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Marriage is a relationship that demands honesty if you want to achieve any measure of oneness. Dishonesty breeds mistrust, and mistrust explodes into one spouse closing off relationship with the offending spouse. Here's a plan to overcome your own dishonesty and work towards a meaningful marriage relationship.

Ask for God's help to live more honestly in your marriage. Integrity is a characteristic that we all want to do well at. God's desire is for us to do well at this as well, so ask him for help. Opening ourselves to God's help is the first place to start because he specializes in helping those who look to him. Pray for his wisdom and guidance. Look to the Bible for his truth to live by, and you will see progress.

Allow your spouse to ask questions of you. In a marriage relationship being transparent is to your advantage. If your spouse knows that you are willing for them to ask anything of you, then trust will develop much easier. Nothing hidden means no questions. If there are unanswered questions, they will develop into theories that are usually worst case scenarios. Give permission to your spouse to ask questions anytime. They will have a greater sense of security, and it will help you to stay honest as well.

Aspire to a high level of integrity. You can be and do anything that you want in this life. Some people restrict themselves to nothing to gain advantage over others. If the motive of your heart is to build a great marriage, then integrity is to your advantage. In fact, aspiring to be a person of integrity affects all areas of life in a positive way. It means that people can trust that what you say you will do, you will do. It means that you will be where you say you will be. It means that your words match your actions. All these are solid ground for a wonderful marriage.

Now, I invite you to try out some tools for communicating through problems in your Christian marriage in my free, 10 page e-book called, "Realignment For Your Christian Marriage."

Get your free e-book by going to http://realignment.thefamilyandhome.com/.

By Bryan Ayers - husband, father, marriage teacher, pastor, friend.

Looking for Christian marriage counseling experts is similar to looking for a secular therapist. Peruse your phone directory's pages or carry out online searches for counselors near your area that specifically cater to Christian marriages.

When you already have a catalog of likely counselors, this list can be trimmed down by evaluating their qualifications. It is best to judge them based on their experience and training using a combination of Christian and professional viewpoints. After all, Christian marriage help includes both traditional marital therapy and guidance and teachings of the Christian doctrine. In fact, belief in Christianity is equal to having the needed license to perform one's counseling duties.

Ask yourself, how much applicable knowledge or skills do these counselors have? Highlight the years that they focused on Christian marriage counseling more than the years that they spent in general marriage counseling. Know also that there are many forms of marriage counseling and if you or even your spouse has some inclinations or objections, it is advisable to inform the prospective counselors before any sessions begin. Ask also if your preferences will even be considered. For instance, there are some partners who would like an approach based on the Bible, while others would rather hear about the experiences of other Christian couples.

Online searches or even the ever-reliable yellow pages would not show such information, though. Take time to conduct a phone interview or, if possible, schedule a meeting. Setting up an appointment will require more effort on your part, but it is definitely more effective. Not only will you meet the prospective counselor, but you will also be able to evaluate his office environment.

One other essential aspect to think about is you and your partner's chemistry with the Christian marriage counseling expert. Simply put, what goes through your mind as you speak with the potential counselor? Would you, as a couple, favor a female over a male counselor? When it comes to the counselor's age, which do you prefer, someone younger or older? Is civil status an issue? Above it all, does your partner agree with you that you could divulge confidential information to this counselor? It is imperative that trust be the basis of your relationship with this counselor-find someone who arouses respect from you and your spouse.

A great way to know whether a certain counselor would suit you is to ask for a test session rather than commit immediately to a series of sessions. Right after the first session, ask your spouse's opinion. Was the counselor sincere and well-informed? Was he objective during the entire session? To sum it up, do you or your spouse agree that you are happy using this counselor or would you rather look elsewhere?

Do not forget practical considerations, as well. Issues such as your free time coinciding with the scheduled sessions; professional fees charged by the therapist; as well as the location of the counselor's office, do matter.

Christian marriage counseling could become an instrument for a sturdier marriage relationship but it's best to remember that each couple must work together with their therapist. Both partners must compromise and sacrifice to keep their marriage intact.

