The Family First Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#104: 5 Things You Must Know About Your Spouse (Podcast) Mar 29, 2016

Show notes

How well do you really know your spouse? I don’t mean the color of their hair and eyes, or where they were born and went to school. That’s their biography, their exterior. But what about their inner life: thoughts and feelings, hopes and fears? Do you know them in a way that builds the relationship? If you know your spouse well, you will be able to love them well.

So it's important to be a student of your spouse, to study them and really know who they are! Today, Susan and I are going to go through some questions that will help you with the must-knows for your spouse.

The post #104: 5 Things You Must Know About Your Spouse (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#103: 4 Things Kids of Divorce Wish They Could Say to Their Parents (Podcast) Mar 22, 2016

Show notes

Over the years, we have worked with teens and adult children of divorce who were raised in two homes. Many times, they literally wanted to shout, “STOP PUTTING ME IN THE MIDDLE!!!” Unfortunately, most kids never have the courage to speak up and share their voice on these matters. - Tammy Daughtry

A few months ago, we posted a blog on iMOM and had an outpouring of comments and responses in regards to children of divorced parents. We wanted to dig a little deeper into the issue and have asked the writer of that blog, Tammy Daughtry, to join us today. Susan, Tammy and I will discuss 4 things kids of divorce wish they could say to their parents!

The post #103: 4 Things Kids of Divorce Wish They Could Say to Their Parents (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#102: 8 Reasons Why Your Marriage May Be Better Than You Think (Podcast) Mar 15, 2016

Show notes

Did you know that your marriage may be better than you think? Too many couples don’t appreciate the good marriage they have because they are too focused on the perfect marriage they want. Susan and I have experienced this in our own marriage and have to continually remind ourselves of the good, and great, we have together.

Two things are typically true in marriages:

1) Those other “great” marriages are rarely as good as they look from the outside.

2) Your own marriage is not always as bad as you may think from the inside.

On today's podcast, Susan and I will address 8 reasons why your marriage may be better than you think.

The post #102: 8 Reasons Why Your Marriage May Be Better Than You Think (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#101: 3 Things Your Spouse Should Expect from You (Podcast) Mar 08, 2016

Show notes

Expectations. They are a very important part of marriage and we all have them, don't we? Husbands and wives should be able to expect certain things from one another; there are nonnegotiable marriage expectations that should be the same for all spouses. These are much deeper than leaving your socks on the floor. These are foundational expectations such as being a trustworthy spouse that every marriage needs.

On today's podcast, Susan and I will address 3 things your spouse should expect from you.

The post #101: 3 Things Your Spouse Should Expect from You (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#100: 6 Things You Should Stop Doing to Your Spouse in Public (Podcast) Mar 01, 2016

Show notes

When I wrote about the 7 things that husbands and wives should stop doing in their relationship awhile back, some spirited comments and conversations resulted. On today's podcast, Susan and I want to address 6 things that you should stop doing in public---things that can harm your spouse and hurt your marriage.

The post #100: 6 Things You Should Stop Doing to Your Spouse in Public (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#99: 7 Things Teenagers Secretly Want You to Know (Podcast) Feb 23, 2016

Show notes

Susan and I have raised 5 children through the teen years. Teenagers are trying to figure out life…who am I? Where am I going? Do I have what it takes? Am I beautiful?

Teens have a lot going on under the surface that they either haven’t identified, are afraid to say, or don’t know how to tell you. So it remains inside, alone and unattended. What if we did know? It might change the way we parent teens. What do you think? Do you want to know how to parent a teenager better?

The post #99: 7 Things Teenagers Secretly Want You to Know (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#98: The 7 Rings of Marriage (Podcast) Feb 16, 2016

Show notes

Too many marriages end in divorce. One of the reasons for this is couples today are not prepared for all the good and bad that may happen in marriage. So are you prepared? On today’s podcast, Jackie and Stephana Bledsoe will be discussing with us three of the seven stages, or 7 Rings of Marriages, […]

The post #98: The 7 Rings of Marriage (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#97 How to Find Joy in the Daily Grind (Podcast) Dec 22, 2015

Show notes

Joy: We all want it, but few of us have it. Why? Because every day, people and circumstances overwhelm our lives and steal our joy. Things like fear, anxiety, jealousy, death, loneliness, and illness sneak in. These difficulties consume our thoughts and drain our energy until we're left feeling incapable of joy. But in spite of these setbacks, I believe joy is still possible. And I believe you deserve to find that joy!

So on today’s podcast, my wife, Susan, and I will be sharing 3 ways to find joy in the daily grind.

The post #97 How to Find Joy in the Daily Grind (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#96: Restoring Your Marriage Against the Odds (Podcast) Dec 15, 2015

Show notes

The difficulties we face in life have the power to break or strengthen our marriage...the choice is up to us. We can choose to harbor resentment and unforgiveness or we can choose to embrace love and restoration. It all comes down to one thing: if we have faith that our marriage is worth fighting for. Luckily, God offers us this faith and works alongside us to restore our marriage no matter how difficult the trial.

Even after experiencing the pain of adultery, failure, and loss, Justin and Trisha Davis made the decision that their marriage was worth fighting for. This husband and wife duo founded RefineUs Ministries---a church movement to build healthy marriages and families. They currently live in Nashville as speakers and teachers. So on today’s podcast, we’ll be talking with this couple about how faith restored their marriage.

The post #96: Restoring Your Marriage Against the Odds (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

#95: My Pledge: Be a Better Elf This Christmas (Podcast) Dec 08, 2015

Show notes

Presents...snow...mistletoe...There's nothing better than the holiday season! Except when you throw in angry shoppers, long lines, and sleepless nights wrapping gifts. That's when the chaos has a way of overwhelming the cheer. And Christmas becomes more stressful than peaceful. But not this year! Because this year, my wife, Susan, and I pledge to be better elves.

The post #95: My Pledge: Be a Better Elf This Christmas (Podcast) appeared first on Mark Merrill's Blog.

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