15 inspirational tips to help your marriage be the best that it can be. Also includes 12 tips on parenting! From the introduction by Eric Elder: I was sitting with a couple recently to help them plan their wedding when the bride-to-be asked me to do something impossible: she wanted me to talk at her wedding about marriage and what made my marriage to my wife, Lana, so successful. She said she admired our relationship and wanted to learn whatever she could to make her marriage the best that it could be. Here's why her request seemed so impossible: how could I possibly summarize 23 years worth of thoughts on marriage in such a short message on her wedding day? Yet her question also inspired me because I loved the idea of being able to pass along to them anything that might be helpful. So I began to think of all the tips I had heard before we got married, after we got married and throughout our 23 years of marriage. I quickly came up with 4 or 5 sermons to share at her wedding! In the end, I only shared 1 simple message with them, based on 3 words, which I felt would help them get through anything they might face in the future. I'll share those 3 words with you in chapter 6, as they serve as the glue that holds all the other tips together. But I still wanted to share with this couple all the other great tips that God had brought to my mind. The result is this little book that I'm now sharing with you. I wish I could say that if you'll just put these 15 tips into practice you'll be guaranteed success in your own marriage, but relationships just don't work like that. Each one of us is unique and each one of our relationships is unique. Yet I still believe each of these tips can be helpful to you in one way or another, even if it's just to talk through them with your spouse, or spouse to be, and then adapt and apply them to your own relationship. To make this book easier to read, I've divided it into 7 chapters, 6 of which are about marriage, with a bonus chapter at the end called "12 Tips On Parenting." I wrote this chapter in response to another question by some other friends who asked for my thoughts on that topic. Since this book has 7 chapters, you might want to read a chapter a day for 7 days or a chapter a week for 7 weeks. You might also want to go through this book with a few other couples who are newly married, nearly married or just want to strengthen their marriage, no matter how long they've been married. Who knows? This book may be just what they need to make their marriage not just good, but great! Any way you do it, I pray God will bless you through it, both now and for many years to come. In Christ's love, Eric Elder"

Are you struggling in your marriage or relationship? Do you feel like giving up when things get tough? Don't worry, you're not alone. Many couples face challenges and obstacles that can make it difficult to stay together. But with the right guidance and mindset, you can create a successful and fulfilling relationship that lasts a lifetime. In "15 Keys of a Successful Marriage," Carol Skipper shares her personal experiences and insights on what it takes to build a strong and happy marriage. Drawing on years of experience and research, author provides practical advice and actionable tips on how to navigate the ups and downs of a committed relationship. From learning how to communicate effectively to managing finances and dealing with conflict, "15 Rules of a Successful Marriage" covers everything you need to know to keep your relationship strong and healthy. Whether you're a newlywed or have been married for decades, this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to create a loving and lasting partnership.

15 inspirational tips to help your marriage be the best that it can be. Also includes 12 tips on parenting! From the introduction by Eric Elder: I was sitting with a couple recently to help them plan their wedding when the bride-to-be asked me to do something impossible: she wanted me to talk at her wedding about marriage and what made my marriage to my wife, Lana, so successful. She said she admired our relationship and wanted to learn whatever she could to make her marriage the best that it could be. Here’s why her request seemed so impossible: how could I possibly summarize 23 years worth of thoughts on marriage in such a short message on her wedding day? Yet her question also inspired me because I loved the idea of being able to pass along to them anything that might be helpful. So I began to think of all the tips I had heard before we got married, after we got married and throughout our 23 years of marriage. I quickly came up with 4 or 5 sermons to share at her wedding! In the end, I only shared 1 simple message with them, based on 3 words, which I felt would help them get through anything they might face in the future. I’ll share those 3 words with you in chapter 6, as they serve as the glue that holds all the other tips together. But I still wanted to share with this couple all the other great tips that God had brought to my mind. The result is this little book that I’m now sharing with you. I wish I could say that if you’ll just put these 15 tips into practice you’ll be guaranteed success in your own marriage, but relationships just don’t work like that. Each one of us is unique and each one of our relationships is unique. Yet I still believe each of these tips can be helpful to you in one way or another, even if it’s just to talk through them with your spouse, or spouse to be, and then adapt and apply them to your own relationship. To make this book easier to read, I’ve divided it into 7 chapters, 6 of which are about marriage, with a bonus chapter at the end called “12 Tips On Parenting.” I wrote this chapter in response to another question by some other friends who asked for my thoughts on that topic. Since this book has 7 chapters, you might want to read a chapter a day for 7 days or a chapter a week for 7 weeks. You might also want to go through this book with a few other couples who are newly married, nearly married or just want to strengthen their marriage, no matter how long they’ve been married. Who knows? This book may be just what they need to make their marriage not just good, but great!Any way you do it, I pray God will bless you through it, both now and for many years to come. In Christ’s love, Eric Elder

By spending only 15-minutes a week, a busy couple can gain deeper understanding of each other and learn practical new techniques to strengthen their relationship.

