The book is divided into three parts. Part one deals with all aspects of marriage, part two deals with sex and part three  deals with application of the truths discussed throughout the book.

In part one there is your typical marriage advice filtered throughout five chapters and written from both the male and female point of view, however there is one distinct difference: the need for friendship with your spouse. The concept of your wife truly being your best friend and what that looks like for husband and wife was not only refreshing but also helpful at defining roles between partners.

In part two there is not your typical advice on sex in the marriage.  While there is some typical talk of sexual roles and advice this is where Pastor Mark and Grace will cause some people to blush. While what happens behind the bedroom doors in a marriage relationship is the business of the married couple, there are certain acts discussed that I don’t know are quite helpful to all people. Had I read this part of the book before reading part one, it would have seemed somewhat dark and perverse, but keeping in context with the overall theme of what he says about the marriage relationship, it lends itself to answer questions that many people struggle with.

The last part focuses on reverse-engineering your marriage. This is where you look forward in time and determine what you hope to accomplish through out your life, where God wants you to be,  and how you can finish well in your marriage. I have applied this logic to other areas but had not considered it in light of the marriage relationship.

Overall, I would recommend Real Marriage to individuals who are already married. It is definitely helpful to have a book that is honest and relevant to people living in this culture, that is sexually saturated, on how to keep your marriage pure and holy before God and your spouse.

I would be more hesitant to recommend this book to engaged couples, primarily on the basis of their understanding of Scripture, their ideas of marriage and their past relationships.

But as far as marriage books go, I would recommend this one.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

Wednesday night at approximately 6 pm as we were preparing for church, my wife received a text message that there was a tornado warning for our area. We turned on the news and saw that there had been a tornado spotted about 10 miles southwest of us and it was moving to the northeast at 35 mph.  About 5 minutes later I was in my office when I heard a roaring, rumbling noise. I ran to the living room and asked my wife if she heard the noise as well. As we look at each other in disbelief we heard the noise begin again. We grabbed our children and got in our kitchen, which is in the center of our place here, and we hunkered down preparing for something to happen. We heard all kinds of noises: metal banging, rain poring, wind blowing and this roaring noise almost like a helicopter.

In 30 seconds it was gone. We had lost power but to our amazement as we looked out our window, we didn’t see any damage to anything. Evidently it passed right beside us or just over us, but regardless we were spared of any damage.

Others just beyond us were not as fortunate. As I drove around yesterday morning surveying the damage I continually prayed  that there was no one who was seriously injured and as far as we have heard through local reports,  there have been several minor injuries but no fatalities.

God is merciful.

I’m not one to really take photos, but these are photos I’ve gotten off the web. These photos are within our neighborhood here in the George Hildebran/ Icard  area.

Click to view slideshow.

Please pray for the people here in our community. There are over 35 homes that have been destroyed completely and hundreds more that have severe damage. There are families who have lost everything and are in need of even the basic necessities.

Pray that we would be useful, able to help, and able to minister effectively to the people here through this time. Thank You!

HT: 22 words

From CNN…

Pittsburgh’s mayor knelt down in defeat on Tuesday, donning a Denver Broncos No. 15 jersey and “Tebowing” in front of the Steel City’s skyline to pay off a bet he made with the mayor of Denver over the Steelers-Broncos playoff game….

“This is not something I ever thought I’d have to do, and it certainly wasn’t something I was looking forward to,” Ravenstahl said. “However, we’re good sports here in Pittsburgh, and I want to congratulate Denver on a great win.”

I know that I have a lot of friends who are Alabama fans, but I predict that while it may be a close game, LSU will have an undefeated year.

HT: Denny Burk

Mainly because of this…

And for some reason this cover of Springsteen’s  still resonates with me.

Merry Christmas!