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I Do Again: How We Found a Second Chance at Our Marriage--and You Can Too
An attractive young couple, Jeff and Cheryl Scruggs seemed to have it professional success, adorable twin daughters, and a good marriage. But their picture-perfect image concealed a widening chasm between two people unable to connect on an intimate, soul-deep level.
Ten disappointing years of marriage. Seven painful years of divorce. One remarkable, true-life story of a love rescued by God.
After years of frustration, Cheryl’s longing for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, a divorce that left Jeff utterly devastated and seething with anger. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s pain.
I Do Again reveals the hidden secrets that slowly destroyed this marriage and the spiritual awakening that opened the way to healing. A riveting account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages–and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.
Ten disappointing years of marriage. Seven painful years of divorce. One remarkable, true-life story of a love rescued by God.
After years of frustration, Cheryl’s longing for emotional fulfillment led to an affair and, finally, a divorce that left Jeff utterly devastated and seething with anger. Yet, incredibly, seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, promising to “love, honor, and cherish” one another. A new and vibrant love had risen out of the ashes of this family’s pain.
I Do Again reveals the hidden secrets that slowly destroyed this marriage and the spiritual awakening that opened the way to healing. A riveting account of the power of prayer and redemption, this remarkable book offers renewed hope for even the most troubled marriages–and reveals why the rewards of restoration are well worth the wait.
193 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
4 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 1, 2022
Mostly a sweet story of how two people (one in particular) wrecked marriage, got divorced, lived apart for seven years, and eventually remarried. The answer was in each person drawing close to Christ, taking responsibility for his or her part in the problems, choosing to obey the Lord, and forgiving the other person. There was no identified abuse in the union at any point. Gary Thomas's Sacred Marriage provides a central premise that marriage is not about happiness, but holiness.
July 10, 2019
One of the best books I've ever read
September 2, 2019
Definitely a great book to read if you’re looking to either save a relationship or rekindle a failed relationship. It was a page turner and kept my interest the entire time.
February 25, 2020
I read this with a friend that was going through separation. It's a great story, but I feel like it gave her more hope than she needed in a time when her husband was seeking a divorce.
August 3, 2013
As you can see, I am recommending this book to the utmost; a perfect score and I am not one to do so often. The reason for that is in my humble opinion, every Christian couple should read this book. I wouldn’t hesitate to give it away, whether before, during or even after a marriage has ended in divorce. If they are remarried already it may be of some help in the subsequent marriage. There will even be some unbelievers who will find hope and healing through this book, though they will need to become believers through the process.
Jeff & Cheryl were a typical upper class couple, living as the beautiful people do. This is key because so many of us are not and believe that if only we could get to where they were or have what they had, ect. then we would surely be happy! Their story reveals this for the lie it is. Though Cheryl seemingly “had it all”, she was very unhappy. Her husband was not meeting her emotional needs and she was frustrated. They were not walking with the Lord at the time and she did not have any type of support system to help her see things from a godly wisdom perspective. Jeff thought all was fine and never saw the deep discontent growing in his wife. He humbly admits later, that he never bothered to really look. As is typical for our culture, they were both very self-focused. Cheryl fell into an affair; she was primed for that snare. Eventually, she filed for divorce, and though he never wanted it, Jeff could not stop her. Finally, she thought she would have the happiness that she had been longing for, but she was shocked to realize it never came.
They spent the next seven years living as divorced single parents. During this time God was doing a mighty work; first in Cheryl and then in Jeff. Through a long and difficult trial they came to realize that the Lord was leading them to remarriage to each other and true reconciliation of their family. They have since gone on to establish Hope Matters Marriage Ministry, and they have helped many people find the healing they have experienced firsthand.
The book is honest and shows the true difficulties of their journey. This is no fairy tale but an awesome testimony to the power of lives surrender to Christ.
Jeff & Cheryl were a typical upper class couple, living as the beautiful people do. This is key because so many of us are not and believe that if only we could get to where they were or have what they had, ect. then we would surely be happy! Their story reveals this for the lie it is. Though Cheryl seemingly “had it all”, she was very unhappy. Her husband was not meeting her emotional needs and she was frustrated. They were not walking with the Lord at the time and she did not have any type of support system to help her see things from a godly wisdom perspective. Jeff thought all was fine and never saw the deep discontent growing in his wife. He humbly admits later, that he never bothered to really look. As is typical for our culture, they were both very self-focused. Cheryl fell into an affair; she was primed for that snare. Eventually, she filed for divorce, and though he never wanted it, Jeff could not stop her. Finally, she thought she would have the happiness that she had been longing for, but she was shocked to realize it never came.
They spent the next seven years living as divorced single parents. During this time God was doing a mighty work; first in Cheryl and then in Jeff. Through a long and difficult trial they came to realize that the Lord was leading them to remarriage to each other and true reconciliation of their family. They have since gone on to establish Hope Matters Marriage Ministry, and they have helped many people find the healing they have experienced firsthand.
The book is honest and shows the true difficulties of their journey. This is no fairy tale but an awesome testimony to the power of lives surrender to Christ.
