Customer Reviews
Great guide for both Christian clinicians and couples 
2005-09-30
Part One: Handling Conflict / Protecting Your Marriage
Ch. 1: Oneness
Ch. 2: Four Key Patterns That Destroy Oneness
Ch. 3: Communicating Safely and Clearly: The Speaker-Listener Technique
Ch. 4: Problem Solving
Ch. 5: Ground Rules for Protecting Your Marriage from Conflict
Part Two: Going Deeper
Ch. 6: Issues and Events
Ch. 7: Unmet Expectations and What to Do About Them
Ch. 8: Understanding Commitment
Ch. 9: The Power of Commitment
Ch. 10: Forgiveness and the Restoration of Intimacy
Part Three: The Great Things
Ch. 11: Preserving and Protecting Friendship
Ch. 12: Increasing Your Fun Together
Ch. 13: Enhancing and Protecting Your Sex Life
Ch. 14: Spiritual Intimacy and Oneness
This book is a useful, easy to read and application and goal oriented book written for a wide audience. If I would to compare this book with other books on the topic of marriage, I would say this book can be described as "The Christian version of Gottman's Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work." The reason why I use the above description is because this book is similar to Gottman's book with plenty of easy to read and easy to follow cognitive principles and exercises; however, this book is based on God's wisdom in the Bible which is different from Gottman's approach which also gives a very refreshing view of cognitive therapy from the Christian perspective. This book is focused on practical action of how a Christian couple can take to strengthen their marriage, but I think this book is still useful for non-Christians. Many practical examples and actions mentioned are needed in today's marriages.
There are 3 major sections in this book. Part one starts with the most important message: oneness in marriage and oneness in Christ. This first chapter really gives Christian couples the true meaning of marriage in Christ and the rest of the part one gives basic techniques to teach couples how to handle conflicts and difficult issues. Part two goes beyond part one's basic techniques and talks about deeper issues and events happened in marriage or earlier in lives. Part two gives couples a great concept of how commitment in marriage works which I think many of the secular books do not stress the importance on this issue. However, if you are looking for very thorough analysis on internal hurt and attachment issues, part two only offers very limited information on the deeper issues. It is still a cognitive directed book. Finally, part three focuses on positive aspects like friendship, fun, sexuality and spirituality of how to make marriage work. I thought the authors did a good job by ending this book with a very positive note to allow the full mystery of oneness to be expressed between the couple.
This book is a very practical guide and it offers many strategies with the support from Bible verses. At the end of each chapter, there are useful exercises to help the readers to capture the concepts of the chapter. I like this book because it is very easy to read with tons of useful information and it is designed for Christian readers to strengthen their marriages. From the book, it is easy to see where in the Bible you can find verses to support authors' ideas. Even though this book is designed for Christian readers, I think many of the concepts and exercises are still useful for non-Christians. But if you are trying to find a book which talks about deeper attachment issues, then this book is not for you. It offers many cognitive tips and exercises and I think this book should be a companion book to other marriage counseling books for a Christian therapist.
I would recommend this book for Christian therapist and Christian couples. I think even though it is a very practical and easy-read guide, non-Christians might not appreciate the references in Bible and the beliefs in the book; however, a therapist can definitely use this book to help his or her non-Christian clients by using the concept and exercises in the book.
Enjoyable read, application-oriented tool for all marriages 1999-06-29
This is the most useful, application-oriented book on how to build a great marriage I have ever read. Chapter two identifies four specific behaviors that are life threatening to marriage. It is based on a huge data bank of research. One study evaluated many couples over a 12 year period, some beginning before they were even actually married. Evaluations were conducted through multiple, extensive interviews and videotaping of the couple's interactions over the years, which were then reviewed by a team of reasearchers. Presence of the four specific behaviors were predictors of divorce with up to 91% accuracy. Each behavior is examined and tools provided to break these habits. Each section of the book is intensly valuable for couples with good marriages and for those in serious trouble. There are samples of different disputes, communications, and problem solving done by couples in real life situations. There are many self tests, and questions for discussion that really help couples identify clearly where their marriages are great and where they could be better. Best of all, these tools are all related back to scripture to solidify the true value and importance of building and protecting a great marriage. I will buy this book for my married adult children and recommend it to every married couple I know! It is a MUST have!
Highly practical and life-changing book 1999-01-05
As a military chaplain, I have found "A Lasting Promise" to be one of the most effective tools to use with couples at every stage of the life cycle. Premarital couples, young marrieds, couples with children, and more mature couples have benefitted greatly from the principles presented in this fine work. Based on extensive research, the principles so clearly presented and illustrated in "A Lasting Promise" will revolutionize your marriage and your work as a counselor with premarital and married couples. Don't miss making this resource a part of your toolbox for enhancing your relationships!! -Military Chaplain
Excellent communication and problem resolution tool 1998-07-28
This book is a revision of the 1996 book, "Fighting for your Marriage". It has excellent guidelines for resolving conflicts and communication problems and building a better relationship.
Outstanding Chrisitan Principles 2008-02-13
This book focuses on communication in marriage and has basic principles
that are easy to follow. It also discusses key areas where there may be
problems to resolve. It is based on sound Christian principles that apply to other relationships as well.
The Perfect Christ Centered Marriage Guide 2007-06-03
No matter how long you have been married, you must always remember that God comes first. This book reminds us that a healthy, Godly marriage works in this order: 1)God, 2) Marriage 3) Self 4) Children 5) All Else. Without Him, a marriage is doomed. This book has allowed me and my Wife to address minor and major issues using God's direction. This is actually a second publishing, with the first being mostly secular. The authors have taken scripture and make it very clear that God wants marriage to be Spirirtually based. No matter what issue you may be having in your marriage, using God's directives can heal all wounds - past and present. As a Chaplain and a Counselor, I have found this to be the ultimate guide to healing a realtionship. I now recommend this book to all my clients, regardless of their religious beliefs. It provides scripture as an adjunct to the core message of each topic, and is very easy to follow. The authors have written it so that one may read a section regarding their specific problem, or it can be read in the order it was written. If you are yearning to have a Godly marriage - THIS IS THE MANUAL YOU NEED. Peace and God Be With You.
Very pleased 2007-01-09
This book has helped us mend our marriage and grow to better communicate and understand each other. I highly recommend it for engaged, newlyweds, or people who have been married for years. God has truly blessed our marriage through this book.
marriage maker 
2006-03-04
My husband and I both liked the book because it gives practical ways to communicate, which can cross over in all aspects of life. It gives helpful, concrete tools to use in relationships.
Wonderful book and program! 2005-10-28
This book, along with the non-Christian version, Fighting for your Marriage, is great! This is great marriage enrichment stuff and helps so much with communication, as well as increasing fun in your marriage. Great for small groups. [...]. As a mental health counselor, I use the tools in this book with my clients and highly recommend it! Also at the PREP website is a list of PREP instructors if you need more individualized help.
