We opened the first copy of Marriage God’s Way as a family. This was a special moment for us. My wife, Katie, and our children have sacrificed a lot for me to be able to write this book. They have been without me many early mornings and late evenings while I was working.

My dad, John LaPierre, has Alzheimer’s disease. My prayer was answered in being able to finish Marriage God’s Way is in a timely manner. On August 7, 2016 during the morning worship service at Woodland Christian Church I was able to present Dad with the first copy. I read the Dedication, gave Dad the book, and felt thankful to share the moment with my church family.

VBS took place the week before and you can see the set hadn’t yet been taken down :). Here’s the Dedication and Acknowledgments from Marriage God’s Way…

Dedication

Marriage God’s Way is dedicated to my father, John LaPierre.

Dear Dad,

Thank you for showing me what it looks like to be a loving, dedicated husband and a strong spiritual leader. Thank you for your love and commitment to Katie, our children, and me. Thank you for the way you have courageously handled the trials you’ve faced.

After I became a Christian, my greatest desire was for you and Mom to come to know Christ as well. That I would be privileged enough to baptize the two of you and have you serve as a deacon at the church I pastor has shown me that God indeed “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).

To see how the gospel transformed you has strengthened my faith and been one of the greatest joys of my life. You are a humble, gentle servant, and I would feel blessed to be more like you.

I love you so much.

Your son,
Scott

Acknowledgments

First, I want to thank the wonderful congregation at Woodland Christian Church. Your hunger for Scripture encourages me in my study each week. There are few blessings greater for a pastor than knowing he can stand behind the pulpit and boldly proclaim God’s Word to saints who love the truth.

Second, I want to thank Kandie Schmitz, David Devine, Lauren Cash, and Dr. Terrence O’Hare for proofreading Marriage God’s Way. Your thoughts and suggestions were invaluable., I could not ask for a more wonderful woman to have by my side through this life. Katie, thank you for all the ways you help me, including being a wife who makes it easier to obey God’s commands for husbands. You have all of my heart, and I am more in love with you now than I have ever been.

Finally, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the true and greater subject of this book. Every husband should strive to be to his bride what Christ is to the church, and every wife should strive to be to her husband what the church should be to Christ.

The text in this post is from Your Marriage God’s Way, and the audio is from the accompanying audiobook. I am praying God uses the book and workbook to strengthen marriages and exalt Christ.