Christian marriage counsellng ministry

TravelJunkie

Hi

I was watching on TV last year an american pastor who specialised in marriage counselling.

He spoke about Gods formula to a good marriage.

Does this ring a bell?

Or if anyone has any suggestions on books / tapes / websites. International preferrably because its for someone not in Ireland.

thanks

PDN

It could have been someone like Gary Smalley (go to Amazon.com & use the search feature). Or you could go to a Christian bookshop (eg Scripture Union in Talbot Street, Dublin) and browse.

homer911

I remember when I got engaged someone gave me a Christian book entitled something like "Ten Secrets to a Happy Marriage" - It had a Green/Black cover and I thought it was good at the time - still have it somewhere...

You get a lot of hits on Google on the topic

http://www.google.ie/search?hl=en&q=Ten+secrets+for+a+Happy+Marriage&meta=

homer911

Scripture Union will advise you over the phone and can post books out to you. They use Crown Books to provide an internet service
(www.crownbooks.co.uk)

Crown is owned by STL (Send the Light) who at least until recently owned the Wesley Owen bookchain in the UK. I think an Australian company has bought them recently

neuro-praxis

I don't trust any Christian resource that offers "10 steps to a perfect whatever" or "God's recipe for success with whatever". Life is just too messy and difficult for it all to be wrapped up, to quote our Lord Homer Simpson, "in a neat little package".

If you would like a good and helpful book on the topic of marriage, try Fit to be Tied by Bill and Lynne Hybels. I found it very helpful and non-bulsh|tty.

Alternatively, we could recommend some trained and trusted Christian counsellors to give you a bit of advice, although the ones I know are in the Dublin area.

doctoremma

Absolutely genuine question: what advice do you predict would differ between a christian and a non-religious guide to a happy marriage?

PDN

doctoremma wrote: »

Absolutely genuine question: what advice do you predict would differ between a christian and a non-religious guide to a happy marriage?

Praying together, reading Scripture together, having fun putting the Song of Solomon into action etc.

doctoremma

PDN wrote: »

having fun putting the Song of Solomon into action etc.

Hmm, I have just discovered that this involves being comforted by apples...

My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.
His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.
His hands are as gold rings set with the beryl: his belly is as bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.
His legs are as pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold: his countenance is as Lebanon, excellent as the cedars.
His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

Second to last line: what does countenance mean?

PDN

doctoremma wrote: »

Hmm, I have just discovered that this involves being comforted by apples...



Second to last line: what does countenance mean?

Let's just say it's one of those little pleasures that are denied to the godless.

TravelJunkie

Thanks for your tips.

I've done some research and found these as experts:

Greg and Erin Smalley (as suggested by PDN thank you)
Gary Thomas
Roderick C Meredith
and John MacArthur

Any thoughts on the above?

I'm wondering if John MacArthur is legalistic.