By Tricia Goyer
First, a note to you from Tricia:
Hi Friend!
In 1983, I was in sixth grade when Billy Idol’s song, White Wedding hit the charts. I remember doodling designs for my wedding dress on the brown-paper cover of my English book. Funny thing, though, somehow (I realize now) I forgot to daydream about what happened after I married my Prince Charming. I forgot a marriage followed.
Maybe you have challenges in your marriage. Or you know someone who does. If so, I hope this book would encourage you. Remember, God placed us (and our spouses) in this time in history for a purpose!
As you will be able to tell, this is a book close to my heart. As a Gen Xer myself, I know how challenging marriage can be. Yet, I also know from experience that God has chosen us for this calling, and He’s also available to help us every step of the way. That’s a message worth sharing, don’t you think?!
I've written about some of Tricia's fiction books on this blog in the past. She also has several non-fiction books that are wonderfully refreshing, honest looks at the difficulties we run into in this life. Generation NeXt Marriage looks at the perspectives of those born in the 1960's - 1980's (yes, I fit into that category but barely -- I always considered myself a BoomerX!). She surveyed hundreds of other Gen Xers for their inputs on topics such as commitment, marriage role models, intimacy, conflict resolution, money matters, and sex.
Our generation grew up amidst record numbers of divorce, free sex, and conflicting ideas of 'appropriate' roles for husbands and wives. We've found ourselves following the crowd as teenagers only to realize the past does matter and it impacts our relationships even now. Using snippets of music from the 70's and 80's that bring back many memories, Tricia shows us how to go beyond a good marriage and find the wonderful relationship God intended for you.
One of the chapters that really resonated with me was 'romancing your spouse'. When the busyness of life invades on all sides, it's easy to put your spouse low on the totem pole because you know he's always there for you. However, that's not the way I want to live. I want to be sure Doug knows that I really love him and that I know he really loves me too. And I want to add the fun touches that romance adds -- doing the little things that I know will make him smile throughout his day. Tricia reminded me that:
True romance is lived out, not simply dreamed about,
True romance takes work,
True romance takes creativity, and
True romance menas considering the other person.
You can't do this if your schedules take you to opposite ends of town (which is actually covered in the following chapter). So I've decided to make sure I do something special at least once each week just because I love him (I want to do something every day, but I also have to start somewhere! Once a week is an easy goal to exceed).
Here's some more info about Tricia and her new book.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Do you still find yourself humming the love songs of the 80s and 90s?
Do you still believe that every marriage should be between soul mates?
But -- do you wonder how you can succeed at love and marriage when the generation you grew up in didn't?
Marriage isn't what it used to be-it can be better than ever.
If you are a Gen Xer, your marriage has challenges and potentials that no other generation has known. A Gen Xer herself, Tricia Goyer offers realistic help to achieve the God-honoring marriage you long for. She includes:
·Ways to protect your marriage despite the broken relationships modeled in your youth
·Stories, suggestions, and confessions from fellow Gen Xers facing the "What now?" question of real-life marriage
·Advice from the ultimate marriage survival guide: the Bible
·Stats, quizzes, sidebars, and study questions related to this "relationally challenged" time in history
·Practical helps for negotiating kids, work, sex, money, and dirty laundry-sometimes all in the same evening
If you are part of a generation of adults who don't want to bow to their culture or live and love like their parents did -- this book is for you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tricia Goyer is the author of twelve books including From Dust and Ashes, My Life UnScripted, and the children's book, 10 Minutes to Showtime. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like Today's Christian Woman and Focus on the Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in the mountains of Montana. Check out her website and blog.
If you would like to read more information about Generation NeXt Marriage and read the first chapter, go to Tricia's blog
Or, you can just buy it here!
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