The title expresses a radical thought for today's marriages! Chapter by chapter, discover how marriage works to develop Christlike character - forgiveness, love, respect, perseverance - in each of you. This book will enrich your marriage in unexpected ways.
Starting with the discovery that the goal of marriage goes beyond personal happiness, writer and speaker Gary Thomas invites readers to see how God can use marriage as a discipline and a motivation to love him more and reflect more of the character of his Son.
Gary Thomas is changing the way Christians look at their faith and family life. The author of several books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Parenting, Sacred Pathways, and the Gold Medallion award winning Authentic Faith, he is an adjunct faculty member at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. His books and ministry focus on spiritual formation: how we can integrate Scripture, church history, and the time-tested wisdom of the Christian classics into our modern experience of faith. Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak across the United States, in six different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. He lives with his wife and children in Bellingham, Washington.
Your marriage is more than a sacred covenant with another person. It is a spiritual discipline designed to help you know God better, trust him more fully, and love him more deeply.
Scores of books have been written that offer guidance for building the marriage of your dreams. But what if God’s primary intent for your marriage isn’t to make you happy . . . but holy? And what if your relationship isn’t as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God?
Everything about your marriage--everything--is filled with prophetic potential, with the capacity for discovering and revealing Christ’s character. The respect you accord your partner; the forgiveness you humbly seek and graciously extend; the ecstasy, awe, and sheer fun of lovemaking; the history you and your spouse build with one another--in these and other facets of your marriage, Sacred Marriage uncovers the mystery of God’s overarching purpose.
This book may very well alter profoundly the contours of your marriage. It will most certainly change you. Because whether it is delightful or difficult, your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God, and to a spiritual integrity that, like salt, seasons the world around you with the savor of Christ.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Darin (Montrose, CO), February 04, 2010
An excellent book. I read this book after realizing that my marriage of 12 years was spinning out of control. While this book ended up not fitting my situation, it was excellently written.
A good book for a wake up call. Well documented and supported points. This isn't a feel good book, but gets down to the nitty gritty.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Brian Elmer (Toledo, OH), January 29, 2010
Excellent resource! Gets to the root of marriage issues---it all comes down to understanding God's plan in redeeming mankind----a 'must have' resource.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lyn S. (Honey Brook, PA), January 04, 2010
This is the best book on marriage...with the right focus: by serving each other (sexually, emotionally, mentally), you are serving the Lord (spiritually). The concepts described are such a fresh perspective. If you read this with the right heart attitude, your selfishness, and pride will melt away. And, you may find compassion, patience, and love for your spouse that you haven't experienced since you dated! Be willing to take a good look in the mirror while reading this, and get ready to be encouraged no matter what you see!!!! Don't think twice...buy this book!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Thirza Peevey (Versailles, KY), December 28, 2009
I've almost finished this book and I absolutely love it. It has challenged me to grow in so many ways. I'm planning on reading it again, as I suspect I will get more out of it each time I read it. I actually have a very strong and happy marriage, and bought it because I'm planning on helping our church do a study on it, but even so, it still helped me. This book would be good for any marriage, from a sound one to a struggling one and could even be good for pre-marital counseling.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sherri Hopper (Charlotte, NC), December 16, 2009
My husband & I are in the process of using this book to mentor a young couple who are engaged to be married in March. Oh, how I wish I'd had this book 30 years ago! We highly recommend it, and are planning to give it to our newly married children because they NEED to know & understand how everything about marriage has a spiritual correlation. I have been married for 28 1/2 years, and the chapter on "Sexual Saints" is revolutionary! Gary confirms things my husband & I have known & sensed in our hearts for years. For all who are married or getting married, read this book!!
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Mark Weber (Avilla, IN), December 04, 2009
This book really gave me a different outlook on marriage. I have given it to my kids, who are both married, and their spouses. I also have given out around 4 as gifts to other guys who are struggling in thier marriages. I thought it is a great book.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Don (Iowa), September 26, 2009
**DON'T GET MARRIED WITHOUT READING THIS BOOK** I was already engaged to my (now)wife when I read this book. As serious as death, I told her that unless she read it, there would be no marriage. She did, and it has been a tremendous help in our marriage. We've given many copies out to friends and family and are doing the DVD study with other couples. There is no finer book on marriage other than the Bible. If you haven't read any other of Gary Thomas' books, you are robbing yourself of many blessings.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Joei (Del Rio, TN), September 10, 2009
The awesome insightful teachings in Sacred Marriage..are not necessarily new to me!! As an inductive student of the Scriptures (albeit not seminarily trained), I have often reflected upon the uniqueness of God using marriage as a sacred chisel to "conform believers into the image of Christ". My problem: I am not a writer and the precepts, gleamed from the Scriptures, are POORLY WRITTEN!!! in my journals. BUT OH! God's gift to me through Gary Thomas to have them SO MAGNIFICIENTLY WRITTEN and all in one place! I just know I will be a better believer, a better person --yes! even a better wife even after more than thirty-two years! I am so looking forward to sharing this book with my youngest unmarried (a 25 year old son) and my oldest (a married daugther of 36 years). My husband and I are just soaking our empty-nester dinners with lessons we're learning. Thank you, Gary.
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