A Lifelong Love: How to Have Lasting Intimacy, Friendship, and Purpose in Your Marriage

Lifelong LoveGary ThomasBook Summary: Gary Thomas believes couples often settle for too little when it comes to marriage. We fail to understand how deeply God cares about our spouse. We diminish our need to not only understand what biblical love really is, but also to become a people who excel at it. We let ourselves drift apart instead of making the daily choices to grow closer together. Whether your marriage needs a complete makeover, a touch up, or just a new purpose, A Lifelong Love promises to set your relationship on an entirely new dimension. You will never look at worship or your spouse in the same way again. You will understand how living for that day will so radically transform the decisions you make this day. And Gary will guide you through the power shifts and seasonal mine fields that blow up so many marriages so that you can grow in your love instead of in your disappointment. Thirty years of study and two decades of working with couples has led Gary Thomas to his most significant book yet on the relationship between husband and wife. Find out for yourself what all the fuss is about—and why A Lifelong Love is sure to challenge the way the church talks about marriage.Review: Fantastic book!!! Read it slow and think about the various Biblical references. He has such insight about God’s plan for marriage. I found the topic thought provoking and worth praying about. I agree that marriage changes as time continues. I agree with Mr. Thomas when he talked about all the books that abound on have a ‘happy marriage’ in the earthly sense, he sees contentment and satisfaction is a choice. Another excellent point is that marriages that are me centered is not the point of marriage. It is other centered. As that topic and idea was explored it was freeing and frightening. Yet, that is exactly how our relationship with God. It explored out others are most important and that you have to pray and love your spouse without wanting to get anything, oh that is so hard. Mr. Thomas has such insight into relationships and the Bible it is a wonderfully freeing concept with biggest question being reward in heaven or on earth. If I seek only getting for me from my relationship than I will have my reward, if I seek my husband’s best than I will see the Lord in my marriage and thus my reward will be in heaven. One of the best things that was tapped into is that even if my husband does not give me attention or affection, I will always have God, who cares for me more than anyone else does. This was a great comfort. It was such a comfort to know that Mr. Thomas sees both sides of the coin when talking to couples and wants the best for both. It is a must read for newlyweds to those who are celebrating a golden anniversary.I would like to thank Net Galley and David C Cook for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

This saved my marriage when I was in a dark place of bitterness and feeling sorry for myself. Gary does an excellent job of painting a picture for you that makes you look at your spouse the way that God intended. Prayerfully consider this book if you are close to giving up. Don't give up before you try to put the words of wisdom from this book into action.

Great Book!!!!! My husband and I purchased this book to help us strengthen our marriage, and it did exactly that but soon realized something else had also happened. It soon became apparent the book was causing us to grow in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. As always Gary Thomas has not failed, bringing to the forefront each of our responsibilities in the marriage dance, instead of what we as humans tend to do, playing the blame game, blaming others for our attitudes. Our marriage has been blessed by the writings of Gary Thomas and this book is no exception. Truly anointed and gifted writer who has touched our lives and our marriage. I am a better wife and child of God because of his insight into the marital relationship that is the second most important relationship after our relationship with God.

I love this book and author so much I buy his books for gifts! He is focused on the Lord and not selfish notions of man. Isn't that the way we should be, anytime a author focuses on us then I know it doesn't line up with scripture. But his writing is more like apostle Paul who writes to us in this dispensation of Grace! I hope he writes more!

A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas is exceptional!This is a must read for any who are contemplating marriage, rebuilding a marriage or enriching an already strong marriage. In a time when marriage is often viewed as disposable, Gary Thomas continues (see Sacred Marriage also by Gary Thomas) to detail God’s plans and intention for marriage. And yet as Thomas explains, God’s plan does not mean that we stay married simply for the sake of avoiding divorce. For those of us who are married, we know marriage is difficult at times. However, God’s desire is for us to thrive in our marriages, to bring honor to God by the way we treat His son or daughter. Thomas leads us through not only the theological basis for God’s desire, but he provides us with refreshingly practical wisdom we can implement daily to strengthen our marriages. The following quote is just another example of how God uses Gary Thomas to speak truth into our lives.“Since marriage is one of the most profound acts of worship any two believers can ever share. It is impossible to be married in a sacred manner without the Holy Spirit being active in our lives, helping us to understand what it means to love, giving us the power to love, convicting us when we fail to love, renewing our hearts when we grow weary in love, and pouring out hope when we grow discouraged in love.”As a marriage mentor and trainer of marriage mentors, I often recommend (and sometimes provide) copies of A Lifelong Love as well as Sacred Marriage for couples to read, study, and answer the challenging questions Thomas raises. Healing and closeness in marriage is a journey we undertake when we seek God’s purpose for marriage. A Lifelong Love is a great way to start that journey.Lynn NelsonExecutive DirectorTWOgether Marriage Mentoring

Excellent book. Very biblical principles and helpful guidelines for a marriage as the Lord intends us to have. It's helpful whether your spouse wants to improve your marriage or not. We are called to love our spouse and it's not dependent on how they treat us. But what is true love? Gary helps us understand what it means from the only One who truly loves us and who defines love. I loved this book.

I really enjoyed this book. I am rereading it with my husband. I think all married couples should read this together. It is an easy read with great discussion questions at the end of each section.

What ever I say about this wonderful book can't do it justice!! For anyone who wants to have a godly marriage and see their husband or wife as God's son or God's daughter, then you must read this book.I believe it will transform you and your marriage and most of all I recommend that couples read it together!!

Das Buch kam zwar sehr schnell an aber die Ecken sind beschädigt und es liegt an der oberen Kante eine leichte pink Färbung vor. Im großen und ganzen wurde das Buch nicht allzu gut verarbeitet.

Such amazing points. This challenges the struggling marriages as well as those "good" marriages. Something for everyone in this book!!!

Lots of great learning moments here , be prepared though to open yourself up to admit you may need to change the way you do or deal with things .

Very powerful recommend it to all couples looking to grow in there relationship together and with God. Thank you Gary for sharing these truths with us.