Having been married almost 28 years, I know marriage matters. More importantly, I believe in the sanctity of marriage. As the wife of an ordained preacher as well as a member of the military, I found myself agreeing with much of what was stated in this book.

The love stories presented in this book illustrate what an important role God can play in our lives and our marriages. The couples in this book provide a realistic look at what marriage actually looks like and how important it is to put God at the center of our unions.

I loved reading and getting to know the various couples in this book. I found myself laughing and even sometimes crying out as I read these real-life stories.

So if you want a look at the blessings that come from going through life together, check out this book for yourself. The joys that come from choosing to honor God and each other bring unmeasurable joy and love through a spouse.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review. ( )

If you are looking at ways to help you in your marriage than this book actually comes up with some helpful tidbits. This is a book with stories of encouragement from some couples that have been married for a while. They each have a slightly different take on what it takes to have a good marriage. I enjoyed reading each couples story. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

Growing up as a child of the 1950s, I can’t help but recall Frank Sinatra singing one of his famous song called “Love and Marriage” as he told listeners that you couldn’t have one without the other.
Most individuals are under the misconception that love/sex in a marriage happens and that it’s easy to achieve. While this might be true for many individuals; however, if a couple has religion in their marriage, primarily Christian marriages, this combination is far more complicated.
The most basic question Christian couples can have after entering the “holy bonds of matrimony” is: “What does the Bible say about marriage and sex?” She then dwells into those more personal issues of being able to please my spouse sexually, adding more romance into the married relationship and there’s, of course, the area of conflict many couples might have: “How does one spouse get the other to listen to what they’re saying?”

The Lord’s presence is essential in the relationship between a husband and his wife. Some individuals allow their hearts to rule their minds when it comes to falling in love and blindly rush into marriage with that person. And sometimes, an individual’s mind rules their hearts and they rush into marriage because it’s the proper thing to do; yet, there’s no real love for that other person.

Given the vast multitudes of personalities that exist between men and women, two individuals can’t mesh 100% correctly. There needs to be some compromise between the two, and within this compromising, couples on occasion might have incidents where anguish and disagreement rule the day. Unfortunately, there’s no single book designed to give individuals detailed information about how something should be done when these incidences arise, save one; which is the book written by the Lord, the one who had created the institution of marriage.

What the author, Cheri Swalwell, had done in the pages of her is to bring to her readers how eleven Christian couples whose faith makes them deeply rooted in the sacredness of marriage have handled their marriages, with all the trials and tribulations they’ve had to face along the way; and for some couples, this is their second marriage. It is their Christian faith that binds the couple in this book together, especially since they’ve realized that to make their marriage work the way it should, they must live their united lives the Lord’s way.

In conclusion, we need to look at what Ephesians 5:28-33 [NKJV] has to say about marriage:

28] So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
29] For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
30] For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
31] For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32]This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33] Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

For wanting her readers to learn and experience how several couples have made their marriages work despite whatever might have come in their way through their undying faith in the Lord, I’ve given Ms. Swalwell 5 STARS for her efforts here. ( )

Marriage Matters: True stories of encouragement from couples who believe in the sanctity of marriage by Cheri Swalwell
Book starts with other works by the author and scripture quotes.
So much to this story, really enjoyed the references noted, other books on certain subjects and especially the age groups and obstacles they have gone through.
Like that so many different types of marriages are in this book. Each couple brings something new and old to the table that you can live by..
Through thick and thin, health and sickness relates so much just like our own lives together.
Love the moments of finding a hand written note in your lunch and I do go out of my way to do those and other small things that make a difference in our days.
Some hard tragic moments others have experienced and how they cope and pray for guidance.
Love the summary and how it is reinforced into the couples lives.
After acknowledgements the author brings us up to date on all the people and their stories that are in the book.
Free ebook offer from the author when you sign up for her newsletter.
Peace During the Pain is highlighted at the end along with her other works.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion. ( )