New York Times bestselling author Mary Beth Chapman and multi-Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman have a new milestone to celebrate: 40 years of marriage. What began as young love on a college campus has aged into a cherished—but challenging—shared journey through the complexities of life. Now, for the first time, the Chapmans reveal behind-the-scenes Read More
New York Times bestselling author Mary Beth Chapman and multi-Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman have a new milestone to celebrate: 40 years of marriage. What began as young love on a college campus has aged into a cherished—but challenging—shared journey through the complexities of life. Now, for the first time, the Chapmans reveal behind-the-scenes stories of their marriage in Still Here: Life Together on the Long Way Home. Their new
book paints an honest portrait of a couple held together by divine grace and mercy as they prioritize one another, day by day, against impossible odds.
“Until now, we have shied away from writing about our marriage because we thought it might be disappointing for you. Our life is not set to the tune of a love song on auto-repeat—although one of us has sung a certain love song about 100,000 times by now,” they write in Still Here. “But if God will get the glory, then we hope you don’t mind hearing about our crazy life together. Maybe you need to hear that a couple can be a crazy mess today and, by the abundant grace of God, can still be only a sunrise away from another whole new beginning. It’s true. Not just for us, but for you too.”
Still Here is a vulnerable narrative, unpacking the Chapmans’ experience of walking through life as two imperfect people who love God most—and love each other almost as much. Steven and Mary Beth forgo quick tips and bullet points, instead offering an authentic recollection of lived lessons and wisdom collected over four decades, including:
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- Marriage is a practice field for sanctification: two people learning to bear with each other in love.
- Commitment and perseverance are powerful—choose to navigate the highs and lows together.
- Lasting love is built on grace, repentance, and forgiveness.
- Differences in personality and perspective can lead to conflict, but they can also draw you closer.
- There’s not one “right” answer for every parenting situation, so choose relationship.
- The person you married will change—life changes both of you over time.
- Prayer can become a primary response during conflict, rather than avoidance or anger.
- A loving marriage reflects the gospel—mirroring sacrificial love and unity.
- Acknowledge the struggles—and don’t forget to celebrate the beauty of everyday life together.
“God’s main business with you, like His main business with us, is to keep shaping us in holiness. How interesting—how cosmically ingenious—that one of God’s primary methods for sanctification is marriage. And He lets us choose it ourselves!” they write. “We willingly walk the aisle, choosing to share our innermost being with one man or woman for a lifetime, not realizing the package deal we’ve just accepted. Marriage is a practice field for sanctification: two people learning to bear with each other in love.”
Learn more here: https://readstillhere.com/
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