The Living Marriages Podcast | Effective Communication, Intimacy, Healthy Habits, Christian Counseling, Christian Parenting

Is sex something that has brought you and your spouse closer together, or has it been a pain point in your marriage? Is sex something you can talk about freely with each other and your kids, or is there a cloud of shame that still hangs over the subject? We are so thrilled to be joined on this episode by the founder of Sex Ed Reclaimed, Kristen Miele as she shares God's heart and vision for the be...

When our kids look at our marriages, what do they see?  Even if you don't have kids, this episode is for you because our marriages matter to others, including the next generation. Join us for this Thursday Thought in which we reflect on and pray about our discussion from Ep. 26 in which we learned that “if we truly want what is best for our children, we need to want what is best for our marriage a...

It's so easy to believe that marriage only matters to a husband and a wife. But as God has really been laying on our hearts, it's time for us to realize that our marriages matter to so many more, especially the next generation. Whether you have kids or not, this episode is for you. Now, to the parents listening - this episode is not a guilt trip about the ways in which your marriage is hurting you...

In Episode 24, we had the privilege of having a conversation with Christie Thomas about the importance of small faith habits in discipling our kids. In this Thursday Thought, April leads us in a time of reflection and prayer, giving us a chance to celebrate with God the little habits we might be sharing in already that form us and our children and asking God to help us build simple, new habits tha...

How do you foster a sense of spiritual connectedness with God and your spouse when you also have the reality of little ones bringing daily joy and chaos? This is a challenge that we share with many of our listeners. That's why we're so excited to chat with Christie Thomas from Little Shoots, Deep Roots about ways in which we can cultivate a deeper spiritual journey "with" our kids instead of "in s...

On this Thursday Thought, please join us for a time of reflection and prayer as we consider the ways God is inviting us to "plant" and "tend" to the small habits in our marriage so that they may grow into the living, connected and intimate marriage he has for us! We'll consider the "mustard seeds" in our marriages as well as invite God, our "master gardener" to come and help us tend, weed and even...

I confess! I (Aaron) love big, radical things! I'm always looking for the "next big idea" that will change our lives and our marriages, the "silver bullet" or "magic formula" that will bring dramatic transformation. However, while we should not discount the big things, I've been learning the ways in which God is inviting us to discover and invest in the small things. When these are done often, wit...

Have you felt at times that God has abandoned or forgotten you? - In times of grief, doubt and confusion, do you worry that he might not care for you the way he promises to in Psalm 23? Grab your Bible, your journal and your favourite beverage and join us for this Thursday Thoughts edition of Living Marriages as April leads us in a time of reflection and prayer in Psalm 23. How can we recognize th...

Do you ever wonder where God is in the valleys of life? If you need hope and encouragement for the journey, this episode is for you! Kyle Brooks, pastor and author of "Through the Valley: 40 Days on Psalm 23 A Lenten Devotional" is our guest. In our conversation, Kyle candidly shares: How he came to write a Lenten devotional based on Psalm 23 How he and his wife Stephanie navigated Kyle's cancer d...

How would you answer these two questions about intimacy in your marriage? Is it safe to love? Is it safe to be loved? If you have positive answers, join us in thanking God that you are able to both give and receive love in your marriage! If you struggle, as many of us do, please don't lose hope. God is for you and your marriage and he wants you to be able to give and receive love in the fullest ex...

When we use the word "intimacy," our culture (and even our churches) have conditioned us to think of what happens in the bedroom, of sexual intimacy. While sexual intimacy is an integral part of marriage, it is not the full picture of what God has created us for and invited us into. There is so much more to intimacy and today's episode is meant to get the conversation going on what intimacy in mar...

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 It is fairly clear that marriages in our society are under attack. In Episode 16, we learned from Braden and Kristen Hafner of Family Life Canada that two of the enemy's strategies to destroy our marriages are subtle: difference and drift. Please join us in this Thursday Thought...

