Ed Young - The 10 Commandments of Marriage/The 10 Commandments of Parenting Set

FOREWORD

O ne sure way to know if God desires to enlarge a shepherds borders (1 Chronicles 4:10) is a fence bulging and breaking from the overcrowding of the present flock. I have the privilege of residing and serving in the same city with Pastor Ed Young. I can testify firsthand that the flock God has entrusted to him has undoubtedly multipled until the fence of his ministrys former perimetersalbeit wide by anyones standardsis down. A second location in Houston has proved helpful to meet the needs of growing crowds but as soon as the new pasture opened, the flock once again outgrew the fence.

The draw? The work of God through the smart, witty, and relevant pulpit teaching of Dr. Young. Its simply time the man wrote another book and offered a much bigger flock a little breathing room.

I also know Jo Beth Young, his wife. Call me picky, but I buy a message much quicker when it is propped up by the real thing behind the billboard. I like a public persona thats not a misfit to its private side. This man and his message fit. My husband, Keith, and I have had the pleasure of getting to know Dr. and Mrs. Young personally. They both captured my heart when they were more taken with my husband than with his wife. We not only have a great respect for the Youngswe like them. Yes, Keith and I have been spiritually motivated and moved in the time weve spent with them, but weve also laughed our heads off. Without compromise. Thats the kind of company I like.

I could tell you lots of wonderful things about the Youngs; things Ive noted from a distance and things Ive witnessed up close. Perhaps the most pertinent in terms of the book you are holding is that they have a great marriage. You wont make it through the appetizer sitting across the restaurant table from them before you clearly see that Ed and Jo Beth Young are crazy about each other.

They have undoubtedly done something that worked. The 10 Commandments of Marriage not only tells you what, it tells you how. They took the principles of Scripture and had the courage to test them on the linoleum glued to average life on planet Earth. The Word worked. God worked. And make no mistake about it, the Youngs worked.

God has blessed this Houston-resident shepherd with a flock bulging over the fence. Yes, Im impressed with those numbers because I know the doctrine is sound but I am far more impressed with his personal set of statistics: sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren who have also been swept off their feet by the love of God and planted in pastures where numbers flock to hear their messages of Truth, whether spoken or sung. Dr. Young and I and every other person who dares to write a book must ask ourselves a vital question: would our families buy it? Believe it? Confirm it?

Dr. Ed Youngs family buys it. So does this friend. You can, too. But dont just buy it. Receive it. Test the biblical principles for yourself. Give God a little time and cooperation and your kids will buy it, too. God transforms families. Take it from one who knows firsthand. He can pull any life out of a pit and use one devoted heart to transform an entire family line. You be the one.

Im so glad the fence is down. This is a shepherd sheep can trust.

B ETH M OORE

PREFACE

A t a national conference for the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy, Dr. Mark Carpol shared one question that he believes is at the heart of all marriage counseling. He contends that couples that honestly consider and answer this question throughout their married lives would rarely, if ever, need marital therapy. The question he encouraged every husband to ask himself and every wife to ask herself is, What is it like being married to me?

That is a great question! By no means is it a cure-all to marital problems, but its a super tool for helping couples think of ways they can enhance their marriages and deepen their intimacy. I believe that if every husband and wife were to ask themselves that question and be totally honest in their answers, they would be on their way to a healthy, growing marriage.

When I asked myself what it would be like being married to me, it made me take a long look in the mirror! I saw areas in my life that needed workplus my respect and admiration for my wife, Jo Beth, soared! This also began the prayer and preparation that led to a sermon series and eventually this book.

As I prepared these marriage commandments, I had two goals in mind: convince and challenge. First, I want to convince you that you can have a great marriage! Next, I want to challenge you to do whatever it takes to achieve that great goal. I sincerely believe that answering the question What is it like being married to me? in light of these ten marriage principles will accomplish these goals.

By the way, wherever you are in lifeengaged, newly wed, or married for many years; never married, divorced, or widowedthese marriage commandments are for you. They will provide the perfect launch for a new marriage, help you renew a covenant entered into long ago, or help you anticipate and prepare for a future relationship.