Boy Meets Girl 

Just finished Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris. It was mostly stories and his opinion with examples demonstrating how it worked for a couple or how another couple struggled in that area. I would have preferred more exposition of scriptures for the ideas, but several of the central tenets I think were sound ones.

Involve family or church members in order to have accountability and provide wisdom. A successful courtship is one in which both people treat each other with honor and correctly decide if they should get married, regardless of the decision. The question isn't would we enjoy getting married, but are we ready to love and sacrifice for each other, and would we glorify God more as a couple than as individuals. Another interesting point was that the longer the list of things considered off limits before marriage, the more things would feel special afterwards.

Two of the best passages were centered around quotes from other people, but were still well written. The chapter on forgiveness had a three page description of the cross that was one of the most heart-wrenching I remember. I had to blink a couple times afterwards before I could continue. :) It was great for showing God's love anew, and his forgiveness he offers. Those few pages made me want to read When God Weeps by Joni Eareckson Tada and Steve Estes where the quote came from.

"The thorns that God had sent to curse the earth's rebellion now twisted around his brow...A soldier rasies a mallet to sink in the spike. But the soldier's heart must continue pumping as he readies the prisoner's wrist. Someone must sustain the soldier's life minute by minute (Colossians 1:17)...The son recalls how he and the  Father first designed the medial nerve of the human forearm...and it performs flawlessly...He must face his Father...Jesus is treated as if he is personally responsible for every sin committed..."

The ending encouraged contentment. Our greatest need has already been accomplished  in that amazing sacrifice on the cross. So why doubt that God will provide a much lesser need, such as a suitable spouse? Trust His sovereignty, wisdom and love.