Burns - Creating an intimate marriage: rekindle romance through affection, warmth & encouragement

Everyone longs for an intimate marriage. And Jim Burns, after more than three decades of marriage with Cathy, shows us how we can have just that. This is a book with heart. Dont miss out on its message.

Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott, Seattle Pacific University, authors of Love Talk

Jim Burns is a man of integrity who has developed a life of intimacy with friends, family, and especially in his marriage. No one is wiser on the subject of marital intimacy than Jim Burns.

Stephen Arterburn, Author of Every Mans Battle

In Creating an Intimate Marriage, Jim Burns is not only a trusted counselor but a transparent one as well. Whether your marital fire is slowly fading or has long been extinguished, married couples will appreciate his wisdom and personal experience in rekindling the spark we all long for with our spouse.

Hayley DiMarco, Author of Dateable and Marriable

As a student in Jims youth ministry many years ago, I began to watch his marriage to Cathy. I am honored to have had a frontrow seat, which is why I can confidently recommend this book to you. Jims heart is for your marriage not only to be healthy and God honoring, but that your family would be blessed by the legacy an intimate marriage will create. This book will touch your heart and challenge you to desire Gods best for your marriage.

Doug Fields, Purpose Driven Youth Ministry, Saddleback Church

No one wants a marriage that looks and feels like a business partnership. There is a deep need for intimacy and connection in relationships. Jim Burns does a wonderful job of providing the blueprint for physical, emotional, and relational intimacy. This is life-changing and marriage-enriching material.

Dr. Kevin Leman, Author of Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage

Heres an inspiring and practical guidebook to marriage as God intended. Thanks, Jim, for this indispensable new resource!

Lee Strobel, Author of The Case for Christ and The Case for a Creator

Creating an intimate marriage isnt just knowing what to do but doing what you know. Rarely do we see a book that does both! In a very practical, encouraging way Jim Burns will challenge you to make your marriage a priority and give you the steps to actually do it. This book should be required reading for all marriages at any stage of life. We highly recommend it!

David & Claudia Arp, Authors of the 10 GREAT DATES series and Suddenly Theyre 13: Or the Art of Hugging a Cactus

This is life-changing and marriage-enhancing. Its a must-read.

Josh D. McDowell, Author/Speaker

Whether your marriage is shaky or on solid ground, Jim Burns book will help you discover real intimacy through practical, fun, biblical principles that will enrich your marriage and deepen your love for each other.

Bo Boshers, Executive Director, Student Ministries, Willow Creek Association

I am in awe of Jim Burns ability to provide conviction and hope at the same time. Creating an Intimate Marriage is one of the few books on marriage with the courage to tackle real problems and provide practical solutions. A must-read tool for anyone wanting to actually enjoy working toward a better marriage.... It is one of the best books on developing a thriving marriage by a man who lives what he communicates.... This book will be used extensively in our small group ministry for years to come.

Ray Johnston, President, Developing Effective Leaders; Senior Pastor, Bayside Church, Granite Bay, California

Creating
an Intimate
Marriage

Rekindle Romance Through
Affection, Warmth, & Encouragement

JIM BURNS

Creating an Intimate Marriage
Copyright 2006
Jim Burns

Cover design by Brand Navigation
Cover photography by Steve Gardner/PixelWorks Studios, Inc.

Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified RSV are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible. Copyright 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version of the Bible. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations identified NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations identified KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture quotations identified The Message are from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher and copyright owners.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

Hardcover: ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0206-3 ISBN-10: 0-7642-0206-5
Audio CD: ISBN-13: 978-0-7642-0260-5 ISBN-10: 0-7642-0260-X

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Burns, Jims, 1953

Creating an intimate marriage : rekindle romance through affection, warmth and encouragement / Jim Burns.

p. cm.

Summary: Written by the host of the HomeWord radio broadcast, this book examines how A.W.E. (Affection, Warmth, and Encouragement) can transform any marriage relationship, providing a solid foundation for an intimate and fulfilling life together. Incorporating biblical principles with personal testimony, it offers help to couples of all agesProvided by publisher.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 0-7642-0206-5 (hardcover : alk. paper)

1. MarriageReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. Intimacy (Psychology)Religious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.

BV835.B88 2006

248.8'44dc22

2006013586

To Cathy
Wife, Partner, Friend, Hero

Acknowledgments

Thank you ..

Cindy Ward... for your incredible help and assistance. You set a most positive tone and atmosphere in our office. Your light shines brightly.

Todd Dean... for your leadership and giftedness at HomeWord. You and God have orchestrated a miracle. I will be forever grateful.

Randy Bramel, Tom Purcell, Bucky Oltmans, and Terry Hartshorn... for your inspiration every Tuesday morning. I am so honored to be in your group.

Jon Wallace... for your friendship and role model of a leader. I look forward to every time we hang out.

Helen and Lee Lovaas... for believing in the HomeWord mission. Your quiet generosity has made a bigger difference than you may ever understand this side of heaven.