My wife and I have had the pleasure of reading and teaching from a
wonderful marriage book titled 'Love and War'. The authors of the book are John and Stasi Eldredge. John
is well known for his popular book titled 'Wild at Heart'
and for his
new book 'Beautiful Outlaw'.
'Love and War' is a very real and down to earth
marriage book. The Eldredge's have been married for a long time and have had
some hard times over the years. But through it all, they have come away with
some great insight for all other marriages. They speak from experience and from
the heart in this book.
Right away the book gets into the idea of Desire. In order to have a
great marriage or re-gain control of our marriages, we have to have desire,
desire to want the best for each other, a desire to always love each other and
know that this marriage is for the long haul. The next chapters get into what they
like to call the 'perfect storms', this more or less talks about opposites and
how they attract. The opposite part in our spouse is a way that God uses the
differences in your partner to make your marriage stronger and make you a
better person. One of my favorite chapters is titled 'Sharing an Adventure'. It
is so important for couples to not just be married partners, but friends. Get
out once and awhile, go crazy and take some dancing classes (I think this is
coming up on the schedule for us). Schedule a great vacation and be intentional
about it. Take a walk once a week together and enjoy the wonderful nature that
God has created. This is essential. The Eldredge's bring a very real portrait
into the book when they talk about our marriage having an enemy, and it is not
our spouse, seriously. Marriage is one of the unions that the Enemy is out to
destroy. We see it all over our culture today and it seems to only be getting
worse. If we can hear and talk to God, than we have to take the other monologue
into play. The enemy will step in at the most opportune times and say
definitives like "She is never going to change" or "He will
always be like that". Definitives or agreements are marriage killers and
we have to protect ourselves and our marriage from those type of words and
thoughts.
On top of just having some great material in the book to read
about, the Eldredge's have made a few items that go along with the book for
small groups at Church or Home. My wife and I have actually facilitated a few
group classes on the 'Love and War' material and have had a great response.
Here are some easy links to some of the great tools that go along with this
powerful book.
Overall, this is a fantastic book. I would highly recommend
reading this book with your spouse. Take the initiative also to see if your
Church has the 'Love and War' small group or facilitate a class by yourself or with your spouse!
Have you read?
I would love to hear your thoughts!
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