Practicing Accountability is Marriage Prep, Part 2 of 2

Last week, I talked about how our contemporary Western culture inclines us singles to a severe level of independence and lack of accountability. Not being accountable to anyone can cause problems in relationships. When you don’t answer to anyone, you can keep secrets and harbor addictions that will hurt relationships. Then, after the wedding, big,…

Practicing Accountability is Marriage Prep, Part 1 of 2

We’re pretty independent in the Western world. I consider myself very independent, sometimes refusing help from someone who offers to carry something for me when they see me hobbling. First-time visitors from eastern cultures are often amazed and shocked at the levels of self-sufficiency which we display. They don’t always think it’s good. Independence is…

Are You Bringing this Stinky Bad Boy to Your Future Marriage?

One of the stinkiest fruits in the world is the infamous durian. Its stench has been compared to sewage, vomit, and dirty socks. It only grows in tropical climates in Southeast Asia, thank God! When I was a summer missionary in the Philippines, I had to hold my nose to sample a tiny piece. Eeewwwyuu!…

The Most Valuable Lesson I’ve Learned About Dating

I’m probably taking dating too seriously, because I don’t date much. I can number all the men I’ve dated on my fingers. Having a more serious, contemplative personality makes me take a long time to decide almost anything. The bigger the decision, the slower I am about it.  The fact that I’m about 60% introvert…

Dirty Dozen Reasons Why Single Christians Aren’t Being Properly Prepared for Marriage, Part 2 of 2

Last week, I shared my experience with the 5-Day Challenge to Pray For Your Future Spouse. It wasn’t so much praying for a mate, but being ready for a real marriage. #pfyfs sparked all sorts of positive responses from hundreds of participants who realized how much they needed it.  I got nearly all of this…

Dirty Dozen Reasons Why Single Christians Aren’t Being Properly Prepared for Marriage, Part 1 of 2

Last week, I participated in a remarkable time of prayer and teachings hosted by Jamal & Natasha Miller, the founders of Married & Young. Jamal is the Amazon best-selling author of 25 Ways to Prepare for Marriage Without Dating. They are committed to helping reduce the divorce rate in America and developed an amazing program…

Review of Choosing Marriage by Debra Fileta: Five Stars!

I have read a lot of books on being a Christian single, marriage, and marriage prep. I mean that. The best one I have read in a really long time is Debra Fileta’s Choosing Marriage. “Why would I want to read a book called Choosing Marriage when I’m not married? I’m not even dating anyone…

From Nope to Hope, Part 1 of 2

I was reading 1 Samuel 1 through 2:21 this afternoon, about Hannah and her desire to have a son. The biggest thing that jumped out at me was the fact that the Lord had closed up Hannah’s womb (1 Sam. 1:5). When she married the love of her life, Elkanah, she thought she was going…

Becoming a Kingdom Power Couple

Power couples: they dominate the media and we love them for it. Like the recent marriage of Prince Harry and his fiancée Meghan Markle—now the Duke & Duchess of Sussex—power couples have confidence, authority, influence, money, separately successful careers, and good looks. All eyes dart to them when they walk into a room together. They’re just as…

Five Times When It’s Not a Good Idea to Get Premarital Counseling

If you’re a counselor, therapist, pastor, or church leader, and you read my title and thought of ways to blow off or blow up my lackadaisical attitude toward marriage: Wait! I’m actually all for premarital counseling. I’m a counselor, too. I am all for strong, biblically-based, well-prepared marriages. So why this topic? I, like you,…