Customer Reviews

Sacred Marriage

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My husband and I read this book for our pre-marital counseling, and it gave us a realistic yet inspired perspective on marriage that has held true every day of our three year marriage. Because of the wisdom we found in this well-written, relevant book, (a wisdom that is firmly founded in God's Word) we have not been suprised by the challenges that marriage has brought us, but were prepared and ready to focus on unconditionally loving each other rather than fretting over getting the other person to meet our needs for us. Even though we graduated college, moved 2000 miles, started new full time jobs for the first time, bought our first house and had two kids and 10 months of house guests all in three years, we were able to grow together through the whirlwind rather than take our stresses out on each other because this book adequately prepared us to consider that ultimately God designed marriage "not to make us happy, but to make us holy." And the joy that comes from true loving holiness is far better than the world's idea of happiness. I have recommended this book to many couples and even older couples whose marriage was on the brink of destruction have found it renewing and full of the deep, living nourishment that men and women need to truly love one another.

This book is amazing. The book is based on the idea that the Lord designed marriage not to make you happy but to make you holy. It will challenge and inspire you. I have read a lot of books on marriage and all pale compared to this one.

I always thought the "best" Christians were monks and nuns, but this book shows that most of the church has been married through the ages, and was more successful at it than we are now! Gary shows how marriage can be a tool for spiritual growth, and a spiritual discipline. He talks about how Christian marriage has the opportunity to be a witness to the rest of the world - but only if we take it seriously and engage with another person more deeply than we ever will with anyone else. I struggle with some aspects of my marriage, but this book put it in a lifetime perspective, and a Godly perspective. I'm giving it as a present at every wedding I go to from now on!

This book changed my life and literally saved my marriage. I had divorce papers on my desk filled out and ready to take to the courthouse, then this book fell in my lap. Gary is truly a God send. Honestly, I thought at first that his wife must have written the book and signed his name to it because I have NEVER read a book by a man that had such insight about women. There is not enough space in this little box to describe how this book has changed my life and the way I view marriage completely. It should be REQUIRED READING for any man who dares to utter the words "Will you marry me?" Incredible, Awesome, Fantastic book. For me it was sent straight from from the throne of God. I knew this when I opened to the 3rd page and cried my eyes out. It said "For Lisa" I can't rave enough about this book. Get it! Get copies for all of your family and friends. Hand it out on street corners. The divorce rate in this country will be cut in half!! It's AWESOME!! A "must read" for all married Christians. Thank you Gary and thank you God for making Gary.

Sometimes the only way to find peace amid the challenges of the downs in life is to breathe through them. To stop and look around and ask yourself if maybe you're missing the point. This book is an excellent tool to help you step back from a seemingly unhappy situation or marriage and consider the challenges you face to be opportunities for amazing growth as a person, as a spouse, and as a Christian. I highly recommend it - Also, it's particularly good for those considering marriage, as it can help prepare you for the reality of life after the honeymoon.

This is by far the best marriage book I have ever read. (and I have read quite a few) He uses the Bible as the backbone to the entire book. His main focus is on marriage for our holiness, not happiness. This point transforms your thinking. It has taken me from a "me-centered" marriage, to a God-centered marriage. Marriage, biblically is to be a reflection of Christ and the Church and Thomas explains what this looks like in a Christians marriage. We recommend it to the couples we counsel and all our friends!

I usually avoid marriage books on every occasion, and this one was no different. However, I did pick it up a number of months ago, and after reading the first few chapters, I put it down, realizing that I needed to read it with my wife. This didn't happen, of course, until about six weeks ago, when we needed some counsel on some trying areas of our marriage. I mentioned that I had this book at work, and when I brought it home, I read it together with my wife, and I'll tell you this...it has changed my thinking.

Gary Thomas doesn't pussy-foot around, and if you're looking for the quick fix, this isn't it, but he brings it down to earth with his own personal stories and reflections, as well as research from many of the classic Christian traditions, as well as folks he's counseled with. Being a marriage counselor himself, he looks at himself first before taking on a challenge, and this book was a tremendous challenge. It is provocative and admirable, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who is willing to change and begin the journey. Maybe I should give it ten stars instead of five!!!

More than any other book so far, this one has changed me within the context of my marriage. This is not a book about how to have a better marriage - it is about how to build a better you using your marriage. Gary Thomas talks about all of the different ways God forms our character in our marriage, even when it is a one-sided act and how this process draws us closer to him. Everyone that is married knows that marriage does not always makes us happy. After going through this, I am finding more and more about how God is changing me though my wife. I have learned to serve better, listen better, etc and to do so expecting holiness as a result and a closer walk with God. If my wife reciprocates, that is secondary - the main focus is to draw closer to God.

This book will transform your perspective on marriage. I recommend it highly!

I did this as a study with 2 other women and we all agreed it changed our marriage and outlook-- it is refreshingly different because it comes from a totally different perspective (the subtitle is "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?"). I don't know if we are allowed to quote, but am going to anyway "I hope it is not heretical for me to claim that in his dealings with us, God acts in many ways like a woman. Women are capable of and sometimes commit magnificent acts that manifest incredible power and awaken in us men a profound awe, if not fear and trembling. Yet when they love, they love quietly; they speak, as it were, in whispers and we have to listen carefully, attentively, to hear their words of love and to know them. Isn't God also this way?" Having said that-- (this REALLY comes from a male perspective, obviously, being written by a man), it isn't all "women are awesome and men are heels". Less I sound like I'm related to the author (I'm not), I'll admit the first chapter was pretty clinical, but hang in there, it is awesome! Lots of case examples, scripture references and meaty food for thought and application. This is a MUST READ for anyone in or leading a premarital counseling, marriage enrichment or marriage rebuilding seminar-- and especially those struggling through the tough years of their marriage. BUY IT! What more can I say?!

Sacred Marriage is the best marriage book I have ever read, and I have read at least a dozen. Gary Thomas covers all the topics of marriage in a challenging way. He helps you consider God's plan for marriage, and how our marriages are training grounds for our marriage to the Lord, and vice-versa. Due to the depth of the book, the reader must be of at least normal intelligence, but other than that,...this book is superb!! Read it and be challenged! Thank you Gary!