Difference and Drift. These 2 things can be subtle but deadly for our marriages. Have you discovered some differences with your spouse that have left you discouraged? Do you find yourself drifting further and further apart from your partner? We're so excited to share our conversation with Braden and Kristin Hafner of Family Life Canada about God's hope for our marriages! On this episode you'll hea...

As we have wrestled with what Thursday Thoughts episodes could be about, God has brought some fresh vision! What would happen if, every Thursday, we had the space and time to reflect on God's wisdom from that week's Tuesday teaching and pray that God would bring that wisdom to life in our marriages? On this episode: Aaron shares God's vision from Ezekiel 37 for why this two-part approach might mak...

Have you ever paused to consider, that your marriage matters to more than just you and your spouse? In episode 4 of the podcast, our guest, Dr. John Littlejohn said this: "Marriage is about what glorifies God." On today's episode, we look at why our marriages, although they are for our good, also have deep kingdom significance. We'll hear: How our marriages can be the best "relational apologetic"...

Why is it that our marriages can sometimes feel like the loneliest of places? On this episode, we explore God's heart and design for community and why that is so critical to us having healthy, hopeful marriages. We chat about: How community is part of God's character and how Jesus had community The kind of community God is inviting us into with people outside of our marriages The differences betwe...

Do you struggle with the shame of sexual addiction and brokenness in your marriage? Have you been hiding a pornography addiction from your spouse, even if you know it's destroying your marriage? There is good news: God has not given up on you or your marriage!  Our guest today, Matt Cline of Restored Ministries, has been given an important assignment by God: to help bring hope and healing to marri...

Have you ever felt like you and your spouse were just glorified roommates? Like you are ships passing in the night? We've been there! As God breathes life into our marriages, we're grateful he gives us practices and routines to help us feel more connected and thriving with each other. One of those practices is the weekly check-in. On this episode, you'll learn the importance of this practice and w...

When was the last time you felt "untethered" in your marriage? Lost, disconnected, alone? This happened recently to us. Thankfully, God gave us a way through and his roadmap was Psalm 92.  In this episode, we'll discuss: The transformative power of declaring daily God's steadfast love and faithfulness in your life and marriage How a simple practice can help you feel more anchored in God's love and...

Have you ever felt that when your spouse is listening to you, it only LOOKS like they're listening? That as soon as you're done speaking, they will unleash their advice and their opinions on you? On this Thursday Thoughts episode, we'll discover HOW we listen matters just as much (or more) than the fact that we are listening. We'll also learn: that "listening to understand" is more important than...

"Shame is the most powerful force on the planet, apart from grace." Katie Skurja, founder of Imago Dei Ministries, is an internationally recognized inner healing practitioner, spiritual director and marriage counsellor. We were thrilled and honoured that she could join us in this conversation exploring the devastating power of shame in our marriages and the joy and freedom available in Christ's he...

When is the last time you thanked your spouse? For who they are or for something they did? Has it been awhile? On this Thursday Thought, join Aaron as he explores another tip on creating a healthy marriage with God, this time by looking at the transformative power of gratitude in your marriage. Topics we cover: Why gratitude matters How gratitude can transform your marriage along with some of the...

Do you want to know God's will for your life but you're not sure where to start? Do you want to hear his voice for your marriage but you're not sure what you're listening for? In this episode, we explore what it means to discern God's will in the context of your marriage and how Paul provides some (uncomfortable) direction in Romans 12. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’...

Are you wanting to bring some health, vitality, new life to your marriage? Are you wanting to have God at the centre of your marriage but aren't sure where to start? Over the next 5 Thursday Thoughts episodes, we'll explore practical ideas of how we can create a healthy, vibrant marriage with God and our spouse.  On this episode, April starts at the very beginning. If you want God at the centre of...

Have you wondered what people mean when they say they want Christ "at the centre" of their marriage? What does it look like to hear the voice of God in our marriage, together and as individuals? In today's episode, we are so excited to welcome our first-ever guest, Dr. John "Adidam" Littlejohn! A deeply loved pastor and internationally recognized musician, John explores with us in this fun and in-...