RetroChristianity: Reclaiming the Forgotten Faith


Michael J. Svigel - 2012
    or run?The time has come for evangelicals to reclaim the forgotten faith. And this means doing something many are reluctant to do. It means reflecting on the past to rethink the present and inform the future. It means thinking not just biblically and theologically, but also historically.RetroChristianity challenges us to think critically and constructively about those who have come before us and how that informs our current beliefs, values, and practices. This book will adjust our attitudes about evangelicalism, and will lead us along a time-tested path toward a brighter future.

The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home


Russell D. Moore - 2018
    Family is difficult because family—every family—is an echo of the gospel. Family can be the source of some of the most transcendent human joy, and family can leave us crumpled up on the side of the road. Family can make us who we are, and family can break our hearts. Why would this social arrangement have that much power, for good or for ill, over us?

The Resilient Practitioner: Burnout Prevention and Self-Care Strategies for Counselors, Therapists, Teachers, and Health Professionals


Thomas M. Skovholt - 2000
    This happens when they give more attention to their clients' well being than their own. Both students and practitioners in these fields will find this book an essential guide to striking an optimal balance between self-care and other-care. The authors describe the joys and hazards of the work, the long road from novice to senior practitioner, the essence of burnout, ways to maintain the professional and personal self, methods experts use to maintain vitality, and a self-care action plan. Vivid real-life examples and self-reflection questions will engage and motivate readers to think about their own work and ways to enhance their own resilience. Eloquently written and supported by extensive research, helping professionals will find this a valuable resource both when a novice and when an experienced practitioner.

Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church


Alexander Strauch - 1986
    Church history demonstrates the disastrous consequences of drifting from the light of Scripture. This book fulfills the need for an in-depth study on the topic, based in the vast treasure of God's Word.

Counseling the Hard Cases: True Stories Illustrating the Sufficiency of God’s Resources in Scripture


Stuart W. Scott - 2012
    In Counseling the Hard Cases, editors Stuart Scott and Heath Lambert use the true stories of real patients to show how the truths of God’s Word can be released to bring help, hope, and healing into the lives of those who struggle with some of the most difficult psychiatric diagnoses.From pastors and academics to physicians and psychiatrists, a world-class team of contributing counselors share accounts of Scripture having helped overcome bipolar, dissociative identity, and obsessive compulsive disorders, postpartum depression, panic attacks, addiction, issues from childhood sexual abuse, homosexuality, and more.The book also shows how the graces of Christ, as revealed in the Bible, brought powerful spiritual change to the lives of such people who seemed previously burdened beyond hope by mental and emotional roadblocks.Contributors include John Babler, Ph.D., Kevin Carson, D.Min., Laura Hendrickson, M.D., Garrett Higbee, Psy.D., Robert Jones, D.Min., Martha Peace, RN, Steve Viars, D.Min., and Dan Wickert, M.D.

Wife School: Where Women Learn the Secrets of Making Husbands Happy


Julie N. Gordon - 2012
    It is truly life-altering."Kendall Tashie, 50, married 30 years, mother of 6, mentors women and Bible study leaderIn a private setting, sincere Christian women repeatedly reveal that after only a few years (or even months) of marriage, their Prince Charming has lost his charm. After learning the principles in Wife School, these same women find their marriages revolutionized. Affection and closeness take a quantum leap. This remarkable progress occurs because Wife School teaches women what their husbands want and need at a deep soul level, making the husband outrageously happy.This self-help marriage book is a laugh-out-loud story in which the bratty and abrasive protagonist, Jessica--who thinks her marriage is beyond repair--learns the secrets to grow a satisfying and soul-stirring marriage. Enroll now with Jessica in Wife School, and embark on a journey that will transform your marriage beyond what you can imagine."The principles in Wife School have changed my life. The wisdom and guidance have reversed the effect the world had on my marriage. Both my husband and I are truly grateful."Emily Wilson, 33, married 8 years, 2 children, mentors younger women"The principles that I have learned from Wife School have changed my marriage and therefore changed my life in unbelievable ways. I have gone from a good marriage to an exceptional marriage (that almost seemed unattainable and unrealistic). Every wife needs to read this book."Jenny Hendrix, 33, married 7 years, 5 children

Understanding People: Why We Long for Relationship


Larry Crabb - 1987
    Larry Crabb. And, the only fully reliable source of information on that topic is the Bible. In this Gold Medallion Award-winning classic, Dr. Crabb affirms the power of the Scriptures to address the intricacies and deep needs of the human heart. Exploring the inseparable link between spiritual and psychological realities, Understanding People offers a vital lens on how we're put together - who we really are and what makes us tick in our relationships with other people, with God, and with ourselves. In three parts, this book first points us to the Bible as our source of insight into perplexing heart issues. Then, it helps us come to grips with our brokenness as God's image-bearers, and it shows how we can reclaim our ability to reflect him in our growth toward maturity and healed relationships.

Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love: Relationship Repair in a Flash


Nancy Dreyfus - 1994
     We've all been there. A conversation with a loved one escalates into conflict. Voices rise to a fever pitch and angry, accusative words fly through the air. At times like these, it seems impossible to find the magic words that will lead to healing. Enter Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love. A psychotherapist with decades of experience in counseling couples, Nancy Dreyfus hit upon the revolutionary practice outlined in this book during a couples-therapy session in which a wife's unrelenting criticism of her husband was causing him to become emotionally withdrawn. In the midst of this, Dreyfus found herself scribbling on a scrap of paper, "Talk to me like I'm someone you love" and gestured to the husband that he should hold it up. He did and within seconds the familiar power differential between the two shifted, and a gentler, more genuine connection emerged. Dreyfus was startled, then intrigued, and then motivated to create a tool that could help others. This elegantly packaged spiral-bound book features more than one hundred of Dreyfus's "flash cards for real life"-written statements that express what we wish we could communicate to the person we love, but either can't find the right words or the right tone in which to say it. The statements include: *Taking responsibility: "I realize I'm overreacting. Can you give me a minute to get sane again?" *Apologizing: "I know I've really hurt you. What can I do to help you trust me again?" *Loving: "You are precious, and I get that I haven't been treating you like you are." A one-of-a-kind, practical relationship tool, Talk to Me Like I'm Someone You Love will help couples to stop arguing and begin healing.

Remarriage after Divorce in Today's Church: 3 Views


Gordon J. Wenham - 2006
    This Counterpoints volume explores the biblical and practical cases for the three main evangelical views on remarriage after divorce:Remarriage is not acceptable after divorce - defended by Gordon J. WenhamRemarriage is acceptable only after adultery or desertion - defended by William A. HethRemarriage is acceptable for a variety of reasons - defended by Craig S. KeenerEach of the three contributors offers his point of view succinctly and with biblical support, and each interacts with the others to help readers come to their own conclusions.The Counterpoints series presents a comparison and critique of scholarly views on topics important to Christians that are both fair-minded and respectful of the biblical text. Each volume is a one-stop reference that allows readers to evaluate the different positions on a specific issue and form their own, educated opinion.

Resilient Ministry: What Pastors Told Us about Surviving and Thriving


Bob Burns - 2012
    Too often the results can be burnout, being run out or just feeling worn out. To find out how pastors can thrive as well as survive, the authors undertook a five-year in-depth research project among working pastors. Here in this ground-breaking book is the distilled wisdom of dozens of pastors who have been on the front lines of ministry. We hear from them what works, what doesn't and what distinctive issues people in ministry face. The authors uncover five key themes that promote healthy, sustainable ministry that lasts--spiritual formation, self-care, emotional and cultural intelligence, marriage and family, leadership and management. These themes are unpacked from the vantage point of ministry on the ground. Questions for personal evaluation and reflection are included throughout the book to bring home the significance of each section. This is the perfect companion for a peer cohort of pastors to read together. It can also be of value to church boards and others who want to better understand how to help sustain their pastors in ministry. In short, this is a book pastors can't live without.

Love, Sex, and Happily Ever After: Preparing for a Marriage That Goes the Distance


Craig Groeschel - 2011
    You?ve seen marriages fail time and again. Even relationships you thought were bullet proof don?t last?or maybe worse?fade away to a cold, gray lovelessness. It?s no wonder that for today?s generation, "getting what you want" is often a substitute for love, and disillusionment about marriage is the new normal. But you can have a long-term, love-blessed marriage. Whether you?re still considering it, are about to be wed, or have been married for a while and want to make changes, Love, Sex & Happily Ever After delivers an infusion of hope. Author Craig Groeschel clearly and honestly lays out the choices and commitments you can make now to change the way you think and act?to build the relationship you want for the rest of your life.

The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy


Augustus Y. Napier - 1977
    . . that are remarkably fresh and helpful.”—New York Times Book ReviewThe classic groundbreaking book on family therapy by acclaimed experts Augustus Y. Napier, Ph.D., and Carl Whitaker, M.D.This extraordinary book presents scenarios of one family’s therapy experience and explains what underlies each encounter. You will discover the general patterns that are common to all families—stress, polarization and escalation, scapegoating, triangulation, blaming, and the diffusion of identity—and you will gain a vivid understanding of the intriguing field of family therapy.

If Only He Knew: What No Woman Can Resist


Gary Smalley - 1982
    Do you want your wife to: - understand you? - appreciate you? - be more responsive sexually? - support you during hard times? - admire you? - share your interests? - listen to what you have to say?

Practicing Affirmation: God-Centered Praise of Those Who Are Not God


Sam Crabtree - 2011
    Christian communities are no exception. Why do so many of our relationships suffer from alienation, indifference, and even hostility?Author Sam Crabtree believes that often at the heart of these breakdowns is a lack of affirmation. He observes in Scripture that God grants mercy to those who refresh others, and in life that people tend to be influenced by those who praise them. Crabtree shows how a robust "God-centered affirmation ratio" refreshes others and honors God.Practicing Affirmation sounds a call to recognize and affirm the character of Christ in others. When done well, affirmation does not fuel pride in the person, but refreshes them and honors God. All who are discouraged in relationships will find wisdom and practical insight in this book.

Preaching with Variety: How to Re-Create the Dynamics of Biblical Genres


Jeffrey D. Arthurs - 2007
    Each chapter includes practical "Try this" suggestions and ends with a quick checklist for preachers to consider when preaching from each of the six genres. Readers will learn how to expand their repertoire of creative, interesting, and relevant sermons.