Bill Arbuckle is the Special Projects Manager for the Marriage team at Focus on the Family.
Bill Arbuckle is the Special Projects Manager for the Marriage team at Focus on the Family.
How do you avoid a politically divided marriage when the person on the other side of your bed is also on the other side of the political aisle?
What should you do if your spouse’s flaws drive you crazy? Give grace? Or should you confront it because it’s missing God’s mark?
As a Marriage 911 mentor, you spend time caring for others. Make sure you’re practicing godly self-care as well.
The church is ready. Your mentor team is trained. And you’ve just had a couple request a Marriage 911 mentor. Now what?
Forgiving your spouse is never easy. It means letting go of an offense. It means giving grace instead of nurturing a grudge. How do you do that?
Marriage conferences not only save marriages, they can help good relationships grow stronger. They made all the difference for this couple.
Adobe Image Stock/@Grustock Mentoring and Emotional Walls So, there you are. You’re finally sitting down for a Marriage 911 session with your mentee. There’s a bit of small talk, a few questions about the previous week, and then it’s time to talk about …
Interested in attending a Focus Marriage Conference? Visit us at one of these locations. 2022 Events SEMINARDATELOCATIONCHURCHResGen ConferenceJanuary 27-28, 2022Sioux Falls, SDRestoration GenerationLove Laugh PursueFebruary 18, 2021Fulton, MOHam’s Pra …
Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming! (Song of Solomon 2:15, NLT). What are married roommates? The phrase “married roommates” can look very different depending on the couple. …
Join Dr. Greg and Erin Smalley on Facebook Live as they share ideas and insights to strengthen your relationship.
Get the tools, assessments, articles and videos mentioned during the Reconnected Group Study.
Intimacy is a lifelong invitation to let your spouse get to know the “real you” — your hopes, dreams, fears and secrets.
While are no spiritual laws for vacuuming or dusting, the Bible has things to say about how couples can deal with chores. But it’s not easy.
Two things bring a chill to the Thanksgiving holiday: an unexpected blizzard and an invitation to the annual family dinner. While you may spend a few days digging out from the snowfall, the fallout from a family get-together can last several years. So, …
Growing together as a couple is like growing a garden. Your spouse and your relationship need daily encouragement.
The sign of a healthy marriage is not the absence of conflict, but the love and respect shown amid the conflict.
Pastor Appreciation is more than a once-a-year event. Start by praying for your pastor’s family and your pastor’s marriage.
There is no secret formula to a lifelong love. It takes commitment. It takes work. And it takes time. Time spent together.
On a scale of one to 10 — with 10 being the highest — where do you rate your marriage? Good communication can make your marriage stronger.
Join the Perfect 10 Marriage Event from Focus on the Family! Saturday, October 10, 8:30 p.m. EST. Premieres on YouTube.
The best marriage advice says you can’t fix your spouse. But God specializes in fixing broken things. He cares about your marriage.
Don’t go to be angry. You’ve heard it before. Why is it important? The Bible has much to say about anger and the damage it causes a marriage.
Life doesn’t always happen according to plan. This is our family’s story of an unexpected loss and the unexpected blessings we’ve received.
Marriage begins with a promise to love. But promises are empty words unless the couple acts on them. Love is a verb. It requires action.
Getting Started Watch today’s Marriage Meditation video.Read today’s marriage devotion.Share today’s question with your spouse. https://youtu.be/LLEIEYRmMdg Today’s Devotion Scripture Reading Galatians 5:22-23 — “The fruit of the Spirit is … self-contr …
The Fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. Gentleness is often misunderstood, but when applied to your marriage, gentleness can strengthen your relationship.
Learn how to avoid an angry marriage by memorizing these six verses and asking God to remind you of them when you’re tempted to lash out at your spouse.
The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. Faithfulness means more than keeping your wedding vows. It involves being consistent, reliable and trustworthy.
The fruit of the Spirit is goodness. What does goodness look like in our marriage? (Hint: It might be tougher than you’d think!)
Kindness is “goodness in action.” You spouse has areas in his or her life where they need to see your kindness. Are you willing to give it?
If peace means resting in another’s promises, we can bring peace to our marriage by trusting our spouse and by becoming a trustworthy husband or wife.
It’s easy to be angry. But God challenges us to live differently. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us “The fruit of the Spirit is … patience.”
Investing in your marriage doesn’t have to be difficult. Start with a simple conversation every day, plan a weekly date night and then an annual adventure!
Joy is a gift from God that — when we choose it — can fill our marriage with contentment, confidence and hope.
Grow your marriage with these marriage devotions from Focus on the Family.
It’s hard to imagine, but there’s a significant number of families who don’t have enough to eat. Maybe that’s an opportunity for couples who want to help.
Love is essential to marriage. It’s also one of the fruits of the Spirit. A life-long love requires God’s help to stay together when the feelings fade.
