Welcome Focus on the Family Listeners!

Welcome!  If you heard today’s Focus on the Family program, I’m so glad you dropped by to say hello! This is a safe place where we talk about all the wonderful and messy stuff of life. If you would like to stay connected, please subscribe so you can get...

The Hard Work Of Marriage

Mark: Jill and I are in Orlando, Florida today because I had the privilege of officiating the wedding of some dear friends of ours last night. While we were there we had a little bit of fun in the photo booth at the reception! Jill: As Mark was doing the ceremony he...

Be The Change You Want To See In Your Marriage

Mark: “I’m just tired and I want to be done.” I’ve heard that from two long-married, currently separated couples in the last month. I understand those feelings. I was there seven years ago, too. Jill: That’s really how the slow fades...

Better Together For Over 35 Years

Last week was a first for me. At age 53, this was my first-ever, week-long girlfriend trip. If you’ve read my Better Together book you know that finding my mom tribe has not been easy for me. Growing up I had far more guy friends than girlfriends. I just found...

Surprise or No Surprise?

Mark: One of the ways Jill and I are different has to do with surprises. I love surprises. Jill….not so much. Jill: If you’ve taken our free No More Perfect Marriages E-Challenge, you’ll take a quiz that helps you determine if you’re...

Lessons from a Day of Travel

This guy. Last night he was a champ. When my flight was delayed leaving Florida and I texted him that I worried about making my connecting flight in Atlanta, he immediately pointed me to Christ with a simple text that said, “God’s got this. I am praying.”  I needed...

Staying Connected While Apart

Mark: Jill had a unique opportunity for a girlfriend trip to Florida this past week so we spent the week apart.  When one of us travels, we’ve found it very important to have a plan for staying connected. Jill: As a recovering avoider, I have to work to think...

It’s a Daily Decision

Mark: It happens every time we travel. I throw clothes in a suitcase and walk out the door. For Jill it’s not that easy. She has a list she wants to do before we leave: water the flowers, run the vacuum, fold the laundry, and sometimes pay a few bills. That difference...

A Death We All Need to Experience

Mark: I remember when I first became a Christian, I heard about the concept of “dying to self.” It was often used to describe those times when we wrestle with God between doing things our way versus doing things His way.  It was “dying to self” that motivated me to...

Preparing For The Empty Nest

Today’s words of encouragement come from Janet Thompson, an international speaker, freelance editor, and award-winning author of nineteen books including her latest Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness releasing TODAY!  Her...