Recommend Reading on Marriage and Relationships

In case  you didn't know, today is Valentine's Day (hint hint fellas). Since today is the national day of love, I want to recommend a number of helpful resources on marriage and romantic relationships. The following is not an exhaustive list but is a good start. The main thing is to continue to work on your marriage.


When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage by Dave Harvey

This is, without a doubt, one of the best books on marriage and relationships I have read in recent years. The premise of the book is identified in the title: marriage is the uniting of two sinners. What lies at the root of every problem every couple faces is sin. Both sides are guilty of sin. The key to a lasting, healthy, and vibrant marriage, then, is the gospel. Harvey walks us through this unlike any other marriage book does. I strongly recommend this work.


His Needs, Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage by Willard Harley

The premise of this book is simple. Men and women are different. The author walks the reader through the five needs of both the husband and wife and how each spouse should serve the other. In principle, it is gospel. If my focus is on meeting the needs of my spouse rather than being consumed with my spouse meeting mine, then our marriage will thrive. This is the model set forth by Paul in Ephesians 5.


The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy and Kathy Keller

Tim Keller is one of the best writers and thinkers of our day. Here he and his wife apply his wit and wisdom to marriage. Its worth investing in and includes a fuller treatment of what the Bible says about marriage.


Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs by Emerson Eggerichs

Again the premise is simple. Men and women are different. At our core, each have one basic need. women need love and men need respect. The writer walks the reader through how each gender understand those terms and what role they play in marriage and how we can serve the other the right way. This is not my favorite book, but it remains popular and helpful for many couples.

July 26, 2015 | Galatians 4:12-20 - The Gospel is Love

Here is the sermon from Sunday morning taken from Galatians 4:12-20:

¹² I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You have done me no wrong; ¹³ but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; ¹⁴ and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. ¹⁵ Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? ¹⁷ They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. ¹⁸ But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you. ¹⁹ My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you— ²⁰ but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Audio
Notes


For more:
April 26, 2015 | Galatians 1:1-5: The Gospel is Freedom
May 3, 2015 | Galatians 1:6-10: The Gospel is Primary
May 17, 2015 | Galatians 1:11-24: The Gospel is Real
May 24, 2015 | Galatians 2:1-10: The Gospel is Apostolic PDF 
May 31, 2015 | Galatians 2:11-16: The Gospel is Alive
June 7, 2015 | Galatians 2:17-21: The Gospel is Authentic
June 14, 2015 | Galatians 3:1: The Gospel is Wise - Part 1
July 5, 2015 | Galatians 3:1-14: The Gospel is Wise - Part 2
July 12, 2015 | Galatians 3:15-29: The Gospel is Promise
July 19, 2015 | Galatians 4:1-11: The Gospel is Adoption
July 26, 2015 | Galatians 4:12-20 - The Gospel is Love 
May 24, 2015 | Some Things Never Change: The Immutability of God & Why That Matters

March 22, 2015 | 1 John 4:7-11 Sermon Resources

I've had a few unexpected issues with the podcast so I'm a little behind in posting the sermon audio. Here is March 22 sermon from 1 John 4:7-11 on love.

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. ⁸ The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. ¹⁰ In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. ¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Audio
Notes

Worship Minimovie: Love (A New Commandment)

Here is the video we played in worship Sunday.




HT: Igniter Media


For more:
News That Brings Joy Worship Video

Worship Minimovie: Paper Heart

Here is the video we played in worship Sunday.




HT: Igniter Media


For more:
News That Brings Joy Worship Video