The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

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Product Description

Marriage is God’s answer for our deepest human need—companionship. And that, according to counselor and relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman, is to have deep and lasting union with another, and to truly become one. But how can you build that oneness from the beginning?

With the expert wisdom and practical common sense that have made him a popular speaker worldwide, Dr. Chapman helps couples with such questions as: Why won’t my spouse change? What does it really mean to love someone else? How do I get him to listen to me? What if I’m the only one working at the marriage? Formerly titled Toward a Growing Marriage, Dr. Chapman covers topics like meaningful communication, expectations, and money management. Questions at the end of each chapter encourage interaction between husbands and wives. Includes an updated resource list at the end of the book.

About the Author

GARY CHAPMAN is the author of the New York Times bestselling The Five Love Languages book and series.  He is the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars.  Gary's radio program airs on more than 100 stations.  For more information, visit www.garychapman.org.
c.2005

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details Paperback: 176 pages Publisher: Moody Publishers (August 1, 2009) Language: English ISBN-10: 0802472974 ISBN-13: 978-0802472977 Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies) Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,883 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	60% buy the item featured on this page: The Marriage You've Always Wanted 4.3 out of 5 stars (15) $10.19
	22% buy The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate 4.7 out of 5 stars (679) $10.19
	7% buy The Five Languages of Apology: How to Experience Healing in All Your Relationships 4.6 out of 5 stars (24) $7.59
	5% buy The Four Seasons of Marriage 4.9 out of 5 stars (16) $10.07

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Customer Reviews

15 Reviews 5 star:  (9) 4 star:  (4) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:  (2) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.3 out of 5 stars (15 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 21 of 25 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT ADVICE ON HOW TO HAVE THE MARRIAGE OF YOUR DREAMS, September 29, 2005 By  Heather Ivester (Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Dr. Gary Chapman on The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback) Every couple enters the gateway of marriage hoping their journey will last forever. Yet in The Marriage You've Always Wanted, Dr. Gary Chapman shares the sobering statistic that half of all couples today will probably split up. It doesn't have to be that way, he says. Since thousands have sought him for counsel, his book captures sage advice in a concise, readable form. As bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, Chapman is the leading expert on what leads to unity in loving relationships. The key lies in yielding our own faults and weaknesses before the throne of Christ and asking the Holy Spirit to transform our behavior, words, and attitudes. In other words, we focus on changing ourselves, not our spouse. In candid detail, Chapman offers personal anecdotes from his own marriage, as well as stories that flesh out marital problems and solutions. Each chapter delves into a different aspect of marriage, such as its purpose, why people marry, the art of listening, decision making, sexual fulfillment, leaving and honoring parents, and financial planning. This book is a revised and updated edition of Chapman's Toward a Growing Marriage. Church libraries and marriage counselors will want this newer version. Ideally, it would make excellent reading and discussion material for couples before they marry. Yet, it offers examples and hope to couples in crisis situations, as well as those seeking to further strengthen an already wholesome marriage. -Heather Lynn Ivester, Christian Book Previews 6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for anyone that is married, September 19, 2008 By  W. G. Price (GA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Dr. Gary Chapman on The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback) Dr. Chapman just tells it like it is. I am not currently married but have been. I decided to read this book after reading about the love languages. It would be good for someone to read the five love languages before reading this book because he refers to the love languages. I can see where this book could help a couple get to know each other again, spruce up the marriage, or become "unstuck". If or when I should be married again, I would like my partner to read this book just for general knowledge. 8 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars Practical Marriage Counseling, March 27, 2007 By  A. J. Valasek (Clemmons, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Dr. Gary Chapman on The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback) Dr. Chapman is one of those authors who is able to blend a certain degree of humor, practical advice (that actually works), and yet is able to basically tell it like he sees it, all without irritating the reader or giving up his pastorship in the process. I love this guy. Dr. Chapman wisely writes about the big hitters in a marriage; money, sex, personality, and even in-laws (something that is always needed to be discussed but rarely is). He does add a healthy dose of religion, but this shouldn't scare the non-religious reader because it is definitely not overbearing, nor is it "preachy" and you'd miss a whole lot of wonderful advice. This book is both suitable to the newly married, the veterans, and probably even those thinking about it. This book is an update to one of his earlier books, "Toward a Growing Marriage." If you've read the former, this book might not provide you with anything really new so you may want to choose another. However, if you haven't read the former, this book is definitely a more accessible version for the average reader so buy this one.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Marriage tool Every married couple should be required to read this book. Excellent Christian author dealing with everyday solutions to problems in marriages. Published 22 days ago by Patti S. Horne 5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Engagement Present This a great book for anyone (male or female) who is planning to get married. Published 1 month ago by Open your Mind 2.0 out of 5 stars the seller did well The seller did well and delivered what was promised...great condition. I had just researched the product, and expected something different. Published 1 month ago by trina 4.0 out of 5 stars Practical Book I am still working my way through this book, which is a practical book on how to improve our marriage by growing in our Christian walk. Read more Published 2 months ago by D. Lower 2.0 out of 5 stars where, oh where??? ...does a body find a good, well-written, and meaningful book for couples potentially in crisis, or seeking to avoid it, that isnt all churchy? *sigh* Published 2 months ago by NTPhoo 5.0 out of 5 stars required reading for anyone in a marriage! This book was assigned to me for a class but I am so amazed at how Chapman's writing can change your heart for the best! Read more Published 8 months ago by Keri E. Gossage 5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Companion Book (for you and your companion) We purchased this book to go along with The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, as well as a follow up to one of Dr. Read more Published 10 months ago by M. Carlisle 5.0 out of 5 stars Love Dr. Chapman This is an awesome book written by an awesome man. Dr. Chapman has really helped me to evolve. I will read anything he puts out. Highly recommended. Published 15 months ago by K. Bereczky 5.0 out of 5 stars Great marriage manual My wife and I are Christian marriage counselors and this is one of the main books we give to couples for a comprehensive manual on improving their marriages. Read more Published 15 months ago by John E. Patten 4.0 out of 5 stars Good advice As usual, Gary Chapman presents some great advice for husbands and wives. This book is definitely worth reading. Read more Published 16 months ago by Kathy Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802472974
• ISBN-13: 978-0802472977
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,883 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT ADVICE ON HOW TO HAVE THE MARRIAGE OF YOUR DREAMS, September 29, 2005

