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

When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage | Dave Harvey | Practical, Readable, and written for both Husband and Wife

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When Sinners Say "...

	When Sinners Say "I Do": Discovering the Power of the Gospel for Marriage Dave Harvey Shepherd Press, 2007 - 190 pages average customer review:based on 10 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Marriage is the union of two people who arrive at the altar toting some surprisingly large luggage. Often it gets opened right there on the honeymoon, sometimes it waits for the week after. The Bible calls it sin and understanding its influence can make all the difference for a man and woman who are building a life together. When Sinners Say "I Do" is about encountering the life-transforming power of the gospel in the unpredictable journey of marriage.

Dave's writing style embraces the reader as he speaks honestly, and sometimes humorously, about sin and the power of the gospel to overcome it. He opens the delightful truth of God s word and encourages the reader to see more clearly the glorious picture of what God does when sinners say "I do."

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Not Your Standard Marriage Book; Maybe the Best I've Read

Dave Harvey begins the book by making sure that you understand the doctrine of sin...the root of which is that you recognize that you are a sinner. Recognizing that both members of any marriage are sinners, have always been sinners, and forever will be sinners is a key place to start. Far too often we recognize that proposition (both spouses are sinners) to be a true theoretically true statement, but practically we act as if the other is the greater sinner. Harvey flips this on its head: I must go into marriage (indeed, into all relationships, recognizing that I am the worst sinner that I know).

Then, after recognizing sin, we can see the solution to sin: The gospel of the free grace of God, a gospel that saves from sin, but also a gospel that provides the power for ongoing forgiveness of sin and power over sin.

The bulk of the bulk is really just a primer on how to apply the gospel to various aspects of marriage. The book is far less a book on sin in marriage than it is on the grace of the gospel applied to marriage.

For this reason, ever since I first recommended this book, it is the first recommendation that I give to anybody looking for "marriage help". It is the first book I give to couples before they are married who are looking for a book to read together to prepare them for marriage. It would be the first book I give to a couple in a super healthy marriage. And it would be a book I would recommend to a single without even a potential mate who is trying to think rightly about dating and marriage.

Until we see the ravaging effects of sin on marriage - until I see the ravaging affects of MY sin on MY marriage - I won't recognize God's grace as the solution; I will be tempted to settle for the cheap fixes peddled in most other marriage books out there. My greatest problem isn't compatibility, lack of intimacy, or dulled romance; it is sin. And the solution is therefore first and foremost the gospel. Read this book to see how that fleshes itself out.

When you've finished this book, then I recommend you move onto the other best books on marriage I've read:
1. Love That Lasts: When Marriage Meets Grace
2. Feminine Appeal For women; Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God: What Every Christian Husband Needs to Know For men.

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Practical, Readable, and written for both Husband and Wife

I have read many books on marriage. Some are good, some not as good. This one is fantastic. It gets to the root issue ,which is we have difficulties in our marriages because there are two sinners involved that many times do not look to the Savior daily.

Too many books out there are directed towards the wife (Let's face it, sadly, many men are not readers) and turn out to be nothing more than warmed over psycho-babble, talking about unmet needs and unfulfilled desires. When we look to our spouse, instead of Christ, to 'meet our needs' we are looking in the wrong place. It is true that the Lord often uses our spouse as a means to bless us and fulfill our needs and desires, but what happens when He doesn't? This is the strength of the book.

I have counseled people who are in marital strife and I will recommend this book to all of them as well as anyone that asks me to officiate at their wedding. This is required material for anyone that wants to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ in their marriage.

If you are looking for step by step guides as to how to make your home run smoothly, this is not the book for you. If you are looking for a book that is biblical, readable and one that either husband or wife can read. READ THIS BOOK. You will not be disappointed!

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Wonderful .. even for singles.

This is one of the best books I've read -- not just on "marriage" but on the Gospel and it's application in any kind of relationship (marriage or otherwise). I'm not married but I think this book would be a great primer for anyone, and a great resource for those who are already married. It isn't simply doctrinal, but Dave Harvey also throws in his own life experiences and anecdotes that made me laugh out loud, or brought me to tears. It's not a difficult read but still contains meaty scripture references and solid theology (which the author Harvey makes sure you understand right off the bat). The foundation of this book is GRACE and how if we see ourselves first as the chief of sinners, then we will be more willing to extend grace to those closest to us.

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great book even for engaged couples

This book has a lot of practical guidance, it shows how the Gospel should influence our marriages to the Glory of God.

A Good Marriage Book, but not the top of my list

This is a good marriage book but the handful of others I've read have been better- Sacred Marriage, Starting Your Marriage Right, Sheet Music, and Love That Lasts. This one is a little too long for the subject and is pretty repetitive. It is worth your time but I wouldn't put it on top of the list.

reviews: page 1, 2

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