There are an abundance of resources to help couples prepare for marriage, grow closer in their marriage and work to solve difficulties in their marriage.  I am delighted to be able to offer reviews on just a few of some of the best marriage resources.

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Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti Authors - Bill & Pam Farrel Publisher - Harvest House

• Favorite Features:
• written with humor - makes for enjoyable reading and helps the points be more memorable
• information on important topics like -
• communication
• love - staying in love
• how to handle conflict
• parenting
• the differences between men and women
• discussion questions in the back for each chapter
• communication questions to get couples talking

    This book would be an excellent resource for couples to work through as part of their premarital counseling as well as for use in a small group - it is sure to generate much interesting conversation.  Extremely well done Bill, Pam and Harvest House!

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See Dick & Jane Grow Up Author - Dr. David Hawkins Publisher - Cook

• Favorite Features:
• each chapter ends with think and discuss questions
• each chapter ends with Marriage Makeover plan with "Growing Up Steps" to work through
• each chapter ends with "imagine a heart-change" to show what things would look like if couples changed how they lived
• each chapter has "danger" signs to watch for as well as strategy steps
• walks through needing change, not focusing on self, taking responsibility, giving, sharing, forgiving and having a marriage that is an adventure.

    I found this book to take a unique approach to the area of marriage issues and how to help couples work through and own the strategy needed to have a marriage that is an adventure!  Extremely well done David and Cook!

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Empowering Couples Authors - David & Amy Olson Publisher - Life Innovations

• Favorite Features:
• focus on building strong, stable marriages
• excellent tool for engaged couples to work through
• excellent resource for married couples who are struggling or who want a stronger marriage
• each chapter begins with a "couple quiz" to focus on the points of the chapter and how they relate
• each chapter ends with suggestions to help you improve in relation to that chapter
• covers topics like -
• communication
• conflict resolution
• finances
• spiritual beliefs
• sex
• children/parenting
• goals
• couple exercises at end of each chapter and guide to score to show strengths and weaknesses
• emphasis on family goals

    This is another excellent choice for engages and married couples to work through together and in small groups.  Extremely well done David, Amy and Life Innovations!

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Lifemates Authors - David & Janet Congo Publisher - Cook

• Favorite Features:
• clearly written, easy to understand advice for married couples that truly makes sense
• focuses on the necessity of being intentional in your marriage
• each chapter ends with a choice to make and questions/thoughts to think/talk through

    This book does a tremendous job of communicating how absolutely essential it is for couples to be intentional in the way they approach and deal with their marriage - excellent information for engaged couples to work through before they go into their marriage.  Extremely well done David, Janet and Cook!

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The Top Ten Ways to Love Your Wife Authors - Hans & Donna Funzel Publisher - Cook

• Favorite Features:
• Top Ten Tips Throughout
• each chapter ends with -
• putting principles into practice -
• for husbands
• for wives
• for both husbands and wives
• each chapter tells about a hero husband who illustrated the point of that chapter
• top tips for romance
• covers topics such as -
• loving your wife
• understanding the differences
• communication/conflict
• listening
• treating your wife as a partner
• understanding her world
• how to appreciate your wife
• provide spiritual leadership
• sharing the load
• romance

    I can not recommend this book highly enough - it is a must read for every engaged man as well as every husband who truly wants their wife to feel treasured.  Tremendously well done Hans, Donna and Cook!

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Your Wife Can Be Your Best Friend Author - Clarence Shuler Publisher - Moody Press

• Favorite Features:
• each chapter ends with summary points to help reader remember main points of chapter
• action points at the end of each chapter aid reader in thinking through and living the points of that chapter
• seven ideas to help couples develop a lifestyle of prayer
• four ideas to help husbands pray for their wife
• explains eleven common effects divorce has on children

    This book is an excellent resource for marriages where they are starting to experience difficulty.  Very nicely done Clarence and Moody Press!

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10 Great Dates to Energize your Marriage Authors - David & Claudia Arp Publisher - Zondervan

• Favorite Features:
• 10 easy to prepare, present and actually do, studies designed to help married couples learn how to date and grow closer in their marriage
• course includes 2 videos, book and leader's guide
• leader's guide includes -
• introduction with complete directions to enable leaders to effectively present curriculum
• six steps for starting program
• smart tips for leading 10 great dates
• directions for each session with -
• theme
• book highlights
• notes to facilitator
• video highlights
• directions for after the video
• emphasis on leaders modeling to class by sharing responsibilities
• book includes -
• information to help you plan and prepare for great dates
• how to start dating as a married couple
• commitment to sign
• explanation for each date
• the Marriage Alive Dating Guide
• dating plan
• dating ground rules
• each date has -
• pre-date preparation
• ideas of where to have your date
• date night tips
• chapter summary
• exercise worksheets for him and her
• post-date application
• encourages couples to celebrate their marriage
• 10 Great Dates cover -
• choosing a high-priority marriage
• learning to talk
• resolving honest conflict
• becoming an encourager
• finding unity in diversity
• building a creative love life
• sharing responsibility and working together
• balancing your roles as Partner & Parent
• developing spiritual intimacy
• having an intentional marriage
• includes real life examples of real people
• video includes -
• clips of authors, sharing experiences from their own marriage
• examples of real-life couples
• focus and emphasis on growing your marriage and having fun

