A Beginner’s Guide to Proper Husbanding: A Handbook for Men Married Fewer than Seventy Years invites men of all ages, whether they are married or considering marriage, to look to God’s guidance in the Scriptures for the wisdom they need to embrace their responsibilities to their wives and children to serve as priests, protectors, providers, partners, and parents. Author Randy Turnbull III presents men with advice, both practical and spiritual, to help them fulfill their callings from God to give themselves to their wives and children out of sacrificial love, just as Jesus Christ has given Himself to the Church.

Each of the five roles receive the attention of a chapter in this guide, beginning with a vivid description of the role, describing the biblical foundations for that role, drawing upon wisdom from contemporary sources, and outlining a series of practical steps men can take to grow more responsible and loving in living out each role. A final chapter digs more deeply into the parallels between Christ’s care for the Church and a man’s care for his family.

Whether you are a veteran of married life or find yourself drawn to the possibilities of marriage and family, A Beginner’s Guide to Proper Husbanding stands ready to help you hear God’s voice speaking of His desires for your faithfulness and His hopes for your loving care and sacrifice on behalf of your wife and children.

It is no secret that many hearts have been shattered by infidelity. With affairs and sexual addiction at all time highs in our society, it is no wonder that those affected by the real-life trauma and agonizing pain of unfaithfulness search for ways to cope, forgive, and eventually heal. In her comprehensive, Christian self-help guidebook What Happens After Shattered?, licensed mental health counselor Dr. Deanna Sims shares gentle guidance that includes case examples, strategies for coping and healing, and over one hundred biblical passages. With the hope of encouraging and supporting those on a journey to healing after infidelity, Dr. Sims addresses many key issues including how to identify the different types of affairs; honor anger as a natural phase of grieving; navigate through the discovery and disclosure phases of an affair; understand narcissism and its correlation to infidelity; answer questions to determine whether to reconcile or terminate the marriage; implement an affair-prevention plan to safeguard your marriage; work toward a spirit of forgiveness.

 What Happens After Shattered? reinforces the important message that hope, personal growth, and healing are possible even after the life-altering experience of an affair.

"A unique and valuable resource for those in the Christian community."
--Peggy Vaughan, author of To Have and To Hold and host of DearPeggy.com

"A well-thought-out Christian counseling book on the topic of infidelity."
--Rona Subotnik, LMFT, coauthor of Surviving Infidelity, 3rd Edition and author of Why Did He Cheat on Me?

It is no secret that many hearts have been shattered by infidelity. With affairs and sexual addiction at all time highs in our society, it is no wonder that those affected by the real-life trauma and agonizing pain of unfaithfulness search for ways to cope, forgive, and eventually heal. In her comprehensive, Christian self-help guidebook What Happens After Shattered?, licensed mental health counselor Dr. Deanna Sims shares gentle guidance that includes case examples, strategies for coping and healing, and over one hundred biblical passages. With the hope of encouraging and supporting those on a journey to healing after infidelity, Dr. Sims addresses many key issues including how to identify the different types of affairs; honor anger as a natural phase of grieving; navigate through the discovery and disclosure phases of an affair; understand narcissism and its correlation to infidelity; answer questions to determine whether to reconcile or terminate the marriage; implement an affair-prevention plan to safeguard your marriage; work toward a spirit of forgiveness.

 What Happens After Shattered? reinforces the important message that hope, personal growth, and healing are possible even after the life-altering experience of an affair.

"A unique and valuable resource for those in the Christian community."
--Peggy Vaughan, author of To Have and To Hold and host of DearPeggy.com

"A well-thought-out Christian counseling book on the topic of infidelity."
--Rona Subotnik, LMFT, coauthor of Surviving Infidelity, 3rd Edition and author of Why Did He Cheat on Me?

Maintaining a marriage has always been hard, but it’s easier than ever to leave an unhappy marriage—and easier still to avoid marrying altogether. Divorce and cohabitation are increasingly acceptable in our society, and we hear over and over that we “deserve” to be happy. So is marriage still important? Why should we marry instead of living together? And why should we stay married when we’re no longer happy? After decades of counseling couples and making some important changes in his own marriage, Tom Clark tackles these fundamental questions and more.

We have come to value our personal happiness over everything else, Clark says; indeed we feel entitled to it. We pursue marriage because we think it will make us happy. As the relationship changes and conflicts arise, we seek divorce because we think that will make us happy. We marry because we are “in love” but aren’t sure what to do when those feelings change.

But life isn’t about happiness; rather, it’s about God. If we understood God’s design and purpose for marriage, perhaps we would be more motivated to get married and stay married, even when it’s hard. Clark also addresses the different roles of husbands and wives outlined in the Bible—often misunderstood—and how God intends them to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.

Here are powerful tools to help strengthen your commitment and a sound outline for how understanding God’s plan for marriage can help make your own union more fulfilling than ever before.

