What keeps your marriage healthy and thriving? The last 40 days the couples at Highview have been engaging in a very productive challenge called the “Love Dare.” The book is full of dozens of practical ways that husbands and wives can be more intentional about investing in their marriage despite the daily distractions and pressures that contend for our affections. A little maintenance goes a long way, or so I am discovering after nearly 5 years of marriage.
The Pew Research Center surveyed married adults and asked them to rank nine items typically associated with successful marriages. The survey, first conducted in 1990, was given again in 2007 and the comparisons of perceptions were quite interesting. The top three factors were: 1) faithfulness, 2) happy sexual relationship, and 3) sharing household chores. Interestingly enough, shared religious beliefs ranked sixth at 49% – that seemed low to me.
Brandon Shields 
jonathonwoodyard
February 13, 2009
Brandon,
Glad to know you are still learning after 5 years of marriage! Never stop.
Best book on marriage I have read: Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. I recommend this book for those engaged, planning to be engaed, or even single and one day hope to find that “right” person. It gives a solid theological foundation for the institution of marriage.
We need that foundation before jumping into the pragmatic books like “Sheet Music.” That is my opinion however!