My Beloved and My Friend {Review}

God’s Word has much to say about marriage and the roles of husbands and wives. Culture has a lot to say too. Hal and Melanie Young have once again put pen to paper, this time to set the matter of marriage back on a biblical path.

My Beloved and My Friend is framed up with the familiar passages from Genesis 1 and 2 about God creating man in His own image and man’s need for a suitable helper (see Genesis 2:18, 1:27-28, 31). The chapter listing gives you an idea of where they are headed…

IT IS NOT GOOD FOR MAN TO BE ALONE
1. Leaving and Cleaving
2. How to Be Married To Your Best Friend

A HELPER SUITABLE FOR HIM
3. In Sickness and In Health
4. On Submission
5. Fidelity and Loyalty Are Not Mutual Funds

FILL THE EARTH AND SUBDUE IT
6. The Physical Aspect
7. Children and All That

HAVE DOMINION
8. Money–Yours, Mine, or Ours?
9. The Division of Labor

IN THE IMAGE OF GOD HE CREATED THEM
10. The Spiritual Aspect
11. Being of One Mind
12. How To Fight So You Both Win

It’s evident just a few pages in that the Bible serves as the conversation starter for this book while research makes the point and personal stories provide the punctuation.  Each chapter stands as a thorough discussion of the topic at hand and one could treat this book as a go-to manual for marriage.

I was surprised to find how broad the appeal of this book will be. It is at once guidance for the newly married, insight for the single person–young or old, encouragement for young parents, and advice for empty nesters. 

The newlyweds are challenged to find new ways to relate to their spouse and encouraged to see how their interests, though seemingly worlds apart, can be enjoyed together. Read Chapter 2 and learn how Hal’s enthusiasm for trains and Melanie’s love of wild flowers were brought together when they discovered that wildflowers grew in abundance along railroad lines.

The single adult will learn about the importance of purity and how Godly habits formed while single will pay dividends in their future marriage. Read Chapter 6 and discover research that points to the damage caused by exposure to pornography at an early age and learn about some tools for handling temptation.

Young parents will be asked to consider the kind of family God has in store for them. Read Chapter 7 and see how trusting God with your family planning will provide experiences and joy you never imagined.

Even the empty nesters can gain wisdom from this book when reading about letting go and allowing their newly-married children to create their own traditions.

Once again, I enjoyed reading from Hal and Melanie. They stand firm in their beliefs, but approach each topic with grace and conviction. You might find some ideas that don’t align with yours, but you’ll be challenged to look at God’s Word and reconcile your marriage to the standard God has set.

Grab a Copy Now: Pre-order a copy of My Beloved and My Friend for only $12 (Pre-Orders Only) with FREE Shipping.  You’ll get it two months before it’s official release date of Valentine’s Day 2014!