What do you think?
Rate this book
Hedges: 7 Ways to Love Your Wife and Protect Your Marriage
What happens when a fourteen-year-old boy develops a batting eye that takes him all the way to the majors? How does a single mother handle a prodigy? Follow Elgin and Miriam Woodell to the National League in this emotional tale of baseball's most extraordinary Rookie.
256 pages, Paperback
Published October 1, 2024
57 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Jerry B. Jenkins
672 books1,730 followersJerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
May 20, 2021
I was recommended this book by a wise friend and I think there is definitely a need for a book like this discussing the need for boundaries (both emotional and physical) within a marriage to keep the covenant maintained and the marriage strong. However, this is not that book. The author may have been well intentioned but he failed on a number of crucial points necessary for strong argument and just plain old good writing.
1. He lacked a consistent, coherent thesis. In fact he never really defined what a hedge was or stuck to a clear message. Most of the book was stories of friends he knew who got divorces because they crossed boundaries but he claims if they had hedges the affairs would never have happened. His focus was kind of the danger of infidelity but he contradicts himself on many details. He even ended the book without tying anything together. He just dropped 3 unrelated stories about difficult marriages that got better through loving each other - nothing to do with marital infidelity, which left the reader super confused as to what a hedge really is and what is his point?
2. His tone was condescending, arrogant, and legalistic. Even though he said at the beginning of the book that not everyone should adopt his exact hedges, I felt more like he was subtly saying “but my hedges are the best and that’s why my wife and I have stayed together.” Most of the book are stories from friends or from his life where he looks down on those who don’t have hedges and fell, all while rooting his own horn about how he hasn’t fallen because of his hedges. I don’t think this tone was intentional on his part, but it was very off putting.
3. The facts, stats, and data he used was suspect. Some were outdated (from 35 years before the book was written). Other data didn’t have good sample sizes and some was outright wrong due to unclear questions and responses.
4. Worse than the bad data was his use of the data! He typically used the data to get on his high horse of boomer bias and say how good the olden days used to be when the divorce rate was lower back in the 30’s or 50’s. Nevermind the rate of alcoholism or physical abuse and sexism back then, or the fact that women had to depend on men financially for those years. The divorce rate was lower so it must have meant more stable families, right
5. Some parts of the book were very cringeworthy and uncomfortable. For example, he once told a female colleague she looked delicious. Excuse me? That’s just creepy, that’s not even flirting, just creepy. Then he used that to say how he now has a hedge to just compliment women on what they wear, not their physical beauty. (He covered it up by saying he meant delicious like fruit but really? Who says that?) Other parts of the book made it seem like all men are sex crazed and constantly tempted by women they just met. I don’t think every man or woman for that matter is that tempted by sitting on the plane next to an attractive person of the opposite sex to want to immediately have sex with them! (Real story of real dude in the book)
6. His Bible backing was minimal and weakly supported. The hedge verse he uses is from Job where it says God put a hedge around Job. Really? That’s not related to infidelity at all. It felt like a topical sermon gone south with him trying to find Bible passages to support his book rather than him finding truths from scripture first.
7. All in all, the book seemed much more legalistic than grace based. He mentioned the gospel a few times, but he also stuck to very strict rules without always addressing the core heart struggles. Furthermore, if I was an adulterer, I would not feel grace from this book because he calls them liars at multiple times in the book. He’s very inconsistent in his gospel message. Which is it: grace or legalism? Which is it: we are all adulterers in heart or actual adulterers are on a different tier of sinners? Which is it: we should have hedges in place and not focus on heart issues or we should work on our heart issues because hedges are solely external rules?
8. He used fear as a motivator instead of love. The reason for building hedges he thinks should be driven from fear of falling into adultery. His entire argument is built on this fear motivation, which I think is inherently flawed. Yes, we should be aware of how susceptible all of us are to sin but I think our primary motivation should be love for our spouse, not fear of cheating on them. Overall I don’t think it’s a biblical approach to use only fear. He ignored a lot of core heart issues this way. Instead of repenting of the lust in our hearts, he focused on fear motivating us to have external hedges. Doesn’t God want us to be sanctified though? Doesn’t He care more about our hearts than about the external rules we are following? I felt like the author didn’t care about this point. He was hyper focused on the outward safety net of not falling into adultery.
