What Fills Your Marriage?

Feb25

Here is a book that I would recommend even if it were nothing more than its title: Grace Filled Marriage. But now that I have finished reading it, I am glad to say that I can recommend not only the title but also the entire book!

If “grace” refers to all the gifts springing from goodness and love—gifts such as acceptance and forgiveness and kindness—then grace is exactly what every marriage needs. In this hope-filled, easy-to-read book, author Tim Kimmel explains what it means to fill a marriage with grace.

Here is a collection of quotes from the book:

[M]ost marriage don’t struggle from a lack of love; they struggle from a lack of grace. (3)

Love is the commitment of my will to your needs and best interests regardless of the cost. (65)

[We can be spouses who believe that] divine grace [is] bigger than human disgrace. (113)

The primary feature of a heart of grace is that it lives to trust God. (118)

When you and your spouse are talking your way through tough issues, the goal of the discussion should always be unity, never victory. … If you consistently win arguments with your mate, guess what you get to sleep with every night? A loser! (161)

… God is glorified when we fight for our marriage, pray like mad, and trust him to deal with our unrepentant spouse. (161)

He’s a bigger God than any mess you or your spouse could have made. (172)

[Problems are] opportunities to enjoy a front-row seat to [God’s] sustaining grace. (186)

Love that comes from God is unique: … it’s delivered in abundant quantities … and graciously (as though it’s an honor on the part of the giver). (217)

True greatness is a passionate love for Jesus Christ that shows itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others. (218)

Jesus passionately met our needs. He wants his love pouring through us to passionately meet our spouse’s needs. (221)

There’s a lot resting on your mariage. Big stuff. God’s kingdom stuff. Even though you record your marriage in years, there’s an eternal dimension to what your union represents to God’s grander redemptive story. There are a lot of people whose lives will be impacted by how you live out your love—even people in generations way on down the line from you. (234)

Your marriage is worth all the grace that you can pour into it.

May God fill your life today with His generous, lavish grace.

Looking for a great book?

Dec13

I just finished reading a fantastic book: The Grace Effect by Larry Taunton. This book had been recommended by Eric Metaxas on a Breakpoint commentary, so I expected to find some intellectual vigor, and I was not disappointed. But I also found something that I had not expected: a story that repeatedly touched my heart.

The book begins with the author’s fascinating discusssion with the late Christopher Hitchens, one of the famed New Atheists. Hitchens’ central claim was that the world is better served by atheism than by Christianity. Larry Taunton, who both debated and befriended Hitchens, recognized that the beautiful, kind, and moral things that Hitchens valued were benefits of the very Christianity that he derided. Through the influence of Christianity, Hitchens enjoyed the gifts of “common grace.”

After trying to explain the amazing concept of grace to Hitchens, Larry searched for a current illustration that would be meaningful to Hitchens. Without realizing it initially, Larry then witnessed a powerful demonstration of “the grace effect” in his own life as he and his wife went through the difficult process of adopting a young girl from Ukraine. Vividly painted before his own eyes was the dramatic clash between the dark products of an atheistic worldview and the colorful gifts of a Christ-informed worldview. Near the end of the book, Hitchens meets Larry’s adopted daughter and is surprised by what he sees.

Biblical grace is much more than forgiveness: “grace” refers to every good gift from God. I marveled as I was reminded that even the most basic of “common graces,” such as simple kindness and civility—such as the willingness to wait one’s turn in a line at McDonald’s—are influences of Christianity.

Every good thing that we enjoy or value is a gift from God—whether we acknowledge the Giver or not.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Nov27

The Kindle edition of Radiance: Secrets to Thriving in Marriage will be FREE on Amazon from November 29 through December 3. Learn God’s amazing design of marriage, women, and men. Whether your marriage is great or struggling, God is able to make you thrive right where you are. This encouraging book will share with you the secrets of a healthy, radiant spirit.

If you have a Kindle and also AmazonPrime, you can borrow the ebook for free during November and December.

May your spirit feast bountifully on the goodness of God during this special week of giving thanks to Him, the Source of every good gift.