~In where I get out a few thoughts on a bundle of books I have read~
Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll
February 3, 2012 by Thomas Nelson
Hardcover, 249 Pages
Review Copy
Pastor Mark Driscoll and his wife, Grace, talk about sex and marriage in down-to-earth terms, hitting issues other Christian books won't. They share practical help and hope with people just like them--who entered marriage a complete mess, or who are planning to be married someday and want to avoid some sticky pitfalls.
Warning: This review contains topics of a sexual nature! Rated- PG-13.
Review
I think what I appreciated the most from this book was the introduction and the Driscoll's honesty. A majority of couples, including Christian couples, do have sex before marriage and this is the first book I've seen speak openly about the baggage associated with bringing past sexual encounters before being Christians into a new relationship as Christian people. It was refreshing to see a pastor, a very well known and popular pastor at that, and his wife Grace talk about the ups and downs and really messed up phases of their marriage and the things they did with God's help to fix it. I loved too that they didn't sugar-coat the problems into something that others couldn't relate to, these were real, hard and difficult things to move past, yet they both gave encouragement and guidelines while admitting the sin troubling them both, without resorting to infidelity or sexual addiction problems that would have destroyed the marriage.
Most of the marriage books and sermons Ive read/listened too, skirt around sexual issues Christians struggle with or say ludicrous things that make sexuality awkward. The worst sermon I heard at a mega church in my area, stated that (the pastor said this) in Christian marriage the only acceptable sex act was missionary style sex without foreplay, otherwise we were running the risk of desecrating our bodies and knocking on Hells gates.......WHAT!? This guy needed a fish thrown at him, missionary style sex only......pffftttt....I left the church looked at my husband and told him we were headed straight for Hell.......
Thank goodness Mark and Grace took a chance and said it was ok to do all the stuff we (married-couples) are already doing, because guess what?? Sex is awesome and in a committed marriage you should have as much great sex as possible with lots and lots of play time. And this book doesn't shy away from the graphic stuff...Oral sex its in there, Anal sex, yup they went there.....Role playing, sex toys, masturbation...by golly its alllllllll in there!!!
Of course that's not what the entire book is about, they use Biblical guidelines on all the sex stuff and they also share opinions on what their against like pornography and birth control options and they focus on building a close friendship with your spouse addressing issues that may be hindering your marriage.
While I don't think this book will whip your marriage into the BEST MARRIAGE EVER.....it can serve as a great tool to help anyone out there struggling in a marriage or someone who is thinking about getting married. Real Marriage is a refreshing read about couples in an imperfect world, opening the eyes to what the Bible actually says about sex.
Of course that's not what the entire book is about, they use Biblical guidelines on all the sex stuff and they also share opinions on what their against like pornography and birth control options and they focus on building a close friendship with your spouse addressing issues that may be hindering your marriage.
While I don't think this book will whip your marriage into the BEST MARRIAGE EVER.....it can serve as a great tool to help anyone out there struggling in a marriage or someone who is thinking about getting married. Real Marriage is a refreshing read about couples in an imperfect world, opening the eyes to what the Bible actually says about sex.
Rating
Recommended to adult readers. Real Marriage explains itself in the title. Contains topics on sexuality (graphic sexuality) and married life with a Christian world aspect.
4/5- Nonfiction
Thanks to Thomas Nelson for Review Copy
**That clip was from a snippet of questions asked during the sermons which inspired the Driscoll's book**
Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Jane Anderson
May 10, 2010 by Multnomath Books
Paperback, 240 Pages
Borrowed/Library
Kristen Anderson, a seventeen year old who's life up to that point had been riddled with death and sexual assault, felt hopeless. In despair, grounded and in trouble at home and mostly just confused by life, Kristen decides one night to end her life.
Choice of death: By Train.
As Kristen lays down in front of those tracks, faces away from an on-coming freight train, she describes in detail the moments before she thought her life would end, of the train hitting her, chopping her legs off and left to die bleeding.
