David nor I are fond of cleaning the shower. Normally, the second one who takes a shower, cleans it. However, David said recently, "I think it is my turn to clean the shower." We had to remind ourselves, we stopped keeping score many years ago. While we are far from perfect, we strive to serve one another. (David is better at this than I am. ) We are a team. So if you would like to do one thing to enhance your relationship, we would recommend you stop keeping score. Wouldn't it be nice if you could see who could out-serve the other?

Grace and peace,

Penny and David

21 Simple Ways to Show Your Spouse You Love Them

One Extraordinary Marriage recently shared 21 ways to show how much you love your spouse at different times throughout the year. Here are just a few:

• Hold Hands
• Say Thank You
• Encourage your Spouse
• Listen Intently
• Pray Together
• Cuddle on the Couch

For the entire list, click here.

Emotional Challenges of Step-parenting

"Being a step-parent is one of the most emotionally challenging roles on the planet" Nancy Landrum with Relationship Rehab

If you are a step-parent or a soon-to-be step-parent, we'd recommend you read Landrum's article. She also includes a check list and discussion guide on how to have a more harmonious household.

To check it click here

Goodwill Date Night Goes Wrong

Last month we talked about Date Nights. We hope you have found some to try. If so, great! If not, you may want to try this one from Dave and Ashley Willis, called "Goodwill Date Night Goes Wrong" from XO Marriage. To watch this fun date night. click below.

And if you have a unique date night, we would love to hear from you. Just email us at pdhud9@aol.com

Upcoming Marriage Opportunities

A free concert at Agape Wilderness Retreat - June 17 - 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

831 Barebone Road

Bedford, KY 40006

Make it a date and enjoy a summer day with music in the Wilderness.

You may want to bring a picnic lunch. No registration required. For more information, call 502-255-7676.

In-person Workshop

Nashville, TN

June 23-25, 2023

Registration open through June 16

A New Beginning is a turn-around weekend designed to help couples who feel stuck in an unhealthy marriage, couples who are frustrated and unhappy, and couples considering divorce.

For more information, cost, etc. click here or call (800) 650-9995 or (615) 627-0751.

New Resources for Small Groups or Independent Study

The Grace Marriage - How the Gospel and Intentionality Transform Your Relationship by Brad and Marilyn Rhodes with Brittany Cragg

The Grace Marriage authors share how a revelation of God's grace and fresh conviction of the need for intentional investment transformed their hearts and relationship.

In fact, at the end of each chapter are questions for consideration and reflection as a pathway to implementation and growth.

This book would be great for a small group study or an independent study just between you and your spouse.

How a Husband Speaks by Ryan Frederick and How a Wife Speaks by Selena Fredrick

For this month's Coupletime activity I asked Greg Williams, with Love and Lordship, if I could share his blog post on Submitting to One Another. Here are some excerpts from this post:

I love how God, in His Word, makes it so clear how we are to love “one another” in all the different ways, both in what we are to do and to avoid! This command today may be my favorite because I believe it lays the foundation for all truly loving relationships within The Body of Christ. Beyond that the next several verses in this text focus on marriage and family as the highest of human relationships and gives the reasons for it.

However this may also be the most difficult of all the “one another” commands?!?

This “one another” is found in Ephesians 5:21 and simply, yet profoundly states, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

We must begin with our love, humility and reverence for The Lord (the First and Greatest Command) and then out of the overflow of His love in us and our love for Him, we choose to humbly submit to one another as we’ve already learned to submit to and honor (revere) Him as Lord.



So when you’re struggling in your relationships (marriage, parenting, family, friends, etc.), do you stop and consider whether or not you’re first submitting to and honoring Christ?

Let's practice submitting first to the Lord so we can better learn to humbly submit and love one another in the same way.

Discussion Questions:

• Do you submit your life in relationship to Christ in humility and out of honor for Him as Your Lord? If not, what is a step you can take to begin doing this?
• What comes to mind when you hear the words "submit" or "submission?"
• How can you submit to one another out of reverence for Christ?

Note: If you have not read Williams' book - Love and Lordship's The Authority of Love, we would encourage you to check it out. He has more to say in this book about this topic and a lot more wisdom to share. For more information on the book, click here.

In addition, on our website Dr. Valerie Vincent, counselor, shares her thoughts on submission as well. To view this message, click here.

"Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8