Jo Goodman is a professional writer and counselor specializing in attraction and building relationships based on love, tolerance, peace and harmony.

She is a leading authority on Have to Save a Marriage.

Her work portrays the warmth and compassion of a woman who is truly doing what she was born to do.

Jo is dedicated to the long term success of others and takes great pride in her work. She is a perfect match for those experiencing troubles in marriage and wanting to go back to the way things were.

For more detailed info on saving broken marriages, visit Jo on the web=> Fix Marriage

(c)2010 - Jo Goodman. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

So you want a stronger marriage? You feel the need for marital help? Maybe you are worried that you are on the brink of divorce. Are you far enough along that you need marriage counseling? If so, Christian marriage counseling is a great alternative.

Maybe you want to save your marriage from drifting. Is your marriage worth saving? Relationship-building makes it possible to save marriage from divorce. What if you are the only one who wants to try? Even in those cases it is possible to save your marriage from divorce.

Like most partners in a marriage, I have, at times, had insecurities about how good a husband I was being. We would have a disagreement, and I would wonder if we were in trouble.

I have helped many couples who were working on their marriages, and I discovered some surprising options for getting marital help. When you look for the marital help you need, you are on your way to developing a stronger marriage.

As I said, I discovered a secret.

Here it is: Evaluate Your Marriage and Take Steps to Improve Where You Are in the Progression of Marriage.

Here are the six surprising options you have when you want a stronger marriage:

1. See how far along you are.

You may be concerned because you are having some disagreements in your marriage. That is one thing. You may be at the place where World War III is erupting. Or, you may be somewhere in between. Depending on the frequency and severity of your fighting, you take different actions.

2. Try self-help alternatives

Say, if you were, on a scale of 1 to 5, at a 3 or less, your best start is to try some self-help alternative. While Christian marriage counseling is a good option, that may not be for you at the moment. Even if you thought you were at a 4 or 5, you may not be able to afford counseling (although your church might provide it at little or no cost). Also, your partner may not want to go to counseling.

3. Look for resources where only one can start

If you partner does not see the same need you do, there are resources that are designed for just one partner to start to work on developing a stronger marriage.

4. Look at marriage-building resources.

Look at marriage-building resources. If you are in a job, you look for all the help you can get to improve your skills. Your marriage is more important than your job, so take advantage of marriage-building resources.

5. Work together when both are on board.

Things are even better when you both want a stronger marriage. If both of you realize your marriage is in trouble, and both of you are committed to overcoming your difficulties, you are on your way to success. However, you do need to find out where you can change. Just hoping that things will get better probably will not work.

6. If it is really serious, get Christian marriage counseling.

When you recognize things are really serious, and you cannot attack the problem because you always end up in a fight, get counseling. From my perspective, Christian marriage counseling is best, but get whatever help you can. Some say, "Counseling will be too expensive." Just remember that divorce is very expensive too.

Heed this warning: If you don't take these steps seriously, your marriage may get weaker, and you may likely be headed toward divorce.

These six surprising options will make your marriage stronger, and it is extremely likely that they will help you save your marriage from divorce.

But wait. We don't even know if your marriage can be restored if it is in a very serious situation.

If you want a stronger marriage, go to the LOVING Way to a Successful marriage website.

To get ten tips to improve your marriage, go to http://DrRandyCarney.webs.com/FixyourMarriage.htm

Copyright 2010 by Dr. Randy Carney

Permission is granted to reprint this article as long as all of it is reprinted and all links are intact, and the author is given proper credit.

Sin #1 - Failure to fulfill their God-given duties:

God has ordained man to be a protector, provider and give purpose to the marriage. Purpose is something that most marriages lack. We get married to have sex without a guilty conscious and little else. What's the true point of being married? There needs to be a purpose.

Nearly every man I've met has a strong need to protect and provide for his family. When men do not do this, they struggle with security issues, loneliness, depression, and anxiety. The word husband comes from the word 'band' like a rope or strong cable that protects or keeps something from being broken into.

