I have heard a lot about Mark and Grace Driscoll’s newest book Real Marriage over the last several weeks. This book has rated as high as #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list as so many families are in crisis and are looking for help. Real Marriage is a very open and honest conversation with the Driscolls about some of the struggles they have faced in their own marriage and things they have encountered in counseling other Christian couples along the way. I especially appreciate the amount of Scripture that was used throughout the book…further demonstrating that God cares about relationships and wants to give us the desires of our heart. I would recommend this book as a great gift for newlyweds as well as those who have been married for many years. Real Marriage reminded me of all the reasons that I am so grateful to be married to my husband. He leads and loves me so well and it is a privilege to spend every day as his wife!
Here are some things that I highlighted while reading…
- Don’t fall into the religious trap of ignoring your own spiritual growth by always reading for others and not yourself.
- Behold, I make all things new. Revelation 21:5
- If I had understood the gospel more deeply, I would have known that repentance keeps shame from condemning us because Jesus died and scorned the shame.
- My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
- This is my beloved, And this is my friend. Song of Songs 5:16
- Marriage is about friendship.
- A man who has friends must himself be friendly. Proverbs 18:24
- Our enemy hates the fruitfulness that can come from a husband and wife serving God together.
- The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5
- Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
- There is always a seemingly urgent need seeking to take my time, but breaking bad habits and ensuring that our family is my highest priority is essential.
- Let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33
- A wife flourishes with a loving husband, and a husband becomes courageous with a respectful wife.
- Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another. James 5:16
- Sin is like trash, and every home has it too. Repentance and forgiveness are how a couple takes their trash out.
- Sin is the problem. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer.
- The Lord has show his favor and taken away my disgrace. Luke 1:25
- I steered clear of examining my own heart by staying busy with everyone else’s lives.
- Be a tender listener and a safe confidante.
- Whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. Mark 10:43
- If we do not choose humility, God will choose humiliation for us.
- All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”