Download or read book Friends and Lovers written by Joel R. Beeke and published by Cruciform Press. This book was released on 2012-02 with total page 99 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Marriage aims at the glory of God through intimate companionship. God meant husband and wife to walk together, talk together, work together, and sleep together. As the Puritans said, God did not make the woman out of man's head to control him, or out of his feet for him to trample on her, but out of his side to be embraced near to his heart. Here is a book of practical encouragements for two key aspects of marriage: companionship and sex. Dr. Joel Beeke draws upon the wisdom of the Holy Scriptures and over three decades of pastoral ministry to present a dozen practical principles for fanning into flame the fire of love between husband and wife. The Bible has a higher aim than a satisfying marriage, namely, glorying in God forever. Marriage will one day be done, made obsolete by the magnificent relationship between Christ and His people. Even now, marriage is neither the chief purpose nor the highest joy of man. But the Scriptures do call wedded people to glorify God here and now through their marriages. Dr. Beeke's book aims to assist them in this. In Part I ("Friends"), the book explores the meaning, cultivation, and threats to friendship in marriage. Friendship is that personal bond of shared life that brings people together in delightful harmony. It is rooted God's created order of making men and women in His image. We broke this harmonious order when our first parents sinned against God, simultaneously turning against each other. But Christ is the great peacemaker and friendship-restorer. Cultivating friendship with your spouse is hard work, but profoundly rewarding. It revolves around sharing life together. The book gives guidance in how to share yourself with your spouse through the gifts of time, discussing decisions, listening to each other's feelings, talking about how God is at work in your lives, praying together, building trust, laughing together, giving thanks, pleasing your spouse, and finding shared interests. It also walks the reader through the minefields of giving and receiving correction, honoring in-laws, having balanced friendship with others, and supporting on another in crises. Above all, we must remember that our most important friendship is with our Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can walk with us through life, death, and eternity. In Part II ("Lovers"), Dr. Beeke sets forth several ways in which the gospel energizes married Christians to enjoy sex in holy delight. The words "gospel," "sex," and "holy," may not seem to go together. This book shows that in reality sexual love between husband and wife is both a holy duty pleasing to God and blessed privilege empowered by Christ's grace. Rather than splitting our lives into different compartments such as sex and religion, God calls us to respond to Christ's mercies by offering our whole existence to Him as a living sacrifice. The Bible teaches us doctrines like the image of God in man, the creation mandate God laid upon the human race, the moral law for marriage, forgiveness of sins by faith in Christ, sanctification by divine grace, Christ's call to take up our cross, adoption by God, and turning from idols to give thanks to God. All these doctrines have massive implications for our sexual relationship with our spouses. However these doctrines must do more than sit in our minds; they must sink into our hearts. In Reformed, experiential fashion, Dr. Beeke leads the reader to know, believe, feel, and act based upon God's Word applied by God's Spirit.

Download or read book Why Marriages Succeed or Fail written by John Gottman and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2012-04-12 with total page 236 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Psychologist and top marriage guru John Gottman has spent twenty years studying what makes a marriage last - now you can use his tested methods to evaluate, strengthen and maintain your long-term relationship. This ground-breaking book will enable you to see where your strengths and weaknesses lie, what specific actions you can take to improve your marriage and how to avoid the damaging patterns that can lead to divorce. It includes: - Practical exercises and techniques that will allow you to understand and make the most of your relationship - Ways to recognise and overcome the attitudes that doom a marriage - Questionnaires that will help you evaluate your relationship - Case studies and anecdotes from real life throughout

