Copyright Page
2001, 2016 by Focus on the Family
Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com
Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Previously published by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois. Originally published as The Marriage Masterpiece .
Ebook edition created 2016
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.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016938457
ISBN 978-1-4412-3047-8
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
The Scripture quotation marked KJV is from the King James Version of the Bible.
The Scripture quotation marked NASB is 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)
Focus on the Family and the accompanying logo and design are federally registered trademarks of Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, CO 80995.
Peoples names and certain details of the case studies in this book have been changed to protect the privacy of the individuals involved. However, the facts of what happened and the underlying principles have been conveyed as accurately as possible.
Cover design by Dan Pitts
Cover photography by Getty Images
Endorsements
For decades our society has fostered a low view of marriage and easy divorce. With Your Marriage Masterpiece, Al Janssen makes a compelling case for the sacredness and permanence God intended for this unique relationship. This book will not only enlarge your vision and understanding of matrimony but it will deepen your understanding of the incredible love of Christ. This is exactly the kind of high view of marriage that is needed in the church and in our culture today!
Bill McCartney, founder, Promise Keepers
Just as the North Star provides vision and guidance for seamen in various circumstances, so will Your Marriage Masterpiece provide vision and guidance for couples to maintain their bearings as they navigate the treacherous waters of life together.
Dr. Tony Evans, senior pastor, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship; president, The Urban Alternative
A book is only as great as the heart of its author. Your Marriage Masterpiece is a great book because it has a great author. Ive known Al Janssen for several years, and he, like this insightful book, is legit. Marriage needs creativity, integrity, and all-out commitment, not just to stay together but to thrive joyously through the years! That is precisely the message of this book and the man who wrote it. This book is a first aid kit for the hurting, Gatorade for the exhausted, and the bow of William Tell for the marriage thats succeeding but wants to get to the heart of the bulls-eye.
Joe White, president, Kanakuk Kamps
Al Janssen in Your Marriage Masterpiece offers a unique picture of the tapestry of marriage that will inspire you to make yours go the distance.
David and Claudia Arp, founders, Marriage Alive Seminars; authors, Great Dates to Revitalize Your Marriage
Al Janssen combines creativity and a solid grasp of biblical truths to produce a fresh perspective for married couples. Whether youre a newlywed or celebrating your 50th anniversary, experiencing a fulfilling marriage or going through a heartbreaking separation, God has an important message to share with you. Its right here in Your Marriage Masterpiece.
Randy Alcorn, director, Eternal Perspective Ministries; author, Heaven and Safely Home
A foundation book for our time. No other institution is more basic to our nation than marriage. Your Marriage Masterpiece is a powerful, biblically based reminder of what God had in mind when He called two to become one. If you are looking for a wedding gift that will encourage a couple just starting out, or for a book that will breathe life into a marriage that needs a refresher, youve found it!
Dennis Rainey, president, CEO, and co-founder, FamilyLife
Most marriage books start and end with how to. But Al Janssen asks a much deeper question, Why did God create marriage? The answer can provide each reader with the foundation for doing all those how tos, as well as giving him or her a wonderful picture of just why marriage is so important to Almighty God. Art teachers say to their students, Study the Masters. For those serious about having loving, lasting relationships, I say, study Your Marriage Masterpiece.
John Trent, Ph.D., author, speaker, and president, The Center for StrongFamilies
By delving into Gods model for marriage in Your Marriage Masterpiece, Al Janssen gives a foundation for what I have been teaching all these years.
Gary Smalley, author, speaker, and founder, Smalley Institute
Our longtime friend, Al Janssen, has completed a touchdown pass with this book, Your Marriage Masterpiece. We will be recommending it to couples, newly married to celebrating the golden years, who seek to go the distance in their marriages.
Norm and Bobbe Evans, Standing Stone Ministries
Dedication
To
Jo Ann
The woman God chose for me.
I love the picture He is painting in our marriage.
To
Focus on the Family
This is why we promote the institution of marriage as
a permanent, lifelong relationship
between a man and a woman,
regardless of trials, sickness, financial reverses,
or emotional stresses that may ensue.
Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Endorsements
Dedication
Foreword
Prologue: Restoring the Masterpiece
1. Whatever Happened to Happily Ever After?
2. An Original Creation
3. Analyzing the Masterpiece
4. Adams Greatest Moment
5. Every Marriage Needs a Hero
6. Gods Betrothal
7. The Covenant Marriage
8. The Greatest Love Story of All Time
9. The Passionate Marriage
10. Daily Give and Take
11. The Communicating Marriage
12. God Fights with His Beloved
13. The Fighting Marriage
14. The Great Scandal
15. The One-Sided Marriage
16. The Hero Saves the Day
18. A Great Adventure
19. Return to Eden
20. Michael Proposes a Toast
21. Living Out the Masterpiece
Afterword to the New Edition
With Gratitude
Notes
Study Guide
Bibliography
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
Foreword
Earlier this week, while taking a Sabbath rest from our busy schedule, I took my wife, Barb, out on a date. Weve been married more than 40 years, and after two kids and a bunch of grandchildren, dating my wife is more fun than ever. We had a late lunch in a quaint restaurant and then stopped at an art store where Barb had worked before we were married.
A portrait artist by training, Barbs artistic talents had been pushed aside over the years by the busyness of life, the time pressures, our ministry, and the needs of those who call her wife, mother, and Gaga. But as we walked the aisles of this artists haven, I saw something in Barbs face. As she picked out brushes, paints, and supplies, her countenance lifted. She was envisioning time in her studio bringing a portrait of our five grandchildren to life on canvas.