In Genesis 2:15, God commands Adam to dress the garden, or to provide for its needs. He was also commanded to keep the garden, or to protect it. God built into each man the instinctual desires to protect and provide for someone. This is something that the man has built into him. It is an instinct.

This no way implies that a woman is incapable. Actually, Biblically, she has less need of the man than the man has for her. But men love to be the knight in shining armor. Men love to show off. They love the concept of rescuing the damsel in distress. This merely illustrates the instincts that are built into a man.

But if a husband is not doing these things in his marriage, he struggles with feeling a part of the marriage. Dozens of marriages that I have counseled struggled because the husband became depressed over the fact that his wife, and not he, was the main provider in the home. The wife isn't doing anything wrong by working, but he still feels this way.

Sin #2 - An unwillingness to take responsibility:

Men don't take responsibility because they are often immature. I think that most people agree that men tend to mature slower than the average woman. This isn't always true, but it is true enough to be a recurring problem in marriages.

Learn to take responsibility in the marriage. Don't pass it off to the wife or the children, or the job, or the circumstances. Don't run off with your friends for a night out and abandoned your family in need. Don't put the blame on your wife. Take responsibility.

If there is a problem in the marriage, face it. I'll ask a couple that has marital problems to rate their marriage from 1 to 10-with 10 being the best and 1 being the worst. In 99 cases out of a 100, the wife will rate the marriage worse than the husband. There's a problem and he refuses to see it, or deal with it, or take responsibility for it.

I can guarantee that more women will read this article than men. It's an unfortunate tragedy.

Sin #3 - Reactive instead of proactive:

Men tend to react to life and often force their wives into making the decisions rather than make difficult decisions of their own. The average woman doesn't like a controlling husband. But that same woman doesn't want a lump on the log for a husband either. Often, a woman's security comes from a husband that is willing to make the hard choices in life and then to act upon it. She is secure with a loving husband that doesn't act like a pinball machine, but has direction and purpose.

Recently, my wife and I became concerned over her some of her health issues. She knew something needed to be done but she felt insecure in making the decision unilaterally. When I finally realized the problem, and it did take some time, I told her what we were going to do. Yes, I told her. Because the decision was for her sake and she knew it. She told me that the decision made her feel loved and secure.

This goes back to that providing and protecting instinct I already mentioned. Women don't mind a husband that makes tough decisions that protect her and provide for her.

It is true that a man makes a mistake when he doesn't incorporate his wife's opinion into any decision. But to make her make the decision because you are unwilling to is frustrating for most women. And just as hurtful is the husband who only makes decisions that are in his own interests. This will strip away his wife's security. She'll balk at a husband whose apparent only interest is himself.

Sin #4 - Uninvolved in child rearing:

Husbands tend to watch the child rearing from a distance. Then they want to tell the wife what went wrong. Not a very good plan. Don't be the guy that runs off to work, comes home and demands that everyone leave him alone so he can relax. You may feel that you need to relax, but your children will suffer for it.

On the average, men have more influence over the children than the mother does. Children instinctually gravitate towards dad's influence. There are many reasons for this, but just listen to a child's bragging. He rarely ever says, 'my mom can beat up your mom'. Instead it is, 'my dad can beat up your dad'. Rarely does a child want to grow up to be like mom. Instead a child wants to grow up to be like dad. This goes for both boys and girls.

All this means is that in childrearing, a man can't take a backseat. He needs to jump in and get his hands dirty. He can't just be the angry discipliner all the time, or the guy who is seen for ten minutes a day and then hides in his room or the garage. He needs to be an active part of the children's lives.

Spend time with your children, dad!

Sin #5 - Failure to understand that good sex is a lifestyle not an action:

Men often treat sex as physical fulfillment only. Good sex is best when there is emotional and mental involvement. Every woman will agree with me.

Don't get your physical satisfaction and then roll over and go to sleep. Don't leave her empty. I read once that if a husband can get his wife to climax once out of every five times they have sex that she would be more fulfilled than the average woman. I really don't know how true that is. But I do know that a husband ought to make every effort, and I mean every effort, to see that his wife is sexually fulfilled.

