Favorite Marriage Books #2

Favorite Marriage Books #2

I've asked a number of friends and fellow bloggers to share what their favorite book on marriage is. There are so many out there that it is nice to know which ones have connected with someone else and how they were helpful. A number of friends responded, enough that this series will run for at least 4 weeks, as of right now.

Below are four more suggestions. I hope you enjoy their comments, and even visit their blogs.


April


April is a wife and stay at home mom who loves to read and serve in Women's ministry. One of her blogs, Malachi Speaks, seeks to "proclaim the Truth and message of the Good News." April chose the book Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. April wrote ...

This is a wonderful book filled with biblical truth that goes so much deeper than what you would expect of a relationship/marriage book. This is a book about how to live your life, with applications directed towards your marriage. However, that said, you have to do more than read it, you have to apply it. Isn’t that what we are supposed to do with all biblical truth any way!?! So, as I said, read it but then start living it out! I am by no means perfect but I aim to do exactly that. I want to share some quotes that may seem totally random but are things that stood out to me or spoke to me.

On page 236 Gary writes, "Christianity does not direct us to focus on finding the right person; it calls us to become the right person." He then quotes Augustine’s famous line "Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee."

Chapter 7, Sacred History, Building The Spiritual Discipline of Perseverance, there was discussion of the difficulties during childrearing upon a marriage and discussion on divorce. A true story about Leslie is heartbreaking and beautiful. This is a must read chapter.

From pg. 129: "The desire for ease, comfort, and stress-free living is an indirect desire to remain an unseasoned, immature Christian. Struggle makes us stronger; it builds up and deepens our faith." One final quote: "The vast majority of people do not enter marriage with a view to becoming a servant."

This book is a must read, not only for your marriage but for your spiritual walk. The way you look at your relationship with Christ, the way you look at trials and making sure your focus is eternally set. Persevering, growing, bearing fruit and knowing true love and lasting joy that is found not in your mate but in your Maker. Not that you can't have love and joy with your mate, but your mate isn't perfect and neither are you - only God is. Only God can be your all. Anyway, read the book!

April reviews books at Reading for Pleasure and Discernment. (I hope to see Roaring Lions, Cracking Rocks reviewed there someday :)

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Yolanda Rogers



Pictured with her husband Bill and granddaughter

Yolanda is an avid blogger, Bible student, and teacher.

Yolanda wrote,

My book to recommend is A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I hung on every word that was printed on the pages of this book, and placed them into my heart. SUCH WISDOM! When I began to apply some of the principles to my marriage, it truly grew in a new dimension.

So, the clever lady that I am (trying to be funny here), I purchased A Man After God's Own Heart by Jim George, Elizabeth's husband, for my husband Bill for Father's Day that same year. Honestly, no joking ... Bill read it from cover to cover, shut the book, turned it over to the front page, LITERALLY, and started it all over again.

You can read Yolanda's thoughts at Higher Ground

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Ron Davis




Ron and Shannon



Ron is a husband, father and preacher. He doesn't have a blog (yet) but he is on FB. Ron chose the book and video series Love and Respect.

Perhaps the best Marriage book (seminar) I have ever been to was via video called "Love and Respect' by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. In his book and video series Dr. Eggerichs uses his twenty plus years as a seasoned marriage counselor and his in depth understanding of Ephesians 5:33 where the Bible says:

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

I learned how different my wife's needs are compared to mine. Dr. Eggerichs illustrated this beautifully with real life situations that everyone could relate to. It was practical yet Biblical with regard to him going into details of how a man should love his wife and how a woman should respect her husband. After sitting through his video seminar and reading his book I am convinced that God told us from the beginning the basic core needs of men and women and if we can learn that we will enjoy a successful marriage.

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Belinda Eddins



Belinda and husband Kyle


Belinda enjoys working with her church and spending time with her family. She is the director of a pregnancy crisis center. Belinda chose the book Love Dare. Her comments ...

I decided to buy my husband the Fire Proof movie for Valentines Day 2 years ago. We had already decided to commit to doing the Love Dare book the movie is based on. The thing is we had no idea they were connected. We started the book. It is a 40 day active book with something to do for your spouse everyday. Some days were very easy, others very hard. Each day has it's own scripture and dare to do.

This book changed my marriage. It fixed things I didn't even realize I was doing, things that may have upset or offended my husband. After completing the 40 day Love Dare book we renewed our wedding vows with our family and friends. My children now have two different parents. I give credit to God for leading us to dedicate 40 days to my marriage. I recommend this book to anyone. Even the worst marriages can become whole if you make an effort and commit.

Warren if there is someone out there who would like to do this book but is unable to buy it I will supply as many as ask for one. It's that good! (That is very generous, Belinda. Thank you!)

Belinda's blog is Eddin's Family Story



Thank you all for guest posting today. The previous post in this series is here: Favorite Marriage Books #1

If anyone else reading this would like to participate with a guest blog, please let me know. And remember to visit Marriage Mondays for some more articles on marriage.

Warren Baldwin