The Session: Important Marriage Tips

Colossians 3:13-14 "Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

From Focus on the Family, these tips:

Do Make Jesus The Center of Your Marriage.

Don’t Embrace UnGodly Trends

Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord."

Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her."

Ephesians 5:33 "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband."

Be Quick to Listen, Not Quick to Get Angry

James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."

The Communication Highway is vital here.

Do Use Your Words to Encourage, Don’t Use them to Harm or Manipulate

James 3:8 "But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Celebrate Each other

Do Be Willing to Forgive, Don’t Hold Grudges

I Corinthians 13:5 "It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs."

“The Best Marriage Advice I have Ever Heard”, From Cara Joiner

In Scripture we find that forgiveness is an action made in the midst of negative feelings, making it a beautiful expression of love.

Stay Emotionally Connected

Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."

I Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Forgiveness. Healing, Prayer and Scripture Fuel Emotional Connection

Physical intimacy ( Bedroom Olympics 😀)

It is an essential aspect of a passionate marriage. In Song of Solomon 1:2, the Bible celebrates the physical union of husband and wife: “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth – for your love is more delightful than wine.”

Investing Time And Effort

Maintaining physical intimacy – from caring hugs to satisfying sex – helps keep the passion alive in your marriage. Make physical affection a regular part of your daily routine. Hold hands, hug, kiss, and cuddle.

Gottman’s Marriage Tips

Turn Toward Instead of Away:

Respond positively to small bids for connection (e.g., a glance, a touch, a question) rather than ignoring them.

Nurture Fondness and Admiration: Regularly express appreciation and respect to build a positive, supportive environment.

The Magic Six Hours:

Dedicate 6 hours per week to your relationship, including parting, reunions, admiration, affection, and weekly dates.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: It’s not normal!

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Every February, Tom & Scott celebrate “Love Month”. Mostly because Valentine’s Day is also Tom’s Anniversary (celebrating 51 years this year!). We also this to celebrate God’s gift of marriage, and to encourage you in your marriage.

Not much in the notes this time, just 7 “It’s not normal” thoughts from marriage coaches Tommy and Dianne McCollister:

It’s not normal to not have intimacy for weeks

It’s not normal to neglect emotional connection

It’s not normal to consistently feel unhappy in your marriage

It’s not normal to always prioritize parenting over your partner

It’s not normal to avoid spending quality time together

It’s not normal to prefer work over your home

It’s not normal to have nothing to talk about with your spouse

Here’s the link to the YouTube video Tom and I talked through on these 2 episodes:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ufVHSRSx32E?si=f9IVAjRwW_bz5WkK

If your marriage is full of these “It’s not normals”, get the normal back in your marriage by contacting Tom today. Thanks for listening!

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: It’s not normal!

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

Every February, Tom & Scott celebrate “Love Month”. Mostly because Valentine’s Day is also Tom’s Anniversary (celebrating 51 years this year!). We also this to celebrate God’s gift of marriage, and to encourage you in your marriage.

Not much in the notes this time, just 7 “It’s not normal” thoughts from marriage coaches Tommy and Dianne McCollister:

It’s not normal to not have intimacy for weeks

It’s not normal to neglect emotional connection

It’s not normal to consistently feel unhappy in your marriage

It’s not normal to always prioritize parenting over your partner

It’s not normal to avoid spending quality time together

It’s not normal to prefer work over your home

It’s not normal to have nothing to talk about with your spouse

Here’s the link to the YouTube video Tom and I talked through on these 2 episodes:

https://youtube.com/shorts/ufVHSRSx32E?si=f9IVAjRwW_bz5WkK

If your marriage is full of these “It’s not normals”, get the normal back in your marriage by contacting Tom today. Thanks for listening!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Marriage Habits of Millennials, Gen X and Gen Z

Psalm 145:1-5

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Ages:

• Baby Boomers: Born 1946–1964 (Ages ~60-79)
• Generation X (Gen X): Born 1965–1980 (Ages ~45-59)
• Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996 (Ages ~29-44)
• Generation Z (Gen Z): Born 1997–2012 (Ages ~13-

University of Southern California

Key Differences in Summary:

• Baby Boomers: Optimistic, tradition-focused, post-war prosperity.
• Gen X: Independent, pragmatic, cynical, bridging eras.
• Gen Z: Digitally fluent, diverse, experience-driven, socially conscious.

Purdue University

The Encouraging Data Points

• Youth Engagement: Younger generations (Gen Z, Millennials) are showing increased commitment to Jesus, Bible reading, and church attendance, particularly younger men.
• Spiritual Curiosity: There's a noted rise in spiritual openness and interest not seen in past years.
• Global Growth: Christianity continues rapid growth in Africa and globally, with fewer atheists worldwide.