Download or read book My Ex Best Friend s Wedding written by Wendy Wax and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2019-05-14 with total page 370 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A wedding dress passed down through generations unravels the tangled threads of three women's lives in a novel of friendship, family, and forgiveness from the USA Today bestselling author of Ten Beach Road. Prized and stored away for safekeeping, the timeless ivory wedding dress, with its scooped neck and cleverly fitted bodice, sits gently folded in its box, whispering of Happily Ever Afters. To Kendra, Brianna, and Lauren it’s a reminder of what could have been, the promise of a fairy tale, and a friendship torn apart. But as Kendra knows firsthand: it wasn’t the dress’s fault. Once closer than sisters, Lauren and Bree have grown up and grown apart, allowing broken promises and unfulfilled dreams to destroy their friendship. A successful author, Lauren returns home to the Outer Banks, fiancé in tow, to claim the dress she never thought she’d wear. While Bree, a bookstore owner, grapples with the realities of life after you marry the handsome prince. As the former best friends wrestle with their uncertain futures, they are both certain of one thing: some betrayals can never be forgiven. Now on the eve of her daughter Lauren’s wedding, Kendra struggles with a secret she’s kept for far too long. And vows to make sure the dress will finally bring Lauren and Bree back together—knowing they'll need each other to survive the coming storm.

Download or read book Fierce Marriage written by Ryan Frederick and published by Baker Books. This book was released on 2018-04-17 with total page 221 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ryan and Selena Frederick were newlyweds when they landed in Switzerland to pursue Selena's dream of training horses. Neither of them knew at the time that Ryan was living out a death sentence brought on by a worsening genetic heart defect. Soon it became clear he needed major surgery that could either save his life--or result in his death on the operating table. The young couple prepared for the worst. When Ryan survived, they both realized that they still had a future together. But the near loss changed the way they saw all that would lie ahead. They would live and love fiercely, fighting for each other and for a Christ-centered marriage, every step of the way. Fierce Marriage is their story, but more than that, it is a call for married couples to put God first in their relationship, to measure everything they do and say to each other against what Christ did for them, and to see marriage not just as a relationship they should try to keep healthy but also as one worth fighting for in every situation. With the gospel as their foundation, Ryan and Selena offer hope and practical help for common struggles in marriage, including communication problems, sexual frustration, financial stress, family tension, screen-time disconnection, and unrealistic expectations.

Download or read book Best Friends and Marriage written by Stacey J. Oliker and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 1989-01-01 with total page 264 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "This book beautifully presents original research and in so doing recasts conventional understandings of such sociological topics as friendship, marriage, and community. The scholarship is superior."--Carole Joffe, Bryn Mawr College "This book beautifully presents original research and in so doing recasts conventional understandings of such sociological topics as friendship, marriage, and community. The scholarship is superior."--Carole Joffe, Bryn Mawr College

Download or read book How to Be a Lady Who Leaves written by Emma Heptonstall and published by Librotas. This book was released on 2017-06-07 with total page 242 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Leaving your husband and getting divorced is a big deal, even when it's your idea. But how do you know if you're making the right decision for you, and if you are, what's the first thing you need to do? How to be a Lady Who Leaves answers all these questions and more. From understanding the divorce legal process in England and Wales, to getting to grips with your finances, this book shows you how. Worrying how your children will cope with your divorce and how to manage your own emotions? This book covers that too. With real life case studies from women with different experiences of divorce, this book takes you through the divorce process both practically and emotionally. Packed with hints, tips and action steps, this book is the perfect companion for any woman who is going through divorce.

Download or read book Best Friends for Life written by Michael Phillips and published by Rosetta Books. This book was released on 1997-04-01 with total page 326 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This unique approach to dating, courtship, and marriage based on Christian values offers young people a practical plan for finding the right life partner. Christian authors Michael and Judy Phillips are veterans of a forty-six-year marriage (and counting!). In this book, they share practical advice for young people who want a partnership that will last a lifetime. Drawing on their pioneering work in home schooling as well as their work with young people, Michael and Judy present bold, surprising, sometimes even controversial alternatives to dating as the means for choosing spouses. Best Friends for Life develops revolutionary ideas about parental involvement, about dating as it is usually understood, and about the pressures young people face to make lifetime decisions prematurely. Families who want to choose God’s best will find here a strong prescription for wise, sensible, and lasting Christian marriages.

