WOW!!! What a powerful speaker!!! Great Conference! I just wanted to say, " Thank you!" for the opportunity to attend. As a single person that has never been married, this was a great way to solidify my perceptions of what a marriage is supposed to look like. It also help to open my eyes to the male perspective.

-Susan

You need to know that you blessed us so richly at Saturday’s conference at First Pres. It was outstanding! The word on the street is that this was the best marriage conference anyone has ever attended. You combined so much knowledge, story-telling, humor, and powerful truth into riveting presentations, and your very character and heart are so utterly reflective of Christ’s stamp. You are a blessing to many, I know, but you have touched me and many others, and we eagerly look forward to your ongoing ministry in this world.

- Rev. Sara Singleton, Associate Pastor of Marriage Ministry and Spiritual Formation at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs.

Gary-

Just wanted to thank you for your refreshing and "old is new again" approach to the Christian life in your books. I have read much of Seeking the Face of God and all of Sacred Marriage. Your other books are now on my "must read" list. My husband and I also recently attended one of your Sacred Marriage seminars and brought along another couple. You are as gifted a communicator as you are a writer. I look forward to hearing you again and will keep checking your website for future seminars located near us.

Even more, I want to thank you for a concept you presented in Sacred Marriage that was a profound gift to me. A year ago, my husband had an affair. Through the prayers of many and mercy of God, he repented and committed to the restoration of our marriage. I am committed too, but felt like our sacred union was forever tainted. When I read chapter two of Sacred Marriage, the idea of reconciliation as the highest aim of marriage as an illustration of God's relationship to us, was particularly relevant to me. Augustine's three benefits of marriage, the greatest of which, sacrament, which comes from the indissolubility of the marital union, helped me to see that the sacredness of our marriage, like our relationship with Christ, was based not on fidelity, but commitment and perseverance. Therefore, our marriage was still sacred. That may seem like a small thing to focus on, but it meant so much to me in terms of feeling completely restored. Thank you for helping me to see that. It's been a rough year, but our marriage, and our relationships with God, are well on their was to being more than they ever were. I also believe the Lord will lead us to a ministry to couples through this and Sacred Marriage will be an integral part of that.

Thanks for being faithful in your writing and speaking ministry, I will pray for your continued success and for others to catch your vision.

A fan

Gary,

When working with couples in counseling and ministry in general, I am amazed at the impact Western culture has on Christian marriages. "Marriage is my ticket to happyland-- where I can find myself, fulfill myself, and have a soulmate who will flawlessly support all my dreams and ambitions."

Sadly, some Christian literature on marriage isn't much better with its "our marriage will be better we focus on needs" approach. Other authors offer heady theological treatise which speak timeless truth, but leave the reader clueless as to how to respond with Christlikeness to the spouse who just drove the minivan through the garage door or to the toddler who poured his cheerios and milk into the dvd player to "feed it".

Personally speaking, no amount of psychological training or coursework has prepared me for realizing how selfish I can be when it comes to marriage and parenting. However, Sacred Marriage has helped remind me that serving my wife and children (even when I don't feel like it) is a means of bringing glory to God.

Katie and I just led our first group of young couples through a study of the book, and it was a tranformational experience for all of us. Recently, I recommended it to one of my former professors in psychology at Southwestern Seminary and to a friend who publishes devotional literature for teens and families. Both of these gentlemen are voracious readers. Interestingly enough, each of them came back to me within the past week and said it was the best book they had read on marriage.

Sacred Marriage has become a staple in our church Resource Center, and I look forward to continuing to recommend it to colleagues and counseling clients. By the way, please pass my thanks on to your wife for her willingness to be included in so many of the illustrations-- those real life stories make your writing realistic and encouraging.

Katie and I look forward to reading Sacred Parenting over the summer and eagerly anticipate adding this to our small group series in the fall.

May God continue to bless your writing and speaking!

In Christ,

Dr. D.G.
Texas

Bravo! What a great book. I've probably quoted it about thirty-seven times in the last three weeks.

My husband and I are 44 and 46 years old and have had a won derful marriage for over 21 years. We have 5children (20,18,17,14,and 3) and are still passionately in love with each other. We are teaching a Sunday school class full of young married people and just began a semester on marriage.

We knew ours worked very well but were having a hard time condensing in into words. Your book did it. I now have a satchel full of pretty-much-useless "needs-based" books that I spent far too much money on, that only serve to make people conscious of what need their partner isn't meeting. I've sacked all of them and I'm doing a lot of quoting from your book. I'm buying a few copies for the church library so
everyone can enjoy it!