Barna Group

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

• Marriage as Norm: Grew up with strong societal pressure to marry, resulting in the highest marriage rates.
• High Divorce Rates: Their era normalized divorce, leading to the highest divorce rates among generations, with rates rising with age. (Scott finds this interesting)
• Interracial marriage wasn't legal nationwide until 1967.

Generation X (1965-1980)

• Practical Approach: Bridged traditional and modern views, valuing financial stability and practicality in weddings.
• Cohabitation: Many supported cohabiting before marriage as a way to prevent divorce.
• High Satisfaction: Studies suggest Gen X couples report the highest marital satisfaction.

Millennials (1981-1996)

• Delayed Marriage: Married later and less frequently than prior generations, with lower overall marriage rates.
• Cohabitation & Trial Runs: Increased cohabitation before marriage, viewing it as a practical step.
• Diversity: More open to interracial and interfaith marriages.

Generation Z (1997-2010)

• Continued Delay: Following Millennial trends, they are postponing marriage and other milestones.
• Lower Marriage Projections: Expected to have even lower marriage rates than Millennials.
• Authenticity: Value authenticity and are open to diverse relationships (interfaith/interracial).

Key Takeaways

• Shift from Institution to Partnership: Marriage is increasingly seen less as a societal requirement (Boomers) and more as a personal choice for fulfillment (Millennials/Gen Z).
• Financial & Practical Focus: Gen X prioritized affordability, while Millennials and Gen Z focus on experience and value, even in weddings.
• Evolving Definitions: Acceptance of cohabitation, interracial, and interfaith marriages has grown significantly from Boomers to Gen Z.

Generation X (1965-1980)

• Practical Approach: Bridged traditional and modern views, valuing financial stability and practicality in weddings.
• Cohabitation: Many supported cohabiting before marriage as a way to prevent divorce.

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Marriage Habits of Millennials, Gen X and Gen Z

Psalm 145:1-5

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

Ages:

• Baby Boomers: Born 1946–1964 (Ages ~60-79)
• Generation X (Gen X): Born 1965–1980 (Ages ~45-59)
• Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996 (Ages ~29-44)
• Generation Z (Gen Z): Born 1997–2012 (Ages ~13-

University of Southern California

Key Differences in Summary:

• Baby Boomers: Optimistic, tradition-focused, post-war prosperity.
• Gen X: Independent, pragmatic, cynical, bridging eras.
• Gen Z: Digitally fluent, diverse, experience-driven, socially conscious.

Purdue University

The Encouraging Data Points

• Youth Engagement: Younger generations (Gen Z, Millennials) are showing increased commitment to Jesus, Bible reading, and church attendance, particularly younger men.
• Spiritual Curiosity: There's a noted rise in spiritual openness and interest not seen in past years.
• Global Growth: Christianity continues rapid growth in Africa and globally, with fewer atheists worldwide.

Barna Group

Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

• Marriage as Norm: Grew up with strong societal pressure to marry, resulting in the highest marriage rates.
• High Divorce Rates: Their era normalized divorce, leading to the highest divorce rates among generations, with rates rising with age. (Scott finds this interesting)
• Interracial marriage wasn't legal nationwide until 1967.

Generation X (1965-1980)

• Practical Approach: Bridged traditional and modern views, valuing financial stability and practicality in weddings.
• Cohabitation: Many supported cohabiting before marriage as a way to prevent divorce.
• High Satisfaction: Studies suggest Gen X couples report the highest marital satisfaction.

Millennials (1981-1996)

• Delayed Marriage: Married later and less frequently than prior generations, with lower overall marriage rates.
• Cohabitation & Trial Runs: Increased cohabitation before marriage, viewing it as a practical step.
• Diversity: More open to interracial and interfaith marriages.

Generation Z (1997-2010)

• Continued Delay: Following Millennial trends, they are postponing marriage and other milestones.
• Lower Marriage Projections: Expected to have even lower marriage rates than Millennials.
• Authenticity: Value authenticity and are open to diverse relationships (interfaith/interracial).

Key Takeaways

• Shift from Institution to Partnership: Marriage is increasingly seen less as a societal requirement (Boomers) and more as a personal choice for fulfillment (Millennials/Gen Z).
• Financial & Practical Focus: Gen X prioritized affordability, while Millennials and Gen Z focus on experience and value, even in weddings.
• Evolving Definitions: Acceptance of cohabitation, interracial, and interfaith marriages has grown significantly from Boomers to Gen Z.

