2012 by Jimmy Evans
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2012
Ebook corrections 02.18.2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
ISBN 978-1-4412-4000-2
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible.
Scripture quotations labeled NASB are from the New American Standard Bible, copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.lockman.org
Scripture quotations labeled NIrV are from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version. NIrV. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com
Scripture quotations labeled NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The author is represented by the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920. www.alivecommunications.com
To protect the privacy of those who have shared their stories with the author, some details and names have been changed.
The internet addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers in this book are accurate at the time of publication. They are provided as a resource. Baker Publishing Group does not endorse them or vouch for their content or permanence.
Jimmy Evans has a way of combining Scripture with honest stories about his own marriage to show that no relationship is beyond Gods help. Lifelong Love Affair is insightful, moving, challenging, and so entertaining. This book is full of wisdom.
Dr. Gary Smalley , author of The DNA of Relationships and I Promise
God has a plan for your marriage, and it includes passion, romance, fun, and (shh!) a fulfilling sex life. Jimmy Evans is a leading voice in making sure husbands and wives are aware of Gods plan for them. If youre married or even thinking about getting married, read this book. Now.
Christine Caine , director of Equip and Empower Ministries; founder of The A21 Campaign
Jimmy Evans isnt just one of the best speakers and authors on marriage, hes also a close personal friend. I know that what he shares in Lifelong Love Affair comes from his heart and from the incredible insight and revelation he has received from the Lord. Apply these biblical principles, and youll have more than a good marriageyoull build a strong, lasting marriage, rooted in Gods eternal love.
Robert Morris , senior pastor, Gateway Church; bestselling author of The Blessed Life , From Dream to Destiny , and The God I Never Knew
Whether speaking from his own experience or relating powerful insights from Scripture, Jimmy Evans provides married couples the tools and inspiration to make their relationship last forever. If you want an indestructible marriage, reading this is step one.
Chris Hodges , pastor, Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama; author of Fresh Air
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
1. Great Marriages Dont Just Happen
2. When Love Fails
3. A Journey of Surrender
4. The Power of Covenant
5. Gods Dream for Your Marriage
6. Meeting God on the Mountain
7. The Language of Love
8. Great Marriages Run in Packs
9. The Gardener and the Cheerleader
10. Your Husbands Dream Wife
11. Your Wifes Dream Husband
12. Two Servants in Agape
13. Dynamic Love
14. Fearless Love
15. Covenantal Love
16. The Journey of Love
EightWeek Study Guide for Couples and Small Groups
Foreword
A Hollywood screenwriter comes home to find his house burned to the ground. His wife, sobbing, says, Oh, John, it was awful. I was cooking and the phone rang. It was your agent. We were talking, and I didnt see the stove was on fire. The flames were unbelievable. It went up so quickly. Were wiped out, honeydestroyed. Theres nothing left. But thank God, little Fluffy and I escaped by the skin of
Whoawait just a minute. Back up, John says. Did you say my agent called?
We must confess that we felt a bit like that writer when Jimmy Evans called. Not that our house was on fire, thankfully. But learning that Jimmy was about to publish a new marriage book grabbed our attention. Why? Because we knew that in spite of all the urgent demands that have a way of burning up our schedules, we needed to set them all aside and read Lifelong Love Affair .
So we did. And our marriage is stronger for it.
We first met Jimmy more than a decade ago when he invited us to conduct a marriage seminar at his amazing church in Amarillo, Texas. But even before that, we knew Jimmy by reputation. Everyone who knows Jimmy from his books, television broadcast, website, preaching, or live seminars knows just how passionate he is when it comes to helping couples build rock-solid marriages (not to mention his own marriage to Karen). In fact, youll be hard-pressed to find someone who is more dedicated to giving couples practical tools for lifelong love. And thats why we were so thrilled by the opportunity to get a sneak peek at this wonderful book.
Lifelong Love Affair takes Gods timeless principles and shows everyday couples how to put them to work. It unpacks the eternal truths of Scripture and shows us how to live them out in one of the most challenging yet rewarding relationships God has given us: marriage. Not so that our relationships will simply survive but so they will stand strong and flourish in spite of the proverbial floods and fires trying to destroy them.
And know this: Jimmy is not in the business of giving out glib platitudes about lifelong love. Nope. He cuts to the heart of the matter and shows us how to make our married love affair nothing short of certifiably indestructible.
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott
www.LesandLeslie.com
Acknowledgments
F irst and foremost I want to thank my incredible wife, Karen, for everything she does for me and our ministry to marriages. This book is as much hers as it is mine. Everything I write and teach flows from the sharing of our lives. I could not have done this without the continual investment of her love, patience, wisdom, and sacrifice.
I am also deeply indebted to Frank Martin for his expertise in helping me write this book. Frank was great to work with and went beyond the call of duty. He was able to capture my voice with written words in an amazing manner. He also seasoned this work with his own words of wisdom and experience.
Joel Kneedler of Alive Communications has been a good friend and excellent liaison in representing me and introducing me to my publisher, Baker Books. I am so thankful for Joel and the great people at Alive Communications for the important work they do.
I also couldnt be happier with Baker Books. Jon Wilcox and the entire team at Baker have been consummately professional and great to work with in every manner. They have added an extra layer of input and expertise to this work that has enriched it in every way.