Resources for Your Marriage

26 Nov Resources for Your Marriage

Here are some great resources for your enrichment. Check to see if you can get them as pdfs, e-books, audios or youtube videos to catapult you into action. Consider also googling these titles and grab the free quotes that they post to get a good taste of what they offer. ENJOY!

Join The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn
This is a free 30 day daily challenge you can receive by email about how to improve your marriage by small acts of intentional kindness. Filled with practical ideas, researched information, inspiring videos and assessments to help you improve your relationship with your spouse. Absolutely fantastic and free. I am so impressed by it and it has helped me so much.  Her book The Kindness Challenge is worth reading to help you go even deeper.

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
My husband and I have profited immensely from reading this practical, easy approach to strengthening the love in marriage. Chapman believes spouses must learn to express their love in a language that makes sense to their spouse. He uses concrete examples to develop his five love languages (quality time, words of affirmation, gifts, acts of service and physical touch) to show spouses how they can better meet the needs of each other. A highly recommended book for any couple. Great wedding gift. Also offers help with those separated or in difficult situations wanting to regain a stronger marriage. Includes a personal assessment tool that pinpoints what your spouse really desires from you. Consider getting the audio version if you or your spouse is not a reader. That avenue really worked for us.  Take the free on-line quiz and consider signing up for his weekly newsletter with 5 love language ideas.  A major easy help that makes a big difference!  Chapman’s App is called Love Nudge and podcasts are also available.

The Temperament God Gave You by Art and Laraine Bennett
This amazingly practical book takes an in-depth look at the four classic temperaments (choleric, sanguine, melancholic and phlegmatic). It provides an assessment tool and lots of advice on how to get along with similar and different temperaments, with chapters on your marriage, parenting and relationships at work. My husband is not a reader of self-help books, but cannot applaud this book enough. So much of the tension in marriage is caused by trying to change rather than appreciate the different temperament of one’s spouse. I am learning so much from this book and use it as a constant reference. Definitely worth ordering. Even consider just taking  free their quiz. 

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
An excellent easy read OR AUDIO OR DVD FORMAT for women trying to understand the inner workings of their husband. Full of eye-opening information that will equip you to not only understand, but better support and love your husband in the ways he most appreciates. I got a lot out of this book and highly recommend it. It’s companion book, For Men Only is equally worthwhile. Enjoy both of these and a Couples component on the DVD format at a great low price. I love it.  They have also written for a younger audience under the titles of For Young Men Only and For Young Women Only. Very worthwhile for highschool/college students to read. Her new book The Kindness Challenge injects so much fresh air and joy into married life. A must read. She has podcasts as well.

The Surprising Secrets of Highly Happy Marriages by Shaunti Feldhahn
Just published in 2014 in the same style as her other books, this is an excellent read for couples. Shaunti identifies 12 powerful habits that the happiest marriages have in common. Excellent read!

The Four Seasons of Marriage by Gary Chapman
A practical, encouraging book that details the different seasons of marriage and how to push ourselves into spring when we feel we are in fall or winter. Lots of insights.

Crucial Conversation: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by  K. Patterson, J. Grenny, R. McMillan and A Switzler
Learn how to keep your cool and get the results you want when emotions flare. Increase your chances of being understood and avoid negative fall out. A great read.

A Healthy and Happy Marriage: A Guide to Improving Life’s Most Important Relationship by Marta Lopez-JuradoPuig   NEW
Although only offered as an e-book, this is packed with excellent, practical advice that’s a quick read and transformational to your marriage.

Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Married by Gary Chapman
Whether you are hoping to marry, newly married or long time married, this book gives a lot of insight into many aspects that can make or hinder a happy marriage. A great gift for the engaged.  Highly insightful to avoid problems after marriage.

The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, Ph. D., and Nan Silver.
A marriage expert with much research, Dr. Gottman presents excellent ideas on how to strengthen a marriage. Very recommended for reading. Although I haven’t used them, there are many other audio/mp3/books/videos available at the Gottman Institute website. Check out his podcasts and app.

Love and Respect by Emerson Eggerichs

An insightful book about how a man needs respect and a wife needs love and the crazy cycle we are on when we don’t meet each other’s needs.  They also have a podcast as well as an App.

For Better or Best and If Only He Knew by Gary Smalley
These two books were written a while ago and help each spouse understand, communicate and love the other much more deeply. Very practical, positive and eye-opening. Lots of do’s and don’ts for healthy marriages.

Love is a Decision by Gary Smalley and John Trent
Thirteen proven principles are presented to energize your marriage and family. You’ll discover how to energize your spouse in 60 seconds, how to respond when anger, fear and frustration hit and keys to loving and lasting relationships. Fantastic for women struggling with all the emotions and changes that come with married life.

Divorce Busting  and The Divorce Remedy by Michele Weiner-Davis
Two super excellent resources for those experiencing  problems in their marriage.Easy bite size advice with great anecdotes.  Offers marriage saving techniques that get results within a month, focuses on solutions rather than problems and can be used alone or with your spouse. Tons of practical advice for anyone suffering problems in marriage. I learned so much! Not just for those headed towards divorce.

Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor
A DVD series that humorously looks at the differences between men and women. My husband and I laughed so hard, but learned so much to enrich our marriage. Our older teen and adult children equally benefited. A sure hit with the men, especially since it tactfully deals with sexuality and the differences of men and women! Catch sections of this  DVD on youtube.  The book was informative, but there were many sections I did not personally agree with. The DVD was so much better and that’s what I advise you to watch.