All in all, I would recommend reading a book by Henry Cloud and John Townsend instead. Their Boundaries book accomplishes the same concept but better and consistently. I hear they have a book called Boundaries in Marriage. I haven’t read that but I can guess it’s probably a more valuable read. Again, I think this author was well meaning but he just had terribly poor execution. I’m kind of surprised he’s written so many books but he cannot successfully write an organized, thesis driven, clear nonfiction book.
1. He lacked a consistent, coherent thesis. In fact he never really defined what a hedge was or stuck to a clear message. Most of the book was stories of friends he knew who got divorces because they crossed boundaries but he claims if they had hedges the affairs would never have happened. His focus was kind of the danger of infidelity but he contradicts himself on many details. He even ended the book without tying anything together. He just dropped 3 unrelated stories about difficult marriages that got better through loving each other - nothing to do with marital infidelity, which left the reader super confused as to what a hedge really is and what is his point?
2. His tone was condescending, arrogant, and legalistic. Even though he said at the beginning of the book that not everyone should adopt his exact hedges, I felt more like he was subtly saying “but my hedges are the best and that’s why my wife and I have stayed together.” Most of the book are stories from friends or from his life where he looks down on those who don’t have hedges and fell, all while rooting his own horn about how he hasn’t fallen because of his hedges. I don’t think this tone was intentional on his part, but it was very off putting.
3. The facts, stats, and data he used was suspect. Some were outdated (from 35 years before the book was written). Other data didn’t have good sample sizes and some was outright wrong due to unclear questions and responses.
4. Worse than the bad data was his use of the data! He typically used the data to get on his high horse of boomer bias and say how good the olden days used to be when the divorce rate was lower back in the 30’s or 50’s. Nevermind the rate of alcoholism or physical abuse and sexism back then, or the fact that women had to depend on men financially for those years. The divorce rate was lower so it must have meant more stable families, right
5. Some parts of the book were very cringeworthy and uncomfortable. For example, he once told a female colleague she looked delicious. Excuse me? That’s just creepy, that’s not even flirting, just creepy. Then he used that to say how he now has a hedge to just compliment women on what they wear, not their physical beauty. (He covered it up by saying he meant delicious like fruit but really? Who says that?) Other parts of the book made it seem like all men are sex crazed and constantly tempted by women they just met. I don’t think every man or woman for that matter is that tempted by sitting on the plane next to an attractive person of the opposite sex to want to immediately have sex with them! (Real story of real dude in the book)
6. His Bible backing was minimal and weakly supported. The hedge verse he uses is from Job where it says God put a hedge around Job. Really? That’s not related to infidelity at all. It felt like a topical sermon gone south with him trying to find Bible passages to support his book rather than him finding truths from scripture first.
7. All in all, the book seemed much more legalistic than grace based. He mentioned the gospel a few times, but he also stuck to very strict rules without always addressing the core heart struggles. Furthermore, if I was an adulterer, I would not feel grace from this book because he calls them liars at multiple times in the book. He’s very inconsistent in his gospel message. Which is it: grace or legalism? Which is it: we are all adulterers in heart or actual adulterers are on a different tier of sinners? Which is it: we should have hedges in place and not focus on heart issues or we should work on our heart issues because hedges are solely external rules?
8. He used fear as a motivator instead of love. The reason for building hedges he thinks should be driven from fear of falling into adultery. His entire argument is built on this fear motivation, which I think is inherently flawed. Yes, we should be aware of how susceptible all of us are to sin but I think our primary motivation should be love for our spouse, not fear of cheating on them. Overall I don’t think it’s a biblical approach to use only fear. He ignored a lot of core heart issues this way. Instead of repenting of the lust in our hearts, he focused on fear motivating us to have external hedges. Doesn’t God want us to be sanctified though? Doesn’t He care more about our hearts than about the external rules we are following? I felt like the author didn’t care about this point. He was hyper focused on the outward safety net of not falling into adultery.