Unbelievable! We are just so thrilled. Everything else out there just doesn't cut it. You and your wife are blessed to have each other. Thanks for your spiritually mature insight. What an inspired book.

Thanks for writing it!

K.P.

Gary,

I just wanted to let you know how much Sacred Marriage has blessed me! There have been few books that I have resounded with as much as this one. God is changing me, and He has used your gifts and your faithfulness to help bring about that change.

I am currently teaching through it with a group of young married's in our church. I have recommended the book countless times to couples and have given away as many copies. Having studied and read most of the current marriage help books availiable...this stands alone. It is a gift to the church and I for one am thankful.

Please give thanks to your wife as well. I have found that behind every good man that has given himself to the work of ministry, is a great woman that is the support he needs. From a grateful pastor, and on behalf of the church in need of help in the area of our marriages we thank you for yours...thank you Lisa!

-Pastor M.

I don’t know how many times, after finishing a chapter in Sacred Marriage, I thanked the Lord for putting this book on your heart and asked Him to bless you and Lisa in your spiritual journey together. Though my husband and I have been married for 20 years and Christians for longer than that, the truths about growing in Christ through my marriage have refreshed and encouraged me greatly. This book was definitely Spirit-conceived because it’s challenging (we can’t do it without His grace), inspiring (spurring us on to love and good deeds), and Christ-honoring (conformity to His ways reveals His presence in us). Every marriage counselor, no every couple, ought to have a copy.

Thanks for answering God’s call to write it,

Jill Johnson -Dallas Center, Iowa

Dear Gary,

I am in the process of reading [Sacred Marriage] with my men’s small group at church. It is one the best, most thought-provoking books I have seen on Christian relationships...

Thanks, Dan

Dear Gary,

I enjoyed Sacred Marriage very much. I recently quoted you several times in a wedding I conducted (souces cited of course). I have never received so many compliments nor inquiries on a sermon. The question, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?" is profound. I think it important and rewarding for all married couples to take another look at their sacred union through this lens.

Thanks, P.L.

Dear Mr. Thomas,

A friend gave me your book, Sacred Marriage, to read (almost a year ago.) I just decided I was "ready" to read it. I knew that with a title and subtitle such as they are, I'd have to inevitably rethink a few things and make a few changes. I'm one-quarter the way through and am loving it!

Thank you! Thank you for your insight and thank you for being so transparent with your readers. Although my husband and I have a great marriage (really! I'm not making this up! I truly adore him after 19 years of marriage, and well, I won't use a woman-ish word to speak for him, but I do believe I'm "okay in his book" too), we can still glean from your insight and Godly reminders of what this or any other relationship takes to be holy (and "right".) Even good marriages need encouragement and new approaches on doing the marriage thing better.

God bless you and yours, Laura

Florida

Gary,

While I was visiting Seattle this past summer, Annie gave me your Sacred Parenting Book to read. I was so impressed that I suggested to my bible study that we read your Sacred Marriage book. Well, to say that we all loved it, would be a gross understatement. The discussions that came out of reading that book were insightful, emotional, hilarious, you name it. I think you are a wonderful writer, and I so enjoyed how you put your own personal life out there for review.

Celesta

North Carolina

Dear Mr. Thomas,

I just wanted to thank you for allowing God to work through you in your book Sacred Marriage. It has been the most helpful book I have read on Marriage. I really feel a new sense of God's presence and His hand working to rid my heart of the selfishness I have been dealing with in our marriage.
Thank you again for the insight and truth you have shared with others through your writing.

sincerely, Sara

I enjoyed Sacred Marriage very much. I quoted you several times in my comments about marriage in a recent wedding I conducted. I have never received so many compliments and inquiries on a sermon. It seemed as though many had never thought nor heard of marriage that way-- "What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy".

Thanks, Powell Lemons II

Pastor Easton Assembly

Hi,

I'm a 20 year old college student, and my friend who is getting married had read your book, "Sacred Marriage." She recommended that I read it, even though I'm not getting married or even dating anyone right now. I have just read the first two chapters, and my heart and mindset have already been changed about marriage. I realized by reading just the beginning of your book that my purpose in life, to please God, will never change no matter if I'm married or not. Like most girls, I have thought about marriage a lot throughout my life and come to the wrong conclusions. Thanks for helping me see marriage how God truly designed it. I will read the rest of your book, but I just wanted to write and let you know that God is truly speaking through you. Thank you so much!

Stephanie

Hi Gary, after my wife and I spent the Winter reading Sacred Marriage to eachother at bedtime I decided to try and use it as a book study with my Saturday morning mens bible study.