Trust is scary. It’s never easy to trust your husband. What should you do if God is asking you to trust your husband?
Kind words are important to our marriage. We can use words that encourage our spouse or we can use words that hurt them. Which words will you choose?
If you’re a front-line worker, you and your spouse may be dealing with the extra stress caused by the coronavirus. Need help? Here’s where to start.
Your marriage needs commitment. Especially a commitment to time with your spouse. Make the most of the little moments and watch your marriage grow.
When your marriage isn’t what you expected and you feel disappointed, how can you get back the spark?
Family finances are taking a hit during the COVID-19 crisis. If you and your spouse are facing financial changes, here are five tips to help.
Divorce rates in China have increased since the coronavirus lockdown was relaxed. Will America see a rise in divorce rates as well? What is the real story?
Marriage takes two, but for a marriage to succeed, both spouses need to practice emotional self-care. Here’s how to start.
As more people are quarantined because of the coronavirus pandemic, authorities expect the number of domestic violence incidents to increase. Here’s what you can do.
COVID 19 — the “coronavirus” — is changing how we live, work and connect with others. It’s also affecting family finances as businesses close or reduce hours to help lower the risk of spreading the virus. Because the changes in the market will affect f …
It’s not easy to see your husband’s imperfections and then choose to let him lead your family. But respecting your husband can make him a better man.
A growing number of Americans hide credit cards and bank accounts from spouses. Financial infidelity can damage your bottom line and destroy your marriage.
Many spouses refuse to accept responsibility for hurtful words. But when those words create emotional barriers, it’s difficult to communicate.
Love is in the air, and Hallmark movies are on the air this Valentine’s Day. Is it possible to sit down and — gasp! — actually enjoy a romance movie with your wife?
Adobe Stock/Master1305 Bring a Marriage 911 Training to Your Church Focus on the Family offers online and in-person training for your Marriage 911 ministry. This day-long training gives leaders and mentors the tools to walk alongside a couple in crisis …
Stressed about finding the right Valentine’s Day gift? Start with these four helpful hints that will remind your wife how much you love her.
Critics praise the way Marriage Story portrays a couple in crisis, but film reviewer Paul Asay says there’s a powerful message behind Marriage Story.
The Church of England announced its stance on sex and marriage. You might be surprised how they define it.
Finding work-life balance isn’t easy. But it’s important for the health of your marriage. Here are four ways to start.
Follow these steps to get started as a Marriage 911 lead mentor couple.
After identifying a lead mentor couple for your Marriage 911 program, seek couples in your church who can mentor others.
Finding a lead mentor couple is the first step to creating a successful Marriage 911 ministry in your church.
Mentors and mentees should schedule time each week to read through lessons and prepare for weekly meetings.
Two-thirds of pastors see signs of domestic violence among attendees. Does your Marriage 911 team have a plan to help victims and families?
What is the difference between a Marriage 911 mentor and a counselor?
Harry and Meghan are special, but you don’t have to be a prince or princess to treat your spouse like royalty.
Did Oprah get it right? Does marriage mean sacrificing your goals, plans and identity? Or does marriage offer something more?
It’s just a TV show. Nothing that happens on “Real Housewives” is “real.” Right? Meghan King Edmonds seemed to think her husband’s problem was real. Real enough that it led to the couple’s separation. Edmonds announced via podcast she had separated fro …
Your wedding is a one-day event. Your marriage lasts a lifetime. Divorce-proof your marriage by answering these three important questions.
Couples come clean about household chores and share what they’re willing to trade to avoid cleaning house.
Once you identify these money mistakes in your marriage, you can take steps to get your finances — and your marriage — on track.
Surveys find that divorce rates drop by 30 percent or more when engaged couples seek premarital counseling.
All lovers know there is a price for love. And God – who is love – knows more than anyone else the cost of great love.
If you and your spouse want to stop fighting, then it’s time to remember that you and your spouse are a team.
What difference might the joy of seeing Christ make in your home?
Though He came to earth already, we’re waiting for Jesus to return. Waiting is difficult but not passive. It should involve preparation.
Focus on the Family invites you and your spouse to celebrate Advent. To pause from the hectic pace of the holiday season and remember those who waited for God’s promised Son, to hope in His Word and to rest in His love.
Focus on the Family invites you and your spouse to celebrate Advent. To pause from the hectic pace of the holiday season and remember those who waited for God’s promised Son, to hope in His Word and to rest in His love.
Has God given you and your spouse a shared goal or a vision for your marriage? It’s time to identify it and act on it together.
Your spouse can’t meet all your needs. The remedy is godly self-care — seeking Him as your source of fulfillment.
A healthy marriage flourishes when both partners support each other’s growth while seeking God’s guidance.
When the world asks us about marriage, let’s respond by pointing them to Jesus’ timeless words. God’s design is not just relevant; it’s essential.