Customer Reviews

A Wife After God's Own Heart: 12 Things That Really Matter in Your Marriage

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book goes back to the bible for its direction. I know a lot of women read these books and think that they shouldn't "follow" or have a man "lead" but there's something to it. Marriage as God intended is not what we practice today, which may explain the divorce rate. Trust me, this book will change your life, as well as your husband's. You can not read this book and not have it make a huge impact on how you conduct yourself as a Christian wife.

The outline of the book is outstanding. It's a shame some people may misread and misinterpret much of what George is relating from her own life experiences. She could have spent more time and space reflecting on the Biblical guidelines for a happy marriage, as well as examples or illustrations from other people rather than herself. The whole issue of submission should not overshadow the role of the wife to provide a check and balance for success and happiness in a marriage.

I feel the need to defend this book a little bit, as it has been pretty well slammed by some other readers. Elizabeth George has a God-given talent for telling it like it is. The reason why several readers have negative feedback for this book, is that she tells the truth about what Scripture actually says. Wives ARE to submit to their husbands and be obedient them. Husbands are put in authority over their wives. In turn, the husband is to love the wife as Christ loves the Church. Of course husbands are not perfect and have their own flaws. A wife is supposed to be his help-meet, though and offer her own counsel in daily situations. It is not the wife's place to be the spiritual leader of the home, nor should the responsibility of providing for the household fall on her shoulders. Her congregation is her children and her pulpit the kitchen table. She should focus her preaching to the children, not her husband. All the time spent controlling him would be much better spent in prayer. I don't understand why so many women want to be so free of authority in their lives. If you have a problem with obeying your husband, than it's possible that your real beef is with God, since that is the way He designed it all to begin with. Read this book. It will help you get back to the basics of what being a wife is all about.

If you don't look at anything else, you might think this study is O.K. In MANY respects, it isn't biblical at all, because George twists the Word of God to fit her preconceived ideas. Please don't waste your time with it. Pick up "Enhancing Your Marriage" by Judy Rossi. I'll talk more about that later. Elizabeth George paints a very negative picture of women, not as the beautiful counterpart to men, created in the image of God. You get beat over the head with submission and the "helper" theology. But George doesn't bother to mention that the same "help meet" word that is used for a woman, is also used to describe God (see PS 46:1). George makes you look up 4 verses on the contentious wife, but leaves any positive image out of that section, which is supposed to talk about the effect a wife's words can have on her husband. In Little Things that Make a Big Difference, George recommends "so aim for at least 5 minutes a day of Bible reading", and then turns around and says "Now can't you scrape up 15 minutes today . . . and every day?" regarding reading a Christian book on ANY topic. What kind of recommendations are those? Aren't they a little mixed up. I also have a huge problem with recommending reading just any Christian book. There is so much out there that isn't fit for print, let alone reading. George's "recipe" for good communication (in an effort to make everything begin with the same letter) says that your speech should be soft, sweet, suitable, scant, and slow. She never brings up the verse on only saying what will build up. She built her own little doctrine out of a few verses, while completely ignoring why God made women as they are. She doesn't discuss the strengths we bring to a marriage by our ability to put things into words, she simply tells us to be quiet most of the time, make an appt to talk with our husbands, and write things down before you say them so you get it right. Does she consider us all to be so dimwitted? The "slow" comes from be "slow to speak" which means to ponder or think out what you want to say before you say it. That's Biblical, but George's take simply isn't. DO NOT get me wrong in this review. I am not disagreeing with George regarding submission to your spouse. George doesn't present an accurate biblical view of the relationship a husband and a wife have under God. Using this book is driving me much further away from wanting to do anything for my spouse. On the other hand, if you pick up Rossi's study mentioned earlier. She heavily emphasizes our beautiful relationship with our Creator first, and everything centers around that as she writes the rest of the study. She articulates the physical differences between men and women's brains that can be celebrated and respected in the area of communication. She points everything back to the Father and the Holy Spirit who must illuminate the areas of our hearts that need to change. Her book motivates me to want to be a true woman of God and a better wife. These books are like night and day. Don't get lost in the dark with Elizabeth George.

This book is exactly what I needed. I suggest that every new wife and seasoned vets should read this book if you are trying to become a Christian Wife. This book has taught me alot about God, myself and my marriage. I truly recommended this book!

I love Elizabeth George but this was my least favorite. I found A Woman After God's Own Heart and A Mother After God's Own Heart much more in depth. There is some overlap in A Woman After God's Own Heart. However, it is still a great read with really great information.

For a godly woman, the "ideas" in this book will not come as a shock or a way "to keep women in their place." It's God's plan that the husband should be the leader and the wife should be his helpmate. God has simply given us different roles through His word. Ephesians 5: 22-24 reads "Wives submit to your own husbands , as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is ahead of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." Then in Ephesians 5: 25, 28-29 reads "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it....So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." For this Paul has been at times labeled a "woman-hater." However this is God's word as we see in I Timothy 3: 16-17 that "All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." That is God's plan for the marriage, and God's plan does not change with the times. It's absolutely imperative to understand what the Bible teaches not only on this subject, but in all things. Study God's word to know what the will of the Lord is, and please "enter by the narrow gate." Obedience to His word is key.

The book arrived in perfect condition in the amount of time that it was promised. Thank you for prompt service!

I wasn't doing everything this book recommends when I received it. After following the book's advice, I looked at my marriage completely differently. God has a plan for marriage, and Elizabeth George has basically pulled his plan from the scripture and laid it out for us. It's not easy but effective, and more importantly, God's plan.

Very well written - convicting - excellent practical ideas for loving others. Reminder - marriage does include sacrifice. Bible reminds us to deny ourselves & pick up our cross - it isn't all about us. If we can't love our mate - how in the world can we love God.