    Designed for an evening class, but with a little planning this could work as an adult Sunday School Class as well.  I highly recommend this as a small group resource and encourage church leaders to find ways to get all their married couples to attend!  Tremendously well done David, Claudia and Zondervan!

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Romancing Your Husband Author - Debra White Smith Publisher - Harvest House

• Favorite Features:
• written in a friendly, conversation style
• each chapter contains -
• reality checks -
• personal
• communication
• physical
• prayer points for romance
• romantic notions from Scripture -
• what the author did
• why she did it
• how she felt
• obstacles she overcame
• her husband's response
• what she wishes she had done differently
• budget suggestions
• Scripture, devotional and prayer for each chapter

    This book is a delight and will encourage as well as challenge women to be creative in romancing their husbands!  Extremely well done Debra and Harvest House!

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Capture His Heart Capture Her Heart Author - Lysa Terkeurst Publisher - Moody/Focus on the Family

• Favorite Features:
• each chapter ends with a relationship builder and a thought for the day - excellent!
• includes questions for an eight week study
• walks reader through what husbands/wives need from their spouse
• great for premarital couples as well as a great book for men's/women's accountability groups to work through.

    These small books are extremely readable and will make excellent gifts as well as excellent choices for small groups to study together.  Extremely well done Lysa and Moody/Focus on the Family!

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A Biblical Portrait of Marriage Author - Dr. Bruce Wilkinson Publisher - Walk Thru the Bible

• Favorite Features:
• 12 video course
• workbook available for participants
• videos include - drama illustrating the point
• thoughts from Dr. Wilkinson
• workbook includes -
• introduction to topic
• space to evaluate participants marriage
• questions to think through
• project to work through
• Bible study for five days
• five devotionals
• resource guide
• topics covered include -
• six partnership principals -
• leaving
• cleaving
• submitting
• helper
• leader
• loving
• six of marriages toughest problems -
• in-laws
• money
• sex
• romance
• communication
• loyalty

    This video series is one every married couple would benefit from participating in.  There will be much conversation generated and wise information provided to help and strengthen marriages.  Extremely well done, Bruce and Walk Thru the Bible!

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Saving Your Second Marriage Before It Starts Authors - Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott Publisher - Zondervan

• Favorite Features:
• gives nine reasons NOT to re-marry
• for reflection questions at the end of each chapter
• walks through the five remarriage myths
• looks at the four stages of love and 15 ways to make love last a life time
• excellent information on communication - how not to as well as how to do so successfully
• quotes throughout
• what husbands and wives need to know about eachother
• how to deal with conflict
• helpful information on how to successfully blend families
• challenge for couples to grow closer in their walk with God as a couple

    Unfortunately many marriages do not last - even in the church.  This book is a tremendous resource for those people who are considering a second marriage.  Extremely well done Les, Leslie and Zondervan!

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When Bad Things Happen to Good Marriages Authors - Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott Publisher - Zondervan

• Favorite Features:
• 16 true, real life stories about marital struggles and how couples coped with their problems as well as these couple's advice to other couples
• quotes throughout the book
• for reflection questions at the end of each chapter to help you think through and apply content
• walks through the five reasons couples bump into bad things
• explains the five tools good marriages use to battle bad things
• explains the nine pathways of relating to God
• takes a look at what a God-centered marriage looks like
• correctly identifies the purpose of marriage to draw us closer to God

    This book isn't just theory or opinions, rather it shares the struggles and challenges real people experience in marriage and how they were able to use that difficulty to grow closer to each other and God.  This book is a must read for pastors, counselors & couples struggling in their marriages.  Tremendously well done Les, Leslie and Zondervan!

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Sexual Intimacy in Marriage Authors - Dr. William Cutrer & Sandra Glahn Publisher - Kregel Publications

• Favorite Features:
• informative resource for engaged and newly married couples
• openly presents a sound, Biblical and healthy approach to sex in marriage
• presents many questions people have with solid answers

    This is a book every engaged couple should take the time to read as it will help provide answers needed to questions couples may be hesitant to ask and help start their marriage with a sound and healthy attitude toward sexual intimacy.   Tremendously well done William, Sandra and Kregel Publications!

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Library Resources Table of Contents

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