Real Marriage

Being a prolific reader, I was extremely excited to have the opportunity to be part of BookSneeze, a company that gives you free books/e-books in exchange for writing two reviews- one on your personal blog and one on a consumer website. The first book I had the privilege to read and now review is Real Marriage by Mark and Grace Driscoll, which Charles and I read together.

First of all, being able to read this book with your spouse is a great bonding experience. In each chapter of the book, there is much to converse about and some chapters even include specific questions to ask your spouse. Charles and I laughed together at portions and wanted to hide under a couch for other parts that demanded specific and very honest conversation. Beware- this book may require confession, repentance, and direct communication about subjects that you may not have been very direct about in the past.

While the book does not have the flow of a typical chapter book/novel (which I have heard some reviewers complain about), it includes input from both Grace and Mark, allowing for both gender perspectives. It also leaves the reader with complete certainty as to the point of the book: Your marriage needs to be based on friendship. Everything else stems from that. Charles and I talked a lot about what it looks like to truly be friends and committed to spend 2012 becoming even better friends.

The chapters of Real Marriage cover everything from recovery from sexual abuse and pornography to what it means to be friends and what things are permissible but not beneficial in terms of sexual expression within marriage. As usual, Mark is very candid and does not shy away from topics that are often pushed underground and kept in secret within the church.

Our favorite part, aside from just being able to read and discuss all aspects of this book together, was the chapter at the end that had a huge list of questions to answer for yourself and for your spouse to do the same. After completing the list, it was recommended to go and spend a day together discussing your answers. The questions were specific and practical such as "Where will you live one year from now?" and "What kind of job do you want to have?" My husband and I learned a lot more about each other through this as well as receiving a better picture of our future together.

I would recommend this book to any married couple. It sparks conversation that can lead to honesty, healing, and dreaming together. A+ Mark and Grace! Thanks be to the Lord for you and your work to minister to marriages!


*I received this book free from the publisher through the 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