All in all, I would recommend reading a book by Henry Cloud and John Townsend instead. Their Boundaries book accomplishes the same concept but better and consistently. I hear they have a book called Boundaries in Marriage. I haven’t read that but I can guess it’s probably a more valuable read. Again, I think this author was well meaning but he just had terribly poor execution. I’m kind of surprised he’s written so many books but he cannot successfully write an organized, thesis driven, clear nonfiction book.
August 6, 2013
My wife and I attempt to regularly read books on marriage. Some are better than others. However, all of the books on marriage that I have read over the years have always encouraged and helped me in my marriage. Professionals in all trades of life pursue a lifelong quest of learning and growing in their trade. Why do most married couples not continue in their learning and growing in this all important relationship of marriage??
I liked the frankness in which Jerry Jenkins writes this book. He was humble enough to share some of the different weaknesses he has faced over the years. Most authors on this topic will not delve into their own life or weaknesses.
The author's basic premise of the book is not to fight lust or inappropriate relationships. Over and over again, he quotes the Apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy to "Flee fornication." In other words, run from the scene! Run from the temptation! Run from any situation which might start you on the slippery slope to adultery or fornication!
And in fleeing these temptations, the author suggests that we plant different hedges to protect that most important of relationships. I like that the author gives the hedges that he has implemented in his life; however, he also makes it very clear that his hedges might not be the hedges the reader needs to implement. Every person is different!
Included in this book is a DVD featuring a condensed message based on this book that the author gave at a church. This would be excellent to watch with your spouse!
I liked the frankness in which Jerry Jenkins writes this book. He was humble enough to share some of the different weaknesses he has faced over the years. Most authors on this topic will not delve into their own life or weaknesses.
The author's basic premise of the book is not to fight lust or inappropriate relationships. Over and over again, he quotes the Apostle Paul's admonition to Timothy to "Flee fornication." In other words, run from the scene! Run from the temptation! Run from any situation which might start you on the slippery slope to adultery or fornication!
And in fleeing these temptations, the author suggests that we plant different hedges to protect that most important of relationships. I like that the author gives the hedges that he has implemented in his life; however, he also makes it very clear that his hedges might not be the hedges the reader needs to implement. Every person is different!
Included in this book is a DVD featuring a condensed message based on this book that the author gave at a church. This would be excellent to watch with your spouse!
May 21, 2015
I think husbands should occasionally read a book on marriage to remind them of what's most important, to reinvigorate them to loving their wives. We read books to sharpen us in business and to improve our golf game. Reading marriage books can improve our marriages. I know doing so has helped me to be more intentional about treating my wife with the respect she certainly deserves.
Hedges is one of those books that can help. The book's thesis is that because we live in such a sexually-charged culture, and because unfaithfulness to our wives can so easily happen, we need to be aware of the dangers and establish personal guidelines, "hedges," to protect our marriages. Some may feel he overstates the dangers; I don't.
The book is down-to-earth, filled with stories and illustrations. Jenkins is quite vulnerable and open about his hedges and why he has those hedges in place. In sharing his guidelines, he makes it clear that the guidelines each man (or woman) develops needs to be tailor-made; they may not be the exact same ones he has adopted.
I do have a problem with one statement. In relating a story of a date with his soon-to-be wife, Jenkins writes, "Before I left for the two-hour drive back to Chicago [from Fort Wayne] ..." (152). How did he make the drive from Fort Wayne to Chicago in two hours? And this was in 1970 when the speed limit was lower.
Hedges is one of those books that can help. The book's thesis is that because we live in such a sexually-charged culture, and because unfaithfulness to our wives can so easily happen, we need to be aware of the dangers and establish personal guidelines, "hedges," to protect our marriages. Some may feel he overstates the dangers; I don't.
