Closer

CLOSER – Devotions to Draw Couples Together
Written by Jim & cathy Burns
Published at Bethany House

About the book
What Couples Want Today: A Devotional with a New Approach
The Love Dare challenged individuals to love their spouse more. Closer: Devotions to Draw CouplesTogehter shows wives and husbands how to grow that love together. Introduced with Scripture verses and engaging stories, these 52 devotionals will inspire couples to draw closer through faith conversations--those quiet talks so vital for emotional and spiritual intimacy in a marriage. Guided, practical action steps round out each reading.

Who are Jim & Cathy Burn?
Jim Burns founded the ministry of HomeWord in 1985 with the goal of bringing help and hope to struggling families. As host of the national radio broadcast HomeWord with Jim Burns, Jim's passion is to build God-honoring families through communicating practical truths that will enable adults and young people alike to live out their Christian faith. In addition to the radio program, Jim speaks to thousands around the world each year through seminars and conferences. He is also senior director of the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University and an award-winning author, whose books include Creating an Intimate Marriage, Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality and Confident Parenting. He has been featured through numerous media outlets including CNN, ABC, Focus on the Family, and Library Journal. Jim and his wife, Cathy, have three grown daughters and live in Southern California. Visit http://www.homeword.com/.

Cathy and Jim Burns have been married for over thirty years. They have the privilege to speak to couples each year through conferences on “Creating an Intimate Marriage” and “Growing Together Spiritually.” Cathy is also a teacher at a Christian school for kids with learning disabilities.

My Thoughts
In the midst of busyness, dealing with life in general and raising your kids, sometimes you might find difficult to connect with your spouse. Well, help is there for any couples who want to draw closer to each other. Closer – Devotions to Draw Couples Together has been written to challenge spouses to do what needs to be done to be closer spiritually and emotionally.

This book contains 52 devotions – one per week – but is not restricted to a specific schedule. If you miss a week, don’t worry about it, just continue the book where we left it the last time you had some time together.

Each devotions start with a scripture and a little text that you could read together. Then the conversation can start. After having read the devotion, you will have some faith conversations between your spouse and you. These conversations are guided by strategic questions that the authors have thought of while writing the devotion. Once your conversation is finished, you are not done just yet... The authors have also included some exercises to do with your spouse. Called A Step Closer, these exercises will help you to deepen your relationship.

I was impressed to see a story about a Canadian in one of the chapters. I find it rare that American authors would include stories of Canadians in their book. So imagine my surprise to see a little tidbit about Terry Fox in the devotion titled Attitude is Everything.

As I write this, my husband and I are already in the midst of a couple book right now but this devotion is something I am planning to do with him in a near future.

In conclusion, whether you have been married for 25 years or if you are newlyweds, this book is a must in your personal library.

This review was made possible because I receive a copy of CLOSER from Bethany House.

CLOSER is available everywhere even at amazon.ca and indigo.ca.