Closer: 52 Devotions to Draw Couples Together

by Jim Burns, Cathy Burns

The Love Dare challenged individuals to love their spouse more. "Closer" shows wives and husbands how to grow that love together. Introduced with Scripture verses and engaging stories, these 52 devotionals will inspire couples to draw closer through faith conversations--those quiet talks so vital for emotional and spiritual intimacy in a marriage. Guided, practical action steps round out each reading. "Closer," with its flexible weekly format, is an appealing alternative to a daily devotional.

Genres: Marriage, Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Relationships, Christian Non Fiction, Christian Living

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

Jim Burns, Ph.D., President of HomeWord is the host of the HomeWord with Jim Burns daily half-hour, daily one-minute, and weekly half-hour radio programs. His passion is communicating to adults and young people practical truths to help them live out their Christian lives.

Jim is the author of many resources including his latest books The Purity Code: God’s Plan for Sex and Your Body, Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality and Accept Nothing Less: God’s Best for Your Body, Mind and Heart. In recent years, he has also written Confident Parenting and Creating an Intimate Marriage which are available in audio CDs, books, and small group curriculum kits; The 10 Building Blocks for a Happy Family; Devotions on the Run; and Parenting Teenagers for Positive Results kit. Since 1985, HomeWord has been assisting parents and churches worldwide through radio, resources, seminars, and the web at www.homeword.com. Jim writes monthly columns for Ignite Your Faith magazine and Simply Youth Ministry newsletter and website.

Reviews

[Jennifer Resseguie · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to be married to gain good relationship advice here, for couple. For best friends, whatever. Simply written, easy to understand, feel good book.

[Meredith McLendon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for couple's devo

Appreciated the ideas, sincerity, and practical application that each chapter included. Each chapter prompted great discussion together and helped us flesh out things in our marriage.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer
Devotions to Draw Couples Closer
Jim and Cathy Burns
2009
Bethany House Publishers

Reviewed by Cindy Loven

Today it is hard to connect, with your spouse, with your kids, with your extended family. Everyone is busy, on the go. Appointments, meetings and life rush us around like crazy. Jim and Cathy Burns have given us a Devotional book with fifty two devotions designed to draw couples closer together.

There is no huge list of how to do this devotional, you can work at your own pace, they do suggest committing or investing thirty minutes a week to each other and to do this devotional book. Each devotion has a scripture it is based on, then a commentary to go with it, then it is followed by a section called faith conversations, which is starting lines for a conversation to have to build your faith in each other and in God. The final section of the devotion is called A Step Closer, and usually includes a written assignment or a discussion assignment for you to do. A very appealing and easy to follow devotional lay out.

They cover topics vital to keeping a marriage strong topics such as romance, love, how to handle a high maintenace marriage, and many more. These devotions are interesting and you will enjoy sharing this book with your beloved. A great marriage tool. 222 pages $19.99 US 4 stars

This book was provided for review purposes only, no cash or payment was received for this review.

[Chickadee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim and Cathy Burns, married for more than thirty years, tried almost every marriage devotional out there and couldn’t seem to find the time or discipline to continue them.


Determined to make spiritual intimacy and growth a vital part of their relationship while drawing closer together, they came up with a book that couples can work on at their leisure.

They challenge couples to start small and invest 30 minutes a week. The scriptures and devotionals are intentionally kept short, so that couples can read them together and then spend the rest of their time, discussing what they’ve read. Their personal experience and observation has been that couples who pray together daily and have a spiritual growth time once a week, do not end up divorced.

The devotionals in this book cover a wide variety of topics such as attitude, thoughts, jumping to conclusions, “thank therapy”, regrets, longevity in marriage and eternal perspective.


They also share one of their secrets for a successful marriage which is A.W.E. (affection, warmth and encouragement). Their marriage “to do list” includes 15 scripture references that help cultivate a healthy, thriving marriage. The last chapter of the book is “Learning to Apologize” and demonstrates the steps each couple should know, in order to offer a genuine apology.


This is a great book that every married couple should have in their library.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written with two thoughts in mind. Those that pray together stay together. But we don't always have time to spend an hour with our spouse every day. So the authors came up with a book that can be read every day if you are that couple. But for the rest of us with crazy busy lives can take this book one chapter a week. Every devotional starts out with a Bible verse and story that relates to the topic. It ends with two sections called "Faith Conversations" and "A Step Closer" that give suggestions and topics the couples can use to learn more about each other and be drawn closer to each other and God. Each chapter touches on things that are relevant to the things couples are facing today.

I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved it so much that my husband and I will be starting it this week. We have crazy busy lives and have often felt guilty for not spending any time spiritually together. This book takes the guilt out of that and provides an answer. The chapters are short enough that my husband won't balk at participating. The questions are probing and deep, but not too mushy for the guys. I, like the author, think this is a great starter devotional for those who are just starting that quiet time together or for those who are too busy to fit in a personal quiet time as well as a couple time.

[Christy Trever · Rating 4 out of 5]

Closer by Jim & Cathy Burns is a year-long devotional for couples looking to strengthen their marriage. Broken down into 52 easy to read lessons, the authors tackle many of the issues that strain and break marriages in this age when divorce is common and living together before marriage even more so. From finances to kids to sex, the Burns discuss it all in a encouraging and conversational tone. Each lesson has questions at the end for spouses to ask each other to deepen the lesson as well as exercises to keep the conversation going. The most important lesson the authors have for readers is that God must be in the center of a marriage for it to be successful, and that when we seek to change our partner, it's often we who need to change ourselves. The lessons are quick and easy to read in just a few minutes weekly, so it will work for even the busiest couples. Closer is an excellent tool for couples looking to have a better relationship in 2011.

[CindyLu · Rating 4 out of 5]

In our search for couples devotionals, we often find ones geared towards young married couples with small children in the home. We've read many and this one, so far, is our favorite. It really dove into the details of being married and had less about raising children. As empty-nesters, it was exactly what we needed. No matter where you are in your marriage, this book will encourage and inspire.

[Diana]

A great and practical guide for couples

I loved the practical nature of this book! I would recomanded it to all our married friends.
It is all based on good Christian teachings from the Bible.

[Ava Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I read one of the devotionals in the book weekly. After that, there is a small Q&A section designed for conversation between the couple. Even further, there's extra "homework" if you wanted to develop your relationship further or maybe make it better.

[jessica]

[free nook book]

[SheLove2Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for those who want a stronger Christian marriage. Broken down into short, easily read devotions. Recommended read.

[Ty Tamasaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insights into improving marriage along with practical tools.