This book has a simple but valuable premise. Treat your spouse as you want to have your son or daughter treated. God is not only your father, but also as your father in law. I highly recommend reading this book and apply this you your marriage. ( )

Lifelong Love
Gary Thomas

Book Summary: Gary Thomas believes couples often settle for too little when it comes to marriage. We fail to understand how deeply God cares about our spouse. We diminish our need to not only understand what biblical love really is, but also to become a people who excel at it. We let ourselves drift apart instead of making the daily choices to grow closer together. Whether your marriage needs a complete makeover, a touch up, or just a new purpose, A Lifelong Love promises to set your relationship on an entirely new dimension. You will never look at worship or your spouse in the same way again. You will understand how living for that day will so radically transform the decisions you make this day. And Gary will guide you through the power shifts and seasonal mine fields that blow up so many marriages so that you can grow in your love instead of in your disappointment. Thirty years of study and two decades of working with couples has led Gary Thomas to his most significant book yet on the relationship between husband and wife. Find out for yourself what all the fuss is about—and why A Lifelong Love is sure to challenge the way the church talks about marriage.

Review: Fantastic book!!! Read it slow and think about the various Biblical references. He has such insight about God’s plan for marriage. I found the topic thought provoking and worth praying about. I agree that marriage changes as time continues. I agree with Mr. Thomas when he talked about all the books that abound on have a ‘happy marriage’ in the earthly sense, he sees contentment and satisfaction is a choice. Another excellent point is that marriages that are me centered is not the point of marriage. It is other centered. As that topic and idea was explored it was freeing and frightening. Yet, that is exactly how our relationship with God. It explored out others are most important and that you have to pray and love your spouse without wanting to get anything, oh that is so hard. Mr. Thomas has such insight into relationships and the Bible it is a wonderfully freeing concept with biggest question being reward in heaven or on earth. If I seek only getting for me from my relationship than I will have my reward, if I seek my husband’s best than I will see the Lord in my marriage and thus my reward will be in heaven. One of the best things that was tapped into is that even if my husband does not give me attention or affection, I will always have God, who cares for me more than anyone else does. This was a great comfort. It was such a comfort to know that Mr. Thomas sees both sides of the coin when talking to couples and wants the best for both. It is a must read for newlyweds to those who are celebrating a golden anniversary.

I would like to thank Net Galley and David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. ( )

This book is more or less a book for couples who are already married and having difficulties. There are some questions for discussion and reflection at the end of each chapter. Its tone is quite a bit different--more practical and less philosophical--than his seminal work Sacred Marriage. Persons who are just beginning the marriage journey will be better served by his earlier work. This one is recommended for Christian couples who are unhappy in their marriage as it may assist in resolving some of the issues that are keeping you from love. This review is based on an e-galley provided by the publisher through NetGalley for review. ( )