Moments with You: Daily Connections for Couples

I was looking for some material that I can use with my wife daily to focus on God. This book provides daily reading material that is not too long or too short. Each day it provides something different for us to discuss and reflect.

My husband and I are really enjoying this book. It's so great that we can share a devotion together and build eachother up.

With the stress and pressure of daily life, it's easy for couples to get too busy to take time to connect. Marriages deteriorate whenever spouses become disconnected from each other. That's why it's important for couples to make time to connect emotionally, physically and spiritually. In their latest book, Dennis and Barbara Rainey provide a useful resource in the form of the year-long devotional MOMENTS WITH YOU. Many of the entries are drawn from the Raineys' previous books, including PRESSURE PROOF YOUR MARRIAGE, GROWING A SPIRITUALLY STRONG FAMILY, STAYING CLOSE and ONE HOME AT A TIME. Long-time fans of the authors will recognize some of the material but also be introduced to fresh writing. MOMENTS WITH YOU is designed to provide both newlyweds and oldlyweds nourishment for their relationship. Each daily reading begins with a verse and a short one-page entry. The readings close with a discussion point and prayer. The authors are convinced that if couples pray together on a daily basis, they could decrease the chance of divorce by 99.9 percent. Because of the brevity of the entries, the material is accessible to the busiest of couples. The book focuses on a variety of topics, including marriage, communication, raising children and intimacy. Daily readings are filled with practical insights and advice. While a significant number of entries are tied to parenting, couples who are not parents will still benefit from the book. In a portion called "On-the-job Training", the Raineys tell the story of a buffet restaurant that offered a free Valentine's Day lunch to any couple married more than 50 years. At the event, a lot of great marriage advice was given out, including: - When you go to bed, always kiss your spouse good-night. - Look at things in different ways and concentrate on the good in your marriage. - When you don't say anything, you don't have to take anything back. One entry is a reminder that Valentine's Day should be celebrated year round. The Raineys write: "Valentine's Day should function as a small reminder of the kind of romance we should be cultivating 365 days a year." Such simple but marriage-transforming advice can be found throughout the readings. Couples are challenged to examine their responses, behaviors and attitudes and choose love and forgiveness over anger and unforgiveness. Throughout the book, the authors draw on a number of stories and encounters with well-known names, including Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ; Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A (tm); and financial advisor Larry Burkett. The strength of this devotional lies in its easy-to-read style and the few moments it will take each day for husbands and wives to keep up with the readings. Overall, MOMENTS WITH YOU is a great resource for couples who want to strengthen their marriages and spend daily time together connecting with each other and God. --- Reviewed by Margaret Oines

Dennis and Barbara Rainey know what they are doing. With this 365 day devotional, couples get the opportunity to spend QUALITY time together by talking about what is meaningful: their relationship. The conversation is started as the Rainey's expound on a Scripture verse. Then they give the couple some discussion questions. My wife and I have only done two devotionals so far, and I've learned new things about her I did not know before. This devotional will be very enriching to a marriage. Couples also have the liberty to meet for however long they want (15 min - 1 hr). If married couples use this devotional my prediction is that the divorce rate would decrease dramatically.

I purchased this devotional, "Moments With You: Daily Connections For Couples", for two reasons. (1) This devotional is written for couples by a successful married couple, Dennis and Barbara Rainey. (2) My wife and I enjoyed one of their previous 365-day devotionals called "Moments Together for Couples". After the first 27 days of this year I do have to say my wife and I are enjoying another great devotional by this couple. The format is great, a page of each day of the year. The devotional starts off with one scripture verse and then goes right into the body of the devotional, or story. Following is the section labeled "Discuss" with thought provoking questions pertaining to the story just read. This is meant to start a meaningful conversation between you and your spouse hopefully bonding you two together both emotionally and spiritually. It allows one another to see how each other thinks and gives an opportunity to hear the things on each other's heart. The devotional ends with "Pray". A thought provoking prayer statement that couples can use and pray together in their prayer life together. The only reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 is the fact there is no scripture reading. Yes, there is a key verse that begins each devotion but there should have been a scripture reading of God's Word. That's just my opinion. I still reccommend this book to every couple out there. If you are ready to face some truth in your daily lives as a married couple, read this book. This devotional will bring you and your spouse together in many different ways. The lessons in this devotional will keep you two talking about issues you would just otherwise gloss over or sweep under the rug. This book will challenges you to keep growing closer to God and each other.