Robert S. Stella - CounterCulture Marriage: Finding #happilyeverafter in a #marriagesucks world

Ours is an age sadly confused about much and greatly confused about marriage. Robert and Gloria Stella have written a clear, lucid and practical work on the basic building block of society and they have done it while avoiding the traps of pompous religiosity and smug condescension. I recommend this book to everyone who hopes to make a real marriage work in the midst of a confused and wayward culture.

-DR. MARK RUTLAND

Founder, Global Servants and The National Institute of Christian Leadership Former President, Oral Roberts University and Southeastern University Author, New York Times Best Seller Relaunch

The traditional notion of marriage is slowly headed toward extinction. Our culture is plagued with ideals of how relationships should work in the 21st century, but our family unit is in disarray more so now than ever before. Robert and Gloria take couples back to the basics in CounterCulture Marriage, reestablishing Gods authority on marriage and making happy marriages a possible option.

-MARK COLE

CEO, John Maxwell Enterprise

In CounterCulture Marriage, Robert and Gloria challenge the cultural norms that plague todays marriages. With personal stories and scripture, they present the argument for marriage done Gods way. If you are looking for something more in your marriage, I encourage you to read this book. I believe your marriage will be blessed as a result of reading it.

-MARCUS MECUM

Senior Pastor, 7 Hills Church

Where was a book like CounterCulture Marriage 31 years ago when Donna and I first married straight out of high school? Five kids later and the rat-race that the world offers as the gospel, our marriage has survived only by the grace of God. Unfortunately, countless other couples have suffered loss and devastation because of the culture that is the example before them. Through this book, Robert and Gloria teach solid, biblical principles to build a lasting marriage and how to counter what the culture offers. Brilliantly written, CounterCulture Marriage is a picture of relational transparency, through real-life examples.

-CHIP WOODALL

Founding and Lead Pastor, Christwalk International Ministries, Inc

CounterCulture Marriage is for todays couples. Easy to understand concepts that are in touch with issues marriages face today. Robert and Gloria Stella understand culture, but more importantly, Gods plan for marriage!

-ANDY BRENT MS, LPC

Director of Counseling, Free Chapel

If you have been looking for a fresh, cutting edge marriage book, LOOK NO MORE! After serving in marriage ministry for many years, I have reviewed countless books for marriages. Authors, Pastor Robert and Gloria Stella, have been given a gift to understand the challenges of married couples today in this fast-paced world of information and social media. This book is informative, fun and effective to bring lasting change in a home when the principles are applied.

-REBECCA KEENER

TV Host, Always More and Co-Host, The Christian View Author, The Marvelous Madness of Motherhood

#legalstuff

CounterCulture Marriage

Finding #happilyeverafter in a #marriagesucks world

Copyright 2019 Robert Stella and CounterCulture Ministries

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, without the written permission of CounterCulture Ministries.

Published by Edifi Publishing

3446 Winder Highway

Suite M195

Flowery Branch, GA 30542

www.counterculturemin.com

Scripture quotations noted NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scriptures noted NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible(r), Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted ESV are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted AMP are from The Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Edited by Hannah Price and Ruth Woodson

Cover design & layout by Gloria Stella

Cover photo by Amanda Hamlin Photography

ISBN: 978-0-692-09127-2
ISBN: 978-0-578-44203-7 (e-book)

Printed and bound in the United States of America

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This book is dedicated to all the couples who have experienced the pain and dissatisfaction of living life by the rules of our current culture - and dare to believe that theres more to life and marriage than simply surviving.

CONTENT

by Jentezen Franklin

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To our children - Urijah, Samuel and Liayah: Each of you was birthed representing a different aspect of Gods promises and ushered us into three different seasons of our lives. We pray that just as you have influenced the masses even as babes, that our shoulders will serve as your launching point. We love you all incredibly.

To Roberts parents - Paul and Merrie Brundage: Thank you for your unmatched support in all of our pursuits. We miss you Dad and we are blessed to have you in our lives Mom. We love you.

To Glorias parents - John and Sarah Meyer: Thank you for showing us what commitment in a marriage looks like and for allowing us to work through our struggles instead of bailing us out even when you wanted to. Youve made us stronger and we love you guys for it.

To our Pastors - Jentezen and Cherise Franklin: Thank you for encouraging us to dream dreams and pursue God passionately. Thank you for believing in us and taking ownership of what God has called us to do. You have preached us through every high and low weve experienced. We love you both.

To our Executive Pastor - Tracy Page: Thank you for your leadership and guidance throughout this process and for taking the time to provide invaluable feedback for the words written in these pages.

To our mentors - Chip and Donna Woodall: Thank you for ushering two teenagers into the call of God on their lives. We love the whole Woodall clan!

To our biggest advocate - Becky Keener: Thank you for empowering us to influence marriages. It was you who gave us the title CounterCulture Marriage in 2008 and continually pushed us to develop the idea through every phase until it finally became this book. This book would not exist without you.

To our first marriage teachers - Bert and Malissia Sasser, Dr. and Mrs. Tsai and the late Ben and Fran Thigpen: When we were the first teenagers to get married from the college group, you guys stepped up and committed to teaching the young marrieds Sunday school class - even when many times, we were the only ones that showed up. Your faithfulness produced fruit.