This means you need to talk. You need to caress. You need to have lots of foreplay. You need to set a good atmosphere. You need to seek to please her.

Good sex is a direct reflection of your marriage. If your sex life is a 1,2,3...ahhhh, I'm done-all the time and every time, then I can guarantee that your marriage is suffering and you may not even realize it.

Sin #6 - Developing private worlds that exclude the wife and children:

Too many husbands build islands or foreign lands in their minds. They have Las Vegas minds in their Christian bodies. He shuts his wife out of this little fantasy world and excludes her from his thoughts and imaginations.

This is a problem. It will create all sorts of problems too. No woman can live up to your fantasy women that you have running around in your head. No woman can compete with a world that she is excluded from.

Allow your wife into all areas of your life. Dream and plan for the future with your wife. The average wife doesn't really know her husband's mindset. He doesn't talk. He doesn't tell her about his ambitions or dreams. This is a mistake, gentlemen. Your wife is part of you, there ought to be no area of your life where she isn't welcome.

Now, she may not be interested in some of them. Like when you go out and play basketball with the guys, perhaps, but she ought to know that she can come along if she wants to.

Sin #7 - Spiritual followers rather than spiritual leaders:

In most Christian families, the wife is the spiritual leader rather than the husband. There is actually a good reason for this. Women, by nature, tend to be more spiritual than men do. This is evidenced by the disproportion of men to women in our Churches today.

But when the husband is the spiritual leader, he brings stability and security to the home. Spiritual guidance and leadership means that you must think of those you are leading. You must take a vested interest in the character, morality, values, and mental development of your family.

Leadership isn't control. It isn't being dictatorial. It is taking responsibility for the welfare of your family. The average woman will not balk at following a man who has proven that he has his wife and kids at the core of his decisions. Leadership is instilling in someone else the desire to follow. If you can't get someone to want to follow, then you aren't a very good leader.

Be the spiritual example in the home, Christian daddy. Read your bible, lead in prayer, and live by the morals and values that you want everyone else to live by.

Sin #8 - Boring and unimaginative:

Men tend to get into a rut. I know I am that way when it comes to food. I'm very picky, and could eat the same things over and over. But overall, don't become that way. Don't get into a routine that begins to isolate you from your family.

Take the reins and do things with your wife. Don't do the same things either. Add a bit of imagination to the marriage. Start a new project together, go out on an unusual date, or write an erotic letter to your wife. Put some imagination back into the marriage.

Women appreciate thoughtfulness in a relationship. When you put some spice back into the marriage, it overcomes many of the defects of the marriage. When you are boring and unimaginative it merely underscores the problems.

Sin #9 - Ignorant and insensitive to the ten basic needs of a wife:

1. Communication
2. Financial and physical security
3. Demonstration of affection
4. Non-sexual touch
5. Needs to be praised for effort
6. Spiritual growth
7. Emotional release
8. Family togetherness
9. Reaffirmation of her beauty
10. Time alone with her husband

Find ways to give her each of these ten basic needs. She'll love you for it.

Sin #10 - failure to prepare for the Future:

And not just in a lack of foresight either. But when you fail to plan for the future of the marriage, financially, for the children, then you'll not give your wife the security she needs.

For my wife, the knowledge that I've planned for things like retirement, old age, death, when the kids are gone, when the kids are teenagers, when the kids get married, when the Church grows, and so forth brings her great security.

Please visit our website at: http://fitlyspoken.org

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Specializing in practicality that works, not the politically correct or socially acceptable platitudes!

When the word love is mentioned people have all kinds of different thoughts based on their experience and influence. There is a way to enter into a love experience that will outdo all others, but it's not easy. Are you willing?

First, you must understand that love is a choice. Many follow their feelings and love one person after another in a long and unsuccessful succession. Is that love? True love chooses to love in spite of the feelings going up and down. There is security to a committed love like that. Wedding vows used to read, "till death do us part," or "as long as you both shall live." Many still use the same vows but apparently they forget in the hard times and give up on their spouse. The choice is to love and do it to your best even when it hurts.

