Because of the transforming power of Jesus Christ, I have a solid and growing marriage. My wife is crazy about me and I adore her. I have the kind of marriage now that for years I longed for. But it wasn’t always that way.

In the early days I remember thinking “what have we done?” or “who is this person?” and I know for certain my wife felt the same. But what I have also learned is that most other couples have had similar experiences. After all, we have all heard the infamous stat, that about 50% of marriages end in divorce.

So, of the 50% of the marriages that ARE surviving, how healthy are they? What are they doing that is working? What is the secret behind their success? Well, I don’t know them all, but I can share one small suggestion: Husbands and wives should consider reading the book Captivating (by the best selling Author John Eldredge and his wife Staci).

For years I wondered how I could reach the heart of my wife, but something was missing. I had read the controversial Wild at Heart for men, so I was familiar with “the wound principle” but not so certain as to how all of this applied to my wife. What Captivating did for me was to show me that I have to fight for my wife. According to John and Staci, every woman wants three things: to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to be the beauty of the story. But because of the wounds of a woman’ past, she often represses or exaggerates any or all three of these.

Although I do not agree with all of Eldredge’s theology and every viewpoint he holds to (there have been a substantial amount of thorough book reviews on Eldredge that can provide you with much insight), there are some key principles in this book that have proven to be true and in line with scripture.

This book is a must read for husbands and wives of any age or life stage. I had been married for 9 years when I read it, and the content in this book played a small but critical step in helping my wife and I become closer to one another, and especially to helping her to unlock the beauty that is within her. She truly captivates me, and I am glad she knows it. Hats off to John & Staci, Brian Hampton, and the folks at TNI.

What do pastors and churches expect from a Christian publisher? I think more than anything, they are hungry for relevant, biblical content that will help transform lives to be more like Jesus Christ.

Exactly two weeks ago I was standing on the exhibit hall floor of ICRS (International Christian Retail Show), the largest retail show for the CBA market. While there, I ran into a good friend, Steve Elkins, CEO of Wonder Workshop. Steve knows the CBA marketplace: he has been in the industry authoring quality Christian products for the last couple of decades. I was interested to hear his remarks on the show and the industry as a whole. Interestingly enough, we share the same opinion: the Christian marketplace is hungry for solid, biblical, relevant content, but unfortunately the church has become overtly consumer driven. There are many great products on the market (books, curriculum, media, etc). Even more good to average products. But what concerns me is the multiplying number of titles and products being labeled as “Jesus Junk.”

To say that the Church has become consumer driven is an understatement. Many (not all) Christian publishers are pumping out more fluff than a mattress company to appease the shallow market. I mean, I really like a good gift book on occasion…they certainly have their place, but don’t we need to strike a balance? And how many fashion bibles can one person have? Now, I am not that naive. I realize that there is a reason that publishers are cranking this stuff out…because it’s generating revenue to meet declining sales in other areas. But, as one who works in publishing myself, it is my job (RHP’s job) to develop products that meet real needs with biblical content that will lead children, teens, adults and families to a closer walk with Jesus Christ. Creating products that do this effectively takes time, energy, resource, and something else that the CBA market doesn’t talk too much about – the power and the leading of the Holy Spirit through prayer.

Let me be clear. The fluff content and Jesus Junk has always been around, and a certain amount of it is even enjoyable when it is done well. But as the Church, let me encourage you to demand more from Christian retailing and Christian Publishers. Don’t tolerate Christian T-shirts that rip off every major brand/logo and replace it with Jesus. Continue to look for products that meet real needs with the power of God, and when you find them, send the publisher and author an email and let them know well done. Perhaps it will encourage them to continue the fight for more solid content.

In the upcoming days, I will post again about some products that are making a difference in the industry by changing families and impacting live.