What could it look like for your marriage to grow out of a deeper experience of Christ's love?

In this solo episode, Brian explores Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3:16–20 and applies its themes to marriage. The passage begins with strength in our inner being, moves into being rooted and established in love, and points us toward God's power at work within us.

For married couples, it offers an invitation to nurture your individual relationship with God and consider how that growth can shape your relationship with each other.

WHAT YOU'LL TAKE AWAY

Strength begins within.

Brian reflects on Paul's prayer for strength through the Holy Spirit. When you feel depleted, prayer offers a way to seek the inner resources you need to approach your marriage with greater love and intention.

Deep roots and flexibility belong together.

Drawing on his experiences with hurricanes in Florida, Brian uses palm trees as a picture of remaining grounded while bending under pressure. Couples can reflect on what it means to stay rooted in Christ's love while remaining open to growth and change.

God's love is something to experience.

A trip to Niagara Falls gave Brian a vivid picture of love that is powerful, abundant, and continually flowing. He connects that experience with Paul's invitation to grasp the breadth and depth of Christ's love.

Your marriage needs community.

Paul's prayer includes God's people together. Brian encourages couples to seek trusted support when they remain stuck, whether through a friend, pastor, mentor, or professional therapist.

This passage is at the heart of Love How Deep.

Brian shares why Ephesians 3:16–20 helps shape the ministry he and Heather lead: helping couples experience Christ's love and bring that love into their marriage.

SCRIPTURE TO EXPLORE

Read Ephesians 3:16–20 together. Notice the movement from inner strength to faith, rootedness, shared understanding, and God's power at work within us.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• Where do I feel depleted, and what would I like to bring to God in prayer?

• What helps me stay rooted in Christ's love when our marriage feels stressful?

• Where could I respond to my spouse with more flexibility and care?

• Who could we turn to for wise support if we keep getting stuck?

TRY THIS TOGETHER

After reading the passage, each spouse can share one phrase that stands out and why. Then pray for one another, asking God to help you receive His love and express it through one specific action this week.

MARRIAGE RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS

Marriage Strategy Session: Clarity, Connection, and a Plan Forward

If you want a clearer picture of your marriage and practical direction for growth, the Marriage Strategy Session offers a personalized experience with Brian and Heather.

You'll each complete a Prepare/Enrich marriage assessment before meeting privately by video for a two-hour session. Together, you'll explore your strengths, relationship patterns, and areas that need attention, then develop a personalized strategy with practical exercises and next steps. A 30-minute follow-up about 30 days later gives you time to review what you've learned and how your strategy is working.

Learn more and reserve your session:

https://www.lovehowdeep.com/marriage-strategy-session

Invite Love How Deep to Your Church

Brian and Heather offer Christ-centered keynotes, interactive workshops, half-day intensives, and marriage conferences. These experiences combine biblical teaching, relatable stories, and practical activities that help couples apply what they learn. Topics and formats can be tailored to your church's needs.

Explore speaking options and schedule a conversation:

https://www.lovehowdeep.com/speaking

Explore more Love How Deep resources:

https://www.lovehowdeep.com

SHARE THE EPISODE

Know a couple who would appreciate encouragement to grow deeper roots in Christ's love? Share this episode with them, and follow the Love How Deep Podcast for more conversations about faith, connection, and marriage.

This week, we are doing something a little different: taking you behind the scenes of a full weekend of speaking, ministry, marriage, and the unexpected moments that happened along the way.

We recently traveled to the Staunton and Swoope, Virginia, area to serve Village Church. On Saturday, we led an intimate couples retreat, and on Sunday, we were honored and humbled to be invited to speak during the church service. In this candid conversation, we share what it took to prepare two different presentations—and what we learned once we stepped in front of the audience.

Preparation included much more than practicing a talk. We created slide decks, wrote speaker notes, prepared cues for the church's technology team, organized visual exercises, and rehearsed together night after night. At times, the presentation flowed; at other times, we wondered whether we would ever get it right. Sometimes, the most helpful thing we could do was stop, rest, and return with fresh energy.

Of course, the weekend did not go perfectly. There was a nearly overflowing bowl during a forgiveness exercise, anointing oil that needed to be distributed at the last minute, a missing laptop charger, skipped notes, forgotten words, and a pair of yellow sunglasses that almost missed their moment. Yet those imperfect moments became reminders that ministry does not require perfection. It requires preparation, flexibility, grace, and dependence on God.

We also reflect on what speaking together revealed about our marriage and communication. When one person is talking, it is easy for the other to think ahead to the next point instead of truly listening. We are learning how to stay present, help each other recover when something goes off script, improve our transitions, and balance planned teaching with natural conversation. These are speaking lessons—but they are marriage lessons too.

Through it all, the best part of the weekend was the people: meeting couples, talking with church members, answering questions, connecting with the pastors, and sharing lunch and laughter with a wonderful family. We are deeply grateful to Village Church for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to serve.

• The unseen preparation behind a couples retreat and Sunday message

• Why nervousness can remind us to rely on God

• Knowing when to keep practicing—and when to take a break

• Recovering from forgotten words, skipped notes, and missed cues

• How facial expressions and body language affect a presentation

• Listening to your spouse instead of planning what you will say next

• Learning to banter, transition, and support each other onstage

• Giving yourself grace while continuing to improve your craft

• Why relationships with people matter more than a perfect performance

Learn more about Village Church in Virginia:
http://www.villagechurchva.com/

Invite us to speak at your church
We offer Christ-centered keynotes, interactive workshops, half-day intensives, and full marriage conferences designed to strengthen couples while serving the needs of your church.
https://www.lovehowdeep.com/speaking

Reserve a Marriage Strategy Session
Complete a trusted marriage assessment, meet privately with both of us for a two-hour video session, and leave with personalized insights and practical next steps for your marriage.
https://www.lovehowdeep.com/marriage-strategy-session

Visit Love How Deep
Find Christian marriage resources, podcast episodes, videos, courses, and more:
https://www.lovehowdeep.com/