Marriage On The Rock

Also, few Christian books address single parenting or marriages in which one person is doing all the work - this one does AND offers practical advice on how to deal with these very common situations. It addresses what happens when a husband puts his job first, cheats, or simply won't work on the marriage. It also addresses what happens when a woman is demanding, cold or critical. The discussion on sex is better than most Christian books if a litle bit dated (definitely written from the older male's perspective).

My one critique: this book, while better than most Christian books when it comes to explaining the Christian wife, does not address the prevalance of working wives and the effects on the family when MOM cheats, is working too much, or no longer wants to work on the marriage. It's time for contemporary Christians to wake up and realize that it's no longer just Dad who's not keeping the home fires burning. Few Christian books seem to want to deal with this particular issue even though it is increasingly prevalent.

Even with this minor critique, though, I HIGHLY recommend this book. It is much better than "The Power of a Praying Wife" or similar nonsense books that give endless examples from the author's own (relatively easy) marriage and very little solid advice. "Marriage on the Rock" includes behavioral solutions that address serious marital problems, while of course incorporating prayer. Plus, Dr. Evans clearly has done enough counseling that he knows a lot about what he writes and can provide real-world examples. His presentation is not sugary or pie-in-the-sky and he doesn't pretend that all marriages will work...but his advice on making them better is excellent.

The book was so good that when a non-christian man I barely knew told me his wife left him, I offered to lend him the book. The reasons his wife left him were straight out of the book. (She had asked him to go to counceling a year earlier but he refused because he didn't think there was anything wrong.) He also really enjoyed the book and said that it opened his eyes to see the error of his ways. His wife noticed the change in him. He explained about me and he lent her the book. At first she asked him if I was a weak woman allowing myself to "submit". He explained that I am an outspoken, career woman so she finished reading it. His wife saw the error of her own ways and how her reactions to his bad behavior was also damaging their realationship.

The book has changed the way all three of us, christian and non-christian, understand marriage. The great news was that you can work at and get those good feelings back again with your spouse. This book is fair and two sided. It doesn't blame the wife or the husband. I would highly recommend this book.

Jimmy Evan's explains God's expectations of the husband to lead the family in a Christian filled union. This book is not a hell bent instruction manual for wive's to be submissive to a husband. Instead explains God's requirements of a couple together in a Christian marriage.

The laws of Priority, Pusuit, Possession and Purity are straight forward and biblically based. Definately will offer a couple points to discuss together.

I also found the sections on How to understand and meet your Wife's needs and How to understand and meet your husband's needs quite interesting. At 40 something I thought I understood men, boy was I wrong!

The section on Skills for sexual pleasure explains God's desire for you to have a healthy Christian based sexual relationship. (Yes, God thinks sex in a marriage is a good thing!) This book explains what the bible teaches is right and wrong in regards to sexual pleasures and practices.

There also offers biblical instruction on Communication, Finances, Parenting and relationships with your in-laws.

Jimmy Evans also discusses how you can build a Christian marriage on your own if you do not have a spouse activily participating in the study with you.

This book is definately an instruction manual on how to have and maintain a Christian marriage. I will share this book with all my friends who are married or preparing to be married and maintain a copy in our family library for future reference.