Maintaining a marriage has always been hard, but it’s easier than ever to leave an unhappy marriage—and easier still to avoid marrying altogether. Divorce and cohabitation are increasingly acceptable in our society, and we hear over and over that we “deserve” to be happy. So is marriage still important? Why should we marry instead of living together? And why should we stay married when we’re no longer happy? After decades of counseling couples and making some important changes in his own marriage, Tom Clark tackles these fundamental questions and more.

We have come to value our personal happiness over everything else, Clark says; indeed we feel entitled to it. We pursue marriage because we think it will make us happy. As the relationship changes and conflicts arise, we seek divorce because we think that will make us happy. We marry because we are “in love” but aren’t sure what to do when those feelings change.

But life isn’t about happiness; rather, it’s about God. If we understood God’s design and purpose for marriage, perhaps we would be more motivated to get married and stay married, even when it’s hard. Clark also addresses the different roles of husbands and wives outlined in the Bible—often misunderstood—and how God intends them to reflect the relationship between Christ and the church.

Here are powerful tools to help strengthen your commitment and a sound outline for how understanding God’s plan for marriage can help make your own union more fulfilling than ever before.

Sometimes it seems as though adultery is everywhere, with tales of ruined marriages all too common. We almost take it for granted that an extramarital affair spells the end of a relationship. But does it have to?

Married twelve years with four young children, Laura and Glen Samuelson were leaders in their church and helped couples strengthen and repair their marriages through a biblically based program. Just weeks before they planned to celebrate Christmas in their new house, Glen confessed to a three-year relationship with another woman. Not surprisingly, the news devastated Laura and struck a terrible blow to their marriage. Yet literally from the first moments of Glen’s confession, Laura invoked the Holy Spirit and felt God’s hand at work, pointing them in the direction of restoration. Today, she says, the two of them are more deeply in love than ever.

Laura and Glen prove that a marriage can survive and even grow stronger after infidelity. Step by step, Laura reveals how they were able to heal and renew their relationship through prayer, hard work, forgiveness, and soul searching. Her individual journey is one of learning how to forgive, realizing and admitting her own faults, and resisting the temptation to twist the situation to her advantage. She addresses physical intimacy, what—if anything—to tell the children, deciding how much detail to ask for, how to manage when the offending spouse is unrepentant, and more. Throughout, God’s guidance is present, making this an inspiring story of faith and hope.

Sometimes it seems as though adultery is everywhere, with tales of ruined marriages all too common. We almost take it for granted that an extramarital affair spells the end of a relationship. But does it have to?

Married twelve years with four young children, Laura and Glen Samuelson were leaders in their church and helped couples strengthen and repair their marriages through a biblically based program. Just weeks before they planned to celebrate Christmas in their new house, Glen confessed to a three-year relationship with another woman. Not surprisingly, the news devastated Laura and struck a terrible blow to their marriage. Yet literally from the first moments of Glen’s confession, Laura invoked the Holy Spirit and felt God’s hand at work, pointing them in the direction of restoration. Today, she says, the two of them are more deeply in love than ever.

Laura and Glen prove that a marriage can survive and even grow stronger after infidelity. Step by step, Laura reveals how they were able to heal and renew their relationship through prayer, hard work, forgiveness, and soul searching. Her individual journey is one of learning how to forgive, realizing and admitting her own faults, and resisting the temptation to twist the situation to her advantage. She addresses physical intimacy, what—if anything—to tell the children, deciding how much detail to ask for, how to manage when the offending spouse is unrepentant, and more. Throughout, God’s guidance is present, making this an inspiring story of faith and hope.

The words of love are powerful in our hearts. We can build a meaningful life if we only allow ourselves to be true to our feelings. In 1 John 4:8, God said, “He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.” God’s words remind us that we can find happiness when we don’t feel the love, and we can find comfort when we are feeling alone and separate from the person we married. 

What Is True Love in a Marriage? explores the love we hope to find in a marriage and what we believe love should encompass in a relationship. It was inspired by the true meaning of love as determined by God, the creator of the love that so many of us so often take for granted. 

Inspired by God’s love and words, this examination of relationship dynamics is for the women who have shared thoughts of love, and for those who have not yet experienced the real feelings true love brings. It is for the men who want to share their love, and their understanding of love, in a marriage. It aims to guide you toward discovering the true spirit that touches so many of our lives and help you discover or rediscover unconditional love.

Marriage is hard. A great marriage is even harder. It takes sweat, tears, and sometimes grinding of teeth to make the marriage you want. Call it gravity if you’d like, but without some very specific, intentional maintenance, most marriages begin to self-destruct. Well over half of couples in America divorce after allowing this downward trend to spiral out of control.

According to Proverbs 24:26, ”an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.” So consider yourself “kissed” because Kiss and Tell exposes the truth about marriage. In a lovingly direct, honest, humorous and simple manner, Dr. Gibbs reveals the difficulties in everyday relationships, as well as practical strategies to marriage success and satisfaction.

Whether you are happily married, or experiencing some significant struggles in your relationship, Kiss and Tell will inspire and equip you! So roll up those sleeves and put these pages to hard work. You’ll be glad you did!