Choosing to Love: The Odyssey of a Relationship - Softcover

Cook, Jerry; Cook, Barbara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1494254905 ISBN 13: 9781494254902

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2014

Synopsis

Jerry Cook wrote the well-known book, "Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness," used by pastors and churches around the world. Simply being in an environment of love, acceptance and forgiveness is a healing experience. In a marriage, this environment produces a joyous partnership, relaxed comfort, and romantic love that survives the crises of life. Even hardships serve only to build stronger bonds. Contrary to popular notions, a romantic marriage does not come from “hard work” – not even from “communication.” Nervous tension is the enemy of romance, as is criticism (often the result of “communication.”) We fall in love – and stay in love – in an environment of relaxed enjoyment. This environment becomes a place of security, an island of joy. In this relationship, you feel: · Treasured rather than tolerated · Respected rather than resented · Loved rather than blamed · Understood rather than analyzed · Gratitude rather than regret · Forgiveness rather than bitterness · Comforted rather than categorized · Accepted rather than accused If there is “hard work” involved, it is on God’s part. He seeks to break through our assumptions, fears, and habits and answer our prayers for wisdom, which leads to happiness. This very personal book shares a couple’s struggles to understand, not only each other, but also God’s ideas for their marriage. His answers become the foundation for a long and deeply satisfying life together. Includes Bible verses for further study and discussion questions after each Chapter, making it a complete resource for small group study.

About this title

About the Author:

JERRY COOK (1938-2014) was the former senior pastor of East Hill Church in Gresham, Oregon, where his perspective on the role of the church in the world helped expand East Hill Church from a handful of people to more than 4,500. Jerry also served as an associate pastor at Eastside Foursquare Church in Bothell, Washington, and maintained a teaching and church-consulting ministry. Jerry also authored A Few Things I've Learned Since I Knew It All (coauthored with Stanley Baldwin), Choosing to Love (with his wife, Barbara), and The Monday Morning Church: Out of the Sanctuary and into the Streets. Surrounded by family, Jerry passed away on January 11, 2014.

About this edition

• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1494254905
• ISBN 13: 9781494254902
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 147