Comments on: What did you expect? Something more positive!

By: Jodi

Jodi — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:30:54 +0000

My pastor husband and I do pre-marital counseling as well with couples and have just started to read this book together. We have enjoyed applying the materials to our own marriage, but agree that it might be better given to a couple after the first year or used when counseling couples in need. That being said, what resources would you recommend for the pre-marital time? We are in the midst of revamping our previous curriculum (mostly using Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas) and are looking for solid gospel driven resources. Thanks!And as a side note – we REALLY enjoyed the Puritan Ref Sem conference a few weeks ago. It was a great encouragement to us!

By: Amanda Kaylon

Amanda Kaylon — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:56:26 +0000

Dear Sir,I can’t speak as someone who has been married (I have not) or as an older person (I am only in my early twenties), but I believe that I can still testify to the power that a couple’s outward attitude toward marriage can have on young people. Looking back, I find that my own childhood disdain for marriage (which led me, in my early teens, to dislike the idea of ever being married, myself) was formed in large part from simply hearing my friends’ Christian mothers speak disdainfully of their husbands – and it made little difference whether the disrespect was in jest or in earnest. Young children notice whether or not a couple is displaying joy, love and reverence in their marriage, and in my experience, know that a pattern of unattractive marriages has to reflect on marriage as a whole. Thank you, sir, for specifically addressing the importance of couples living out their marriages as self-conscious examples to young people of the “advantages, benefits, and pleasures of marriage.” Their example does indeed have a very powerful impact.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:53:23 +0000

Hi Mr Murray!There are over 6 years years since you married Alan & I, 6 life changing, challenging and very happy years. But there have been many times I have spoken about the lack of marriage counselling where we are, Christian marriage counselling. (Not that I have personally felt the need for it, but if we did where would we turn… and the number of marriage break downs over recent years, it seems to be the ‘norm’ sadly). I am also acutely aware of being ‘an advert’ for Christian marriage as there are few around these days.The first paragraph made me laugh, it sounds a typical reaction, sadly. Very ‘closed’ compared to America perhaps, and I agree, we need a good dose of it… if only someone would give it to us!!!Dawn

By: John Koopman

John Koopman — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 15:39:47 +0000

David, I have used the workbook “Preparing for Marriage” by Wayne Mack for the couple along with his book “Strengthening your Marriage” as the basic outline for my ‘lectures’ of 4-5 I found those resources very helpful.