“I’m still here.”

Me” boundaries are rules you personally practice on your own. Here are some of the most effective examples: 1. I will listen first before speaking. “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger” (James 1:19). The one who listens first consistently has the advantage in a fight. You should always approach sensitive issues by respectfully asking questions rather than making assumpt...

Are you willing to bend to demonstrate love to your spouse? Or are you refusing to give in because of pride? If it doesn’t matter in the long run—especially in eternity—then giving up your rights will be a loving way to bring delight and honor to the one you love. It will likely be good for you and for your marriage. Surrendering a battle may actually be the best way to greater victory. TODAY'S DA...

Whenever a husband looks into the eyes of his wife, he should remember that “he who loves his wife loves himself.” And a wife should remember that when she loves him, she is also giving love and honor to herself. When you look at your mate, you’re looking at a part of you. So treat her well. Speak highly of him. Nourish and cherish the love of your life. TODAY'S DARE How can you warm the heart of...

The Scriptures say that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). This is God’s kind of love. And thankfully—by your choice—it can become your kind of love. But first you must r...

Countless widows and widowers could tell us with tears in their eyes what it would mean for them to have one more chance to greet, kiss, and hold their spouses again. Since we each have no guarantee of tomorrow, every new day with our spouse is a gift from God for us to cherish and enjoy. Think about your greeting. Do you use it well? Does your spouse feel appreciated? Do they feel loved? Even whe...

It is time to let love, humility, and gratefulness destroy any jealousy that springs up in your heart. It’s time to let your mate’s successes draw you closer together and give you greater opportunities to start the music and throw the confetti. TODAY'S DARE Determine to become your spouse’s biggest fan and to reject any thoughts of jealousy. To help you set your heart on your spouse and focus on t...

It’s time to move into the Appreciation Room, to settle down and make it your home. As you choose to meditate on the positives, you will learn that many more wonderful character qualities could be written across these walls. Your spouse is a living, breathing, endless book to be read. Dreams and hopes have yet to be realized. Talents and abilities may be discovered like hidden treasure. But the ch...

Love will lead you to forgive instead of holding a grudge. To be grateful instead of greedy. To be content rather than rushing into more debt. Love encourages you to be happy when someone else succeeds rather than lying awake at night in envy. Love says “share the inheritance” rather than “fight with your relatives.” It reminds you to prioritize your family rather than sacrifice them for a promoti...

Test yourself with these questions: • How does your spouse feel about the way you speak and act around them? • How does your behavior affect your mate’s sense of worth and self-esteem? • Would your husband or wife say you’re a blessing, or that you’re condescending and embarrassing? If you’re thinking that your spouse—not you—is the only one who needs work in this area, you’re likely suffering fro...

When was the last time you spent a few minutes thinking about how you could better understand and demonstrate love to your spouse? What immediate need can you meet? What’s the next event (anniversary, birthday, holiday) you could be preparing for? Great marriages come from great thinking. TODAY'S DARE Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how...

Ask yourself these questions: • Do I truly want what’s best for my husband or wife? • Do I want them to feel loved by me? • Do they believe I have their best interests in mind? • Do they see me as looking out for myself first, or them first? Remember, your partner also has the challenge of learning to love a selfish person. But don’t wait on them to earn your love. Determine to be the first to dem...

It is difficult to demonstrate love when you feel little to no motivation. But love in its truest sense is not based on feelings. Rather, love determines to show thoughtful actions even when there seems to be no reward. You will never learn to love until you learn to demonstrate kindness. First. TODAY'S DARE In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, do at least one unexpec...

This Love Dare journey is a process, and the first thing you must resolve to do is to demonstrate patience on a daily basis. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. But it’s a race worth running. Since we should never stop loving, we should never stop showing patience. It should be refreshed in supply every morning as the sun rises. TODAY'S DARE The first part of this dare is fairly simple. Altho...

A WARNING from the authors & 5 QUESTIONS answered by the authors. Receive this as a warning. This forty-day journey cannot be taken lightly. It is a challenging and often difficult process, but an incredibly fulfilling one. To take this dare requires a resolute mind and a steadfast determination. It is not meant to be sampled or briefly tested, and those who quit early will forfeit the greatest be...

Hope, healing and the power of an open heart. The pain you feel today is the pain you can heal. It’s no secret that those who are closest to us can effect us the most profoundly. Reeling from the trail, we build walls around our hearts to protect us from the heart-ache, yet these are the very walls that block us from seeing hope, receiving healing and feeling love.

Why are we afraid? Do we have a choice?

Moving forward when it feels like your going backwards.

Hire, fire.

In the middle of the pain. There’s no sunshine when it rains; until their is.

What to do when your neighbor’s weeds crowd your garden.

Does admitting you made a mistake unnerve you? How about admitting that you were wrong? If you’re anything like me this chapter will help you choose your relationship rather than choosing to be right.

While earning my undergrad I can remember taking more credits than I probably should have. When I'd open up my syllabi from the 6 or 7 classes I'd begin to feel myself get anxious. Then fearful, stupid, embarrassed, determined, angry, committed, eventually exhausted.

In this episode I uncover my tendency to allow obstacles and perfectionism to thwart my success. Reference Jon Acuff "Finish" Giving yourself the gift of done.

How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues