Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage - From This Day Forward

I really enjoyed this book reading this as fully follower in Christ who is not married yet. But one day dreams to be one day. I Did find this book very helpful and insightful and realized that the choices are preventing me from having the mate I desire when my main focus is seeking God first as my one and we will provide the two on his timing. I love how Pastor Craig Groeschel and his wife Amy open up and are able to share their personal stories of there marriage and that they have problems just like every other marriage and it's not picture perfect after the I Do's. It takes work to keep the marriage alive and even though not everyone is the same. this book touches on sensitive issues that happen in marriages that might seem impossible to fix. But if you are a believer in Christ and believe in fighting for your marriage through Christ way this is book is for you

My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book together. I've heard Pastor Groeschel speak before and had a good feeling about this book based on his preaching, so we decided to get it. We lead pre-marital counseling small groups for 20+ couples a year through our church (Church of the Highlands), and this taught us a lot of great new ideas (along with ways to implement them). This will be a book that we recommend that each of our couples read prior to their wedding.
Lots of entertaining anecdotes and stories are throughout the chapters, alongside very realistic examples that helped the content stick. We both also really enjoyed the end of each chapter where Amy shared a few pages worth of her viewpoint on the topic.

I have read Craig's other book about marriage, Love, Sex, and Happily Ever After, so I kind of expected this book to just rehash the first. While some of the same themes and principles are covered, this book was definitely a fresh, new look at marriage.

The book covers 5 commitments that Craig claims will fail-proof your marriage: seek God, fight fair, have fun, stay pure, and never give up. At the end of every chapter Craig's wife Amy writes a little bit about her perspective, which was a great addition.

This book was a quick, easy read and offered a lot of real-life advice. My husband and I read through it at the same time and we both have seen a positive impact on our marriage.

I would recommend this to anyone who is married, or considering marriage someday.

This book was provided to me for free from booklookbloggers.com for review. All opinions are my own.

Overall this book had some helpful tips & if you just remember the 5 steps, that's all you really need. Some of the examples were a bit over the top but I know the author was providing insight from his own marriage. I'd recommend this book but not if you're looking for deep reading.

Great book. Easy and quick read. A chapter a night with my wife. It has transformed our marriage more than i could have imagined. The techniques feel odd at first, but after a few days they become normal. Be diligant in sticking with the techniques they will work. We wrote the key points on our mirror in the bed room so we can be reminded every day.

An excellent writer with great advice. He really knows how to apply the Bible to our lives. His examples really show you that you're not alone in the journey. Others have the same troubles, all of which God can heal!

Pastor Groeschel offers helpful, but fairly general advice on how to have a good marriage. If you've read books on marriage before there won't be much here you haven't read. Having said that, both men and women will enjoy this light read (listen), it's a good one for couples to so together. Recommend for new couples.

As founder of Lifechurch.tv, Craig Groeschel has proven himself as an innovative church leader and skilled communicator. As a couple married for 23 years and the parents of 6 children, Craig and his wife Amy have learned a few things about marriage. In From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage, the Groeschels deliver, as the subtitle promises, five simple things to remember, five keys to a successful marriage.

Spoiler alert! Here they are:
1. Seek God.
2. Fight fair.
3. Have fun.
4. Stay pure.
5. Never give up.

Simple? Yes. Easy? Not always. The Groeschels make plain the sad truth that half or more of marriages fail, and that even some couples that don't divorce are miserable with each other. The challenge is not to "just keep doing the same things that everyone else is doing." The odds are against marriage. The objective is to do what it takes to increase the odds of a healthy marriage.

Seeking God together is the starting point. "If you put God first together, he will absolutely grant you the kind of marriage he wants you to have. He delights in doing it." As the saying goes, couples that pray together stay together. Groeschel cites a Family Life survey that found that among Christian couples, only eight percent pray together regularly, but of that group, fewer than one percent divorce. So praying together increases the odds greatly!

I also liked Groeschel's emphasis on having fun together. As time goes by and kids are around, it becomes more difficult to spend time having fun together. Couples have to set aside time for face-to-face, side-to-side, and, of course belly button to belly button time. ("One of the greatest things you can do for each other is to engage in frequent, creative, spiritual lovemaking." Amen to that!) With six kids around the Groeschels surely have some experience with carving out time together.

From This Day Forward is primarily written by Craig, and tends to have a male-oriented perspective, but at the end of each chapter Amy adds her feminine touch. They don't necessarily break new ground here, but the Groeschels provide encouragement for married couples no matter where they are. They are very sensitive to address single readers, as well as to offer lots of grace and forgiveness for couples who have made a mess of things. Take some encouragement from the Groeschels. Whatever has gone before, good or bad, take time to make these five commitments from this day forward. Your marriage is worth it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

It’s a simple maxim I live by: “Good, better, best, never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best.” This is the same theme I found in From This Day Forward by Craig and Amy Groeschel regarding marriages. Whether you are single and want to be married someday, or your marriage is struggling, or your marriage is doing great, the Groeschels want to help you make the bad good, the good better, and the better best.

Statistics say that 50 percent of first marriages will fail (and the stats are even uglier for second and third marriages). Research also tells us that many couples who do stay married don’t find much happiness in that marriages. Craig & Amy find those stats unacceptable and have given us five commitments to fail-proof our marriages:
1. Seek God
2. Fight fair 
3. Have fun
4. Stay pure
5. Never give up

The chapters are mainly written by Craig, in his style that is so readable. He uses personal examples from their marriage, and then presents evidence from Scripture and easy-to-remember principles for how to improve our marriages. At the end of each chapter is “Amy’s Angle” where she rounds-out the picture with her feminine touch. As with all of Craig Groeschel’s books, this one is so easy to read and so easy to apply. The single person, those in a strained marriage and those in a wonderful marriage will all find something of value in From This Day Forward.

I have to be honest. My expectations for most books on marriage are pretty low. So many books on Christian marriage these days are filled with cliches and pop psychology. Biblical wisdom is overshadowed or replaced altogether by pithy sayings and readers are left wandering in a postmodern wasteland.

Craig and Amy Groeschel's book, From This Day Forward is a different kind of book. Readers looking for a theological treatise should turn to Tim Keller's, The Meaning of Marriage for a more comprehensive and robust treatment. But that is not a criticism of the Groeschel's book in any way.

From This Day Forward is a straightforward book that offers help for married couples or couples planning to be married. The authors present five commitments to "fail-proof" their marriage.

The authors urge readers to:

Seek God
Fight fair
Have fun
Stay pure
Never give up
The defining feature of From This Day Forward is the unwavering principle of the life-long covenant of marriage. While the five points offered above provide practical help for couples, the covenant of marriage is the thread that holds the five commitments together. The book is grounded in Scripture and is written in an easy to read format. I'll be adding this to my list of required reading for couples in pre-marital counseling.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.

4 stars

This a very uplifting marriage book that would make a perfect gift for newly weds at shower, wedding or as a one month anniversary gift, I like how the author states we are not to try and change our husbands. s for me being single it was good to because I too some time argue my points on small matters.

Seeking God together is the starting point. "If you put God first together, he will absolutely grant you the kind of marriage he wants you to have. He delights in doing it. A very refreshing read. Not at all negative but very uplifting. I will most surely keep some of their ideas in a note book to be used one day when married!

The authors state In this book, Amy and I would like to share with you five decisions that will fail-proof your marriage. If you make these decision, you can and will have the marriage God wants you to experience." After you read this book you will change the way you see marriage. This book was incredible! A definitely must read. I liked how they talked about the importance of marriage vows, seeking God first, and not wanting to change your spouse.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising

From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage
Craig & Amy Groeschel

Marriage isn’t always easy and it takes a lot of work but most importantly God has to be the foundation of your marriage. I’ve been married for 16 years and know first hand it is not easy when you try to do it on your own. My husband and I had to make the commitment to place God first in our marriage and to leave it that way. That is why I am glad I found From This Day Forward by Craig and Amy Groeschel.

Craig and Amy give you five commitments to have a fail-proof marriage.
• Seek God
• Fight Fair
• Have Fun
• Stay Pure
• Never Give Up

If you follow these commitments and work together not against each other and have an open line of communication then your marriage will work. I have seen first hand what this can do and believe me, you will be thankful for this book!! I highly recommend this book for those who are engaged, newly married, and even if you have been married for a long time, this book will help you.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review.

From this Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage by Craig and Amy Groeschel is what readers would expect: a real, slightly sappy, and slightly comical, book of advice about marriage.

Craig Groeschel writes the chapters and leaves Amy a few pages at the end of each to insert a woman’s perspective. Craig gives a lot of personal examples – successes and failures – which of course help to endear his readers to him. The three commitments that the Groeschels address are 1) Seek god, 2) Fight fair, 3) Have fun, 4) Stay pure, and 5) Never give up.

This book was interesting. I chose to read it because it seemed as though it would be a concise, helpful reminder about how to freshen up a marriage. It was – and it was even a little less cheesy than I thought it might be. Craig Groeschel’s undertone is genuine – when I read I believed the advice that he was giving me because it seemed in tune with God’s design. I really only got a couple of lasting take-aways from this book, but perhaps that’s enough. Other parts will appeal to other people.

I recommend this as a book with basic ideas. It didn’t present any “wow” ideas, but it did offer some tips.

http://booksneeze.com/blogger/resources/9781400203048

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through BookSneeze®. I was not required to write a positive review.

Impressions & Thoughts:

This book is delivered to you by a committed couple. Although it is primarily written by Pastor Craig, this book includes Amy’s Angle on each chapter presented giving you insight from man and wife. Their book provides couples with practical and manageable advise to follow to lead a more fulfilling marriage.

From This Day Forward is determined to help your marriage. This book began as a series of sermons Craig presented at LifeChurch.tv. Sometimes we have a tendency to hold on to the past bringing it in to the present. Anyone out there guilty of that? But the past is the past and you can’t change it Craig reminds us. God can and will change your future if you allow. God has what it takes and what you need in your marriage. Will you seek The One with your two?

Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor at LifeChurch.tv. Craig, his wife, and their six children live in Oklahoma where LifeChurch.tv began in 1996. He speaks frequently at conferences and has written several books.

Quotes:

What could have destroyed you, God can use to make you stronger, closer, and give you an unbreakable bond. -p171

From This Day Forward; five commitments to fail proof marriage by Craig and Amy Groeschel is a look at what a marriage really means and what matters. IF each spouse is committed to their five pillars the marriage will be solid and happy.
This book is a great short (~150 pages) book about what the true focus of a Christian marriage should be. I found the flow and writing very easy to read and the five topics easy in theory, hard in practice. They are things we always strive for in a marriage. I also really liked how this book is about growing ad building a marriage had application to couples already married, to people about the enter into marriage, and for people who are single but are hoping to prepare themselves (spiritually, not can bake a great pie prepare) for a the future spouse.
I really enjoyed this book. I hope to pass this book on to friends, married and single, to read, enjoy, and be strive for the five pillars of marriage described in this book.

Note: I was given a copy of this book to read and review. The opinions above are my own and I was not compensated for a positive review.

I try to read every Groeschel book that comes out. He has become one of my favorite authors. His most recent work From this Day Forward did not disappoint. In fact, it was a fantastic read. In his book, Craig and his wife Amy co-author the book. In each chapter, Craig writes and Amy closes each chapter with her thoughts. In the book, you will be laughing out loud at times, and at other times in the book filled with conviction. I want to share a quick review of the book with you:

The make up of the book is fairly short. It is an easy read. In fact, if you have read any of Groeschel’s books, you will find that they are easy reads. There are 171 pages in the book. Groeschel has a knack for writing with extreme transparency. When referring people to his books, I always note that Groeschel is the best story-teller that I have ever read after. I do not think that I have ever laughed out loud and I do this regularly in his books. Groeschel has a way of telling stories about he and his wife that you will relate so close with that it makes it quite humorous.

Let’s talk content. The content of the book is divided into 5 sections.
1) Seek God – This chapter was phenomenal. Every couple needs to read this chapter if they do not read the rest of the book. This chapter was about making God “the one.” We spend so much time in life searching for “the one.” The one that we believe is fate for you to be with. Well, Groeschel spends this entire chapter challenging his readers to make God “The One.

2) Fight Fair – This chapter was my personal favorite. It was HILARIOUS! Craig and Amy did a great job being transparent in this chapter. They shared their struggles in which every couple can relate to. The theme of this chapter is to fight for resolution and not for the win. So many couples fight to win the current argument. Groeschel challenges readers to fight for long term resolution which is much more important than the current win.

3) Have Fun – This chapter is exactly about the title of the chapter. Have fun! Enjoy each other’s company. God desires for you to enjoy marriage and the benefits of marriage. Craig addresses sexual fulfillment in this chapter. As a book review, I would say that he could have increased his discussion about sexual fulfillment considering that is what many couples struggle with, but he addresses it briefly in this chapter.

4) Stay Pure – I appreciate Craig’s chapter on purity. This is so important and so needed. Every male in particular needs to buckle up when he gets to the part where Amy asked Craig, “Was it worth it?” This chapter will convict.

5) Never Give Up – “Until death do us part!” Stick with it, make it work. This is the motivational style of Craig in this chapter. Don’t run when there is a problem. Fight to resolve, not to win. Never give up.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. I think it is one of the most practical and fun-filled reads for couples. My wife has picked it up and currently reading it since I have completed the book. I also would recommend this book to singles. Craig does a fantastic job addressing singles

Very practical and Great list of 5 Commitments 'From this Day Forward'

I love reading books, especially marriage books. Whether for my job as I read marriage books to help other couples or as I read through resources to help with teaching at our church, I am a sucker for good marriage books. I especially like it when I read marriage books that are not only beneficial for others, but also are personally sanctifying in my own walk and marriage.

From This Day Forward (FTDF), written by Craig & Amy Groeschel, is a very helpful book that provides Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage. FTDF is not just a helpful resource for others; rather, the book was personally edifying in my marriage. All five commitments challenged me, but especially the first one (Seek God - prayer).

The book is named for the four words we use in our wedding vows, “from this day forward.” Groeschel says the “decisions you make today determine the marriage you will have tomorrow.”

The Five Commitments and a highlight/summary of each commitment:

1. Seek God: God is your One, your spouse is your two. “Seek the One while you prepare for your two” (premarried) or “I will always seek the One with my two.” In other words, the Lord must be your top priority and your spouse is your second priority. He also writes about prayer as the keystone habit in your marriage.
2. Fight Fair: All couples fight and conflict in marriage. However, healthy couples fight for resolution, and unhealthy couples fight for personal victory. Don’t fight each other, rather fight for the marriage you both long to have.
3. Have Fun: Fun is not a luxury in marriage, it is a requirement! I love how he recommends having fun with your spouse face-to-face, side-to-side and belly button-to-belly button (Proverbs 5:18-19). One of my favorite lines from the book: “If the grass looks greener somewhere else, it’s time to water your own yard. Invest in the marriage that God has given you.”
4. Stay Pure: This chapter provides the most unique material in a marriage book, and I am very thankful they included purity. We often think of purity just for premarrieds, while Groeschel reminds us we are all called to purity, whether single or married. Purity looks different in different seasons of life, but does not diminish the call of purity. They warn the readers of the dangers of opposite sex relationships/friendships, unfaithfulness, social media and the constant barrage of temptations all around us.
5. Never Give Up: Marriage calls us to make decisions to commit, to forgive one another and to persevere even when it’s tough. I appreciate and agree with his call to permanence in marriage (Matthew 19:6). Another one of my favorite lines: “Deciding you should get divorced because you’ve run out of love is like deciding you should sell your car because it has run out of gas.”

The chapter on Purity alone makes this a book worth reading. FTDF is relatively short (171 pages), easy to read and immensely practical.

I highly recommend FTDF by Craig & Amy Groeschel. I don’t know the Groeschels, but my assumption is that while they don’t have the perfect marriage, they do love Jesus and one another and practice the five commitments referenced in the book. I appreciate their honesty and humility throughout the book.

We don’t need many more marriage books in the Christian book world. We do, however, need more good ones, like From This Day Forward.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255; “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I really enjoyed reading this book. I believe that you can never have too much arsenal on your side when you are married..especially with all the sin in this world. I love the five commitments in this book and am going to challenge myself (as well as my husband) to live up to these challenges. The book is a quick read and has really practical advice that is easily applicable to your life. I would have liked to have longer pieces with advice from Amy (she has short blips of advice after each chapter), but overall, the book is really good. I also really enjoyed Craig's humor and found myself laughing out loud at some of the things he said. This is a great read and I believe it can only make you a stronger couple if you take the time to read it.

When I began attending Church of the Highlands in Birmingham nearly 7 years ago, one of the first guest pastors that I heard speak was Craig Groeschel. His sermons are something special and they have always drawn me in. Over the years, I have listened to many of his sermon series, tuned in online for his church's services, and read many of his books.

I am always interested in reading books that can help Matt and I to maintain a healthy marriage and to help us during any tough times we may have. When I saw this book, From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage, written by Craig and his wife, Amy. I knew I wanted to read it.

My husband and I read the majority of the book together and then because of time constraints with him working overnight, we finished it separately. We both agreed it was a great book. Several of the points were information we already knew and were incorporating into our marriage but there was definitely new information learned. This book will be a great resource for us in the future as well as anyone we know who is getting married or could use some encouragement in their marriage.

Craig and Amy present 5 main points in the From This Day Forward that will help guide your marriage into being fail-proof. The points are:
1. Seek God.
2. Fight Fair.
3. Have Fun.
4. Stay Pure.
5. Never Give Up.

Each chapter is dedicated to one point and really goes into depth about that point. At the end of each chapter, Amy chimes in with her angle which is refreshing. It's not often you get both the male and female approaches in one book.

I enjoyed this book and tucked away of a few of the points to help me grow my relationship with Matt. This is a great resource for any married couple or couple engaged.

We will keep this and re-read in the future.

Thanks, Craig and Amy!

When I started reading From This Day Forward by Craig and Amy Groeschel, I hoped it would not be so prejudiced as many other books on relationships - and I was glad to realize it wasn't!

The book talks about five commitments that, if implemented and followed, will help the marriage thrive: seeking God together, fighting fair, having fun, staying pure - and NEVER giving up.

I liked (and already recommended) the book for several reasons:

- It is written in an easy-to-understand style - even for someone for whom English is not a native language, it would be a good book to read (and learn English along the way!)
- It includes good personal stories - serious as well as hilarious (oh, the pancakes:)
- It is written mostly by Craig, but Amy also has her say in appendixes to the chapter. Therefore, you get double perspective - after all, a couple includes two people, right?
- It is as good for those who are already married as for those who are thinking about it.

All in all, I think it is a good book on relationships.

//

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv which is considered the second largest church in the United States and has nineteen locations in five states. He's also the author of several books including The Christian Atheist, Soul Detox and Weird. His latest book "From this Day Forward" is a joint venture with this wife Amy.

As a Pastor who does a lot of weddings, I am always looking for material to give to a young couple just starting out. From This Day Forward speaks to all of the daily choices that couples make together that can both strengthen their lives together and strengthen their walk with God. Craig and Amy list out "5 Commitments to fail-proof your marriage." The "five things" are no-brainers, simple in theory, but probably become easily ignored or forgotten as marriages mature.

1. Always seek God first
2. Fight fair, stay away from back-stabbing and gossip, remember, you're a team.
3. Have fun together, go on dates, vacations and do things you enjoy.
4. Keep the marriage bed pure, both in your hearts, but also with your bodies and lastly...
5. Never give up, fight for your marriage, make it the number one priority.

This book isn't huge as books go, it's a nice size paper back and as a veteran author, Craig has an easy to read and easy to follow style. Craig and Amy both share applicable stories from their own marriage that clearly help illustrate the points. I also want to mention, I said above that this book would be a good gift for a newly married couple, but there is so much here I think this book would be great for people who are perhaps struggling in their marriage, people who just want a pick-me-up and even for people who are "thinking" about getting married soon.

Great book!

Thank you to Zondervan for this preview copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Anyone who wants to strengthen his or her marriage cannot go wrong reading this book, and following its teaching. Clear, practical, and often humorous, the principles contained within its pages are timeless. I have read a few books on marriage in my life and I can honestly say that this one has made more of an impact on me than any of the others. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

Life moves so quickly sometimes, days often blurring into one another, working together to make the dreams of our future a reality. I'm thankful for the moments when time stops and I see him. My other half, but first, and foremost, my best friend.

My boyfriend and I started out as friends as did Amy and Craig. Genuine friendship between two people makes the road started "from this day forward" a little bit easier.

TWO heads ARE BETTER than one

We have each others interests at heart. As my best friend, my boyfriend is my biggest fan, my staunch supporter.

Reading this book,I felt their years of wisdom shared through their words. It was as though they were standing behind Marcus and I rooting for us saying, "you can do this because we've done it. It IS possible. Follow in our footsteps. Learn from our mistakes."

I love those kind of inspirational books. The ones that you revisit over again and learn something new with every re-reading.

We're adding our own piece of knowledge: read the book together.

Rating: 4/5

When I began attending Church of the Highlands in Birmingham nearly 7 years ago, one of the first guest pastors that I heard speak was Craig Groeschel. His sermons are something special and they have always drawn me in. Over the years, I have listened to many of his sermon series, tuned in online for his church's services, and read many of his books.

I am always interested in reading books that can help Matt and I to maintain a healthy marriage and to help us during any tough times we may have. When I saw this book, From This Day Forward: Five Commitments to Fail-Proof Your Marriage, written by Craig and his wife, Amy. I knew I wanted to read it.

My husband and I read the majority of the book together and then because of time constraints with him working overnight, we finished it separately. We both agreed it was a great book. Several of the points were information we already knew and were incorporating into our marriage but there was definitely new information learned. This book will be a great resource for us in the future as well as anyone we know who is getting married or could use some encouragement in their marriage.

Craig and Amy present 5 main points in the From This Day Forward that will help guide your marriage into being fail-proof. The points are:
1. Seek God.
2. Fight Fair.
3. Have Fun.
4. Stay Pure.
5. Never Give Up.

Each chapter is dedicated to one point and really goes into depth about that point. At the end of each chapter, Amy chimes in with her angle which is refreshing. It's not often you get both the male and female approaches in one book.

I enjoyed this book and tucked away of a few of the points to help me grow my relationship with Matt. This is a great resource for any married couple or couple engaged.

We will keep this and re-read in the future.

Thanks, Craig and Amy!

When I started reading From This Day Forward by Craig and Amy Groeschel, I hoped it would not be so prejudiced as many other books on relationships - and I was glad to realize it wasn't!

The book talks about five commitments that, if implemented and followed, will help the marriage thrive: seeking God together, fighting fair, having fun, staying pure - and NEVER giving up.

I liked (and already recommended) the book for several reasons:

- It is written in an easy-to-understand style - even for someone for whom English is not a native language, it would be a good book to read (and learn English along the way!)
- It includes good personal stories - serious as well as hilarious (oh, the pancakes:)
- It is written mostly by Craig, but Amy also has her say in appendixes to the chapter. Therefore, you get double perspective - after all, a couple includes two people, right?
- It is as good for those who are already married as for those who are thinking about it.

All in all, I think it is a good book on relationships.

//

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv which is considered the second largest church in the United States and has nineteen locations in five states. He's also the author of several books including The Christian Atheist, Soul Detox and Weird. His latest book "From this Day Forward" is a joint venture with this wife Amy.

As a Pastor who does a lot of weddings, I am always looking for material to give to a young couple just starting out. From This Day Forward speaks to all of the daily choices that couples make together that can both strengthen their lives together and strengthen their walk with God. Craig and Amy list out "5 Commitments to fail-proof your marriage." The "five things" are no-brainers, simple in theory, but probably become easily ignored or forgotten as marriages mature.

1. Always seek God first
2. Fight fair, stay away from back-stabbing and gossip, remember, you're a team.
3. Have fun together, go on dates, vacations and do things you enjoy.
4. Keep the marriage bed pure, both in your hearts, but also with your bodies and lastly...
5. Never give up, fight for your marriage, make it the number one priority.

This book isn't huge as books go, it's a nice size paper back and as a veteran author, Craig has an easy to read and easy to follow style. Craig and Amy both share applicable stories from their own marriage that clearly help illustrate the points. I also want to mention, I said above that this book would be a good gift for a newly married couple, but there is so much here I think this book would be great for people who are perhaps struggling in their marriage, people who just want a pick-me-up and even for people who are "thinking" about getting married soon.

Great book!

Thank you to Zondervan for this preview copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Anyone who wants to strengthen his or her marriage cannot go wrong reading this book, and following its teaching. Clear, practical, and often humorous, the principles contained within its pages are timeless. I have read a few books on marriage in my life and I can honestly say that this one has made more of an impact on me than any of the others. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

Life moves so quickly sometimes, days often blurring into one another, working together to make the dreams of our future a reality. I'm thankful for the moments when time stops and I see him. My other half, but first, and foremost, my best friend.

My boyfriend and I started out as friends as did Amy and Craig. Genuine friendship between two people makes the road started "from this day forward" a little bit easier.

TWO heads ARE BETTER than one

We have each others interests at heart. As my best friend, my boyfriend is my biggest fan, my staunch supporter.

Reading this book,I felt their years of wisdom shared through their words. It was as though they were standing behind Marcus and I rooting for us saying, "you can do this because we've done it. It IS possible. Follow in our footsteps. Learn from our mistakes."

I love those kind of inspirational books. The ones that you revisit over again and learn something new with every re-reading.

We're adding our own piece of knowledge: read the book together.

Rating: 4/5

This was by far the best book for married couples and those seeking to get married. The whole book is chock-full of Godly advice and wonderful stories. I myself loved the pancake story. You will have to pick up a copy to read all about the pancake story.

Craig gives a male and pastor point of view and Amy gives the female point of view. It's the perfect gift for couples about to get married as well as couple that are married and feel like they are sinking and want out of the marriage. I think if we all followed this advice the divorce rate would go down a lot.

I have to say I plan on getting married in 2016 and I will be keeping a copy of this book on my personal book shelf to read at least once a year From This Day Forward.

I gave this book five stars two times and I highly recommend this book.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

From This Day Forward is a simple but effective book on how to have a lasting marriage. Many Christians like to point their fingers at the gays and homosexuals saying they are ruining marriage. However, they are not ruining it. Who is ruining marriage then? Those heterosexuals who fail to live up to the commitments they made at the altar. Love is tossed around as a simple feeling or emotion. While it can be that, love is a choice and a commitment. I once heard it said “You do not fall in love, you fall in holes.” This is definitely something I have come to see in my own marriage. I did not fall in love with my wife, I chose to love her. Yes we had all those great feelings and emotions that all couples experience on their journey towards marriage but we also came to the conclusion that love is more than those butterflies in our stomachs, it is a choice, and it is a choice we made to love each other.

Unfortunately, many “Christians” are falling for the world’s idea of love over God’s. What this means is the church has been infiltrated with the wrong idea of love. Marriages are crumbling within the church just like it is outside of the church. Divorce is mentioned more often than it should be within the church. It is even seen as a way out if your spouse fails in some area or another. Instead of sticking through thick and thin, divorce is seen as an escape route. Craig and Amy address this in From This Day Forward.

This book does not break any new ground and or share any amazing new secret or wisdom to a happy marriage, but it is written in a practical and encouraging way to challenge couples that even though hard times can and will come, it is still possible to have a happy marriage. In the book, they address five commitments couples, whether married, dating or engaged, should make to fail proof your marriage. The five commitments are 1-Seek God, 2-Fight Fair, 3-Have Fun, 4-Stay Pure, and 5-Never Give Up. As you notice, these commitments are not rocket science and you have probably heard them mentioned before, but married couples would do well to actually commit to remember and practice them. If this were to happen within the church, I could almost guarantee that the church would be a happier and more welcoming place. Can you imagine a community coming together often who were practicing these five commitments? Wow. It would be amazing to see this happen. Imagine a church where married couples only spoke positively about their spouse to other people? Imagine a church where couples spoke of how they loved each other? Imagine if even the jesting and joking among married couples were to cease? Younger people would get a better idea of what marriage is supposed to be about. When we first star dating someone, we do not even think about joking on them like married couples do after marriage. And when we get engaged we do not suddenly begin to talk negatively about them, even to other people. But it seems after being married for so many years, it becomes natural for couples to begin talking and joking about each other to other people. Who is hurt in these jests? Those younger people hearing us talk about marriage in this manner. If this is what happens when someone gets married, then why should I get married? I would just rather date someone so we can stay in love. That is what we are simply telling younger people when we act this way.

In these five commitments, a foundation is laid for a strong marriage. But it takes commitment and choosing to live according to these commitments. This has to be a daily choice for both spouses to make towards each other and to remember constantly, even in the heat of the moment when a fight or argument seems imminent. Marriage takes work, but Craig and Amy in this book lay these five commitments as foundations for any marriage. Let me share with you a couple quotes from the book that stood out to me:

“Become the kind of person you would like to marry…I will seek the One while I prepare for my two” (p. 28).

“Imagine how hard it must be to divorce someone you’re genuinely seeking God with. What are the odds that God’s direction to you is going to be, ‘Yeah, you should just split up’? Not likely” (p. 42).

“All couple fight, but healthy couples fight fair” (p. 53).

“One of the best ways you and your spouse can become slow to anger is by communicating regularly and honestly when you’re not facing conflict…work on your marriage during non-conflict times” (p. 61).

“When you’re married, fun is not a luxury; it’s a requirement…Without romance, without adventure – without fun – marriage is reduced to a simple business arrangement” (p. 85).

“We decided that our marriage will be as good as we decide it will be” (p. 141).

That last quote I feel sums up the main theme going through this book: if you want to have a great marriage, decide to make it great. Most things of great substance in someone’s life do not happen as an accident, it happens as a result of making choices. So if you want to have a great marriage, decide to make it great. Do not wait to see if it happens because if you wait, it will pass you by and you will miss out on years of fun as a married couple.

From This Day Forward is a great book and one I will use in the future when counseling and talking with couples getting married as well as couples already married. I also recommend singles read it as well. This book will go right up there with another book I reviewed called True Love Dates. So if you are dating and expecting to get married, engaged, or already married, pick this book up and read through it with your spouse and practice what it teaches. Choose to have a great marriage.

In compliance with regulations introduced by the Federal Trade Commission, I received a complimentary copy of by Zondervan in exchange for this review.

Marriage is delightful. It is also difficult, however. While the divorce rate may not be the oft-quoted 50 percent, it is still significant. The relevant question, then, for Christians getting married or already wed is this: What can a couple do to make sure their marriage thrives?

Craig and Amy Groeschel offer an answer to this question in their new book, From This Day Forward. Craig is the founding senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, an innovative multisite church best known for its Bible app, YouVersion. Amy leads LifeChurch.tv’s women’s ministry and homeschools the Groeschel children. Craig wrote most of the book, but Amy adds her unique “angle” at the end of each chapter.

Drawing on the Bible and their own twenty-plus years of marriage, the Groeschels identify five practices that contribute to marital wellbeing:

1. Seek God.
2. Fight fair.
3. Have fun.
4. Stay pure.
5. Never give up.

Can marital wellbeing really be that simple? Based on my nearly 10 years of marriage, I would say both yes and no. Or better, I would say that marital wellbeing is easy to analyze but difficult to practice. A couple which strove to put these five practices to work in their marriage would significantly improve both the quality and durability of their union.

From This Day Forward is written in an easy, conversational tone that makes for a quick read. It doesn’t—thankfully!—get bogged down in exegetically driven discussions of gender roles (i.e., male headship, female submission), though it occasionally it reflects gender stereotypes (e.g., men prefer physical intimacy, women prefer emotional intimacy). I would have liked to see more discussion of topics such as finance, childrearing, and traumatic stressors (e.g., illness or death in the family), though the Groeschel’s five practices probably cover those concerns, at least in principle.

Who, then, should read this book? Those about to get married, for sure, and those already married (especially if they’re in their early years together). Zondervan has produced a DVD-based small group curriculum based on the book, making the book and/or the curriculum ideal for use in a church’s engaged couples seminar, small groups, or Sunday school classes.

Prepare for the long review...

I thought the From This Day Forward series at Life.church made a good impact on me as a divorced man, who has since remarried. I brought my wife, who I was only dating at the time, with me to every one of these messages and it opened the ground for some good discussion. There was a lack of Biblical teaching in terms of teaching directly out of the Bible for this series, but overall, the points that it makes were good. The reason I rated the book so low, was that this series is still available on the website for free and I honestly think it's pretty ridiculous that Craig is turning around and selling his sermons as books to his congregants as if there is more information in the books than in the series. Beyond that, unless you just favor reading over watching the video, go watch the free videos as opposed to buying the book.

Beyond any of that, look at what the Bible says about marriage in Ephesians 5:22-33:

22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body,[d] of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband." NKJV

That pretty well sums up what we need to do, but there is also some great misunderstanding in this, particularly when men read it. Men tend to read this, and only think about the women being submissive portion of the text. It's like a strange math equation in the way that, in order for women to be submissive, they have to see that their husbands are being submissive to the Lord. The Bible says in a few spots, including Romans 10:13 that "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." But that term "calls on" (or epikaleo in the Greek) is far deeper in the original Greek text than it is in English. To "call on" in that context means to take on the surname of one, to invoke one as a judge, or an invocation in prayer. When someone "calls on" the name of the Lord in this context, they are doing all of those things. They are asking the Lord to judge them, to view every part of their life and cleanse them in the blood of Jesus. They are also calling on the Lord to take on His surname, as a wife takes on the surname of her husband, declaring that they are one flesh and joined together, for what is supposed to be a permanent union. So in that, if a man has done this and is saved, He should be in complete submission to the Father, since the church is the bride of Christ. A man should be exemplifying what it looks like to be submissive to the Groom. If the man is doing what he is supposed to be doing, of course, the wife is going to be submissive to Him and respect him, as well as trusting him to lead the family. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the church. Christ gave His life for the church. This really is a summation of being "dead to self" as is encapsulated in Paul's words in Galatians 2:20 "20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." If you want a happy marriage, pray for a full understanding of this if it didn't make sense, and I assure you that your marriage will be blessed if you follow these words. Being dead to self doesn't mean that you're a doormat to your wife, just as Christ should never be a doormat to the believer, but an example of a loving man that wants the best for us in terms of eternal love and care to lead us to Him. Shalom.

Pastor Craig and Amy discuss five challenge areas they have identified in the marriage relationship and how we respond to each in a God-honoring way. My fiancé and I read this book in preparation for marriage, and I believe that it is a great resource for developing healthy expectations for marriage and practicing godly responses to issues that we will have to face. Having read this book, I am all the more excited about pursuing an amazing and lasting marriage with my husband-to-be. :)

It seems as if every year there are multiple books released on the topic of marriage. There are a few that stand out as ones that are classics and are thus highly recommended by pastors and other people in ministry. Although From This Day Forward is a new book in this arena, it is certainly one that will remain in my recommended books for people regardless of their relationship status. The wisdom contained in this book is applicable to singles, newlyweds, and couples that have been married for decades.

We know that the divorce rate is high regardless of whether you consider yourself a Christian or not. Craig and Amy believe that you can beat the odds if you will apply the five things they outline in their book. The five commitments they list are simply in words, but difficult in putting into action day by day.

My wife has not read the book. I am sure I will pass it along to her soon. I hope that she can already begin to see a difference in me and my commitment to her. Even if she does not see it, the things I have already began to put in place have been enough for me. As hard as it is to believe, I enjoy my marriage more now than I did two weeks ago.

If you have five hours or so on a weekend, give this book a read. It does not take long to make it through the pages. You could easily finish it in one sitting if you have that much time. However, do not feel pressed to rush through it. Instead, read what the authors have to say and consider your own marriage or what you want in your future marriage. You will be glad you did.

I would rate this book four out of five stars. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

If you have five hours or so on a weekend, give this book a read. It does not take long to make it through the pages. You could easily finish it in one sitting if you have that much time. However, do not feel pressed to rush through it. Instead, read what the authors have to say and consider your own marriage or what you want in your future marriage. You will be glad you did.

Wow, great book! This really helped strengthen my marriage in such unexpected ways. Craig has the credibility and marriage experience to really instruct and give Godly advice that is wise and insanely helpful. You can tell his words are authored by God and his writing is always fun to read! It has helped my marriage grow, through the 5 commitments, which I put in to practice right away, like praying with my husband every day. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone from single people wanting to be a good spouse someday, to engaged couples, to couples in any stage of their marriage. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I'm currently considering reading it again. :)

Perfect for newlyweds or the couple celebrating their 50th. This is such an easy to read book and based in scripture. If you want five key elements to make/keep your relationship strong, this book will definitely give them to you.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via NETGALLEY.

Pastor and author Craig Groeschel and his wife Amy have been married for more than twenty years, centering their relationship and family life on their Christian faith. In their new book, they share straightforward insight not just for how to maintain your marriage on a firm biblical foundation, but for actually enjoying each other as best friends every day in the process. This quick read is packed with sensible tips that you can put into practice immediately in your relationship.

Craig is always great a communicating truth in a simple, easy to understand way without sacrificing biblical/spiritual integrity and depth. My wife and I very passionate about this topic as we continually work towards a healthy marriage and helping others do the same.

The content and principals of the book are easy to understand (Seek God, Fight Fair, Have Fun, Stay Pure, and Never Give Up), but takes work to maintain. Craig and Amy give great encouragement and insight to how to keep these principals for a marriage that will last. Get it and read it - you won't be sorry!

This book is worth reading. The Groeschels did a wonderful job at making the book booth fun to read, informative, convicting and challenging. All couples can benefit from the insights shared from a Biblical and practical standpoint. It is worth the investment.

Very easy read with sound instruction aligned with scripture. I especially like how the author referenced his own personal experiences. I would recommend to all couples no matter what season you are in; newlyweds to empty nesters. He has a honest and practical approach.