Second, you must hold nothing back. Love your spouse with everything that you are and have. If you hold back in any area, you are not only shortchanging your spouse, but yourself as well. Does anyone but God deserve everything that you have? No, no one deserves it, but we give it freely and liberally. God prescribes that we love each other as married people with everything that we have, so that's what we must do. It can be scary to give all of ourselves. What if our spouse does not return the love or treats us disrespectfully? If your relationship is difficult at the moment, then working to build trust is important. Part of the marriage development equation will require giving all of ourselves.

Third, you must put action to your love. Love is not mere sentiment. Action is the proof of love. Because you love your spouse, you go out of your way to bless them. It might be to meet their needs. It might be just because you want to show you love them. Even when there is some disagreement between you and your spouse you can do things that show you love them. In this circumstance it really becomes a display of unconditional love. In the hard times and the good, show your love to your spouse in ways that they can easily see your heart. It will keep your relationship steady.

Now, I invite you to try out some tools for communicating through issues in your Christian marriage in my e-book called, "Realignment For Your Christian Marriage." Get your free e-book at http://realignment.thefamilyandhome.com/.

By Bryan Ayers - husband, father, marriage teacher, pastor, friend.

When leadership is needed in your marriage, just step up. Yes, you're afraid of failure or something else, but unless you take the initiative you will never overcome what holds you back. It's really a simple process, and if you put your mind to it, you will succeed at being a leader in your home. Here are three steps to follow in being the one who leads the way through decision making or conflict management.

Evaluate- Evaluating the situation is the place to start. Often, people just jump into situations without having really taken the time to take note of what's really going on in detail. Evaluating is not done alone. It involves you as a husband and whoever else is affected. Evaluation is done by observing what's happening, thinking over a question that has been asked or anticipating a situation that could arise. It's trying to figure out everything that is involved.

Discussion- People problems are rarely handled well without discussion. Discussion is part of the evaluation process as well, but it really leads you into finding solutions. In talking over issues many things can be discovered as far as cause and effect. Discussion is also where solutions tend to produce themselves. As details are handled it usually becomes obvious as to who needs to do what and how to remedy the situation.

Action- After the facts, causes and effects are figured out and the solutions have been presented it's time to act. Since it's it been thoroughly discussed, others have participated, and together you determined what needs to be done; you as a husband can now be the one to encourage the action to take place and be the one to help those involved stay accountable to the decisions made. Sometimes, it's you, the husband that is the one who has to take the action. Lead the way in that too. Be the example.

Now, I invite you to try out some tools for communicating in your Christian marriage in my free e-book called, "Realignment For Your Christian Marriage."

Get my free e-book at http://realignment.thefamilyandhome.com/.

By Bryan Ayers - husband, father, marriage teacher, pastor, friend.

As Christians we are not only accountable to our spouse but to God first and foremost. Christ should be the driving force in the Christ follower's life. If this one important facet is written upon a woman's heart, mind and soul, she will not have a problem adhering to her obligations as a Christian wife.

And the Lord God said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an helpmeet for him. Genesis 2:18

Scripture shows a woman how to be a good helpmeet to her husband. Even when she doesn't feel like being very helpful or loving she tries to do the best she can because she knows it is what God wants her to do. The reality is Christian women have bad days too, but are blessed with God's presence (Holy Spirit) within them for comfort.

God created Eve for Adam's companionship, helper, support and encouragement. It is not good that man should be alone. There are many ways that a wife can bring the assets of helper and that of companionship to her husband. A Christian wife "who fears the Lord" is an asset to her husband in many ways.

In what ways can a Christian wife be a good helpmeet to her husband? She is called to be a companion to her husband in all areas of the marriage, which include emotionally, mentally, spiritually and sexually.

