Love to Stay: Sex, Grace and Commitment

Everyone, from the mainstream press to religious leaders to the Supreme Court, is talking about marriage these days. Hamilton, popular author (The Way) and senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kan., chimes in with sharp insights on how to sustain a marriage for life. The author draws from a survey on happiness and contentment in marriage, as well as current research about relationships, and sifts through it all to find nuggets of practical wisdom. He does not shy away from tackling some significant obstacles to a happy marriage, including addictions to alcohol, sex, and pornography. Perhaps most useful is the author's insight that love is not a feeling; it is an action. When the giddiness of a budding romance wears off, in order for the relationship to survive, "you do love until you feel love," the author writes. Each chapter concludes with helpful reflection questions for couples and those who are single but contemplating marriage. A successful marriage requires enormous effort, and it can also bring amazing joy to those willing to try. (Aug.)