Fostering a loving relationship with your spouse is important to God. Proverbs 5:18 talks about continuing to keep your love alive, saying "May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth." But the stressors of daily life can make rejoicing in your spouse difficult. Below, we discuss why setting aside time for date nights is a healthy practice and tips for planning date nights when you have kids or are going out with other couples. 8 Benefits Of An Uninterrupted Date Night  There are many advantages of having regular, uninterrupted date nights with your spouse ..read more

God has an important plan for marriage , and He never wants to see his followers go through the process of divorce. While God knows it’s sometimes necessary, He urges couples to cleave together, saying in Matthew 19:6, “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” What might followers of Christ do, then, when their marriages are in trouble? Below, we take a look at marital counseling and mentorship from the Christian perspective. What Is Marriage Counseling? Marriage counseling is a type of therapy that focuses on a couple’s relationship together. During this type of counseling, yo ..read more

As humans, our outlook on life plays a pivotal role in realizing our full potential. Having a “growth mindset” is important for Christians, who are called to grow in knowledge and wisdom and seek spiritual maturity. But what do the words “growth mindset" really mean and how does this concept align with the values of Christianity? Below, we discuss what is a growth mindset, how developing this type of outlook is advantageous for God’s followers, and why the Bible encourages Christians to eschew limiting beliefs and rest in the knowledge that all opportunities and challenges we come across ar ..read more

Mood swings can be incredibly frustrating and even debilitating, both for the people who are experiencing these fluctuating emotions and those around them. Mood swings can make it hard to concentrate at work, enjoy time with friends and family, and get a good night's sleep. Below, we discuss some of the root causes of mood swings and how leaning on God can help during difficult times. You Are Never "Just" Moody Contrary to popular belief, “moody” isn't really a thing. It's not something to dismiss or chalk up as normal from time to time. Mood swings are actually important indicators of phy ..read more

The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills a married couple can possess. Inadequate communication often leads to misunderstandings and resentment, while maintaining an open dialogue with one another forms the foundation of a healthy and happy relationship. It's crucial to understand that marriage is a covenant commitment between God and two people who have pledged to love and cherish each other for better or for worse, and that communication is key to maintaining that covenant bond. Below, we explore the importance of communication in marriage from a biblical ..read more

If you're married or in a committed relationship, chances are you've fought with your partner at least once. Arguing may be a normal part of any relationship, but it can often be damaging if it's not handled in a healthy way. Let's look to guidance from God on how we can manage conflict in a way that glorifies Him. Understanding the Causes of Fighting in a Relationship It's normal for couples to fight. It can even be good for couples to express their disagreements and work through them together. But when the fighting becomes a regular occurrence, or something that never resolves beyond a s ..read more

God has a lot to say about marriage in the Bible , but His words on this topic are some of the most frequently misunderstood by His followers. Below, we explore God’s design for marriage as written by the apostle Paul in Ephesians, common misconceptions about a wife’s obligation to submit, and how God really wants to engage with His people. Mutual Submission & Cultivating Partnership (Ephesians 5:22-24 & 5:21) Most Christians have heard Ephesians 5:22-24 recited by their parents or in church as sort of the “golden rule” for marriage. The Scripture says: 22 Wives, submit yourselves ..read more

Looking for ways to have fun and stay warm this winter? Chicagoans know a thing or two about surviving the cold weather! Here are some of our favorite tips for making the most of a Chicago winter. Hilarious Ways to Enjoy the Snow While most people dread the cold and snow of winter, some see it as an opportunity to have a different kind of fun. If you're looking for ways to make the most of it, here are a few ideas. Make a Snowman One of the most classic winter activities is building a snowman. All you need is some snow, some sticks, and some rocks or coal for eyes and a mouth. You can als ..read more

The Apostle Paul, when writing to the Galatians, urged them to walk in the Spirit, stating that the fruits (or results) of doing so would be love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. While generosity and wisdom aren't directly listed, it's impossible to have many of these fruits without either of these valuable attributes. Generosity , for instance, springs directly from love and goodness; at the same time, self-control and patience are signs of wisdom at work in one's life. Every single follower of Jesus should be both wise and generous . Followin ..read more

Do you struggle with anxiety? If so, you're not alone. Statistics show that anxiety is the most common mental health disorder worldwide, and it's not hard to see why. Financial problems, relational problems, problems with work, emotional struggles related to past situations or events, and other triggers can bring on anxiety along with other mental health issues such as depression , stress, insomnia, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. What's more, anxiety can also be triggered by fears of future events such as natural disasters, an upcoming exam or job interview, or legal problems. What Doe ..read more