Synopses & Reviews
Building a Marriage That Will Last a Lifetime
Authors Greg and Erin Smalley open their hearts and share their lives in Before You Plan Your Wedding...Plan Your Marriage so that you can know not only how to build a marriage that will last, but also how to have the kind of marriage where you and your spouse feel safe and honored and valued. When you feel safe, your heart will be open -- and open hearts make for fulfilling, powerful relationships.
Find out about the "fear dance" and how to stop dancing it. Discover the two biggest issues that threaten every marriage and how to stop them before they start. Learn what's more important than finding your soul mate and the significance of happiness in your union.
As wonderful as a wedding is, it lasts only for a brief time -- yet marriage is meant to last a lifetime. This important book will show you how to plan your marriage before you plan your wedding.
Synopsis
Building a Marriage That Will Last a Lifetime
Authors Greg and Erin Smalley open their hearts and share their lives in Before You Plan Your Wedding...Plan Your Marriage so that you can know not only how to build a marriage that will last, but also how to have the kind of marriage where you and your spouse feel safe and honored and valued. When you feel safe, your heart will be open -- and open hearts make for fulfilling, powerful relationships.
Find out about the "fear dance" and how to stop dancing it. Discover the two biggest issues that threaten every marriage and how to stop them before they start. Learn what's more important than finding your soul mate and the significance of happiness in your union.
As wonderful as a wedding is, it lasts only for a brief time -- yet marriage is meant to last a lifetime. This important book will show you how to plan your marriage before you plan your wedding.
About the Author
Dr. Greg Smalley is the director of Church Relationship Ministries for the Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University, and he is the founder and board member of the National Institute of Marriage, a marriage ministry located in Branson, Missouri. In addition to maintaining a counseling practice, Dr. Smalley helps lead marriage seminars around the world, helping train pastors, professionals, and lay leaders how to effectively work with married couples. Dr. Smalley has appeared on both television and radio programs, and he is the author or co-author of eight books, including The DNA of Relationships for Couples and The Marriage You've Always Dreamed Of. Greg, his wife Erin, two daughters, Taylor and Maddy, and son, Garrison, live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.
Table of Contents
Contents
Acknowledgments
Part One: Building a Christlike Marriage
1. If Only We Had Known
2. How to Have a "10" Engagement
3. God's Purpose for Marriage
Part Two: How Do I Stop Dancing?
4. Are You Expecting?
5. Do You Want to Dance?
6. Personal Responsibility
Part Three: How Do We Stop Dancing?
7. Heart Talk
8. Will You Forgive Me?
9. Teamwork
10. Putting It All Together
Part Four: Oneness
11. Leaving
12. Cleaving
Epilogue: A Word from Erin
Appendix: Self-Test to Discover Reactions That Hurt Your Relationship
Notes