But Kristen did not die that night, she lived to share her story and as we walk through the pain of her loss, the emotional trauma she endures after and the physical pain of her recovery, as a reader you cant help but feel the sorrow, yet the hope Kristen's story signifies. Kristen has gone on to counsel other teens who are suicidal, patients who are in mental hospitals and has the desire to reach out to those in need. I was truly moved by her story, courage and her new found faith in God to overcome.
But Kristen did not die that night, she lived to share her story and as we walk through the pain of her loss, the emotional trauma she endures after and the physical pain of her recovery, as a reader you cant help but feel the sorrow, yet the hope Kristen's story signifies. Kristen has gone on to counsel other teens who are suicidal, patients who are in mental hospitals and has the desire to reach out to those in need. I was truly moved by her story, courage and her new found faith in God to overcome.
4/5- Inspy-Memoir
Night of the Living Dead Christian by Matt Mikalatos
September 16, 2011 by Saltwater
Paperback, 288 Pages
Review Copy
Out of control desires and beastly behavior combine in this story of a quirky yet hungry Werewolf who wants nothing more than to control the monster within him.
This was odd to say the least. At times funny and certainly outside of the box when comparing Christian faith analogies, I thought NOTLDC offered a fun and entertaining look at the daily struggles we face in faith and walking the Christian walk. I know a lot of Inspy readers will cringe at this novel, due to its werewolf, zombie and monster characters, but seriously its all just in fun. Because Im a big vampire and fantasy genre reader I understood the points Mikalatos was trying to make using each monster to pinpoint specific sin.
I think this would be a great novel for people looking for something non-preachy and fun.
I think this would be a great novel for people looking for something non-preachy and fun.
3/5- Inspy-Nonfiction-Humor
Thanks to Saltwater for Review Copy
Thanks to Saltwater for Review Copy
Thanks for the reviews. These sound great. Especially the first one. I'm curious what his thoughts on birth control are.
ReplyDeleteJuju- they agree with mostly everything for BC expect Abortion and caution women about Birth Control pills.....they break it down in the book pretty well to what they think of each option including surgery and all that.....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reviews and the first one sounds interesting...Yeah I would have walked away too :)
ReplyDeleteThe last one sounds... interesting! I don't think I'd read it... but it's a different take! LOL
ReplyDeleteI love the cover of Night of the Living Dead Christian! I think I'd actually like to read that one. It's not exactly something I would think to pick up, but I think I might enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI loved Kristen Jane Anderson's memoir. Her story is so amazing. I can't imagine committing suicide by jumping in front of a train... or living through it. I was so moved by her story.
I seriously need to read Mark's book on marriage! How refreshing that he talks openly about sex. I was laughing so hard when I read your story about the pastor who preached against all sex but missionary. I probably would have thrown a fish at him if I'd been there!
Great reviews! And now I have a couple more books for the TBR list. :)
T! I'm seriously blushing here. LOL Yes, sex is awesome....even if all I get to do right now is read about it. LOL
ReplyDeleteOkay, sorry about the TMI. Soooo, you're headed to hell, you saucy play thing!
Gah! Why can't I stop saying inappropriate things? Thanks for sharing such personal thoughts. They were all every interesting. Making a marriage works is hard work, I know because I failed at it. I don't know if I'll ever get married again, but I think advice like this would offer some great insight.
@Missie- Girl Im sorry....:( But you know the right man is out there for you right? He just hasn't found you yet~~~
ReplyDelete@Kate- I read Kristens book because of your review.. I really liked it too.....I passed it to my 16 year old...shes reading it now...:)
Ashley- Um your right, its not the type of Zombies you like...LOL
@Julie- Your welcome.
@Tina - I hope she enjoys it! :)
ReplyDeleteHey Tina! Thanks for reviewing NOTLDC and I'm glad you found it fun and enjoyable. I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
ReplyDelete