Is your Marraige Thriving, Surviving, or Diving

There are two books I recommend picking up: 

• The 4 Seasons of Marriage - Secrets to a Lasting Marriage by Gary Chapman
• Marriage: From Surviving to Thriving by Charles Swindol

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     I am working on a list of practical activities that will help married couples move their relationship towards a thriving summer.  I will post this list later.  
     Many couples find complacency in Fall and Spring.  They are just surviving in their marriage.  Everything is about a day-to-day routine, equal performance and responsibilities, priorities seldom include regularly scheduled marriage maintenance activities.  Kids sometimes supersede the marriage as well as work or even church ministries.  

     This is were we find most couples.  Surviving in their relationship, in their marriage.  Looking for little pieces of happiness outside of the relationship, in kids, in work, in grand-kids, church, others, etc.  It is here extramarital affairs begin.  
     Hope is lost for a thriving relationship because both parties have developed a belief that the other party can not change, and that the other party needs to be changed.  
The truth is, if the marriage is surviving or diving, the problem is both of you.  The marriage belongs to both parties and Christ.  He holds you both responsible.  The head, the man, has been placed in the leadership role, but you both are responsible for doing your part.  your part is 100%, not 50%.  

Recommendations to start doing now - even when you are upset:

• Pray together every morning when you wake up
• Pray together every night before you sleep
• Say "I Love You", hug, and kiss each time you depart from each other
• Go to church and Bible study together weekly