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5 "Togetherness" Activities to Strengthen Your Marriage

Do you remember what it was like to really enjoy one another’s company? Chances are when you and your spouse fell in love, you did everything together, couldn’t stand to be apart, and your fun times outweighed the stressful times.Yet it’s only a matter of time before reality sets in and the familiar replaces the fun, the routine replaces spontaneity, and your financial or vocational concerns replace your ability to throw caution to the wind and enjoy being together.For years, my husband and I were two people who, in some ways, walked alone in our marriage. We never intended for it to be that way. We lived in the same house, shared the same bank account, slept in the same bed, spent nearly every Friday of our married life together on a “date day.” We even raised a daughter, although I wouldn’t necessarily say we were good at raising her “together.” He did his part. I did mine. And that’s the way it was.Both of us had no idea how to give up our own ambitions, expectations, and conveniences in order to really walk together. But once we started incorporating some really simple activities that we wish we’d done years ago, it profoundly affected our marriage. Here are five activities that will strengthen your marriage and sense of togetherness:
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How Does Forgiveness Strengthen Marriage?

In other words, forgiveness in marriage is more than a practical strategy to maintain peace; it is a reflection of the Christian duty to forgive as we have been forgiven by God.

5 Myths about Marriage That Are Not Biblical

Biblical marriage is a beautiful representation of the marriage of Christ to his Church. “My soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest” (Isaiah 61:10).Revelation 19:7 echoes this Old Testament verse with its joyous tone: “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.”Christian churches typically encourage a man and a woman not to live together before they get married, and not to forgo the ceremony. A wedding doesn’t have to be expensive, but declaring vows in front of other people provides accountability to everyone.Husband and wife are now accountable to each other and to the Body of Christ. If one party openly engages in sins and a member of the church witnesses the activity, that member has the responsibility of declaring the truth and leading this person back to the cross.My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).Married couples can also become mentors to younger brides and grooms. Their relationship is designed to be an expression of the relationship between a person and his or her Savior, one in which there is grace, forgiveness, mercy, gentleness, loyalty, humility, generosity, trustworthiness, and so on.Marriage is a great friendship, and the Bible has a lot to say about it, but much of what is written is taken out of context or overlooked in the modern world, leading to the proliferation of damaging lies. Here are five myths about biblical marriage.Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Anchiy

15 Cozy Fall Date Ideas for You and Your Spouse

Are there some classics that you love to watch this time of year? Plan a night to veg out together, maybe even snuggle up on the couch together, and enjoy a classic with your spouse. Pair the movie with some candied popcorn or hot chocolate, and you have a perfect night on your hands.

10 Encouraging Phrases Your Husband Needs to Hear

Let your husband know, especially when he feels he’s blown it, that you still need him, and you’d still choose him if you had to do it all over again. It’s another way to encourage him and show God’s unconditional love toward him when he needs it most.

5 Hard Facts of Marriage and How to Face Them

Blind optimism says our spouse is our perfect soulmate who can do no wrong--but this only sets us up for painful disappointment. Hope and help are found in confronting the hard facts of marriage together.

9 Ways to Make Your Marriage Last a Lifetime

The world's patterns fail to bring love and happiness, but the Author of marriage knows how to make it last a lifetime. Adapting God’s ways will instill ongoing, fulfilling joys between husband and wife.

5 Simple Ways to Overcome a Really Bad Mood

God’s will is not for me to pout, sulk and withdraw when my feelings are hurt. In fact, I must daily ask God to give me a loving, kind heart and mind, able to effectively discern truth. Likewise, God’s will for me and you is to grow into healthy people like Christ.

Why Is It So Important for Christians to Marry Other Christians?

Commitment is a big deal. Marriage, one of the biggest commitments a person can make, should not be taken lightly. For Christians, there is a lot of guidance on how to look for the right person to marry, what traits to look for, how to pray for the specific partner God may be leading you to, and how to have a healthy marriage.God’s Word gives encouragement and focuses on key foundations. People who are not Christian do not have to pursue these guidelines, but believers should. One of the most important principles Christians should follow when pursuing marriage is encouraged in the Epistle from Paul to the Corinthians, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14a).When Christians marry other Christians, their marriage glorifies God, used by God to sanctify one another, and is usable by God for His glory.Photo credit: ©Getty Images/pcess609

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