A Wife's Emotional Support

Emotionally she encourages her husband to be the man of God that was meant for him to be. She is an asset to her husband when she supports him in his callings and endeavors in life and praises his continual efforts in the Lord. She should refrain from trying to control, browbeat or boss her husband around because that is not what God has called her to do.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Proverbs 31:11

A nagging wife is worse than a dripping faucet. If a wife cannot find anything uplifting to say to her husband or about her husband she shouldn't say anything at all. A husband needs an emotionally supportive wife and vice versa, otherwise how is the oneness in marriage met?

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman. Proverbs 21:19

A Wife's Spiritual Support

Spiritually a Christian wife connects with her Christian husband because they share in the same values and principles in life. And together they raise Godly children and have many fruits of the spirit within their marriage and family. Together they create abundance and prosperity for their lives and they realize and praise God because they know it all belongs to Him.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12

She submits to her husband's spiritual leadership. A helpmeet does not argue and fuss with her husband; instead she works with Him. Most husbands will eagerly listen to the opinion of their wives when the wife does not demean him. Marriage is a partnership and a team effort that takes considerable compassion and compromise from both the husband and wife. Submission should always be voluntary, otherwise how would it be submission any other way?

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Proverbs 31:23

A Wife's Sexual Support

Sexually she is there for her husband when he wants to be close. Both husband and wife have emotional, spiritual and sexual needs that should be met only through each other. God created them male and female for this reason. Eve was made from Adams flesh and bones, which symbolically make them one flesh. When a husband and wife encourage one another in their roles and positions of marriage the sexual and emotional intimacy between them will be a healthy and productive part of the marriage.

The goal for marriage should be of maintaining the oneness that united them. Sexual intimacy between a husband and wife is the kind of companionship that brings them closer together so they will not want outside of the marriage parameters. They should never reject one another unless of a woman's menstruation or if either one of them is sick.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27

On another note, women who are loved in the Lord are more apt to be respectful and devoted wives. A woman who is truly loved by her husband will utilize all of her creative talents and God given abilities that she has been blessed with; her husband will never be in need of anything.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Proverbs 31:31

Angie Lewis is the author of six self-help inspirational books offering valuable, proven marriage tips and advice. If your marriage is important to you, then you must check out Angie's books and marriage healing ministry. http://www.lulu.com/AngieLewis/ & http://www.heavenministries.com/

"No one should separate a couple that God has joined together." True to this Biblical saying from the book of Matthew, every Christian couple strives hard to maintain a solid and continuing relationship with one another. But if problems arise between the couple, how will they resolve it? Of course simple arguments could easily be addressed by showing a compromising spirit; but how about the bigger issues that couples encounter nowadays? The solutions are of course taken from the different sites that offer marriage help for Christians.

Websites that offer marriage help for Christians usually focus on the use of the bible in providing marriage advices to couples. By using the trusted principles that are outlined in Biblical passages, Christian couples could be ensured that whatever advice they receive are always in line with their beliefs.

With the use of marriage help for Christians, couple will be given ample time to discuss their issues with their spouses as well as the other problems that they encounter as married people. Through the use of the bible, couples are encouraged to reflect the qualities of their Lord, jesus christ as they deal with stressful and problematic situations they face in their marriages. Also the use of marriage help for Christians also assist couples in finding ways how they could prevent ending up divorcing one another, knowing that God wants them to stay together until both of them shall live.

So, are you a Christian couple, battered with many problems in your marriage? Stray from divorce and receive marriage help for Christians, and for sure you could adhere with what jesus said: "No one should separate a couple that God has joined together."

Are you looking for the best marriage help? Visit http://marriagehelp.grovetech.com today!

Here are 5 successful marriage tips for those who have been affected by the economic down turn. Is this really necessary you ask? When you consider money is among the top three reasons couples divorce today, it really is necessary. Currently, thousands of families across the United States have been negatively impacted by increasing unemployment numbers. Unfortunately, rising unemployment numbers can also translate into an increase in divorce rates. If either you or your spouse is unemployed, here are a few tips to keep your marriage healthy and strong as you make this transition:

1. Keep Things in Prospective - Step back from the situation and realize that although your job was taken away, you still have your life, your family, your health, and your skills. As long as you have all of those things, you are actually quite wealthy compared to some. In fact, looking at it from a different perspective, the loss of your job could actually be seen as an opportunity. An opportunity for what you ask? An opportunity to start that business you've dreamed about for so long; an opportunity to spend more time with your family; perhaps even an opportunity to go back to school and increase your marketability.

2. Avoid Misdirected Anger - Often times when one spouse is unemployed for a substantial period of time, tempers begin to flair as the money begins to diminish. When you become accustomed to having a certain dollar amount in your checking account and all of a sudden it's not there, this can illicit feelings of fear, frustration, and ultimately anger between spouses. But you must realize your spouse is not your enemy. Neither are they the blame for the situation. You are both on the same team, fighting for the same dream. So, instead of taking it out on your spouse, go bike riding or jogging to release that steam.

3. Keep the Faith - Simply put, if you believe you're doomed, then you probably are. If you believe you'll come out on top, then you probably will. What do you believe to be true about your current situation? If you're not sure, just monitor your thoughts for a few hours. What do you spend the majority of your time thinking about? The answer to that question will give you clear insight into what you really believe regarding your future. If you discover your faith is not as strong as it could be, then make a decision to change it, it's just that simple.

4. Save the Date - Regardless of how much money you have or don't have. Regardless of whether you live in a 5 bedroom house or a two bedroom apartment; spending time with your mate must always be the priority. Be deliberate about having a date night and keeping it -- no matter what. There are tons of inexpensive things the two of you can do together. Like going to a "dollar" movie, visiting a bookstore, walking in the park, or having a game night at home. Your financial situation is merely temporary, the truth is; it will eventually change. On the other hand, the relationship you have with your spouse, is a lifetime covenant with a value that far exceeds dollars, diamonds, or gold.

5. Don't Parent - If you are the employed spouse, don't grill your unemployed spouse with questions about their job seeking efforts. Your position should always be supporter, and encourager, not supervisor. The truth is, your spouse wants to get back into the work force just as much as you want them to, probably more so. It is doubtful he or she needs to be parented or supervised in order to find employment. So, resist the urge to play mom or dad, and choose instead to treat them with the same dignity and respect you would want if it were you.

If you enjoyed reading Successful Marriage Tips When a Spouse is Unemployed, click here to read 6 Christian Marriage Tips for building a healthy Christian marriage.

Cultivate communication- Communication is basically made up of two things- understanding what is said and speaking to be understood. The best way to really understand your spouse in conversation is through what has been called reflective listening.

To practice reflective listening have your spouse speak what they are thinking and feeling about a subject. Next you respond back with statements that begin with something like, "Do you mean to say..." repeating back their thoughts in your words. This method allows your spouse to confirm that what you heard was accurate. Each of you should gain better understanding of each other as you both speak what you mean and confirm what you hear.

Consider Compromise- Is a win in a marriage relationship always worth the cost? When two people can't agree on something, but a decision must be reached, somebody has to give in. There are so many issues in marriages that I have witnessed that could have been resolved if one spouse would have realized that winning the argument was not worth damaging their marriage.

The first thought at an impasse is that if you give in then your spouse will think they have the upper hand all the time. Measure the weight of the issue against your marriage, and if you value your marriage more than the issue tell your spouse that your relationship with them is far more important than the issue. Because you love them so much you are willing to compromise. You'll find that there is really less to die for than you think.

Confirm Commitment- Commitment seems to be an elusive word these days. Almost all commitments appear to have a disclaimer tacked onto them. I have heard marriage vows say things like, "I will love honor and cherish you as long as our love lasts." How long does love last? It may last until you see someone more attractive, exciting or with more money. Is that worth breaking marriage vows?

Commitment in marriage, established before God, can be summed up as I choose to love you and honor you until I die. In the good times and bad, I am yours. I know things happen and people can change drastically becoming abusive and violent. I am not talking about that. Stay in love because you choose to love.