Download or read book Becoming Your Husband s Best Friend written by David Frisbie and published by Harvest House Publishers. This book was released on 2011-01-01 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Would you like to help your husband become more attentive, loving, and helpful around the house? Do you long for a new level of partnership and fun in your marriage? You can make a tremendous difference in your relationship all by yourself by inviting God to begin the change in you. Discover how wives like you have transformed their homes by... recognizing the role unspoken expectations play in every marriage releasing their unresolved emotions to allow for greater intimacy choosing the right words and actions to encourage their husbands Whether your husband is a prince or a pain in the neck, the best way to empower him to grow is to experience God’s life-giving touch in your own heart. These inspiring stories and biblical insights demonstrate how that happens and how you can become a better friend than your husband ever imagined. Questions for reflection and ideas for journaling make this a perfect tool for a woman’s personal healing as well as group study.

Download or read book The Meaning of Marriage written by Timothy Keller and published by Penguin Books. This book was released on 2013-11-05 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Describes what marriage should be according to the Bible, arguing that marriage is a tool to bring individuals closer to God, and provides meaningful instruction on how to have a successful marriage.

Download or read book The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work written by John Gottman, PhD and published by Harmony. This book was released on 2015-05-05 with total page 321 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Over a million copies sold! “An eminently practical guide to an emotionally intelligent—and long-lasting—marriage.”—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work has revolutionized the way we understand, repair, and strengthen marriages. John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward yet profound, these principles teach partners new approaches for resolving conflicts, creating new common ground, and achieving greater levels of intimacy. Gottman offers strategies and resources to help couples collaborate more effectively to resolve any problem, whether dealing with issues related to sex, money, religion, work, family, or anything else. Packed with new exercises and the latest research out of the esteemed Gottman Institute, this revised edition of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential.

Download or read book How to Become Your Husband s Best Friend written by Gary Smalley and published by Zondervan Publishing Company. This book was released on 1985 with total page 68 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This excerpt from the best-seller For Better or For Best offers practical advice to help wives gain the kind of relationship with their husbands that they would like to have.

Download or read book Existentialism and Romantic Love written by S. Cleary and published by Palgrave Macmillan. This book was released on 2015-01-01 with total page 208 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is an existential study of romantic loving. It draws on five existential philosophers to offer insights into what is wrong with our everyday ideas about romantic loving, why reality often falls short of the ideal, sources of frustrations and disappointments, and possibilities for creating authentically meaningful relationships.

Download or read book The Seven Rings of Marriage written by Jackie Bledsoe and published by B&H Publishing Group. This book was released on 2016-02-01 with total page 141 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Studies show that roughly one out of two marriages end in divorce. One of the reasons for this is couples today are not prepared for all—the good and bad—that may happen in marriage. Are you prepared? Author and blogger Jackie Bledsoe outlines the seven stages, or seven rings of marriages, that will equip couples for all stages in marriage. He challenges couples to keep moving through each stage for a lasting and fulfilling marriage. Through The Seven Rings of Marriage, readers gain a deeper appreciation of what marriage is, and get a clear picture of what may lie ahead in their marriage. Diligently go about making your marriage everything you and your spouse hoped for, and more! The seven rings are: Ring #1—Engagement RING Ring #2—Wedding RING Ring #3—DiscoveRING Ring #4—PerseveRING Ring #5—RestoRING Ring #6—ProspeRING Ring #7—MentoRING Visit http://jackiebledsoe.com/7rings/ to learn more about The Seven Rings of Marriage, and get additional resources.

Download or read book Resilient Me written by Sam Owen and published by Orion Spring. This book was released on 2017-11-02 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A practical guide to building everyday resilience in just 4 weeks. Facing challenges in your relationships, career, health or well-being? Worried important life goals seem to be slipping away? Whether you're faced with day-to-day irritations or facing a larger setback, sometimes life can test your strength and endurance. But there is a simple and effective way to building your resilience in the face of adversity, making sure that you can bounce back from them stronger than ever before and go on to achieve your goals and lead a happier, more fulfilled life. The step-by-step guide takes you through how to build your everyday resilience. From powerful lessons on the effects of our thoughts, emotions, relationships and self-care, to tips on setting goals that genuinely motivate and turning challenges on their heads, this book makes the road to success and happiness easy and - best of all - enjoyable. It features a practical and easy-to-follow four-week plan to shift negative habits, and change how you face challenges, for life. Sam Owen's debut book, Resilient Me was named one of '10 inspirational reads that could transform your life' with a 9/10 rating from the The Sunday Post, and also featured in/on: BBC Radio 5 Live BBC Radio Manchester BBC Radio Scotland BBC Radio Three Counties BBC Asian Network BBC Derby BBC Lincolnshire BBC Hereford and Worcester Daily Mail talkRADIO Look The Gloss (Ireland) You and Your Wedding Reveal A Plus (USA) The Simple Things Fabulous Women's Weekly My Weekly Good Housekeeping Woman & Home Elle

