As we draw to the end of this little Marriage Mini-Series, I'm happy to present a sampling of what I believe are top-shelf resources gathered from my office library, years of online excursions, and continuing education seminars. I hope you'll find the ideal books and websites to meet your needs. Simply click on the red links to discover more.
Please be sure to share these goodies with your Facebook and Twitter friends and bookmark these findings for your own future use. And if you'd be so kind as to share your favorite marriage resources in the comments, well, we'll all be richer for it.
And remember, each comment you leave during this series puts you in the running for that $40 Amazon gift card ... {the grand giveaway finale will be the next post up!}
BOOKS
Avoiding the Greener Grass Syndrome: How to Grow Affair-Proof Hedges Around Your Marriage - Anderson
'From a woman who strayed to the other side of the marital fence - and returned to find forgiveness and restoration - comes this practical book about predicting and preventing an extramarital affair.'
Broken and Battered: A Way Out for the Abused Woman - Canfield
'The life of an abused woman is one of fear, pain, and isolation. Not only is she vicitimized by the man she loves, she is often disbelieved and abandoned by friends and family. Broken emotionally and battered physically, she is left feeling as if there is no way out. But there is a way out, and this powerfully courageous book leads the way.'
Torn Assunder: Recovering From an Extramarital Affair - Carder
'A resource on marital infidelity for all involved, even onlookers ... it sorts through the factors that contribute to infidelity and then maps out a recovery process for both process. With compassion and wisdom rooted in the Bible, Carder offers insight for the victims, the perpetrators, and those who seek to help.'
The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts - Chapman
'Whether your relationship is flourishing or failing, Dr. Gary Chapman's proven approach to showing and receiving love will help you experience deeper and richer level of intimacy with your partner.'
Boundaries in Marriage - Cloud & Townsend
'Learn when to say yes and when to say no -- to your spouse and to others -- to make the most of your marriage. Only when a husband and wife know and respect each other's needs, choices, and freedom can they give themselves freely and lovingly to one another.'
Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires, The Respect He Desperately Needs - Eggerichs
'Psychological studies affirm it, and the Bible has been saying it for ages. Cracking the communication code between husband and wife involves understanding one thing: that unconditional respect is as powerful for him as unconditional love is for her. It's the secret to marriage that every couple seeks, and yet few couples ever find.'
The Sexually Confident Wife: Connecting with Your Husband Mind, Body, Heart, Spirit - Ethridge
'Every woman deserves to enjoy great sex with her husband, without inhibition or shame. But many wives live with the burden of self-doubt of feel mystified about what men really want in bed. Others wrestle with memories of sexual abuse or neglect, guilt over past intimate relationships, or negative feelings about their own bodies. Maybe you've been thinking you were alone in your struggle to discover sexual fulfillment. Think again.'
Fit to Be Tied: Making Marriage Last a Lifetime - Hybels
'Knowing from personal experience that marriage can have its up and downs, Bill and Lynne Hybels avoid quick and easy answers. They write honestly about marriage from each of their own perspectives and give - ways to court spouses creatively - checklists for singles - frank illustrations - information about family background and temperaments - help for unhealthy behaviors and conflict.'
Hedges: Loving Your Marriage Enough to Protect It - Jenkins
'With the divorce rate steadily climbing and infidelity creeping into even the happiest marriages, in a society that trivializes adultery and its devastating effects, with temptation and opportunity coming at you from all directions - how can you keep your marriage from becoming a statistic?'
The Love Dare - Kendrick
'The New York Times No. 1 best seller was a major plot device in the popular movie Fireproof ... is a 40-day challenge for husbands and wives to understand and practice unconditional love. Whether your marriage is hanging by a thread or healthy and strong, The Love Dare is a journey you need to take.'
