The Necessary Nine: How to Stay Happily Married for Life!

I heard Dan Seaborn speak while on the Premier Christian Cruises Music Boat 2008. My husband (of 30 years) and I loved his presentation and sense of humor. I bought the book and gave it to my future daughter-in-law at her bridal shower. She and my son both read it. Now I am ordering more copies for my engaged daughter and my engaged niece for their bridal showers. It is very helpful reading and good food for thought for the newly and not so newly married.

My husband and I just returned from a marriage conference in NC, and Dan and Peter, the authors of this book, were leading the conference. They did such an excellent job. Dan presented each of the "necessary nine" to all of the couples and even allowed us to vote and see instant results that lined up with the statistics in the book. As a general rule we don't read much "how to" or "helps" books unless they align themselves with the sufficiency and power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This book clearly has the power of Jesus as its heartbeat. At the end of each chapter it offers practical suggestions and probing questions for husbands and wives to ensure we are living where God wants us to live in our marriage. As Dan pointed out to us, marriage is "not just about me" but about loving my spouse as God intended within marriage. We have been married six years (yesterday!) and are about to deliver our fourth child in five years in a fewe weeks. This weekend I realized that I have much to learn and a long way to go to loving my husband and being the wife that he deserves, but I appreciate this book and its contents that are going to help me do that. I appreciate Dan and Peter's heart for God and seeing Him magnified through marriage relationships. If you can get this book, get it, and if you can get this book and attend a "Winning at Home" conference, even better.