By	Heather Ivester (Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dr. Gary Chapman on The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

Every couple enters the gateway of marriage hoping their journey will last forever. Yet in The Marriage You've Always Wanted, Dr. Gary Chapman shares the sobering statistic that half of all couples today will probably split up. It doesn't have to be that way, he says. Since thousands have sought him for counsel, his book captures sage advice in a concise, readable form.

As bestselling author of The Five Love Languages, Chapman is the leading expert on what leads to unity in loving relationships. The key lies in yielding our own faults and weaknesses before the throne of Christ and asking the Holy Spirit to transform our behavior, words, and attitudes. In other words, we focus on changing ourselves, not our spouse.

In candid detail, Chapman offers personal anecdotes from his own marriage, as well as stories that flesh out marital problems and solutions. Each chapter delves into a different aspect of marriage, such as its purpose, why people marry, the art of listening, decision making, sexual fulfillment, leaving and honoring parents, and financial planning.

This book is a revised and updated edition of Chapman's Toward a Growing Marriage. Church libraries and marriage counselors will want this newer version. Ideally, it would make excellent reading and discussion material for couples before they marry. Yet, it offers examples and hope to couples in crisis situations, as well as those seeking to further strengthen an already wholesome marriage. -Heather Lynn Ivester, Christian Book Previews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for anyone that is married, September 19, 2008

By	W. G. Price (GA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dr. Gary Chapman on The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

Dr. Chapman just tells it like it is. I am not currently married but have been. I decided to read this book after reading about the love languages. It would be good for someone to read the five love languages before reading this book because he refers to the love languages. I can see where this book could help a couple get to know each other again, spruce up the marriage, or become "unstuck". If or when I should be married again, I would like my partner to read this book just for general knowledge.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Practical Marriage Counseling, March 27, 2007

By	A. J. Valasek (Clemmons, NC United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Dr. Gary Chapman on The Marriage You've Always Wanted (Paperback)

Dr. Chapman is one of those authors who is able to blend a certain degree of humor, practical advice (that actually works), and yet is able to basically tell it like he sees it, all without irritating the reader or giving up his pastorship in the process. I love this guy.

Dr. Chapman wisely writes about the big hitters in a marriage; money, sex, personality, and even in-laws (something that is always needed to be discussed but rarely is). He does add a healthy dose of religion, but this shouldn't scare the non-religious reader because it is definitely not overbearing, nor is it "preachy" and you'd miss a whole lot of wonderful advice. This book is both suitable to the newly married, the veterans, and probably even those thinking about it.

This book is an update to one of his earlier books, "Toward a Growing Marriage." If you've read the former, this book might not provide you with anything really new so you may want to choose another. However, if you haven't read the former, this book is definitely a more accessible version for the average reader so buy this one.