The book is down-to-earth, filled with stories and illustrations. Jenkins is quite vulnerable and open about his hedges and why he has those hedges in place. In sharing his guidelines, he makes it clear that the guidelines each man (or woman) develops needs to be tailor-made; they may not be the exact same ones he has adopted.
I do have a problem with one statement. In relating a story of a date with his soon-to-be wife, Jenkins writes, "Before I left for the two-hour drive back to Chicago [from Fort Wayne] ..." (152). How did he make the drive from Fort Wayne to Chicago in two hours? And this was in 1970 when the speed limit was lower.
March 23, 2015
Let's be honest. This is a book about lust. The biggest challenge for any man is to guard his eyes, hands and hearts from compromising situations. It is nearly impossible these days to avoid them entirely. So build yourself some habits and actions that will keep you safe from danger and frequently as possible.
Jerry does a nice job discussing his challenges openly without getting too lewd. He does toe that line, in a good way. Guys need to hear it straight!
For Wives: this is written for men, by a man, so if you want to know how 99% of men think this is a book for you.
Jerry does a nice job discussing his challenges openly without getting too lewd. He does toe that line, in a good way. Guys need to hear it straight!
For Wives: this is written for men, by a man, so if you want to know how 99% of men think this is a book for you.
February 6, 2016
While I'm not married, Jenkins does a great job valuing ideals and boundaries a lot of people would consider old school or irrelevant. Since I'm someone who's quick to shake my head and say, "Is it really that big a deal?" or say it's not my problem, his truthfulness was a solid reminder to me that we should protect the relationships we we've been blessed with, and we should express enjoyment over love and our families.
January 6, 2025
I listened to this book. It was a shorter book at about 6 hours of listening time.
It was a well written book and easy to listen to. The communication flowed and it wasn't choppy or anything like that. Obviously Mr. Jenkins has been in the journalistic career for a long time at this point and it showed.
The book is about setting up hedges for your marriage to protect the marriage from an affair. Not really something I had ever really been concerned about. Some of the ideas I had actually implemented in my life. I feel like it is better to be over-prepared that under prepared. Even folks you would never think would be in this situation often makes the news or the gossip grapevine. Who am I to think I am immune from this? The author does a good job of sharing his hedges and encouraging the reader to adopt or develop their own.
The book lived up to its hype though. It is about establishing hedges to protect the sanctity of your marriage and it directly communicated that. I don't know that it communicated it concisely though. There were definitely areas that when I listened to that I could almost quote the next sentence before hearing it. A little redundant. The book over communicates a little bit and maybe that isn't a bad thing but it was enough that it was noticeable.
I feel like I've implemented some of the rules in this book already. I wouldn't call them "hedges". I just call them rules or resolutions but its the same difference. I think its a book that has a good message. I enjoyed the book. Was it great? Not really. Was it bad? No, not bad either. just a right-in-the-middle book. It was an easy listen I mostly listened to on the plane for a work trip when I just couldn't get my eyes to focus on reading the book I brought with me.
It might be worth a read. It is specifically written to and for men though. Not saying a wife will waste her time, it's just written by a man, from a man's pespective and generally targted towards men.
It was a well written book and easy to listen to. The communication flowed and it wasn't choppy or anything like that. Obviously Mr. Jenkins has been in the journalistic career for a long time at this point and it showed.
The book is about setting up hedges for your marriage to protect the marriage from an affair. Not really something I had ever really been concerned about. Some of the ideas I had actually implemented in my life. I feel like it is better to be over-prepared that under prepared. Even folks you would never think would be in this situation often makes the news or the gossip grapevine. Who am I to think I am immune from this? The author does a good job of sharing his hedges and encouraging the reader to adopt or develop their own.
The book lived up to its hype though. It is about establishing hedges to protect the sanctity of your marriage and it directly communicated that. I don't know that it communicated it concisely though. There were definitely areas that when I listened to that I could almost quote the next sentence before hearing it. A little redundant. The book over communicates a little bit and maybe that isn't a bad thing but it was enough that it was noticeable.