Shattered Vows: Hope and Healing for Women Who Have Been Sexually Betrayed - Laaser
'Infidelity doesn't have to ruin your life - or your marriage if you have been devastated by your husband's sexual betrayal - whether an isolated incident or a long-term pattern of addiction - you need to know you don't have to live as a victim. If you choose to stay in your marriage, you have options other than punishing, tolerating, or ignoring your spouse.'
Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage - Leman
'With his characteristic warmth and humor, Dr. Kevin Leman offers a practical guide to sex according to God's plan. This frank and practical book is a perfect resource for married and engaged couples. Dr. Leman addresses a wide spectrum of people, from those with no sexual experiences to those with past sexual problems or even abuse.'
The Walk-Out Woman: When Your Heart is Empty and Your Dreams Are Lost - Stephens & Gray
'Every woman longs to be appreciated, respected, and adored, but when her needs aren't met within her marriage, she could be tempted to walk away. As little hurts and disappointments accumulate and her heart hardens, a woman's loneliness and vulnerability take over, and she might find emotional fulfillment elsewhere, perhaps in even a casual encounter with another man. When the marriage enters this realm of real danger, the woman believes it will be less painful to walk away than try to work on it.'
Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage - Strobel
'Someone came between Lee and Leslie Strobel, threatening to shipwreck their marriage. No, it wasn't an old flame. It was Jesus Christ. Leslie's decision to become a follower of Jesus brought heated opposition from her skeptical husband.'
Capture Her Heart: Becoming the Godly Husband Your Wife Desires & Capture His Heart: Becoming the Godly Wife Your Husband Desires {2 volumes} - TerKheurst
'A truly fulfilling marriage involves two people focusing on each others' needs rather than their own ... TerKeurst has written a practical guide for each spouse that will open their eyes to the needs, desires, and longings of the other. She offers 8 essential criteria for capturing the heart of your spouse, with creative tips on how to accomplish them.'
Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? - Thomas
'Happy is good. Holy is better. Your marriage is more than a sacred covenant with another person. It is a spiritual discipline designed to help you know God better, trust Him more fully, and love Him more deeply.'
The Emotionally Destructive Marriage: How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope - Vernick
'You can't put it into words, but something is happening to you. Your stomach churns, your heart aches, and the tension in your marriage is making you feel weary and a little crazy. The constant criticism, disrespect, cruelty, deceit, and gross indifference are eroding your confidence and breaking your spirit. For any woman caught in an emotionally destructive marriage, Leslie Vernick offers a personalized path forward.'
ONLINE
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
Andrew is currently writing Your Dying Spouse, a series for caregivers, those with life-threatening illness, and all who care about them. Real, raw, and honest legacy from one who's going through the valley.
Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Cloud & Townsend are just about the best Christian psychologists out there. Their superb marriage channel overflows with topical and Q & A videos, offering you counsel that is second to none.
Shannon Ethridge
Shannon writes on healthy sexuality & spirituality. Intensely personal, practical, and intimate guidance for women, she goes where most Christian writers dare to tread.
Les & Leslie Parrot
The Parrots, both counseling professionals who just happen to be married, offer solid practical counsel served with a light touch. Be sure to check out their video library, too, for all kinds of marriage related topics. And their SYMBIS marriage assessment has become the gold standard for counseling couples. Go here for that. Good stuff for sure.
Beth Stefaniak
Beth is a coach extraordinaire when it comes to messy marriages. Her blog posts are substantial and informative, yet truly personal. You'll walk away with practical tools in your marriage toolbelt ... wiser and more hopeful, too. I'm delighted to call her my friend.
Leslie Vernick
Leslie is an outstanding counselor, coach, and communicator. Hers is a voice in the wilderness when it comes to an informed Christian response to abuse and unhealthy relationships. Her site offers exceptional blog posts and a variety of free resources.
AND FROM YOURS TRULY
> If you liked What's It Like Being Married to You?, here's the post that started it all ... A Difficult Question.
> Finding a Christian Counselor guides you in finding a fits-you-to-a-T people helper.
> A Marriage Potpourri offers 15 more dollops of common sense counsel.