Download or read book The Lonely Hunter written by Aimée Lutkin and published by Dial Press Trade Paperback. This book was released on 2022-02-08 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When can we say we’ll be single forever—and that’s okay? One woman questions our society’s pathologizing of loneliness in this crackling, incisive blend of memoir and cultural reporting. “The Lonely Hunter challenged everything I assumed about the nature of loneliness and what it means to lead an authentic life.”—Doree Shafrir, author of Thanks for Waiting and Startup: A Novel ONE OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED BOOKS OF 2022—Cosmopolitan, She Reads One evening, thirtysomething writer Aimée Lutkin found herself at a dinner party surrounded by couples. When the conversation turned to her love life, Lutkin stated simply, “I don’t really know if I’m going to date anyone ever again. Some people are just alone forever.” Her friends rushed to assure her that love comes when you least expect it and to make recommendations for new dating apps. But Lutkin wondered, Why, when there are more unmarried adults than ever before, is there so much pressure to couple up? Why does everyone treat me as though my real life won’t start until I find a partner? Isn’t this my real life, the one I’m living right now? Is there something wrong with me, or is there something wrong with our culture? Over the course of the next year, Lutkin set out to answer these questions and to see if there really was some trick to escaping loneliness. She went on hundreds of dates; read the sociologists, authors, and relationship experts exploring singlehood and loneliness; dove into the wellness industrial complex; tossed it all aside to binge-watch Netflix and eat nachos; and probed the capitalist structures that make alternative family arrangements nearly impossible. Chock-full of razor-sharp observations and poignant moments of vulnerability, The Lonely Hunter is a stirring account of one woman’s experience of being alone and a revealing exposé of our culture’s deep biases against the uncoupled. Blazingly smart, insightful, and full of heart, this is a book for anyone determined to make, follow, and break their own rules.

Download or read book The Four Loves written by C. S. Lewis and published by DigiCat. This book was released on 2023-11-20 with total page 113 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Four Loves is a 1960 book by C. S. Lewis which explores the nature of love from a Christian and philosophical perspective through thought experiments. The book was based on a set of radio talks from 1958 which had been criticized in the U.S. at the time for their frankness about sex. C.S. Lewis examines storge or empathy love; philia, friendship love; eros, romantic love; and agape, or God love. Excerpt: "GOD is love," says St. John. When I first tried to write this book I thought that his maxim would provide me with a very plain highroad through the whole subject. I thought I should be able to say that human loves deserved to be called loves at all just in so far as they resembled that Love which is God."

Download or read book Born Again This Way written by Rachel Gilson and published by . This book was released on 2020-03 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Addresses some of the questions raised by Christians with same-sex attraction. As a Christian who experiences same-sex attraction, is it possible to live a life that's both faithful and fulfiling? Rachel Gilson wants to show you that it is and that it's not just a case of limping to the finish line, it's possible to run the race with joy. In this powerful and personal book, she describes her own unexpected journey of coming out and coming to faith... and what came next. As she does so, she addresses many of the questions that Christians living with same-sex attraction are wrestling with: Am I consigned to a life of loneliness? How do I navigate my friendships? Will my desires ever change? Is there some greater purpose to all this? What comes next, and next, and next? Drawing on insights from the Bible and the experiences of others, Born Again This Way provides assurance and encouragement for Christians with same-sex attraction, and paints a compelling picture of discipleship for every believer. Whatever your sexuality, this book is an inspiring testimony of how a life submitted to Jesus will be fulfilling and fruitful, but not always in the ways we might expect.