Fierce Marriage: Radically Pursuing Each Other in Light of Christ's Relentless Love

Review comes from a busy family with many small kids. We wouldn't write a review unless it's really worth it.First, few quick thoughts.1) I suggest you read the book twice, as I did. Then buy a few for friends ask them to do the same.2) The content will light a fire under you to pursue your spouse more intentionally, and show you where you are not.3) It will challenge you to walk deeper with God the way a mirror shows you what you really look like underneath.4) You can't read a book with the word "Fierce" in the title and not expect it to call you out or step on your toes. Be warned!Rick and Selena Frederick pretty much put their hearts on a platter as they share their lives through a love relationship. The theme of God's Covenant (which is refreshingly counter-cultural to a dead religious society) runs through every page beginning with their own marriage story and how they actually work out this relationship in their daily lives in money, sex, conflict, and future. Both their aggressive nature and their kind spirit show in the writing.This book is chalked full of real world, biblical, unchanging wisdom from God's word and the voice of two authentic and transparent people. In fact, a part of Chapter 9 is titled "Fight Naked." Go read it yourself. It's hilarious! The truth is every bit of Rick and Selena Frederick's book is about being emotionally and spiritually transparent with a covenant keeping God in Christ Jesus. I personally liked Chapter 4: "Gritty Love" the most. Many fierce quotes from a couple who are not asking for permission to be themselves or to have a strong marriage. I personally hope they write another book in the future about family and legacy!Lastly, I want to say this book won't just hand you vision and purpose for your own marriage. Instead, they point you to a relationship with the person of Christ Jesus and you have to go ask Him yourself. They will show you what happens when a marriage is purposefully walking out who they are simply meant to be in a world that is looking for real hope!

If you've ever read a marriage book, it was probably filled with chapter after chapter of how-tos. Follow these steps, and your marriage will be better. Do these things, and your spouse will love you more. These steps aren't necessarily bad, but they're incomplete. If you've ever read a Christian marriage book, you've seen the same how-tos but with some random Bible verses scattered throughout.And each of the above points is where Fierce Marriage is different.First, Ryan and Selena are transparent. They don't even attempt (which would fail) to present themselves as having it all together. They openly present to their readers the struggles they've had daily. This gives them great credibility in their writing.Second, they don't give you many how-tos. They share their experiences; both the successful and the failed ones. There is no one right way to do things, and their presentation allows people to evaluate whether their actions would work.And third, Fierce Marriage is one of the top marriage books I've read in terms of theology. THAT is the key to a successful marriage. We need to stop trying to make it work, and give our lives to God. When we do that, we become humble servants who love others people and lift them up. Isn't that what a successful marriage looks like? And that's what Ryan and Selena present beautifully; how we can focus our lives on God, which in turn will allow us to focus our marriage on God.I was given a free copy of this book to read and review, but no other incentives have been provided. This review is my honest thoughts about the book with no pressure from anyone.

Inspiring, honest, real, but not very guiding, nourishing, or directional, instead it felt like just a married couple sharing their journey. (Don’t get me wrong, WHAT A JOURNEY IT WAS, definitely inspiring and worthy to be honored)My fiancé and I spent a few days reading about 5 chapters and grew bored with it. We were seeking something that deeply taught with vivid direction what it looks like from Jesus’ sight how to serve one another as Christ and His church. Unfortunately we gave us and pursued other books instead.Probably really good for some couples but if you’re looking for a heavily scriptural Biblicalt driven book about marriage, I’d recommend another book.

Personally, I try my best to be prepared as far ahead as possible for everything. Just an example, I tried to get an apartment 5 months ahead. I know. Naturally, being engaged I've been trying to soak up as much advice/how-to's as possible in preparation for the next exciting chapter in my life. I actually started listening to their podcast first, got my fiancee hooked too, and then decided after loving listening to their podcast for a while to get the book. I had her read it first and then I read it (Grab two different-colored pens when you read, and then talk about them together - super helpful). What a read! Ryan and Selena have an amazing story that me and my fiancee could really relate to. You know you want that book on how-to's, your "20-something ways to be a better husband" book, but there's a lot more to marriage than how-to's. This book does it all. Marriage is, hopefully in your book, a lifelong commitment that's going to be great but great doesn't mean easy. That's one of the main things I love about the book is how Ryan and Selena do their best to shatter the world's sugar-coated view of marriage and give you a real one. Marriage is flat out difficult. That being said, this book has made me feel more at peace with getting married than ever before. What I love the most about this read is that it has the right goals in place, pointing you more to connect to Jesus. If you have listened to their podcast, still get the book! The isn't the exact same thing as the podcast, I don't want to say it's far better because I love both. The price blew me away - I'm getting so much out of the money I spent on it. All in all, I'm very happy I made this purchase.

A simply brilliant book, full of real life encouragementThe authors have a superb and easy to read writing style, which I've loved

Really great book with great tips. It is very real and acknowledges that keeping a marriage takes effort from both parties, much like many things in life!

Still Reading - but Selena and Ryan have been a wonderful addition to the "voice in my ear" Their podcasts and now their book is transforming me into a better wife and helping me bring Christ into my marriage every day.

Gifted my wife this Book. She loved it. Package received in good condition. Thank you.