I feel like I've implemented some of the rules in this book already. I wouldn't call them "hedges". I just call them rules or resolutions but its the same difference. I think its a book that has a good message. I enjoyed the book. Was it great? Not really. Was it bad? No, not bad either. just a right-in-the-middle book. It was an easy listen I mostly listened to on the plane for a work trip when I just couldn't get my eyes to focus on reading the book I brought with me.
It might be worth a read. It is specifically written to and for men though. Not saying a wife will waste her time, it's just written by a man, from a man's pespective and generally targted towards men.
August 8, 2023
Good book, but seemed shallow
The book was good as a whole and gave some very good insight for protecting ones marriage. but it seemed like the author spent more time telling deep, Intricate, Rey detailed stories about marriages that didn’t work out, and very little time clearly explaining the scriptures behind the hedges he proposed.
The author almost seemed embarrassed at time when telling about his hedges. For instance, he kept almost apologizing for having strong standards in regard to not being alone with another women. Yet, in the very same vein, he seemed to allow himself a lot of freedom around other women who were not his wife.
I’m not knocking the author at all. However I think that a book on such a serious and needed subject could have been handled more soberly.
The book was good as a whole and gave some very good insight for protecting ones marriage. but it seemed like the author spent more time telling deep, Intricate, Rey detailed stories about marriages that didn’t work out, and very little time clearly explaining the scriptures behind the hedges he proposed.
The author almost seemed embarrassed at time when telling about his hedges. For instance, he kept almost apologizing for having strong standards in regard to not being alone with another women. Yet, in the very same vein, he seemed to allow himself a lot of freedom around other women who were not his wife.
I’m not knocking the author at all. However I think that a book on such a serious and needed subject could have been handled more soberly.
January 10, 2022
This book is an excellent read for couples that are wanting to keep their marriage safe, and the earlier the better!
While this book is written at men, I suggest women read it too! It was insightful to understand some of the temptations, frustrations, and confusion my husband faces that I don’t. My husband is planning on reading it so we can do the study together and plant some hedges around our marriage to keep it safe.
While this book is written at men, I suggest women read it too! It was insightful to understand some of the temptations, frustrations, and confusion my husband faces that I don’t. My husband is planning on reading it so we can do the study together and plant some hedges around our marriage to keep it safe.
January 2, 2024
Written more for a male audience but helpful to understand the purpose of having personal boundaries in marriage and the ways things can go sideways. It's written by a man who does not claim to be an expert, but just shares his own perspective. I thought it was helpful a little bit for understanding that lens on relationships but I think there are probably better books to recommend for marriage boundaries out there.
July 9, 2017
I was more than a third of the way through the book before I realized it was aimed at husbands. That said, I think it had some practical points to make for any married person. Boundaries, what to share and what not to share with persons of the opposite sex other than your spouse, the joys of intimacy within the safety of a marriage relationship, and so on.
January 22, 2022
Protecting our marriage is so important. In this book, Jenkins shares “hedges” or boundaries he has put in place to protect his marriage from the appearance of evil and temptations. Although I think this book was written more for men, it was an excellent book for anyone to read.
May 27, 2025
short, excellent book on keeping boundaries around your behavior, as a man, to protect your marriage. some interesting points I hasn't thought of. not that there aren't a dozen books on the subject, but this one is good and to the point. it doesn't mince words.
May 9, 2019
Not very practical. The book shared a lot of suggestions, mainly based on solving a symptom of a bad marriage, not the cause.
January 22, 2025
I really like the way this was written. It put into words what I was trying to do with my own marriage. I called it “putting up barriers “. I will give this book to my boys on their wedding day.
August 18, 2025
Helpful if not a bit dated. I will be applying some of the principles talked about in this book.
October 27, 2025
A clear and compelling case for the non-negiotiable task of protecting your life and marriage by setting boundaries.
Thank you, Jerry Jenkins.
Thank you, Jerry Jenkins.
