Marriage Development

A mismatch blessed by heaven... If your husband does not share your faith, you may feel like you are walking a tightrope of spiritual survival - guarding the flame of your belief in Christ, yet unable to share it with the person you love most in the world. But your spiritually mismatched marriage can be a vibrant, blessed relationship where you’re free to grow in love with God and your man!

How we communicate with one another matters—especially in a marriage. The Bible reminds us to use words that build up our spouses, not tear them down. Whether your marriage is a verbal war zone or just needs a little help in the communication arena, both you and your spouse will benefit from the encouragement in this book. This devotional is not a program to do better; it unveils how God helps you to be better.

In the winter of 2009, Rachel Cusk’s marriage of 10 years came to an end. Candid and revelatory, Aftermath chronicles the perilous journey as the author redefines herself and creates a new version of family life for her daughters. She discovers previously unknown strengths and freedoms, but also finds herself suddenly vulnerable to outsiders, unwelcome advice, social displacement, and the absence of a clear authority. The pressure to reconstruct a “normal” life for her daughters competes with the sense that nothing feels normal at all.

Preparing for Marriage God's Way is a marriage counseling resource that uses thoughtful self-examination to reveal the personalities, background, and expectations that you and your partner are bringing to your union. Through rigorous Bible study, you will learn about God's expectations for marriage and be equipped with his solutions for dealing with typical marriage conflicts. Three follow-up lessons after your marriage help you to reflect on all that's happened after you said, "I do."

In this book, we'll explore various aspects of what it takes to be a better spouse, including effective communication, emotional intelligence, spending quality time together, resolving conflicts, supporting your partner, and taking care of yourself. Each chapter will provide practical tips and strategies that you can implement right away to improve your marriage.

No matter how hard we try, many of us struggle to make love work with our partners. The problem, as clinical psychologist Dr. Ron Frederick explains, is that our brains are running on outdated software. Without us knowing it, our early relationship programming causes us to fear being more emotionally present and authentic with our partners - precisely what’s needed to build loving connections. But we don’t have to remain prisoners to our past.

Are you a parent and partner who is struggling to maintain your identity in your life? Do you feel disconnected from your partner, feel overwhelmed by your parental or marital responsibilities, and yearn for some sense of balance through it all? If you’ve been looking for a book that will help you reclaim power over your life, discover yourself, and build healthy relationships, then look no further; this is the book for you!

Finally! A book about physical intimacy and marital oneness that is comprehensive, in-depth and frank, yet respectfully reverent - written to address the unique perspective and concerns of women, while shining a light into the mysteries of the female heart and mind. And They Were Not Ashamed - Strengthening Marriage through Sexual Fulfillment, by Laura M. Brotherson, is the ultimate how-to handbook, power-packed with hope and help for creating a mutually fulfilling intimate relationship.

We've needlessly turned parenting into an unpleasant chore. Parents invest more time and money in their kids than ever, but the shocking lesson of twin and adoption research is that upbringing is much less important than genetics in the long run. These revelations have surprising implications for how we parent and how we spend time with our kids. The big lesson: Mold your kids less and enjoy your life more. Your kids will still turn out fine. Selfish Reasons to Have More Kids is a book of practical big ideas.

Justin and Trisha Davis know just how dangerous ordinary can be. In this beautifully written book, Justin and Trisha take us inside the slow fade that occurred in their own marriage—each telling the story from their own perspective. Together, they reveal the mistakes they made, the work they avoided, the thoughts and feelings that led to an affair and near divorce, and finally, the heart-change that had to occur in both of them before they could experience the hope, healing, and restoration of a truly extraordinary marriage.

In For Better or Even Better: 7 Lessons on Love & Life from a Non-Monogamist, Lauren shares her deeply personal journey and hard-won insights into building a life and relationships on her own terms. Whether you’re curious about non-monogamy or just want to create deeper connections in any relationship style, this book is your guide.

There is a secret formula for the best sex of your life, but you won't find the recipe in the pages of a checkout-line magazine. Popular relationship expert Dr. Gary Smalley, best-selling author of The Language of Love and The Blessing, finally tackles the topic that's on everybody's mind: sex. With his pastor and good friend, Ted Cunningham, Smalley nudges past our hang-ups and sacred cows to answer the question, How can I have the best sex of my life? The answer?

Respected Christian couples open up about the wisdom that has made the difference in their marriage. Nearly 20 of today’s Christian authors, speakers, and entertainers relay their joys and fears, their triumphs and failures - and the advice that got them through - in this inspiring collection from Focus on the Family. The names of these husbands and wives, like their experiences, will be familiar to anyone who’s ever said, "I do". But the transforming advice these couples received when they needed it most is what will motivate you and your spouse - whether you’re newlyweds or in your golden years - to strengthen your relationship.

If you are in a long-distance relationship or are about to embark upon one, then this book is a great place to start. Being faced with the possibility of a long-distance relationship can be a daunting and frightening experience. No one wants to be separated from those they care dearly for, but sometimes living apart is a practical necessity. And no matter the reasons for the distance, facing the challenge of living apart can be trying and test the strength of your relationship.

Stuck in unhealthy relationship dynamics? Yearning to find (or be) that perfect someone? Can you accept someone while also wanting them to grow? The key to healthy relationships is accepting that real love is messy, imperfect, and a work in progress! Clinical psychologist Dr. Carla Marie Manly's The Joy of Imperfect Love guides listeners on a transformative journey of compassionate, healthy love.

Have you heard that communication is one of the keys to a happy relationship? But do you know how? We've compiled some helpful information in this book to help you make a positive impact on your relationship. Communication is one of the most important ways to foster and strengthen your relationship. Communication is not about the conversation, but rather about how you communicate. The key to communicating in our ship is not talking, but rather communicating.

In the midst of a disagreement, many couples ask themselves, “What are we really fighting about?” Sound familiar? As it turns out, breakups and divorce don’t happen because couples fight, they happen because of how couples fight. In this much-needed book, Judith and Bob Wright—two married counselors and coaches with over thirty years of experience helping couples learn how to fight well—present their tried-and-true methods for exploring the emotions that underlie many relationship fights.

Unlock her mysteries...! Women have been mysteries to themselves and their husbands for too long. Knowing Her Intimately: 12 Keys for Creating a Sextraordinary Marriage is the ultimate how-to handbook power-packed with hope and help for creating the intimate and passionate relationship God intended. Taking a respectful, yet straightforward approach, this "sex-therapy-in-a-book" helps couples navigate the intricacies of intimacy to strengthen their marriages.

Have you felt 'left out' of the traditional relationship self-help books because you derive great pleasure from following your partner's requests and direction on many things in your life? Are your friends and family having difficulty understanding that your relationship works more like a captain and first mate on a boat? If so, this innovative audiobook, Leading and Supportive Love: The Truth About Dominant and Submissive Relationships, can help with new and clearer understanding of yourself, your relationship and acceptance with those that you love and care for.

Do you find yourself constantly interrupting or failing to fully engage in conversations, leading to missed opportunities for connection and growth? Do you struggle with communication breakdowns in your personal or professional life, leading to frustration, stress, and misunderstandings? Listening is the most used communication skill, as you devote 55% of your time to listening during conversations.