★★★★★ 5
A Must Read by Francis and Lisa Chan
Format: Paperback
I recently read the book, “You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity” by Francis and Lisa Chan. Out of all the books I have read in 2015, it has by far been the best and most convicting to me. I am single but I try to read books on marriage from couples that I respect because I find that I can still learn from them and it is good preparation for the future if God does call me to be married. However, this was unlike any other marriage book I have read in the fact that it was less about marriage and more about one’s relationship with Christ. That being said, this book is not just for those who are marred. It is for married people, single people, those with kids, and those without kids. For anyone who wants to grow in their relationship with Christ and increase their eternal perspective — this book is for you. By the end of the first chapter I was hooked and already challenged in my own relationship with the Lord.
The book encourages those who are married to live in such a way that they would bring their spouses and children closer to Christ each day. The lifestyle that Francis and Lisa write about is not a comfortable one, and they speak truth that is not easy for others to hear but is crucial for Eternity. Francis writes, “People accuse me of going overboard in preparing for my first ten million years in eternity. In my opinion, people go overboard in worrying about their last ten years on earth.”
He also makes the point that most problems couples encounter are not marriage problems, but God problems. This principle isn’t just for folks who are married but for everyone. Chan states, “Again, our marriage problems are not really marriage problems. They are heart problems. They are God problems. Our lack of intimacy with God causes a void that we try to fill with the frailest of substitutes. Like wealth or pleasure. Like fame or respect. Like people. Like marriage.” This was such a good reminder for me. It is so easy to get consumed with the relationships or material things we have. These things are not bad but the problems begin when we put them before our relationship with Christ. He goes on to say, “Eternal-mindedness keeps us from silly arguments. There’s no time to fight. We have better things to pursue than our interests. Too much is at stake! God created us for a purpose. We can’t afford to waste our lives. We can’t afford to waste our marriage by merely pursuing our own happiness.”
Each chapter of the book has one goal in mind and that is to bring the reader closer to the Savior. I would recommend that you add this to your reading list if you have not already. This would also be a great book to read together with your spouse or to read and discuss with a small group whether it be a group of singles or other married couples. However, be prepared to grow in your relationship with Jesus and ready to be taken out of your comfort zone. It may be hard but will be worth it.
Also, 100% of the net proceeds from this book will support various ministries including those that help provide shelter and rehabilitation for thousands of children and exploited women around the world. :)
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2016