Our focus is on Christian headship and loving our wives as Christ loved the church. In just the first three weeks I can see the transformation in my men, they have all radically elevated their esteem for the sacred institution of marriage. They now see their marriages as something important and worthy of their very best attention. Thanks so much for transforming our impression of marriage from a world one, into a Godly one.

David

Bowie, MD

I am a 21-year-old female engaged to be married. I have seen, heard about, and read many books on marriage, pre-marital issues, and married life. Of all that I have seen or heard, the best book out there is Gary Thomas' Sacred Marriage. I'm not even married yet, and I have already put many of his ideas to practice, strengthening my relationship with my future husband. The book's unique perspective, (that marriage is a call to holiness more than happiness) is what sets it apart, and makes it the best for Christian couples. Thank you for this book!

God Bless!

Sincerely,

Sara

a student at Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN.

Hi Gary

Sacred Marriage is awesome. My husband and I started a marriage ministry here in Dallas. We work with couples on a daily basis....usually those in crisis or even already divorced. We were married for 10 yrs, divorced for 7, and God restored our marriage 5 yrs ago. Anyway, we recommend Sacred Marriage to every single person we work with or that is referred to us because we feel it is so vital!

Cheryl

Dallas

I am a 31 year old Nigerian lady and have just finished reading your book ' Sacred Marriage' and i just want to say that your book has been a tremendous blessing to me. I come from a culture where divorce is not easy and is not culturally accepted hence our husbands find it easy to have extra marital affairs and get away with it because they know they can. I have often times considered divorce on this acceptable grounds but the love i have for my husband somehow always overshadows the urge to make this great decision. Despite the fact that he hurts me over and over this love wells up from where even i don't know.

In a quest to find counselling and knowledge, I have read many many books on Christian marriage and this is the first one that actually feels right with my spirit. I now have a deep satisfaction and understanding of my role toward my husband. I know that many of my friends also have this problem and i believe that reading this book will enlighten their soul and agree with their spirit deep inside. i intend to buy copies of this book to sow into the lives of my friends.

I just want to thank you and thank God for giving you this great spiritual insight to this tough topic. My walk in this fallen world now has greater meaning. This has been a monumental paradigm shifting experience for me. Now i don't have to keep asking myself what the breaking point for divorce really is but just to show Gods love toward my husband in order to perfect my soul.
I can agree with you that since i got married i have developed virtues that i never knew i had.
THANKS AND GOD BLESS YOU, LISA, THE KIDS AND YOUR MINISTRY. AMEN.

Dear Mr. Thomas,
I would like to take time to thank you for researching and writing Sacred Marriage. I am a newly engaged woman to a wonderful Godly man. I am taking this lovely time of engagement to not only plan a wedding, but to learn as much as I can from Christian leaders in our church and lives, and Christian authors such as yourself. My college bible study leader recommended your book to me and I'm so glad that she did. I am half way through it and already am so glad God led you to write it. Thank you for your words of wisdom and for writing a book that clearly highlights God's design for his gift of marriage to His people. The idea that God designed marriage to make us holy is one that I am so excited for, as is my fiancé. I know that married life won't always be easy, but it will be wonderful because we will draw each other to Christ. This is a prayer that me and my fiancé, David, pray all the time.
This email does not accurately express my excitement to read your book and learn more about God and his design for marriage. Nor does it show you just how excited I am to begin the journey with my fiancé. However please know that I am thankful for the gift God blessed you with to write this book and to share the insight with others. Thank you. God bless you!

In Him, Emily

Pastor Thomas,

I want to take this opportunity to let you know that I discovered so many answers I have been seeking as the result of reading your book, "Sacred Marriage".

The Lord has, many times, placed me on a journey which bewildered me, but now I understand the reasons of those trials.

I also want to compliment you on your beautifully written book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. When I was at the last pages of your book, I felt some sort of sadness as if I am about to depart from a best friend.

Thank you for you personal touch and your divine insight.

I look forward to reading more of you books.

Your fellow believer, Joan

Dear Mr. Thomas,

I just want to let you know that your book, Sacred Marriage, has had a huge impact on my life. Through a fluke of events (only by God's hands), did your book wind up in my hands. I believe that the Holy Spirit was speaking through you to me while reading that book. It was so refreshing to read a book that didn't give me steps on "How To" to a happier marriage, etc.

