Michael Letney - Four Secrets to a Forever Marriage: Marriage Tips from a Not-So-Perfect Husband

Praise for Four Secrets to a Forever Marriage

The hype surrounding a wedding can sometimes overshadow the marriage that follows. Four Secrets to a Forever Marriage turns the focus back to the importance of building a relationship and friendship of intimacy. This is how to have a marriage made in heaven. A perfect wedding gift for a bride to be or even the groom! This book is just what you need to build a lasting marriage after the wedding.

Richard L. Markel, President

Association for Wedding Professionals, International

Newlyweds should definitely read this book and have open discussion about it. Maybe it will help save a marriage, or at least get it on the right course. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a healthy, happy relationship.

Debbie Christensen, Publisher, The Wedding Guide LA/OC

This book is great... from a marriage perspective and business perspective, and I can even see how it can benefit our nation as you talk about the strength and importance of the marriage foundation. All I can say is I highly recommend it.

LaVern Vivio, Author, Speaker, and

Former Spokesperson on Glenn Becks The Blaze

I have known Michael Letney around thirty years and have witnessed his transition to transparency and truth not only in his marriage but in his personal relationships. It has been a blessing for my wife and me to see the changes in his life as he embraced and applied the principles God revealed to him. Wonderfully written and divinely inspired, after reading this, I saw where I had room in my own twenty-six-year marriage for improvement in myself. Michael, from a life of secrets to literally an open book of your life, what a path you have travelled. Your story cant help but have a positive impact on couples at any point in their relationships.

David Heiman, Longtime Personal Friend

I have known Mike Letney for over thirty years and watched his story unfold as he went through the bankruptcies and robbery. Mike is one the strongest people I know, yet I had no idea how these events had taken such a toll on his marriage. This book shows any couple that the principles of true love, honesty, and transparency can get you through almost any situation. I highly recommend it for any couple.

Marilyn Elliott, Banker, BancFirst

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Copyright 2015 by Michael Letney

P. O. Box 703054, Tulsa, OK 74170

ISBN 978-1-61795-609-6

Published by Worthy Inspired, an imprint of Worthy Publishing Group, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., One Franklin Park, 6100 Tower Circle, Suite 210, Franklin, TN 37067.

Scripture verses marked niv are from Holy Bible. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. | Scripture verses marked nlt are from Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Scripture verses marked nasb are from Holy Bible. NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, Copyright 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. | Scripture verses marked cev are from Holy Bible. Contemporary English Version. Copyright 1995 American Bible Society. All rights reserved. | Scripture verses marked isv are from Holy Bible: International Standard Version. Release 2.0, Build 2015.02.09. Copyright 19952014 by ISV Foundation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. Used by permission of Davidson Press, LLC.

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, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Cover Design by Kent Jensen / Knail

Illustrations: Emily Kang - www.sykang.com

Content Development: Jake Jones

Represented by PriorityPR Group & Literary Agency

Printed in the United States of America

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My parents, Carroll and JoAnne Letney, and my in-laws, Joe and Barbara Beshara. You instilled in me from an early age to reach for the stars. You also taught me the importance of a strong work ethic, the value and benefits of hard work while never forgetting to enjoy the journey. You also taught me the importance of being compassionate and caring for others, for which I am grateful. I appreciate everything you have instilled in me, as well as your faithful support of Barbie and me over the years.

To my kids, Michael and Melissathank you for allowing me to be me. I love you both more than you will ever know. Being your father is one of the most treasured roles I have been given in life. I value our time as family. We have played hard and joked during the good times, but you have been faithful and uncomplaining as we walked through the trials. Im proud of the adults you have become. My prayer is that you and your mates will always share the happiness, friendship, and unity that your mother and I have found in our marriage... forever.

Dr. James (Jimmy) Buskirkas a senior pastor of one of the largest Methodist churches in the region, with thousands of people under your influence, you took the time to minister to me when I was broken and hurting. You took time for the one. You changed my life. Thank you more than I can ever say.

The late Christie J. Byrdmy distributive education/marketing teacher in high schoolwas the one person, outside of my family, who encouraged me and mentored me. He saw value in my ability and instilled in me the belief that I could achieve the impossible. Other than my family he was my biggest cheerleader. I will always be grateful for the influence he had in my life.

I want to dedicate this book to my wife of almost thirty years. Barbie, you have walked with me through the sunniest and the stormiest days. You have loved me and stood beside me more than I could have ever deserved or expected. Your consistent love, courage, strength, and compassion over the years have buoyed me through the storms, which we have weathered together. You have helped lift me to our mountaintops of success. You are an amazing wife, and I cant imagine a day without you. There is no doubt you are a gift from God.

Barbie, I look forward to sharing more sunsets with you, holding hands together. My prayer and desire are that I can love, cherish, honor, and support you as you have done for me. Always.

Dont marry the person
you think you can live with;
marry only the individual
you think you cant live without.

James Dobson