Throughout the course of my 45 years in private practice, I have at times wondered how it is that some couples do so well beyond therapy and on their own to improve and progress, while others who initially improve through the counseling process seem to fall back into many of their old and self-defeating habits. It took me a while but I now understand that often, those couples who fall back into their old destructive habits usually do so because they neglect to replace them with new and productive ones. Removing dysfunctional habits must be followed by developing new and healthy habits. "How They Make it Work..." addresses 21 new habits I have consistently observed through follow-up contacts that seem to help couples continue to thrive and to grow on their own beyond professional intervention. At the end of each of the 21 chapters are several questions designed to help you process together the new habits that are being suggested here. Since they have worked for others, there is more than a good chance they will work for you. Testimonials "Dr. Wimberly's book was thought provoking, straight forward and easy to apply in our effort to build a healthier, more successful marriage." Barbie Krabacher, early childhood educator "Rich in wisdom and helpful insights from an experienced therapist" Gordon Hess, Ph.D., retired therapist "HOW THEY MAKE IT WORK...21 Habits of a Successful Marriage is a straight forward guide to helping and healing any relationship. If you want to love and be loved in your relationship, here is a compass to help find your way". Noah BenShea, international best selling author, philosopher and speaker. "More than just a list of ideas to make a marriage better. Ed's book tackles the tough and underlying issues that can sabotage a relationship." B. Kirkpatrick, author of "Hard Left" and "The Resurrection of Johnny Roe". "Dr. Wimberly has with wisdom, humor and common sense, translated psychological principles into a highly useful guide for couples who want to improve their relationship". Dr. James Hilkey, forensic psychologist.

What separates happy marriages from miserable ones? Surprisingly, it’s not healthy communication. It’s not conflict resolution skills. It’s actually the size of the marriage’s joy gap . Joy Gap/joi gap/ (n.)-1. The length of time between moments of shared joy When the joy gap gets bigger, problems are more likely to overwhelm you, resentment creeps in, and you start to feel distant and alone in your marriage. When the joy gap is smaller, you regularly feel connected and happy, problems feel manageable, and your marriage becomes a reliable source of joy. But how do you ensure that you’re experiencing joy regularly? Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey have studied relationships (and neuroscience) and discovered four habits that keep joy regular and problems small. Some couples do them naturally, but anyone can learn. That’s why each chapter includes 15-minute exercises that boost joy and re-train your brain to make joy your default setting. You’ll learn new skills including how to: return to joy more quickly after disconnection create stronger bonds and elongate times of happiness boost your enjoyment of physical and emotional intimacy Find out what your marriage looks like after a little work and a whole lot of joy.

Discover the secrets to a solid, healthy, and lasting marriage in 15 Principles For Making Marriage Work: The New Guide To A Solid, Healthy And Lasting Marriage. This captivating and comprehensive guide unveils the essential principles that will transform your relationship and make it stand the test of time. With a focus on building a supportive network, strengthening marital bonds, and fostering a culture of gratitude and appreciation, this book offers a treasure trove of wisdom to revitalize your marriage. From effective communication to financial harmony and planning for the future, each chapter delves deep into the key aspects that lay the foundation for a successful marriage. Learn how to navigate conflicts with grace and respect, harness the power of empathy and active listening, and embrace change and life transitions as a united team. The book encourages couples to prioritize their shared values and goals, cultivate connections with friends and family, and keep the romance and fun alive in their relationship. Embracing these principles will not only enhance your emotional connection but also nurture personal growth and individuality within the marriage. Whether you are newlyweds or have been together for years, 15 Principles For Making Marriage Work offers a fresh perspective and actionable advice that will reignite the spark in your relationship. Uncover the secrets to a lasting and fulfilling marriage and create a love that stands strong, healthy, and unshakable through the years.