Some Great Marriage Books

Tonight I thought I would share some of my favorite books about marriage; books that have challenged me, encouraged me and above all pointed me Godward as Ciaran and I have made our way through these first (almost four) months of marriage. And now, without further ado, here they are:

Love that Lasts by Gary and Betsy Ricucci
-I haven't finished this one yet, so I'll need to write more about this one later. I picked it up because the authors are related to C.J. and Carolyn Mahaney (they wrote the foreword to the book). As the subtitle suggests this book is all about marriage meeting God's grace and what that looks like. So far it's been thoroughly biblical and challenged me to make sure that our marriage finds its purpose entirely in God. So good. Hopefully I'll be able to write a whole review soon.

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
-I've only skimmed this one so far. The whole premise focusing on shifting our eyes off of ourselves and our own personal happiness and seeing marriage as a way in which God molds us to be more like him. Challenging and oh so convicting.

The Most Important Year in a Woman's Life/The Most Important Year in a Man's Life by Susan Devries, Bobbi Wolgemuth/ Robert Wolgemuth, Mark Devries
-I love how Ciaran and I can work through this book together. One half is for me, the other half for him and we "meet in the middle" to answer questions together concerning our reading for each chapter. This book addresses all of the typical first year issues. I love how this book is teaching me to become a student of Ciaran and eventually to become an expert on him. And it's challenged me to keep Ciaran as my main priority, second only to God. Especially this year, in the busyness of a move to a new city and a new (very demanding) teaching job, it's only too easy to lose sight of my priorities; this book has kept me going back to what's most important.

When Sinner's Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey
-This one's all about the gospel's power to transform our marriage. Oh how I love this book. It's one of those that will always be close by my bedside; one to read over and over again! Check this one out immediately!

Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
-This book has really challenged me and opened up my eyes to how important it is for me to show Ciaran the respect he deserves. There are so many ways that I don't show him respect, without even realizing it. It's been fun to read through this and ask Ciaran about how true each of the points are for him and then when it's been true, it's been so amazing to see how God changes my heart so that I can be a better wife to my dear, beloved husband.

The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
-I've already highlighted this before on this blog, but I had to include it here because it has had such a profound impact on our marriage, primarily my own personal outlook on our marriage. I find that if I begin my day on my knees praying for Ciaran, his day, his needs, ways I can be a better helper to him, all of this right away, I find that God pours out his grace...as opposed to the days when I hit the ground running and try to be a "good wife" in my own strength. And on the days when I am at a loss and just don't know what to pray, or am too tired to form a coherent thought (and there's been days like this...my job wears me out), the written out prayers at the end of each chapter have served as wonderful starters for my conversation with the Lord. Love this, love this, love this!

A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George
-My most recent purchase. Ciaran got A Husband After God's Own Heart by this author's husband. I've only read the first fourteen pages so I don't have a lot to write about, but I can say that I love how George immediately places the emphasis on God and how our relationship with the Lord is key and must come first and foremost.

The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
-OK, so this has to be my absolute favorite book about becoming a godly wife. I don't even know where to begin to do this book justice. It's absolutely amazing and challenging and convicting! I'll write a real review later so I can go on and on about how wonderful this book is.

There's my list of current favorites and please, if you have any suggestions for great biblical marriage books/resources, don't hesitate to add them to my comments.