May 8, 2011
This book would probably not have been of interest if I had not heard Jenkins speak at our church. I only knew of him from the "Left Behind" books (of which I am not a fan), and as co-writer on a sports autobiography or something. Anyway, he was a fantastic speaker, and very funny. The same practical, conversational, humorous tone characterizes this book.
Most will find his suggestions in "Hedges" to be utterly puritanical and a roadblock to the kind of mature, sincere trust that ought to be cultivated in a healthy marriage. In fact, they tend to strike me that way. But the statistics and the observable facts are squarely on the author's side. I suspect that the book's most receptive audience will be those who have already been the victim/observer of someone else's moral failure or who have themselves failed.
A strong point is that Jenkins is gracious and humble enough to concede that not everyone will have the same hedges in place as he does, and that the boundaries he outlines address his own particular weaknesses.
Most will find his suggestions in "Hedges" to be utterly puritanical and a roadblock to the kind of mature, sincere trust that ought to be cultivated in a healthy marriage. In fact, they tend to strike me that way. But the statistics and the observable facts are squarely on the author's side. I suspect that the book's most receptive audience will be those who have already been the victim/observer of someone else's moral failure or who have themselves failed.
A strong point is that Jenkins is gracious and humble enough to concede that not everyone will have the same hedges in place as he does, and that the boundaries he outlines address his own particular weaknesses.
August 26, 2013
Jerry Jenkins has truly saved marriages with this simple, potent and of tremendous value book!
While on Missionary assignment in Nigeria in the late nineteen-nineties, GOD compelled a dear sister to gift us a copy of Hedges. At that time, I could not see the need for it ... Later that year, as we added it to our weekly "reading as a couple" library, I realized the wisdom contained in this well written book!
Jenkins submits a notion in chapter eleven that caused us to weigh our vows in the eyes of the Creator: " It may be naive to think that people would remain true to their vows just by repeating them frequently ..." But this is vital! We made it an anniversary "ritual" that even our children look forward to - as we view our wedding ceremony, reminding ourselves of our commitment to GOD and each other.
Throughout the years we have periodically re-read/recalled snippets of Hedges with each other. We have even made reference to it and loaned it to couples who have asked about our "keys to a successful marriage". Thank you Auntie Hauwa.
While on Missionary assignment in Nigeria in the late nineteen-nineties, GOD compelled a dear sister to gift us a copy of Hedges. At that time, I could not see the need for it ... Later that year, as we added it to our weekly "reading as a couple" library, I realized the wisdom contained in this well written book!
Jenkins submits a notion in chapter eleven that caused us to weigh our vows in the eyes of the Creator: " It may be naive to think that people would remain true to their vows just by repeating them frequently ..." But this is vital! We made it an anniversary "ritual" that even our children look forward to - as we view our wedding ceremony, reminding ourselves of our commitment to GOD and each other.
Throughout the years we have periodically re-read/recalled snippets of Hedges with each other. We have even made reference to it and loaned it to couples who have asked about our "keys to a successful marriage". Thank you Auntie Hauwa.
August 8, 2012
This book is an excellent read for anyone who lives a life in the limelight or values long lasting relationships.
I read this book years ago and still sometimes recall its powerful principles for exclusive romantic relationships. The author's examples are very realistic, and demonstrate how even a trustworthy and faithful mate can unintentionally set themselves up for failure. The crux is living above reproach: making sure you never discuss marital/LTR arguments with someone to whom you may be attracted or who may be attracted to you, complimenting the suit instead of saying 'You look great/breathtaking!' and generally being mindful of the smaller things that leave the door open for misunderstandings or mixed signals. It's an especially helpful read if you work in the public eye. Working in media with as many as 180,000 listeners at a time, this book validated lessons I'd already learned and reminded me where to keep boundaries firmly in place.
