My Grandma used to say this poem, “Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.” I thought of this again while reading Emerson Eggerichs’ book Love & Respect. If your marriage is bad, this book can help it get good; if your marriage is already good, this book can help it getter even better; if your marriage is already better, you can use this book to “best it.”
Many of the principles in this book generated an initial push-back from me. I found myself thinking, “I’m not so sure that would work.” But as I read on, I found almost all of those initial hesitancies dissolving.
The book is divided into three overarching sections that cover the three cycles in which your marriage could be: the Crazy Cycle (a bad marriage), the Energizing Cycle (a good marriage), and the Rewarded Cycle (the best marriage). Throughout all of the sections, there is sound, biblically-based counsel for husbands and wives. The title of the book—and most of the underlying principles—come from Ephesians 5:33 where the Apostle Paul tells women to respect their husbands, while husbands are to love their wives.
Be forewarned: the first part of this book felt a little like a commercial for Dr. Eggerichs’ Love & Respect seminar. And oftentimes I felt he was “plugging” his seminar throughout the book. But if you don’t mind the occasional sales-pitch feel, you will uncover some great truths to help your marriage go from bad to better to best.
I am a book review blogger for Thomas Nelson Publishers.
October 29, 2009 at 10:04 am
Excellent review because we know just what to expect. That is very helpful upfront when contemplating a read. Did this author write another book or several perhaps? I know I’ve heard an excerpt or interview about something he wrote and wanted to get it. But it wouldn’t have been this book based on the marriage theme.
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October 29, 2009 at 10:15 am
Looked at amazon.com and there are a couple of other books by Emerson Eggerichs. Until I reviewed this book, I had not heard of him, so I cannot give you any further direction.
–CTO
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October 29, 2009 at 3:21 pm
my mom always just said “knowing and doing are two differenct things”
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November 8, 2020 at 7:53 pm
[…] Love & Respect. Even though Betsy and I have known each other for nearly 25 years, I know I can still learn more about being a better husband. Emerson Eggerichs is helping me do a better job. […]
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