The Language of Love & Respect - Book Review

The Language of Love & Respect is the sequel to Dr. Emerson Eggerichs best-selling book Love & Respect. I had never read Love & Respect, but had heard wonderful things about it, so when I got the chance to get a free copy of this book in exchange for a review I jumped at it.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy the book. In my opinion, the book read like a text book. It wasn't something that would be an enjoyable read, but something that requires study. The use of acronyms was overkill. First there was C-O-U-P-L-E, then C-H-A-I-R-S. Next we had to learn about how COUPLE and CHAIRS get you out the Crazy Cycle and into the Energizing Cycle.

These acronyms and "codes," that most will never remember, were too complicated to be very useful. The writing was lackluster, and did not hold my attention. While I'm sure there is benefit to be found in the book, I think you'd have to dig deep and focus hard to find it.

If you're looking for a deep study book on marriage communication, this may be the book for you. But unfortunately, it was not the book for me.

Safe Boundaries

My children know the boundaries in our backyard. We live on a lake. Our lawn goes down to wetland vegetation. The vegetation is low so that we can still see the lake and enjoy the view, however you cannot get thought the vegetation to the lake. It's too thick.

To get to the lake, you have to take the path. My children know they are allowed to go to the edge of the grass, but they may not go down the path to the lake without an adult. These "safe boundaries" keep them from the chance of drowning.

What about in our daily lives? Are we living within safe boundaries to protect us? Safe boundaries can not only protect our children, but us as adults too.

Join me over at Titus 2 in Action today, to learn to have Safe Boundaries in your marriage.

You Give Love a Bad Name

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame.
Darling, you give love a bad name.
You Give Love a Bad Name, Bon Jovi, 1986

God is love. Many people don't know or experience God in their every day lives. It is up to us, as Christians, to show them love and thereby they see God. The problem is, as Christians we screw it up. Then, we're to blame. We give Love a bad name. We give God a bad name.

One of my friends from elementary school recently shared on his Facebook status that while he was riding his bicycle, a "Christian" man tried to slip him a religious pamphlet (tract). Now why would anyone try to hand something to a guy on a bike is beyond me, but anyway, my friend didn't accept it but pedalled on. As he did, the man's 6 or 7 year old son yelled to my biker friend, "Sinner! You're going to hell!"

Now really, did that man and his son exemplify God's love with that interaction? I don't know if my childhood friend is a Christian or not. But if not, that interaction didn't bring him one step closer to knowing the love of Jesus. Actually, just the opposite.

The problem with Christianity is Christians. And I should know! Because I screw it up daily. I'm self-centered. I want my own way. Last week I inadvertently offended two different friends by poor word choices...and I'm supposed to be a writer! I should use words better. If people are looking at me to see God, to see love - I give Love a bad name!

What I hope is that people can see Jesus in spite of me. They can see my screwed up mess, and see that I still have hope and joy because of God's love! God is a God of love and mercy. I am sinner, just like that man's son yelled. "Sinner!" And so are that man, his son, my friend, and you.

But if we know Love, even though we sometimes give Love a bad name, He promises Heaven. And I believe He'll deliver.