Love Does Change Everything

Love Changes Everything: Finding What's Real in a World Full of Fake is an excellent book!  I know God loves me and that God is love, but Micah made me think of God's love in new ways.  He used the book of the Bible Hosea to prove the depth of God's love for us.  My eyes were really opened to the richness and fullness of real love instead of the fake love.

I have heard and read about Hosea and Gomer before, but now that I've read Love Changes Everything I'm going to go back and read Hosea again with new eyes and a fresh heart.

Micah did an excellent job helping me to understand the frequently used scripture:  John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life."  There is nothing wrong with hearing this frequently, except I think I became numb to the extent of God's love.

I have a better attitude toward God and a better self image due to this book.  I highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone.  Experience God's love in a new way.

Love & Respect

I just finished the book 'Love & Respect' by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs (Thomas Nelson Publishers).

This book centered around the scripture Ephesians 5:33, "Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." I have often wondered why a man is told to love his wife, but a wife is told to respect her husband. That is one scripture that I never fully understood. I think that Dr. Eggerichs did a good job on explaining the importance of that scripture to a marriage.

He talks about the 'Crazy Cycle' in his book. Without Love -> she reacts -> Without Respect -> he reacts -> Without Love -> (do you see where this is going?). He has a great diagram in his book to explain it better. He also talks about an 'Energizing Cycle' and a 'Rewarded Cycle.' (Why and how you should still try to use his principles on your marriage even if your spouse is not cooperative.)

I really enjoyed the book. It made me look at the way I treat my husband and the way he perceives that he is being treated and vice versa (they are not always the same). On occasion, when Dr. Eggerichs address wives, he asks a very thought provoking question..."Are you treating your husband the way you would want your son to be treated by his wife?" Wow, what an eye opener and since I am the mother of 4 boys, this really hit home with me.

When I was around other couples, I became aware of how they were treating each other and how they perceived they were being treated by their spouse. After reading this book, I am very aware of how people come across (which very often is not the way they think they are coming across) to others. Communication (in all forms - body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, etc.) is extremely important in a marriage.

So if you are struggling in your marriage, or if you have a good marriage, but would like to make it better or if you just want to please Christ with your marriage and your role as a spouse - this is a good read. I highly recommend it.

http://brb.thomasnelson.com/