Testimonials

"The challenge that was given in each email was very helpful. My wife and I have been married over 20 years and we had something come in between us. This sent our marriage into the crazy cycle. It just uncovered hurts and past events that were already there. Over the time and reading and praying, God revealed I have many past hurts from my upbringing I never dealt with, which are reflected in outbursts when tension arises. ...working through the 15 day challenge, I am learning to LOVE my wife in a deeper way to see her heart not her attacks. I have never needed this 15 day challenge more than I did over the last few months."

"Love and Respect…is a miracle in my life. My husband and I have been separated for over a year now. In January, my husband began to move back in my direction in an attempt to reconcile our marriage. I felt the Lord telling me to give this marriage a chance again. But, I didn't have the tools to solve any of our past messes. I was blindly obedient to the Lord and just walked and waited for Him to reveal how this would all come together. And the Lord put the Love and Respect book in my path in February. I began reading the book the day I bought it. I was shocked and blown away by the truth that was written page after page. I began to see my half in the mess and better yet, I began to see how to resolve our problems and reconcile our marriage. Then I ordered the Love and Respect Marriage Conference…and I am even more convicted and profoundly impacted. I really, really made huge mistakes. I have read so many marriage self-help books and nothing compares to the knowledge and wisdom that is found in this Love and Respect concept. I am excited and hopeful for my marriage and I can't help but want to shout it from a mountain top. I want everyone to know this truth (that) will save marriages…I walk in faith each day as our marriage is rebuilt…Truly this work and information is a miracle in my life…Everyone needs to know and hear the truth that has set me free! May the Lord richly bless you as you have blessed me!"

"Your materials recognize that every person involved may improve their approach to strengthen the team and each has the responsibility to do so.  Appreciate your encouragement to view ourselves from the exterior perspective that we might be more effective and productive in our work alongside people facing that exterior, no matter our role or profession."

My husband has wanted for 10+ years for me to golf with him, but I have resisted because I am not good and unwilling to commit to the time required to change that fact. Thank you for the shoulder to shoulder suggestion. I am going to take up golf with the clubs my husband bought for me 10 years ago. You are a blessing!

When my wife...first pulled out the book and looked at me, I can honestly say my spirit deflated. I immediately thought, “Oh now, after a long day at the office, she’s gonna want me to reflect on a scripture passage and pour out my heart and soul about how I don’t measure up.” After she read the introduction, I regained HOPE! EE nailed it – let’s take this a little at a time and even do some of the introspection on our own – vertical first, horizontal next…

One thing that I just love about The Illumination Project, what makes it unique, is that you have these two different generations being represented in Emerson and Joy. With Emerson, you have his wisdom and years of writing on this stuff and traveling and counseling couples through marriage, and so you have his passion and his truth. But on the other hand, you have Joy representing the younger crowd, and she makes it relevant and brings her passion and charisma, and the real-life context that we young people are up against. And that synergetic relationship working together is really a phenomenal dynamic to watch. Not to mention: People want to talk about this. They want to talk about love and romance and dating and marriage.

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The Illumination Project shines a warm light on the conversations that all of us should be having. The unique content offering and engagement style makes this a must have, must do resource. Get started now!

In talking to my sons on the phone, I thought I would try out the respect thing. Instead of always ending our conversation with I love you, I said, “I respect (I made it personal to their situations).” One son got quiet and then said, “Thank you, mom,” which really touched my heart. Another son who is more distant from us emotionally and spiritually also got quiet and then said, “I love you,” which he seldom says first or responds to when I say it. To me that was awesome. I expect new fruit in many areas and look forward to using these tools to bring healing to first myself and then others. God bless your ministry.

I think Respectfully Yours is the BEST study a married woman can take!  Being in marriage ministry, I have read and studied many books, but Respectfully Yours is the most powerful in truly transforming a marriage. I tell many about it and know that it can open a wife's heart to understand her husband and make life changes to deepen their relationship.  Respect in marriage is so misunderstood in today's culture.  Most ladies in the class did not know how disrespectful they were until studying the Respectfully Yours material. Learning to be respectful really does open the door for our husbands to love us more deeply.  Isn't that like God's Word!!!  Obedience bears great fruit!!!\

We have two boys, and our oldest is almost eleven. I know that he feels a lot of pressure on him to be a good example to his three younger siblings. I tell him I love him all the time, but I had never considered telling him I respect him. This last Tuesday, I was cleaning his room, and I found a note he had written. It said, “Failure=Benjamin.” He is very hard on himself. . . . I was devastated. I knew something had to change, and that something was us, his parents. We need to show him that we respect him. Before he got home from school, I made twelve notes and taped them around his room and hid them in places such as drawers and under his pillow: I love you. I respect you. I respect your ideas. I am so proud of you. You are the most creative person I know. You are a great big brother. As soon as he got home and saw the obvious ones I had posted, he ran to me and gave me a hug! His eyes were sparkling, and he was so excited. He immediately took the notes and made a board that said “compliment board” and taped them all to it. I have written him letters in the past to tell him I love him and how much he means to me (he is very sentimental and has kept every note and letter). But telling him I respect him went over the top. I have made a vow to respect my son and treat him like I want his future spouse to treat him.

The Illumination Project is undeniably going to help our generation understand relationships. Joy is hilarious and has such great insight into the Love and Respect message. I am proud to call her a friend!

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"…I am already putting forth a minute by minute conscious effort to speak kindly and respectfully ..... grace seasoned with salt !! I know in my heart it is first and foremost how Jesus interacted with everyone ..... HE ..... always treated EVERYONE with kindness and respect ..... no matter what ..... the woman caught in adultery .... ZACCHAEUS UP IN THE TREE .... and every individual HE interacted with .... I am excited ..... God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond my expectations ...... here we go!!!"