I have been a fan of Jim Burns’ Homeword broadcasts for almost a year now, listening to his interviews and book coverage via my ipod. Many of the books that I have featured in this column are as a result of hearing about them on his show. One of his oft-repeated pieces of advice is to read one marriage book and one parenting book every year to build a better family. I just read one of each, both authored by him–drawing on his years of ministry, but more importantly his thirty years of marriage and over twenty years of parenting three daughters. These books are obviously quite different in content, however both feature Burns’ A.W.E. principle, which involves showering those you love with affection, warmth and encouragement. Both are written in a friendly conversational style, complete with illustrations from Burns’ own life and as well as experiences of others he has known or counseled. Following each chapter are questions to help the reader put the principles to work at home. Those in Confident Parenting ask What’s the Point? helps the reader figure out the Purpose, and then make a Plan. After each chapter in Creating an Intimate Marriage you answer Questions for Me, Questions for Us, and complete some Heart-to-Heart Home
work.
Confident Parenting is a wonderful book if you want to be the transitional generation of parenting–not only so that you can parent better than yours did, but so that your children will fare better as well. Burns wrote this book in response to the struggles he has observed in the areas of discipline and boundary setting, and challenges the reader to choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret. That part really hit home with me. The last part of the book invites the reader to make their own family plan by examining their purpose and goals (spiritual, relational, physical, emotional and mental). He sums up his approach in the introduction to this exercise:
This book was designed to help you formulate your own parenting plan. I am not big on giving people a “cookie cutter” approach to parenting. Each family is different and each child within a family is different (page 180).
In Creating an Intimate Marriage (also available in Hardcover) Jim Burns asserts that marriage is hard. Add children, jobs, and ministry into the mix, and it takes work to keep it running smoothly and to avoid giving our spouse what he calls our “emotional scraps.” Two chapte
rs are devoted to communication, and the information about effective listening and problem solving are worth the price of the book. This is a book that could be used by those whose marriage is already in trouble, taken as preventative advice by those just starting off, or reading it in an effort to improve on areas that have slipped. If you are willing to make a few changes, this book will help you to draw closer to your husband, giving him more of what he might need from you, as well as getting more of what you need in return.
Both books also are available in an audio CD version, recorded by Jim Burns himself. I think that listening would be a great way to go through the book together, discussing it as you go along.
Find out more about both books at Bethany House’s site:
Creating an Intimate Marriage: table of contents, download, streaming audio
Confident Parenting: excerpt, download, streaming audio
The publisher has donated one copy of each book and one copy of each CD that can ship to the U.S. or Canada, for a total of four winners. Please leave a comment if you are interested, indicating the order of any preference you might have (book or CD or marriage or parenting subject).
The winners from our Bible Study giveaway are
Java with the Judges—CPA Mom (42)
Proverbs and Daddy’s Girls—Monkey Giggles (11), Angela (53), Crystal D (23)
Completely His book and study—Bonnie (13)The winners of Meghan Rose On Stage! —Shauna (31), Mama Zen(19), Lori (20), Andrea (25), JewelsHud(46)
The Other Mother — Mama Zen(34), Angela (83)
I’d love either of these, prefer book over CD. thanks
either of these would be great, and I’d take either cd or book
please enter me
I would like the book form of the parenting book as my first choice and the CD version as my second choice.
Thank you!
These sound like excellent books.
I would like to win the marriage book.. but would also enjoy the parenting book
I’d prefer the book form of the marriage book but I’d take either book!
Creating an Initmate marriage would be my choice, I love to read!
I just celebrated my 3 year wedding anniversary and would love to have the Creating an Intimate Marriage book- book form first, CD form second. Since I don’t have any children yet, it wouldn’t be fair for me to get the parenting book- though I would hang on to it for the future! Thanks for offering this great giveaway!
1. Confident Parenting Book
2. Creating an Intimate Marriage CD
3. Confident Parenting CD
4. Creating an Intimate Marriage Book
Please enter me in your giveaway. Thanks a bunch!
I’d prefer the book, but I take long drives so the cd would be nice too. Parenting first, marriage second. 🙂 Thanks!
id love the book of either one. thanks
A girl could always use a little help to make her family better. I would choose
1. parenting book
2. marriage book
3. parenting CD
4. marriage CD
Great giveaway!
I would love a copy of the Book on Intimate Marriage since my husband and I have been struggling with this for years!!! Thanks!
I love to read.
These books will be wonderful addition to before bed reading
I would love to have the marriage book on CD!
I would love either one in book form with Confident Parenting being my first choice.
Thanks
We are going to a marriage retreat in Oct. A CD on marriage would be a great way to keep us focused on our relationship.
I would love any of them but I think the parenting cd or book would be most helpful right now. Otherwise, marriage cd or book.
1. Marriage cd
2. Marriage book
3. Parenting CD
4. Parenting book
Thanks for hosting.
Tons of parenting books around this house…not so many marriage books, though.
Definitely could use the marriage book (in either book or CD form)!
Of course, another parenting book couldn’t hurt either.
No preference, really. They both sound wonderful! I’d probably take a book over a CD though.
Thanks so much!
They both sound wonderful!!! I’d prefer the CDs but the books are fine also. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!
They both look so good! But I would really love the marriage book. Thanks so much!
Anything that helps us be better parents or have a better marriage is SO nice. Thanks for the giveaway. My choice would be the marriage first on CD and then the parenting on CD.
