Many thanks to the publisher for the complimentary review copy; however, these are solely my thoughts and opinions.
I Choose You Today by Deb DeArmond
Published by Abingdon Press
On January 6th, 2015
Genre: Christian, Non-Fiction
Pages: 208
Source: complimentary review copy
Visit Goodreads
Buy the Book from IndieBound
Buy the Book from Amazon
It may seem a bit strange to my regular readers that I am reviewing a book on marriage. Having failed at too many relationships to count I actually kind of think perhaps I am best suited to discuss a book on marriage. As I’m typing this I’m hearing the Priest in The Princess Bride just beginning his discussion of “Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us togeder tooday. . . . ” A bit off topic but true, nonetheless
So friends, marriage is what brings us here today. Are you in one? Want to be in one? Planning one? Thinking one day, someday in a far-away distant future you’d like to be in one? Then this book is for you.
Thirty-one chapters. Each dedicated to how you can make a choice to love your spouse, fiancée or significant other. It’s not a book to read through all at once. I have been reading a chapter every other day or so and applying the key concept for the following day ~ After going through the book once I now plan to take a chapter a week and apply the concepts ~ I’m excited to see the results! A key takeaway from this book is that love is a choice, not an emotion. Choosing to respect, love, honor my sweetheart makes all the difference in the world. Below is a sampling of a few chapter headings.
- I Choose to Bless You
- I Choose to be Adaptable
- I Choose to Share Your Burdens
- I Choose to Serve You
- I Choose to Be Generous With You
- I Choose to Pray For You
- I Choose to Help You Achieve Your Dreams and Goals
- I Choose to Comfort You
- I Choose to Live in Peace With You
- I Choose to Prefer You
Click To Tweet
Each chapter ends with a quote, three questions and a short prayer, all geared to help the reader take the topic deeper. While it is targeted to an already-married population, I can see this book being especially suited for small group discussions, premarital counseling and anyone contemplating marriage some day.
It does come from a Christian perspective that is spot-on in addressing the work it takes to make love last, to keep a happy, forever-kind-of marriage. Deb DeArmond is conversational in her writing tone, and she will definitely have you considering if you’re doing all that you can to make the relationship last.
The secret for hanging on to the happily-ever-after feelings from the day you said, “I do”?…Click To Tweet
You’re invited to participate in two marriage-strengthening challenges: one beginning February 1 and the other beginning in March. It’s not too late to join the February Challenge! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to build your relationship with your spouse and enter to win some prizes along the way!
The Valentine’s Challenge: February 1 – 28
Tell your spouse “I Choose You” every day of the month. Sign up online at www.ichooseyouchallenge.com and receive a free downloadable February calendar to mark off the days of the challenge.
Deb will also be emailing participants 1–2 times throughout the month with giveaway opportunities and “keep going” encouragement.
The “I Choose You” Challenge: March 1 – December 31, 2015
Sign up online at www.ichooseyouchallenge.com to receive 10 weekly emails, each teaching one of the choices from Deb’s book along with practical applications. This challenge is broken up into three different sessions, covering all 31 choices from the book.
There will be giveaways and opportunities to win throughout the year. Participants can decide when to join—it’s not required to do all three sessions.
Many thanks to Litfuse Publicity for the review copy.
