The official newsletter of Marriage Partnership magazine
Thursday, January 24, 2008
When I worked at a bank, it was always easy to spot the newlyweds. They would come in, freshly tanned from the honeymoon and toting stacks of wedding-gift checks. The sheer joy on their faces as they signed the checks and deposited the money into their account—and their new life together—couldn't be denied.
But a few months later, when a check had bounced, a credit card bill hadn't been paid, or they'd been rejected for a loan, the joy began to dissipate. After all, the realities of married life and joint checking aren't always as glamorous as they seem. And when it comes to money—a contentious topic to begin with—different financial habits and perspectives can cause strain on an otherwise happy union.
We all know money problems frequently lead to marital problems. In fact, finances are often cited as the #1 cause of divorce in the U.S. So how can you protect your marriage against the tensions money can cause? Gary D. Chapman provides some helpful tips on how to keep finances from becoming a battlefield in your relationship.
- When either spouse has been previously married, they bring additional baggage to the relationship. But for Ross and Debbie Radke, those hurts and fears became a channel to strengthen their marriage, and they transformed their mutual love for the martial arts into an unlikely self-defense ministry.
- It's the question every newlywed asks, and MP needs your answer! What is your secret to a happy marriage? Let us know your recipe, whether silly or sublime, and please include your name, your spouse's name, and your state of residence.
As always, we invite you to stop by MarriagePartnership.com for more marriage-building tips and stories of God's work in the lives of couples. And this week, may you rediscover the joy of being a newlywed, no matter how long you've been married.
Blessings,
Elizabeth Diffin
for Marriage Partnership
To reply to this newsletter: marriage@christianitytoday.com
advertisement
 24/7 / HELP & HEALING /MONEY / EMOTIONS
Balancing Your Money Mindset
How to make cash an asset to your marriage.
by Gary D. Chapman
Through the years, many of the conflicts I've heard in my counseling office have focused on money.
"I never know how much money we have because he won't let me see the checkbook." "All I ask is that she record the checks she writes. Balancing our checkbook is a nightmare." These are the kind of verbal spears couples throw at each other when they can't agree.
More …
PROFILES
Portrait of a Marriage: Kicking It Up A Notch
Ross and Debbie Radke have turned their faith and their love for martial arts into ministry that's impacting their community.
by Dawn Zemke
 Boundaries in Marriage, DVD Curriculum
Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend offer biblical principles and marriage-bolstering activities to help you strengthen your relationship. Eight sessions on one DVD. |
 Attention Newlyweds!
ChristianBibleStudies.com now offers a study to help you gain realistic expectations, develop good communication skills, and gain a godly perspective on sex, in-laws, and marriage mentors. |
 The Gift of the Blessing
The Gift of the Blessing is a powerful book no family should be without. Within its pages, you'll find solid, practical advice on how to be a blessing, as well as how to insure that your parents, spouse, and children all feel the security of family approval. |
The WHY Factor
If you do something positive for your mate, does it matter why? Yes, says Heather Patrick, assistant professor of research at the University of Rochester. Patrick conducted a study of 266 men and women that showed small sacrifices, such as doing the dishes, and big ones, such as moving cross country for your spouse's new job, mean more if you do them because you genuinely want to—not because you're pressured or obligated. Couples exhibiting this "pro-relationship behavior" were more satisfied, more committed, and felt closer to their mates. Patrick says, "This new information gives couples insight into why some relationships aren't fulfilling even when things look okay on the surface."
Marriage Connection
Delivered free via e-mail to subscribers every other week. We encourage you to distribute this newsletter freely and ask only that you not change its contents.
Copyright ©Thursday, January 24, 2008 ChristianityToday.com, Christianity Today International
465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188
All rights reserved.
|
Do you and your spouse use a budget?
- Yes, and we stick to it strictly.
- Yes, but it's flexible.
- No, we have other financial practices.
- What's a budget???
Vote here, and see how your answer compares to others'.
|
Who is more techno-savvy in your relationship?
- I am: 42%
- My spouse is: 34%
- We're about the same: 20%
- Neither of us is very savvy!: 4%
Total votes: 320
|
Oh, What a Night
God's strength really is enough for any day.
Fill 'Er Up!
Don't neglect your personal growth even with all your mom responsibilities.
|
|
If this page is not displaying correctly, please click here. 
It's All About Him: Finding The Love of My Life
Praying Through the Deeper Issues of Marriage