Tough choice – I’d probably opt for either the parenting book or cd, then the marriage book or cd. But any of them would be great!
I would love to win either book (or CD), but if I had to choose, the marriage book. Thanks.
I would be interested in either being a young mom and wife.
thanks
Emily 🙂
I would love any of these, especially the parenting book. Cd would be great, but book would be fine too!
Would love the cd on marriage!
Thanks for the awesome reviews!
These sound great!! I’d love either book, preferably the CD but the book would be great too. Crossing my fingers!!!!
I could use both books, honestly so I do not have a preference except I prefer the book to the CD. Thanks ladies!
Both of these books sound like such a winner. I would love to be entered for either. I would prefer the CD version. I do not see so well and until I get my glasses it is really a strain to read. Of course that doesn’t keep me from reading your blogs. I really like Tackle it Tuesdays.
Enter me please…
I believe I’d enjoy either. My preferences would be:
1. marriage book
2. parenting book
3. marriage cd
4. parenting cd.
Thanks!
I’d love a CD or book copy of either, although I’d pick the CD versions and the marriage book first.
I’d love to win Intimate Marriage. Thanks!
I’m interested in any of them.
I would appreciate any of the 4 options equally well!
My preference is
1. marriage book
2. parenting book
3. marriage cd
4. parenting cd
Thanks for another great contest!
I would love the book or cd on Marriage but would put any of the 4 to good use!
I would prefer the marriage book – it sounds as though it could be very useful.
I’m full of parenting books. 🙂 Please enter me in the draw for either version of the “marriage” book. Thanks.
They all sound wonderful! I would prefer:
1. parenting book
2. marriage book
3. parenting cd
4. marriage cd
Marriage first – Parenting second – book first – cd second. My husband and I have been blessed to be a part of the great parenting adventure. It seems during that time, we’ve put ourselves aside – and the book on an intimate marriage would be a blessing to read together to use as a tool in our marriage and strengthening our family.
I would truly love either book, but am not much of a book on CD person. Thanks for the giveaway!
What a wonderful giveaway!
1. Parenting cd
2. Marriage cd
3. Parenting book
4. Marriage book
Thanks so much!
Amy
I’ve been enjoying Homeword as well. Please enter me. I suppose I’d prefer the parenting resources first, but whether book or CD (for either) doesn’t matter. Thanks!
I enjoy listening to Homeword, on the radio when I can, otherwise online. My favorite recent show featured Gary Thomas (author of Sacred Influence and Sacred Marriage). I would love a chance to win either of Jim Burns’ books in either format. Thank you!
Great giveaway! Here’s my choices…
1. marriage book
2. parenting book
3. marriage cd
4. parenting cd
Hmmm, definitely any would be great although I think I’d prefer the marriage CD then the parenting one and then the same in book form!
I would like to win either, but am leaning towards the marriage one and at the book option.
They both sound wonderful! I’d like either one in either form!
Oh goodness with the choices! Let me see…Marriage CD, Parenting CD, Marriage book, Parenting book.
I’d really love ANY of them. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
These both sound fabulous. Whatever is available will be fine – heck, better than fine. Thanks
Marriage and book!
I would love any of them, thanks!
1. Parenting CD
2. Parenting Book
Thanks so much!!
I would love to win the parenting book! Sounds really interesting.
Please include me in this drawing.
1. Marriage CD
2. Marriage Book
3. Parenting CD
4. Parenting Book
Thanks,
~Amy
Hello! I’d be interested in the marriage book in book format but both books sound great!
This would be great! I’d prefer a CD of the marriage book, but anything would be fabulous!
What a great give-away. You guys are always coming up with very relevant info. Thanks for all you do. I’d love to win the book “Creating an Intimate Marriage”. Although either of the books in either format would be wonderful.
I would be interested in all of the books but not really the CD. :0)
Both of these books sound terrific –
1. Marriage book
2. Parenting book
3. Marriage cd
4. Parenting cd
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
book Marriage, book parenting, then the c.d.s in the same order. I really like books like these. Thanks for the chance.
Wow, it’s so hard to choose.
My preference would be:
Either in book form
Either in CD form
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Marriage- book
Parenting- book
Both of these would be great!
1. parenting book
2. marriage book
3. parenting cd
4. marriage cd
Great giveaway!
I would love to win the marriage or parenting book or audio. It’s so hard to choose which first as both would be great.
I’d love either of these titles in book form first, then CD. Thanks!
I would like either of the books (or in cd form). Have a great Labor Day!
Great books!
I would love to have the (1) parenting book, (2) marriage book, (3) parenting cd, or (4) marriage cd.
I love the idea about reading one parenting and one marriage book each year!
I’d love a book on parenting (first choice), but I’d certainly enjoy a book on marriage too. Please count me in.
Wow! The comment, “emotional scraps” – yikes. That hit right in the heart!!!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter for the book!
Ericka
Wow. I would love to have the Marriage book. I am truly blessed with a good marriage, but I myself need a good kick in the pants sometimes when it comes to being able to be who GOD wants me to be in that marriage.
Thanks so much
I would love to win either, but I would probably choose the parenting one first.
confident parenting please
Oh, looks like we’ve started a theme. I’m eager to read and/or win the Creating an Intimate Marriage book. Right up my alley! I’d be game for either form – book or CD. Thanks!
I would like Creating an Intimate Marriage. Book form or CD form would be fine, would prefer book. Sounds like a great book!
I would like the book form of Creating an Intimate Marriage.