Chapman  

All of us know couples who seem to have a genuine sense of "oneness".  Unfortunately, most of us know couples who seem unable to "get it together."   

The major difference between these two types of couples is that one has developed positive patterns of communication while the other has not.  One makes time for conversation, while the other simply lets things happen.

Verbal conversation is the primary process by which we share life.  You will never know what I'm thinking unless I tell you and you choose to listen.   

What's so hard about that?  The hardest part is making time to talk and listen.   

Why not schedule a daily conversation time, just as you schedule time for lunch?  Typically, we do what we plan to do.

Article is based on the book,   The Marriage You've Always Wanted BIBLE STUDY by Dr. Gary Chapman. Published by Moody Publishers.  For a complete listing of Dr. Chapman's resources, click here. 

How Wives Can Help Husbands Grow
by Dr. Gary Chapman   

Love is a two way street.  If a wife wants to enhance her husband's ability to give her emotional love, perhaps her greatest influence will be in loving him.   

In my book, The Five Love Languages, I talk about the importance of discovering your husbands primary love language - the thing that really makes him feel loved: words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, physical touch, or acts of service.  Once you discover it, pour it on.   

Husbands are drawn to wives who are meeting their emotional need for love.

Can you do it...even if he is not loving you?  God did.  He loved us when we were unlovely.   

"But that's God.  I'm me."  I know, but you are God's child and He can empower you to love an unlovely spouse.   

I've seen it many times.  A wife chooses to speak her husband's love language, even though she doesn't feel loved by him.  He warms up and in time begins expressing her love language.  Can emotional love be re-born in a marriage? You bet.  But someone must begin the process.  Why not you?

This week, Dr. Chapman gives practical ideas on how wives can help their husbands grow.  This content comes from a chapter entitled "For Wives Only: The Fine Art of Encouragement" in the book, The Family You've Always Wanted.

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.

Romans 6:17