Generation X (1965-1980)

• Practical Approach: Bridged traditional and modern views, valuing financial stability and practicality in weddings.
• Cohabitation: Many supported cohabiting before marriage as a way to prevent divorce.

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: The Psychology of Eating Cliffnotes.com

Why, When, and How Much Humans Eat

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. (I Corinthians 6:19-20)

The psychology of eating is a multidisciplinary field that explores the complex biological, psychological, social, and cultural factors influencing why, when, and how much humans eat.

The psychology of eating goes beyond simple hunger to address learned behaviors, emotional triggers, and environmental cues that shape our relationship with food.

Environmental cues happen when people are more likely to eat in the presence of an environmental cue that others did too. Also, participants were more likely to choose a snack that was consistent with the choice of others.

• Examples include having a snack because someone else in the house is having one. The power of suggestion.

Key Factors in the Psychology of Eating

• Emotional Eating: Many people use food—often high-fat, high-sugar "comfort foods"—to cope with emotions such as depression, stress, sadness, boredom, anger, or loneliness. This provides temporary relief but can lead to cycles of guilt and overeating.
• Mindless Eating: This occurs when individuals eat without paying attention to their body's hunger and fullness signals, often while distracted by activities like watching TV or working.
• An example; I always eat pizza while watching football
• Social and Environmental Influence: Eating behaviors are heavily influenced by social settings, cultural norms, and marketing. People often eat more in the company of others or are influenced by the eating habits of romantic partners.
• Food Preferences and Conditioning: Personal history, childhood experiences, and learned associations (e.g., associating specific foods with celebrations or comfort) significantly shape what we choose to eat.
• Biological and Neurological Factors: Hormones like leptin and ghrelin regulate physical hunger and satiety, while the brain's reward system can drive cravings for calorie-dense foods.
• Mood and Nutrition: The relationship between food and mood is a two-way street. A nutritious diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and essential vitamins, can improve mood and mental health, while poor dietary choices can exacerbate feelings of stress and depression.
• Why You Eat

Understanding why you eat produces the potential to manage your weight and mental health better.

•Some people eat because they enjoy fixing themselves a snack and looking forward to eating it.

•Some people like eating because it makes it gives them an adrenaline high while preparing it.

When We Eat

• Poor Choices: People eating late often choose higher-calorie, less nutritious foods, and emotional eating increases when tired, adding excess calories.
• Increased Calorie Intake: Late-night eaters often consume hundreds more calories daily, which drives weight gain.

Portion Size

The National Library of Medicine suggests that it can increase weight gain. However other factors are related.

• Family Genetics
• Size

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

The Session: Shopaholics

I Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."

The psychology of shopaholism is rooted in the temporary relief and emotional highs that shopping provides, which can be a coping mechanism for stress, low self-esteem, or feelings of powerlessness. It's a behavioral addiction.

Psychological drivers

• Emotional regulation: Shopping can be a way to soothe negative feelings like stress, anxiety, sadness, or anger.
• Sense of control: For those who feel a lack of control in other areas of their life, shopping can provide a sense of power and autonomy.
• Highs and lows: The release of endorphins and dopamine during a purchase creates a temporary "high" or sense of gratification. However, this is often followed by feelings of shame, disappointment, or guilt, which leads to a cycle of seeking the rush again.
• Self-esteem and validation: Compulsive buying can be a way to seek validation or improve one's self-image and sense of importance through material possessions.
• Perfectionism: Some individuals may shop compulsively to achieve an imagined sense of perfection, believing that certain items will make them more complete.

Comorbidity

• Other disorders could be happening at the same time.

Behavioral patterns

• Preoccupation: Individuals become preoccupied with shopping and making purchases, sometimes to an obsessive degree.
• Impulse control issues: A key feature is difficulty resisting the impulse to buy, even when they know it's a bad idea.
• Secrecy and guilt: They may hide their purchases from friends and family and feel a significant amount of shame and guilt after shopping sprees.

Escalation: The behavior can escalate into financial, emotional, and relational problems.

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.

You start 2026 as an engaged person. First, congratulations! But now there's lots of things to start doing. We talk through that on this episode of The Session. Please forgive me (Scott), the notes from the episode have vanished into the ether world of my laptop, and I can't find them anywhere. So listen close! ;)

A devotional podcast for parents on the go! Encouragement, Scripture, & prayer in just 7 minutes. Join the journey!

To reach Tom Russell, go to https://www.heritagechristiancounselingofmansfield.com.