Sheri Mueller, Marriage and More…

The holidays have a way of creating tension when it comes to relationships.  Most couples will experience some conflict this time of year.  Demands on time, money, and patience, combined with unrealistic expectations about what the holidays “should be” – add to the growing stress.  The most important thing a couple can do for their [...]

This was a summer for weddings.  I’ve attended four so far and each one was entirely different from the next, which reflected the uniqueness of each couple.  But, I wonder how many couples would continue to stand at the altar knowing what lies ahead after the honeymoon. What if pastors and officiates tossed aside political [...]

In marriage, more than any other relationship, patience is a daily necessity toward building deeper intimacy.  Without patience, intimacy slowly erodes.  And, while we find inordinate amounts of patience daily to deal with clients, co-workers, children, or friends – our spouse often receives the leftovers. Scripture provides a great deal of wisdom on this topic. [...]

Remember the day you promised, “In joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; as long as we both shall live?” I can almost guarantee all you heard was joy, health, and we shall live forever.  I know I did. What if most of your marriage is filled with sorrow and sickness? A week [...]

I’ve been watching the research findings from a team of family scholars at the University of Virginia for awhile, and I am genuinely impressed by the work they are doing in the realm of marriage and family.  Recently, they published Why Marriage Matters: 30 Conclusions from the Social Sciences, which I have chosen to reprint [...]

I came across this article called The Essence of Marriage by Dennis Byrne in the Chicago Tribune Commentary Section yesterday and felt it was worthy of consideration, especially when the faith argument is removed from the equation.  While I am a firm believer in what God intends for marriage, I ask that you open your [...]

Yesterday, April 20th, was Husband Appreciation Day. Not often do I see comments from Facebook friends about their spouses that inspire me, but one friend posted more than 50 items on what she appreciates about her husband.  The list is well thought out, fun, and filled with a few behind the scenes secrets. There are [...]

Over the past month, I’ve been doing secret observations of couples in the grocery store and how they interact while shopping together.  I’ve reached the conclusion this is not an enjoyable activity for most couples.  I used to think it strange that my father-in-law enjoyed shopping alone at 6:30am on weekday mornings.  No longer. Here [...]

This spring, my husband and I have been part of a couples small group where the main topic of study is from Matthew 12:37 (NLT) – “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”    I’ve discovered this verse, along with many others, provide ounces of soul-piercing truth.   Here are a few more that [...]

While sitting at my desk this morning listening to the rumble of thunder as spring storms approach, I am reminded of the storms every marriage encounters.  For some couples, challenges arise on the honeymoon.  For others, the storms clouds roll in a year or two into marriage, or once children arrive.  Thunderstorms are part of [...]