I read this book years ago and still sometimes recall its powerful principles for exclusive romantic relationships. The author's examples are very realistic, and demonstrate how even a trustworthy and faithful mate can unintentionally set themselves up for failure. The crux is living above reproach: making sure you never discuss marital/LTR arguments with someone to whom you may be attracted or who may be attracted to you, complimenting the suit instead of saying 'You look great/breathtaking!' and generally being mindful of the smaller things that leave the door open for misunderstandings or mixed signals. It's an especially helpful read if you work in the public eye. Working in media with as many as 180,000 listeners at a time, this book validated lessons I'd already learned and reminded me where to keep boundaries firmly in place.
July 15, 2009
This book was ok, although I found most of it to be fairly commonsense stuff. The gist is that we should protect our marriages by having certain rules in place (mostly dealing with interactions with the opposite sex) in order to avoid an affair. The author's thought on lust is that it is the one sin/temptation that cannot be overcome by prayer, willpower, etc. Rather, one should completely flee from it in the first place. It is written to a husband audience, although wives can learn from it as well. Not my favorite book on marriage, but it may be because I'm a woman and don't struggle with lust the same way men do.
December 3, 2011
Excellent advice on practical ways to protect your marriage. WIth half of all marriages ending in divorce, it seems a lot of people are not doing what it takes to make sure their marriage does not end up on the bad side of statistics. My wife and I have seen a marriage of good friends of ours fall apart for the exact reasons laid out in the book, and our friends were married for 20 years; no one thought it could happen to them, but sure enough it did. If you are married, taking the steps outlined in this book will help protect your marriage from the many threats that are waiting for it in the world.
February 5, 2010
I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars. It is written for a male audience and I didn't realize that when I first picked it up off the sale shelf at the library. However, I did glean some useful information and felt relieved and uplifted by several different passages. Jenkins has very good advice and I don't think he comes across as overly preachy. I didn't really care about the workbook pages in the back, but they might prove useful to some.
June 2, 2012
Basic good reminders for marriage. It has the limitations of being a book written by a man for men. Our small group was reading through this together, and I couldn't help wondering how some of Jenkins' phrases came across to the women in the group. Sometimes he said things that came across awkwardly. E.g. "I like hugging women. It's fun, and it can be friendly" (89). But all in all, I like this way better than the first chapter of Left Behind (a book that I never finished).
January 12, 2009
He talked a lot of his own marriage in this book. I thought it would just be a bunch of him mentioning Bible Verses, but I was surprised and can take a lot of advice from this book. It was interesting enough that I didn't want to stop reading it. It also had worksheets in the back to help you understand what he's talking about. This is a good book to read before and after you get married.
September 5, 2013
Highly recommended for married couples, soon to be married, and for single people who believes that marriage is a sacrament to be honored. Jerry Jenkins shares his own "hedges" to protect his marriage mainly from infidelity. He is right in saying that we all are vulnerable and open to temptation. One wrong move and everything would be in chaos.
February 17, 2016
Not a book with especially new ideas or insights, it nonetheless provides an honest and passionate personal reminder that it is never prudish to protect God's greatest gifts. Note: My edition came with a free DVD of the author teaching "Hedges" to a congregation. The book is helpful, but the visual presentation is truly inspirational. A good resource.
May 22, 2016
while geared for men to read, wives gain from this one too. I appreciate the candid view of the male psyche, because Christian men are no different but held to a higher standard. while it may not be an issue for us today, the battle is real and could be a problem tomorrow if we did not have our hedges in place!
May 16, 2009
This book helped set the foundation for our marriage. It's a thought-provoking approach to how to set and maintain hedges in marriage. There are many revelations that should be put to action in this book.
April 24, 2012
Really was hoping to get more out of this book. HOWEVER, it is a good one at that. A lot of the principles are good, and it takes skill to personally apply your own. It is good to be warned of affairs and illicit sex and whatnot. I want to be pure.
August 5, 2011
Jenkins gives a lot of good common-sense advice for Christian (and generally moral) men who don't want to get divorced. His tone is conversational and down to earth. I read it alone in a single sitting but I am sure it would make for some pretty interesting group discussions. Thanks, Mama!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews