Sacred Marriage [Paperback]

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.

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? Sacred Marriage invites you to view your marriage in a new and different light -- as a spiritual discipline, a means whereby you can come to know God more fully and intimately. Gary Thomas writes, "The ultimate purpose of this book is not to make you love your spouse more -- although I think that will happen along the way. It's to equip you to love your God more and to help you reflect the character of his Son more precisely." Historically, the "deeper walk" has been considered the province of the celibate, of saints and ascetics, monks and nuns. But the Bible, in depicting God's passionate, holy relationship with his people, is filled with images of the bridegroom and the bride and of a husband with his wife. 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 love-making; the history you and your mate build with one another -- in these and other facets of your marriage, Sacred Marriage uncovers the mystery of God's overarching purpose. Like no other spiritual discipline, marriage reveals your deep need to draw strength and life from Jesus Christ alone; consequently, it is unsurpassed for releasing his nature and vision in your life. Sacred Marriage 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.

Gary Thomas is changing the way Christians look at marriage and parenting.The author of several books including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Parenting, Sacred Pathways and Authentic Faith, he also teaches at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon.His books and his ministry focus on spiritual formation: how we can integrate Scripture, church history, and the time-tested wisdom of the Christian classics to transform our modern experience.Gary’s speaking ministry has led him to speak across the United States, in four 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.