September 6, 2021
To all outward appearances Jeff and Cheryl had the perfect marriage: intimacy, love and affection. Unfortunately the romance was only skin-deep. Jeff and Cheryl show that it isn't enough just to feel in love, you actually have to choose to be in love, and work on furthering your relationship with the person you’re with. If you don't work on connecting with your partner, and don't speak the same love language, eventually the frustration of emotional emptiness will relentlessly take its toll on your marriage.
For Cheryl her frustration led her to an affair and - as she saw no way back - a divorce. But despite her desire to get out of the marriage, she never felt at peace with the situation, and as she let God into her life, she discovers that her plans for her life were the exact opposite of God's plans. Slowly she has to learn to trust in God with all her heart, and not lean on her own understand, but submit completely and wilfully. It's not easy to suddenly obey when you've been used to having your own way for so long, but Cheryl realises that her selfishness never brought her anything good, and it's time to do this God’s way.
Seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, saying their I Dos - again.
I Do Again goes right to the heart of the matter - God's place in a marriage. Amazingly enough hardly any time is spent on what Cheryl did to Jeff and what Jeff did to Cheryl that eventually led to their divorce - because it's not relevant. What is relevant is what both of them failed to do the first time around, and so completely embraced the second time around - making God an integral part of their marriage, realizing that it's not about them, but about Him.
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs show that it's possible for a marriage to survive a crisis if God is allowed in. They're a living example of how God's miracles affect a relationship, and remind us that it's never too late to ask God be part of our marriage.
For Cheryl her frustration led her to an affair and - as she saw no way back - a divorce. But despite her desire to get out of the marriage, she never felt at peace with the situation, and as she let God into her life, she discovers that her plans for her life were the exact opposite of God's plans. Slowly she has to learn to trust in God with all her heart, and not lean on her own understand, but submit completely and wilfully. It's not easy to suddenly obey when you've been used to having your own way for so long, but Cheryl realises that her selfishness never brought her anything good, and it's time to do this God’s way.
Seven years later, Jeff and Cheryl once again stood at the altar, saying their I Dos - again.
I Do Again goes right to the heart of the matter - God's place in a marriage. Amazingly enough hardly any time is spent on what Cheryl did to Jeff and what Jeff did to Cheryl that eventually led to their divorce - because it's not relevant. What is relevant is what both of them failed to do the first time around, and so completely embraced the second time around - making God an integral part of their marriage, realizing that it's not about them, but about Him.
Cheryl and Jeff Scruggs show that it's possible for a marriage to survive a crisis if God is allowed in. They're a living example of how God's miracles affect a relationship, and remind us that it's never too late to ask God be part of our marriage.
September 10, 2016
For someone struggling to save a marriage for over 4 years, this book helps reaffirm what I think I've already learned - that it is in God's hands, that it is about the individual's journey more than about the marriage, that it takes as long as it takes, that it might not be about saving the marriage, rather about saving yourself, becoming the better version for yourself that God wants you to be.
This book has given me some hope, although the timeline for reconciliation is tough. You have to get to the place where it will be okay if you don't get what you think you want.
Being able to read both sides of the story is wonderful and really sets this book apart from many others.
This book has given me some hope, although the timeline for reconciliation is tough. You have to get to the place where it will be okay if you don't get what you think you want.
Being able to read both sides of the story is wonderful and really sets this book apart from many others.
April 18, 2016
This was an encouraging book that gives a pretty detailed account of their journey apart and back together. I found a lot of truth in it, but a couple minor things didn't seem doctrinely sound to my understanding of scripture. Some sections of the book felt long and others felt rushed through, but overall I'd recommend reading it, especially if you are in a hurting or broken marriage relationship. I love God's redemption of their story and how He continues to use this couple's testimony in countless other marriages.
February 4, 2013
After reading "Still Lolo", about their daughter's accident, I'm interested in hearing more about their divorce and reunification. As a "divorced kid", I'm always skeptical.
If you were in a crisis marriage, it would be a good marriage. We already practice a lot of what they talk about in working on yourself rather than blame.
If you were in a crisis marriage, it would be a good marriage. We already practice a lot of what they talk about in working on yourself rather than blame.
January 18, 2013
Loved this book. I think any couple who has dealt with infidelity or knows anyone who has will benefit from this book. The couple who wrote this book are the parents of Lauren Scruggs, the young woman who walked into the plane propeller and lost her eye and left hand. One book led me to another. Christian book. Highly recommend it!
October 6, 2010
A lot of the Christian stuff was pretty cheesy and hard to swallow but overall a beautiful story of redemption/ resurrection.
July 27, 2011
A well written memoir of a marriage that was broken, then healed. The authors give a brutally honest look into their story, ultimately offering God's hope to any marriage.
Want to read
October 16, 2012My fiancé read it first.then I read it. Very heart felt book.
July 29, 2013
Brutally honest and heartbreaking. Made me really stop and think about my own affair and the demise and resurrection of my marriage. Proof that with God, nothing is impossible.
January 2, 2014
A true story that I kept reading late into the night like a novel. Really liked it as a great story of hope and reality.
July 28, 2014
My husband and I read this during a very trying time in our marriage, and it completely opened doors for us and changed our marriage forever.
August 7, 2015
This testimony on how God restores and heals is beautiful. All we have to do is believe and seek Him above all things!
January 1, 2013
The most amazing story of hope!
October 16, 2013
A story of hope for all marriages that question will it ever work.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews