Thursday

Top 15 Resources to Strengthen Your Marriage




Proverbs 9 is another chapter devoted entirely to the relevance of wisdom in our daily life and the folly of those that don't apply it. Today we'll be focusing on using wisdom to point us to godly resources that will help encourage and equip us in our marriage.

I have compiled a list of books and websites that I believe will help encourage and equip you in your marriage. You can also follow my Marriage Pinterest Board where I will continue to pin articles and resources that pertain to a godly marriage.

Recommend Resources

This Momentary Marriage

This Momentary Marriage, written by John Piper, exalts the biblical meaning of marriage over its emotion, exhorting couples to keep their covenant as a display of Christ's covenant-keeping love for the church. Having read most of this book I would love to work through it again with my husband. You can get it on Amazon in paperback or for the Kindle or you can get the PDF version for free. This is an excellent resource.


Sacred Marriage: What if God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy 

Gary Thomas has a very pleasant and easy to follow writing style. His thoughts are practical and helpful. This book helps you evaluate your marriage and your role in it without making you feel like you're taking a psychology class. I highly recommend it. You can get it on Amazon.



Men are Like Waffles, Women are Like Spaghetti: Understanding and Delighting in Your Differences

I have not read this book, but it came at the recommendation of a friend. I thought I would still throw it in the line up in case it sounded helpful to one of my readers. I think I may check my library to see if they have it or download it to my Kindle. If not, it may be one I add to my Amazon Wish List.

Here is a brief description from Amazon about the book:

"The Farrels explain why a man is like a waffle (each element of his life is in a separate box) and a woman is like spaghetti (everything in her life touches everything else). End-of-chapter questions and exercises make this unique and fun look at the different ways men and women regard life a terrific tool for not only marriage, but also for a reader's relationships at work, at home, at church, and with friends."

You can also purchase a devotional study guide to accompany this book.


A Wife After God's Own Heart: 12 Things That Really Matter in Your Marriage
Another book I have not read, but an author I am familiar with, A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George covers chapters on how to communicate to your husband more effectively, understanding how to best support your man, how to have more fun as a couple, enhancing or rekindling marital intimacy and honoring God together in your relationship.

I find Elizabeth George's books to be very enjoyable to read and they help me easily apply truth to my life. I'd love to get the study guide to go along with the book.

 

A Husband After God's Own Heart: 12 Things That Really Matter in Your Marriage

My husband read A Husband After God's Own Heart in a men's Bible study. It is written by Elizabeth George's husband, Jim. It is written in hopes that it will help the husband fulfill God's role for him, bring him closer to his wife, help improve his listening and communication skills, and strengthen his marriage and family relationships. A devotional that echoes the truths in this book can also be purchased separately.


Every Reason to Leave: And Why We Chose to Stay Together

I haven't read this book either, but from the reviews I have read, it is one I want to read. I may see another Kindle download in the near future! Here's what Amazon has to say about this book:

"Fifty percent of all marriages, both Christian and non-Christian, end in divorce. More than half of divorces are filed by women due to unfulfilled marital expectations and a lack of guidance. "Why bother to stay married?" they ask. The answer to this question, asked by many couples, is addressed in detail through this compelling, personal, and detailed story of one couple's marital journey. Vicki Rose shares her life story as an example of what GOD can and will do to restore a broken and seemingly irreparable relationship. Vicki and her husband Bill, part owner of the New York Yankees, were separated for 5 ½ years. Both Jewish, they each came to know Jesus Christ during their separation. They reconciled and now have a Christ-centered, strong, and healthy marriage. If you are wondering if it is worth the effort to stay married and have thought about divorce, this book is for you."



The Meaning of Marriage:  Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God 

Our church is offering a Bible study for couples based on this book by Tim Keller. My husband and I plan to attend as much as we are able to and are looking forward to working through this book.

It is written to help us see that marriage is meant to be a glorious relationship in spite of the misconceptions most of us enter marriage with. 


And a few more recommended resources...

Is Their Really Sex After Kids (A good read!)
Fireproof (Great movie starring Kirk Cameron and produced by the Kendricks brothers. We love this movie!)
The Love Dare

I am also including some blog posts written by various blogging friends of mine. I found each of their posts to be very insightful and it was encouraging hearing their stories through the ups and downs of marriage.


I hope you find these resources helpful in applying godly wisdom to your marriage.

Join me tomorrow as we study Proverbs chapter 10. Just getting started on the series? Catch up with all the posts on my landing page between now and October 31.







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6 comments:

Mrs Gray said...

These look great! I'll be sure to check them out! I'm doing #write31days on marriage also.

becky@purposefulhomemaking.com said...

Thanks! Awesome, what's your link? Would love to read as well. :)

Zion said...

Thank you so much. I want to come back to these so I pinned it :)

becky@purposefulhomemaking.com said...

You're welcome Natalie! I hope you find the resources helpful.

Tara Ulrich said...

Great list! I will have to save your link so someday when I find that special guy and get married, we can look at these ourselves! Blessings!

becky@purposefulhomemaking.com said...

Thanks, Tara. :) Praying God leads you to just the right one. You are wise to prepare ahead of time for marriage. Your husband will be blessed, indeed!

Hugs,
Becky

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