About the Book
Gary Thomas, pastor and bestselling author of Sacred Marriage, believes that one simple word can bring hope, light, and life into any marriage: Cherish.
Most marriages survive by gritting teeth and holding on. But what if surviving marriage wasn't the goal What if we aimed to thrive instead In Cherish, Thomas teaches us that although there are a countless number of marriages consisting of two people just going through the motions, there are real ways this pattern can be reversed: when husbands and wives learn to cherish one another in their everyday actions and words.
The way we treat something acknowledges whether we cherish it or hold it with indifference or contempt. To truly cherish something is to go out of our way to show it off, protect it, and honor it. We want others to see and recognize and affirm the value that we see. Thomas reminds us that in a world desperate for marriage redemption, the act of cherishing is needed now more than ever.
Cherishing your spouse will elevate your marriage relationally, emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. You will set different goals for your relationship, and you'll see your marriage with fresh eyes. Through personal stories, real-world examples, and timeless biblical truths, Thomas shares the tools you need to turn your marriage around, including:
Using your mind to change your heart
Sacrificing for your spouse
Praying with intentionality
Prioritizing your life partner
Through the biblical act of cherishing, we can empower our spouses to become who they are called by God to be, and in the process to become more of who we are called to be, creating a marriage that feels more precious, more connected, and more satisfying. If you're ready to revolutionize your relationship, it's time to learn how to truly Cherish it.
About the Author :
Gary Thomas is a writer in residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon and Houston Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas. He is the author of 19 books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Cherish, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. He has a master's degree from Regent College, where he studied under Dr. J.I. Packer, and was awarded an honorary doctorate in divinity from Western Seminary. Gary has spoken in 49 states and 10 different countries. He has appeared numerous times on various national radio and television programs, including CBN, Focus on the Family and Family Life Today.
Review :
Cherish is full of wisdom, practical advice, and candor on a subject so personal and sacred---how to live the marriage you want every day. Gary Thomas brings truth and reminds us of Jesus in the midst of our earthly relationships. Jennie Allen, author of Nothing to Prove and founder of IF:GATHERING Many of us vowed "to love and to cherish" when we married. We hear a lot of good advice about loving our spouses, and that's certainly important---but there's more. Gary Thomas shows us how to put love into action through cherishing the one we love. Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family Gary Thomas has given a deep understanding and application of a key biblical concept that is sure to take any married couple who applies it to the next level. A must-read for every couple who wishes to grow their relationship. Dr. Tony Evans, president of The Urban Alternative Sacred Marriage has become a classic, must-read book. Now Gary Thomas has written another wonderful book, Cherish, that focuses not just on loving your spouse, but on cherishing---treasuring, honoring, holding dear with tenderness, protecting, nurturing, and wanting to showcase---your spouse. This must-read book will be a tremendous help and blessing to couples and their marriages. Siang-Yang Tan, PhD, professor of psychology at Fuller Theological Seminary, and author of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Christian Perspective Two words come to mind every time I pick up a book by Gary Thomas: profound and practical. I often cover relationships on my radio show, and nobody articulates God's deepest desire for our relationships quite like Gary Thomas does. He's both convicting and encouraging, challenging and empowering. If your marriage feels dull and lackluster, read thoughtfully and prayerfully through Gary's new book, Cherish. You're only pages away from a new day and a new way of relating to your spouse. Susie Larson, talk radio host, national speaker, and author of Your Powerful Prayers Every married person desires to love and cherish their spouse. Most of us have a sense of what it means to love well. Few of us have a vision of what it means to cherish our spouse. Gary Thomas paints a vivid picture of what it means to truly cherish another human being. This book reveals new pathways to grow a healthy, dynamic, and life-giving marriage. Dr. Kevin G. Harney, pastor, author, and founder of Organic Outreach International. There is nothing more beautiful than to be in a relationship with someone who is supposed to love you ... and they actually love you. Cherish helps bring home that sweet, happy spot in marriage. Dr. Tim Clinton, president of American Association of Christian Counselors Get ready to be inspired! This book is sure to lift your marriage to a higher level---that's what it did for us. But Gary does more than inspire. He equips. He shows us how to lovingly care for and treasure our spouse like never before. Don't miss out on this incredibly practical message. Your marriage will never be the same. Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott, #1 New York Times bestselling authors of Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts Gary Thomas has done it again! He has a way of shifting my marriage paradigm to shed brilliant light on what it means practically to honor God in my marriage. By bringing to life one little word, Cherish will do the same for you. Dr. Juli Slattery, president of Authentic Intimacy Every couple gets married with great intentions for their marriage. Their marriage is going to be different; it's going to be special. But many couples lose their purpose, and life gets busy, hardships come, and the marriage they have isn't the marriage they wanted. Every couple wants to improve their marriage, but many don't know where to start. That's what I love about Cherish. Gary Thomas gets to the heart of marriage. Soak in his wisdom, apply these principles, and watch God transform your marriage relationship into something you cherish. Justin Davis, pastor of Hope City Church, founder of RefineUs Ministries, and author of Beyond Ordinary: When a Good Marriage Just Isn't Good Enough I've always been a huge fan of Gary Thomas's books, but Cherish is special. It shows couples how to turn disappointing marriages into delightful ones. I especially appreciated the chapter on honoring each other. As I work with couples in not just disappointing marriages but destructive ones, dishonoring is a significant issue. I'm grateful for Gary's validation of the fact that regularly withholding cherish in one's marriage can rise to the level of emotional abuse. Leslie Vernick, licensed counselor, relationship coach, and author of the bestselling The Emotionally Destructive Relationship
