Living Together,loving Together

"When marriage goes well, there is perhaps no greater human happiness; but when it goes poorly, there may be no greater misery!" So say these two popular authors & counselors, husband & wife. Having known "both the joyful & the painful sides of married life," Philip & Lisa offer Christian couples three major insights for turning marriage into a lifelong positive adventure. Faith - that God's love is always there, ready to bless a marriage Commitment - from both partners to make their marriage their most important human relationship Communication Skills - to prevent misunderstandings, hurt feelings, & futile conflicts The authors insist that a lasting, loving marriage must rest on all three areas & that strength in one cannot compensate for weakness in another. So, they provide helpful advice for building up each of the three. The opening section on "Healthy Communication" covers skills in listening, sharing feelings, asking for wants & needs, & negotiating change. Next, in "Understanding Our Personalities," the authors deal with personality types & how they relate, especially the different ways different personalities perceive reality & make decisions. The third section, "Sacramentality," offers a spiritual base for building intimacy - sexual, emotional, & intellectual. The final section brings all three areas together to show how to cope with the most common sources of wear & tear on a marriage: money, children, & "who does what, when." Perhaps the most welcome aspect of the book will be its format - it's designed so couples can read it together, then pause, discuss, & pray together. The result is a rare blend of faith-building spiritual counsel & problem-solving practical advice.Bellecci-Saint Romain, Lisa M. is the author of 'Living Together,loving Together' with ISBN 9780892437887 and ISBN 089243788X.