JANUARY 2009
Happy New Year!

I was never one to get caught up in the whole "New Years Resolutions" thing. If I needed to change something, it didn't seem to make sense to wait until New Years to finally make a commitment. You just do it when its needed. However, sometimes we need that extra motivation to take the steps we know are necessary to change our lives. There's something neat and tidy about making a clean start for the new year.

As Socrates said many years ago, "the unexamined life is not worth living". With that in mind, I would like to challenge you to examine your marriage/dating relationship and consider what you could do to make it better—more vibrant, exciting, intimate, purposeful, fulfilling, or God-honoring. Resolve this year to make your relationship better than it is now—whether you're 21 or 81. In this month's article, we'll explore some suggestions that can help make it happen.

You can read past issues of Relationship Boosters on our Archive page.

May 2009 bring joy to your heart and glory to God,

Russ & Sharon
Tips to spark the romance in your marriage

Tips For Both of You

  • Accountability is important. Discuss how you might form a "Board of Directors" for your marriage.
  • Be intentional about date nights. Get out your calendar and set some dates.
  • Beam a Text love message to your spouse.
  • When's the last time you had fun as a couple? Get together and plan a date night.
  • Get out of the air conditioning and take a romantic walk.
  • Create a romantic memory today.
  • Focus on better communication. Be more open and honest.
  • Volunteer something you haven't shared before.
  • Focus on forgiveness. Is there something you need to ask forgiveness for?
  • Have you tried Prayer Walking? Use your exercise time to pray together.
  • Mark all of your "Romantic Reminders" in your PalmPilot or DayTimer. Include date nights, your anniversary and getaways. Reminder: A date means time away; with no kids, just the two of you.
  • Commit to reading the bible together. Take turns daily reading a section from a One Year Bible.
  • What are your marriage Expectations and Concerns, now and in the future? Talk about them.
  • Through a marriage organization or your church, plan a weekend retreat getaway.
  • Start keeping a journal of events and milestones in your relationship.

Tips For Him

  • Call your wife right now and tell her you love her.
  • Design a special romantic night at home with your wife. Plan all the details. Be creative.
  • Ask your wife how you can pray for her. Then, on a regular basis, pray for her and your marriage.
  • Leave work early today and surprise her with flowers and a date night.
  • Tomorrow morning, take your wife to Starbucks. Over your favorite coffee, make plans for your next date night
  • Prearrange with your wife's employer, a surprise afternoon limo ride to a day-spa for a makeover and lunch.
  • Have her car waxed and detailed.
  • Give your wife a homemade coupon booklet consisting of romantic and practical freebies.
  • Make a commitment to pray with your wife for a few minutes every night before you go to bed.
  • While you're away on a business trip, have a bouquet of flowers delivered to your wife.
  • Forget the other stuff in your life. Today, focus only on your wife.

Tips For Her

  • Purchase some Audio Books on a marriage topic. Your husband can listen on his commute to work.
  • Make his favorite dessert...Chocolate Chip Cookies?
  • Write your "Top Ten Reasons" you love him and read them to him aloud.
  • Let him sleep in tomorrow morning.
  • Give him a gift certificate to a massage therapist.
  • Pick up a blank card at a card shop and for no special reason, write him a love note.
  • Give him a gift certificate to his favorite coffee shop.
  • Give him a coupon for a day of "guilt-free" sports viewing.
  • Read the Power of a Praying Wife, and pray for him.
  • Buy a book written by his favorite author and read it to him in bed each night.
  • Fax/text your husband a love note!
  • How can you serve him today?

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