5 Things Women Need To Know About Men by Dr. Allen Hunt
An audio talk with simple, helpful and inspiring advice to enrich your marriage and relationship.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Whether you read this or get it as an audio to understand yourself or your spouse, this is a fantastic well researched read on the strengths of introverts.

One Beautiful Dream by Jennifer Fulwiler     
A hilarious and inspiring book for any couple with lots of young children. Fulwiler captures the chaos, craziness and adventure of raising six young children and how it has impacted her life and her marriage.

Marriage: A Path to Sanctity by Javier Abad
An excellent read for those who believe marriage is a path to holiness. Many insights from a Catholic viewpoint on courtship, sexuality, communication, work and children.

Good News About Sex and Marriage by Christopher West
Answers to your honest questions about Catholic teaching on sex and marriage. A superb, easy to understand book that goes into all the questions you have ever had on the topic and never known who to ask. Solid, logical answers to help you embrace the true joy of the marital embrace.  Check out the amazing website he began called Theology of the Body Institute.

Tender Warrior: God’s Intention for A Man by Stu Weber
A great father’s day gift for your husband. Written by a dynamic Christian pastor, this book recognizes that it’s tough being a man in today’s society. Weber provides a powerful blueprint for balance manhood, thereby providing a great opportunity for achievement. Lots of attention given to man’s impressive and important roles of husband and father.

The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands and The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
Dr. Laura bluntly addresses what a woman can do to make her man happy. She speaks directly to women about the things they do to create problems in their marriage. This is not a book for delicate readers, but I found it full of many lights for myself on how I was nurturing problems in my marriage.  She has podcasts as well. Check out her website.

Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus by John Gray
Insights into how vastly different men and women are in their responses and reactions to each other and life. A good read.  He has several youtube videos.

By Love Refined by Alice von Hildebrand
A nice gift for the newly married. The book is written in the format of letters to a new bride.

Automatic Millionaire and Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach
People often ask me, Irene, how we can afford ten kids, the house we live in and two cars. These books hold the answer and wonderfully cheer you on to financial fitness. No matter who you are, what stage of life you are at and what your income is, you can benefit from this easy-to-apply approach.

The Couple’s Guide to Love and Money by Jonathan Rich
A practical easy-to-use workbook for couples who find their fights over money eroding their good feelings for each other. Filled with techniques to optimize communication and deepen marital unity. A great resource.

Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion by Gary Chapman
An easy, constructive and very helpful read for all of us who suffer from anger towards a spouse, a child, a boss, a relative or anyone. Very helpful.

Secrets of Sex and Marriage by Shaunti Feldhahn and Dr. Michael Sytsma
Practical, tactful, well-researched information to help all couples in this important area of their marriage. I found it very well written.

Holy Sex by Dr. Gregory Popcak
A frank, witty and refreshing book unpacking the beauty of marriage and sexuality from a Catholic viewpoint.

Love Dare by Alex and Stephen Kendrick
A 40 day Christian devotional to strengthen marriage from the movie FireProof.

MOVIES TO WATCH:

Courageous – 2011

Fireproof – 2008

Humanum Series on youtube

Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage by Mark Gungor (see write up above)

War Room  – 2015

GOOD WEBSITES:

www.5lovelanguages.com
Gary Chapman helps people discover the power of the five love languages need for strong loving relationships. He is the author of numerous books and gives much practical advice for all kinds of people.

www.family.org
A website for husbands and wives by Focus on the Family. Tons of excellent articles and resources to strengthen your marriage.

www.foryourmarriage.org

A website with excellent articles and resources for dating/engaged/married and parents created by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

www.gottman.com
The Gottman Institute offers great books and DVDs for married couples. I encourage you to order Making Relationships Work as an MP3 to listen to with your spouse. Practical, well-researched, very constructive.

National Marriage Project, USA
Fantastic research studies supporting stronger marriages and family. Easy to read and very helpful.

www.canavox.com
An excellent website to help you understand and explain your values on all aspects of sexuality and marriage. Provides a solid reading list, great videos on hot topics to quickly equip your ease in broaching important issues and more. Check it out.

greatnessjourney.com – Making the Ordinary Extraordinary
Great podcasts, programs and encouragement from January and Ryan Donovan.

Cardus
A think tank of scientific research on important subjects pertaining to marriage and family worth knowing.

www.retrouvaille.org
Retrouvaille offers numerous articles and programs to strengthen marriages. The word Retrouvaille, simply means ‘rediscovery’. Their program offers the chance to rediscover yourself, your spouse, and a loving relationship in your marriage. 10’s of 1000’s headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending.

www.wwme.org
Marriage Encounter offers weekend programs to strengthen engaged and married couples. Great articles available for reading.

www.marriagebuilders.com
Marriage Builders offers articles, downloads and information on preparing for and strengthening marriage, dealing with conflict, infidelity, alcoholism, and much more. Practical, helpful and well-stated.

www.walletwin.com
A great website on learning to budget, save and use your money wisely as a couple.

www.mint.com
Excellent website to help you keep track of your money expenses.

www.daveramsey.com
A super fantastic website to help you navigate all your financial concerns.