My husband was so sweet when this book came to our house. He said he really wanted to be the one to read this one. Here's what he has to say about it!
In I Choose You Today's introduction, author Deb DeArmond asserts "that marriage is always a choice -- one that benefits from a daily renewal of our commitment to one another." A daily determination to strengthen one's marriage is laudable, but not simple to carry out. DeArmond's book presents 31 specific choices, practical ways to manifest the marriage commitment.
The first choice, appropriately, is "I Choose to Accept God's Word as the Blueprint for Our Life." Each chapter's title is a specific choice, accompanied by a verse of scripture. That is followed by a story which illustrates what that choice can look like in a marriage relationship.
This is not my favorite style of teaching, although I realize that it is currently popular. I would prefer more exposition of the scriptural admonition and less anecdotal content. In a couple of cases [especially chapter 29] the story used with the principle seemed to confuse the issue rather than illuminate it.
Overall, though, the principles presented are sound and could be applied with great effect to many marriages. Some, as DeArmond acknowledges in the introduction, will be more relevant to one's particular situation. This book should not be read straight through in a sitting. Each principle should be pondered carefully, with further study given to the ones which seem most useful to the reader. This process is aided by questions included in each chapter. There is also a prayer to conclude each lesson, and a study guide on the author's website.
Each chapter also has a quotation of "conventional wisdom." There is a section of many more quotations later in the book. Some of these seem contradictory. Perhaps an index of scriptures cited would be more useful.
The application of the book's 31 choices can be complicated, and there can be tension between various choices. Addressing such matters would require a much longer book and is beyond the scope of the author's intent. DeArmond certainly achieving her goal of providing concrete ways to put into action the daily choice to invest in one's marriage. Each chapter can be used simply to spark an idea, or studied deeply through the questions and study guide.
No matter what the state of your marriage, it could benefit from reading this book. I Choose You Today would also be an appropriate gift for a couple just married or planning to marry.
About the author:Deb DeArmond is an author, a speaker, and relationship coach-helping her clients improve their interactions at work and at home. Her first book, Related by Chance, Family by Choice: Transforming Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Relationships, was released in November 2013 by Kregel Publications.
Find Deb online: website, Facebook, Twitter
Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/HLFvU
We received a sample of the book for the purpose of review. We eere not compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed here are those of the author of this post.
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