Life-Giving Love: Embracing God's Beautiful Design for Marriage

Whatever our denomination, Christians should submit to God's will in all areas of our lives, including the intimacies of married life. If you or your spouse disagree with this premise or if you simply want to know the ethos supporting Church teaching on family life, Mrs. Hahn's book is for you! She gleans from scripture, historical teachings, and anecdotal experience to weave a beautiful tapestry of Christ-centered family life that highlights the culture of life. Highly recommended, especially for those contemplating marriage.

A beautifully written book about God's awesome plan for marriage. Full of heartwarming stories, biblical references, and loving encouragement. God has chosen a beautiful person to write about this topic; Kimberly Hahn is a very graceful writer. I highly recommend reading this book, as my husband and I both found ourselves more prepared to stand up for what we believe in after reading our thoughts and emotions put into such eloquent words. Thank you, Scott and Kimberly Hahn, for not only being influential writers during our conversions to Catholicism, but also for reminding us that we're not alone, and that God's truth is in fact incredibly beautiful.

Kimberly Hahn has captured the essence of the Church's teaching on marriage and on contraception. If you've ever been perplexed by the Catholic Church's stance on birth control - THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. Easy to read (full of interesting stories). Theologically precise (an exceptional explanation of the theology of marriage; Hahn also shows how marriage can be understood in connection with other doctrines, e.g., the Trinity, the Eucharist, etc.). Rooted in Scripture. Full of profound insights. This book will profoundly affect your understanding of marital life and the importance of the family in God's plan. Pick it up today or for someone you know.

Confused about what the Catholic Church actually teaches about marriage, family and sex? Ever wish that you could explain to your sister, friend or spouse why the Church says birth control is wrong? Do you find yourself wondering how you should respond to snide comments made about your growing family by strangers, family members--or even clergy? Does your doctor and his nurses try to push sterilization and you feel pressured to say yes? What do you say to someone who has just lost a child? How can you encourage life in a culture so wrapped up in promoting death? If you are looking for answers to these difficult dilemmas (and many more!) on marriage, love, sexuality, and family - Kimberly Hahn has written a book that lays it all out in a clear and sensible fashion. In six well-researched chapters, Hahn deftly explains why God's design works best. Using Scripture, mystic theology, Papal Encyclicals, scientific research and numerous personal testimonies, she unfolds the Lord's blueprint through the teachings of the Church, and makes it understandable and realistic. This book covers a wide range of topics; the Trinity as family, the call to sacrificial living within marriage, Holy Communion and Intimate Union, NFP, contraception, pornography, abortion, childbirth, miscarriage, stillbirth, self image after pregnancy, infertility and sterilization, sin and repentance - among many others! Also included are many practical ideas and lists of resources that can be utilized to help families in difficult situations, such as a mother confined to bed during her pregnancy, the birth of a new baby, and supporting families that have lost babies in miscarriage or stillbirth. Each chapter compliments the next, although each can stand on its own. Many of the chapters repeat information and ideas, which would be a benefit for chapter-by-chapter discussions or if the book is referenced for a specific topic. This book could easily be used for Pre-Cana preparation, group discussion or to personally find complete and concise explanations of Church teaching. Beautiful personal testimonies are generously sprinkled throughout the text. It is most inspiring to read the stories of so many who are living their Faith, or repent of having done it `their way' first. At no time does Hahn gloss over the sometimes-painful, sacrificial nature of living God's plan. Rather than creating fear, however, she constantly encourages the reader to recognize the many Graces the Lord showers upon His People through obedience. This book is a powerful witness to the Truth of Catholic Teaching. -by Shana M Buck

I've been waiting years for someone to write this book -- a book that gently but irresistably makes the case for the Catholic Church's teaching on marriage and family life. Kimberly Hahn has made it worth the wait. I could call this book an encyclopedia of Catholic family life -- it's that complete! -- but that would give the wrong impression. This book makes its points, makes them clearly, and makes them with real-life stories that are far more vivid than any strings of quotations from Vatican documents could ever be. LGL's recurring message is this: living a faithful life may be difficult at times, but it makes for a happier marriage. This is my own experience. I've seen it borne out again and again in my friends' marriages. Mrs. Hahn captures this joy that's hard-won, but lasting: "it's not simply a command to be obeyed, but it's a truth to be lived." People like to gripe about Christ's teaching, especially in the area of sex, but it's the only teaching that's true, and so it's the only one that works. The alternatives are dreadful -- witness the epidemics of divorce, STDs, and broken hearts.I don't want to give the impression that this is yet another tome about sex. It's much more than that. It's a way of life. One remarkable appendix offers detailed lists of things we can do to help mothers, from early pregnancy through birth. Other lists suggest helps for "When Dad Travels," "After a Miscarriage," and "After Adoption." This is a powerful, practical guide to Christian friendship.Another useful and unique feature is Mrs. Hahn's chapter on infertility. As someone who suffered four years waiting for my first pregnancy, I can't thank the author enough for what she's done here. She gives a good list of things NOT to say to an infertile couple ("You must have all the time in the world to do the things you want!" "What's it like to shop alone?"). Her list is long, but I think I heard every line at least once. Still, she doesn't just issue "don'ts." She also sketches out conversation starters that can be genuinely comforting. So none of us ever need be at a loss for words. She does the same for miscarriage (another matter I know from experience).One last thought: Mrs. Hahn is, without a doubt, a true-blue Catholic; but, as a convert, she knows how to speak gently, persuasively to those who are unconvinced. In my volunteer work, I meet all sorts of women, who believe all sorts of things; but I can't think of too many who would be insulted by what's in this book. You can buy a copy for each and every skeptic in your life.For all the awkwardness she spares us -- and all the comfort she enables us to give to suffering friends -- Mrs. Hahn's book is worth at least three times its sticker price.I can't recommend this book highly enough.