The Session: Important Marriage Tips

Colossians 3:13-14 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

From Focus on the Family, these tips:

Do Make Jesus The Center of Your Marriage.

Don’t Embrace UnGodly Trends

Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Ephesians 5:33 "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

Be Quick to Listen, Not Quick to Get Angry

James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

The Communication Highway is vital here.

Do Use Your Words to Encourage, Don’t Use them to Harm or Manipulate

James 3:8 "But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Celebrate Each other

Do Be Willing to Forgive, Don’t Hold Grudges

I Corinthians 13:5 "It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

“The Best Marriage Advice I have Ever Heard”, From Cara Joiner

In Scripture we find that forgiveness is an action made in the midst of negative feelings, making it a beautiful expression of love.

Stay Emotionally Connected

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

I Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Forgiveness. Healing, Prayer and Scripture Fuel Emotional Connection

Physical intimacy ( Bedroom Olympics 😀)

It is an essential aspect of a passionate marriage. In Song of Solomon 1:2, the Bible celebrates the physical union of husband and wife: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – for your love is more delightful than wine.”

Investing Time And Effort

Maintaining physical intimacy – from caring hugs to satisfying sex – helps keep the passion alive in your marriage. Make physical affection a regular part of your daily routine. Hold hands, hug, kiss, and cuddle.

Gottman’s Marriage Tips

Turn Toward Instead of Away:

Respond positively to small bids for connection (e.g., a glance, a touch, a question) rather than ignoring them.

Nurture Fondness and Admiration: Regularly express appreciation and respect to build a positive, supportive environment.

The Magic Six Hours:

Dedicate 6 hours per week to your relationship, including parting, reunions, admiration, affection, and weekly dates.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: It’s not normal!

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Every February, Tom & Scott celebrate “Love Month”. Mostly because Valentine’s Day is also Tom’s Anniversary (celebrating 51 years this year!). We also this to celebrate God’s gift of marriage, and to encourage you in your marriage.

Not much in the notes this time, just 7 “It’s not normal” thoughts from marriage coaches Tommy and Dianne McCollister:

It’s not normal to not have intimacy for weeks

It’s not normal to neglect emotional connection

It’s not normal to consistently feel unhappy in your marriage

It’s not normal to always prioritize parenting over your partner

It’s not normal to avoid spending quality time together

It’s not normal to prefer work over your home

It’s not normal to have nothing to talk about with your spouse

Here’s the link to the YouTube video Tom and I talked through on these 2 episodes:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ufVHSRSx32E?si=f9IVAjRwW_bz5WkK

If your marriage is full of these “It’s not normals”, get the normal back in your marriage by contacting Tom today. Thanks for listening!

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: It’s not normal!

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Every February, Tom & Scott celebrate “Love Month”. Mostly because Valentine’s Day is also Tom’s Anniversary (celebrating 51 years this year!). We also this to celebrate God’s gift of marriage, and to encourage you in your marriage.

Not much in the notes this time, just 7 “It’s not normal” thoughts from marriage coaches Tommy and Dianne McCollister:

It’s not normal to not have intimacy for weeks

It’s not normal to neglect emotional connection

It’s not normal to consistently feel unhappy in your marriage

It’s not normal to always prioritize parenting over your partner

It’s not normal to avoid spending quality time together

It’s not normal to prefer work over your home

It’s not normal to have nothing to talk about with your spouse

Here’s the link to the YouTube video Tom and I talked through on these 2 episodes:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ufVHSRSx32E?si=f9IVAjRwW_bz5WkK

If your marriage is full of these “It’s not normals”, get the normal back in your marriage by contacting Tom today. Thanks for listening!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.