Listen Up My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. –James 1:19 Listening doesn't come easily for most people. It is a skill that must be cultivated, and it takes time, self-control, and a genuine desire to seek understanding to be proficient
By Ashley McIlwain Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? Mark 8:18 “You hurt me so badly! I am devastated!” says the wife. “Well, you hurt me too, and you don’t know what I’m up against at work,” replies the husband. “You don’t care at all about me!”
By Ashley McIlwain If I’m being very honest, I’m not one who cares much for watching television. Rarely do I turn it on when I’m home alone because I’d prefer a good book, social outing, or checking off an item from my to do list. Most of the time, TV just isn’t my first or
By Ashley McIlwain Perhaps you’ve seen it. It’s a blog post that’s gone viral called Marriage Isn’t For You. I’ve had countless people send the link my way telling me that I need to check it out, so I did. In the blog, a newly married husband shares about some wise advice his father gave
By Ashley McIlwain One of the unique qualities of marriage is the intimacy that lies within this sacred, one-of-a-kind relationship. The deep level of intimacy shared by a husband and wife is unrivaled by any other relationship we will come in contact with. Choosing someone, out of a world full of possible people, to spend
By Ashley McIlwain You’ve been waiting for this moment. A break away from work, responsibilities, and the kids. It’s just you and your spouse … finally. It’s more of a rare occasion than you’d like to admit, but here you are. But now what? There’s a moment of panic as the awkward silence takes over.
By Dr. Jeff Klick When I served as an associate pastor for a large church, one perk received was the privilege of hosting many of the biggest names in Christianity. From picking them up at the airport, to taking them to dinner, it was enjoyable to see the celebrities in their own skin, and not
By Ashley McIlwain Husbands are interesting creatures. They are so different from us women in too many ways to count, and while that can be incredibly frustrating, it’s also a wonderful blessing. They can make our day, and they can turn our world upside down. They can make us feel like we’re the most loved
By Ashley McIlwain Inevitably, as a couple, you will make many big decisions during the course of your relationship. From whether to get married, what kind of wedding you’ll have, kids or no kids, how many kids, where to live, when to buy a house, what kind of house to buy, how to handle finances,
By Ricinda Perry We have all been there … challenges with our in-laws. While reading this article, keep in mind that when you married your spouse, his or her family became your family. When we were dating, we liked to show the good side of our family and the good side of our spouse to