I needed to hear that sometimes the hard times are there not because of past histories or dysfunctions, but simply to bring me closer to God. What a relief to hear an eternal perspective on marriage. I have shared your book with several other friends and acquaintances of mine and I pray that they are as touched and changed by your book as I was. I also bought Sacred Parenting and I am feeling spirit fed and filled already, and I've just read Chapter 1.

God has truly given you a gift of teaching through your writing with such a spirit-filled perspective on marriage and family.

Thank You, Jinny

Colorado

Hi Gary!

About two years ago I was browsing through my local Christian bookshop to help me deal with the issues in my "unequally yoked" marriage. In that section I found your book "Sacred Marriage" and though it didn't address unequal yokes specifically I took it down for a browse through. An hour later I was still sitting in the bookshop and was totally hooked.

I bought that copy and read it cover to cover three times. I bought another one for our church library, and another one for some friends getting married. I am now leading a study on the book for other women married to non-Christians - this is truly one of the best books on marriage I have ever read (and re-read)! This is probably my fourth time through the book, and I am still learning new things.

I love it that marriage teaches us about God, and that God uses our circumstances to make us more like Him (even mine). I love it that marriage is a spiritual discipline, and doesn't make us second-class Christians! I have hope and am inspired to stay in my marriage (which was not always the case) and so I wanted to tell you: thank you.

Your sister in Christ,Elizabeth

Melbourne, Australia.

Dear Gary Thomas,

Thank you for your book, "Sacred Marriage".

I've been divorced over ten years...but I bought your book for a man whose marriage is suffering. I went to the chapel bookstore to buy him a new Bible, but your book caught my attention. He already has a Bible...

I loved your book so much, I read half of it, before mailing it tohim. Then I bought my own copy. There is so much on each page. What a rich, and inspiring book. I loved it.

Thank you. I have told many friends about it.

Thank you, Gary. God bless you and your family,

Sincerely, L. S.

Your book has had a profound impact on my life. Finally someone was able to put together beliefs that I have that I haven’t been able to put together into words myself. Your words have helped put so many pieces together. May God bless you always.

S.S.

Montana

Hi Gary,

I'm a 22 year old student who has just finished reading your book, Sacred Marriage. It was passed onto me by an older couple who are obviously very thoughtful. I'm single and have no girlfriend on the horizon but the book was so relevant to me. I was drawn by the subtitle to the book ...the focus on holiness rather than happiness in marriage. The book inspired me in how I look and imagine and dream of marriage and opened my eyes to better ways to view God's gift of marriage. But, even more, the book was a lift for my own spiritual life because so much of it is relevant to anybody, single or married, because it focuses on our walk with God. The ideas and thoughts on marriage can be related directly to my relationships as a single and they have inspired me to walk holy before God and in relation to the people around me.

I thank God that He has enabled you to bring this blessing to his Church.

God's richest blessings to you and your family who let you serve in this way.

J.D.
Gloucestershire, England

Dear Mr. Thomas, I am currently reading your book, Sacred Marriage. It is by far the best book on marriage I have read. My sister is getting married the first week of October. I was wondering if I could get an autographed copy of this book for their wedding present?

Todd

Dear Mr. Thomas

I have the great pleasure and privilege on reading your book – sacred marriage. You have articulated what I have believed for some time now – that marriage is designed to encourage us to aspire to holiness rather than happiness. In the process of acquiring this holiness happiness envelopes us as a bonus. Should you be in this part of the world I would be honored to extend Fijian hospitality to you. I am an elder of the Samabula gospel chapel, a member of the fiji brethren assemblies partnership – a body of which I am the assistant secretariat. You might like to consider a brief stopover in our lovely islands.

Kind regards, N.G.

Fiji

One of the best books I have read for "pleasure" is Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy? written by Gary L. Thomas. Can I just say, "WOW!?!?" This book has brought a whole new line of thinking to my heart and mind. Let's face it, we ladies have probably read most of the nuts-and-bolts marriage books on the market today (I know I have). This one stands alone. I highly recommend it, even if you have a strong happy marriage where there is no room for improvement. Ha!

Dear Gary

I just had to email you and say thank you for your book, for being open to the Holy Spirit’s leading to write the truth. My marriage was almost at the point of divorce. The Lord has used your book to open my eyes to the truth in the Word of God about marriage. I never saw or understood the purpose of marriage. 'Sacred Marriage' has worked where no amount of counseling could because it is not about me but about God and His purposes. I have repented of the filth in my life and surrendered to God's purpose. I believe 100% that my husband and I will now make it, with a redeemed heart and a God focused attitude.

I pray God's blessing on your family and ministry.

With loving gratitude and thanks

Name withheld