Book Review

Sex, Romance, and the Glory of God by CJ Mahaney.

I received this book at the Together for the Gospel Conference, and decided to read it next, for the following reasons:

1. I like CJ.

2. I like the topic.

3. I figured it would generate some web hits. (I still occasionally receive hits from my Praying for Pornstars post.

Every man probably sees the title of the book and wants to read it, yet is inwardly thinking he is probably qualified to write the book himself. However, CJ regularly reminds men: Before you touch her body, touch her heart and mind. Good marital sex (for it is the only kind capable of being good) is the outflow of a good marriage.

As I read the book, I was struck that I am pretty lazy and selfish. For those who know our story, my wife is a treasure; a woman I dreamed of spending time with for years before we even started to date. She is, quite honestly, the greatest physical representation of the fact that God treats me far better than I deserve. She is a joyous reminder to me of the grace God has bestowed on me, by dying to pay my penalty while I was His enemy. God's salvation offer is truly the greatest gift I have ever known. That He would choose to save me, and then give me Charity as a bride is easily the second greatest wonder in my life (and undoubtably a great wonder to all who have witnessed it!). Yet, lazily, I do not remind my bride of this fact nearly enough. I don't do enough to let her know she is still treasured.

Last night, as per CJ's advice, Charity and I hit a restaurant. The entire trip I'm thinking of the question he advised, that I know I need to ask. Eventually, I sputter it out:

What areas in my life do you see that I could improve to be a better husband, father and pastor? (Preferably to be addressed in that order.)

Very graciously, she pretended that she had to think about it. She gave a couple of brief answers and then paused. "Do you know how great it is that you would even ask me that?"

Thanks CJ for this book. I'm glad I read it. It's not about having more sex. It's not even about getting along better with your spouse. It's about having the kind of marriage that exibits Christ's love for the Church. As God allows, I pray we can have that effect on people. (Hey, at the least, people will get a glimpse of God's grace when they see me walking with her!)