The I Do’s & I Don’ts of a Successful Marriage

About the Book

I realize there are many self-help books covering a variety of issues. My desire, however, was to write a book about the marital relationship that is easy to read yet has enough substance to positively impact readers on a level that would motivate an inward desire to change for the better. This is a book that will open the eyes of readers to the fact that they are as normal as anyone else. It is a book showing how a few changes or corrections in one’s daily interaction with one’s spouse could make for a better tomorrow. The reader will learn not to react, responding instead with the right motive and attitude. The reader will be able to see how, by doing the right things, one’s life can change for the better, and so can the lives of all in the household. I grew up hearing how difficult the marital relationship is due to the differences between men and women. I heard about how women are hard to figure out or that most men never know what it is their wives want. In my life, I have not found this to be true. What I have found is that it takes a conscious effort on my part to observe and get to know my wife, her likes and dislikes, her wants, hopes dreams, and desires. During this observation I learned she did not like all the things I did, and that was okay. I learned to accept the fact that she might not want to do what I want to do, and it is okay if I don’t want to do what she wants. I learned she was romantic and even has her own personal language. This is a language she and other women appear to understand, but it didn’t readily make sense to me. I believe you will find this book to be quite informative and to the point. It will make you think hard about how you interact with your spouse on a daily basis. It will also teach you something about the most important college you will ever attend: the college of life.

About the Author

Rick has done many things in his life, from founding and owning companies to pastoring a church for over five years. He was on the radio for seven years, and he made TV appearances on the TBN channel. He has continued to do public speaking at marriage seminars, motivational speaking, and keynote speaking. He has served on the board of several churches as an elder since his late twenties. From the age of twenty-three, he has taken a personal interest in helping people, especially in their marriage. In his twenties he started counseling couples regarding marriage issues, doing so with those his own age and with many over twice his age. He has always exhibited keen insight into relationships of all kinds, not just marriages. His ability to recognize and sense the truth behind the issues of those who have come to him for guidance or counseling over these past almost-forty years has been the motivation for the writing of this book. Rick still counsels and works with couples today regarding issues they are facing in their marriage. When asked to officiate a wedding ceremony, he requires several counseling sessions to ensure the couple will enter into this union with a full understanding of what they are entering into and what it will require of each one personally.