Baker Books

I highly recommend Allison Gilber's book, Always Too Soon. It is heartfelt, and an inspiration to all especially those who have lost both parents at one time or another. It provides comfort to those who have had a similar experience and who can relate to one or other of the personal stories. It shows other readers that we are not alone in the losses we suffer through our lives and no matter what tragedy occurs, we can find the inner strength to move on, remembering our dear family members who have passed.

Dear Ms. Gilbert,

I heard about your book on a news show here in the Chicago area. I bought it and am very grateful for your idea, thoughts and dedication in publishing this book. My Dad passed on February 4, 2005 and my Mom on September 21, 2006. They were immigrants from Ireland and far away from their families when their parents passed. I knew it was hard for them...but had no idea how hard until now. I live 700 miles from my brothers (who all lived with in 15 minutes of my parents). I felt so bad about not being close that I made sure to talk with my Mom every day and we vacationed and were together for 3 weeks a year (my time off).

My heart is broken to lose my best buddy in my Mom...and not even have my Dad anymore. Your book is helping me heal.

Kind regards and living so many fond memories of two very special people,
Kathleen

One week to the day of buying your book, I have finished. I began to slow down 3/4's of the way through because I think I was afraid it would end too soon. Here in this book, I found words and thoughts behind my personal feelings and then encouragement to what can come from these same feelings. It is helping take away the fear. I learned that along with the sadness, I was feeling afraid.

Thinking, after the first read, I can not pick certain chapters because even in those chapters that are so different from my own experience, I found a thought, feeling or a sentence that was similar, inspiring or insightful. I will have to read this book again because when I started last Sunday, I read like a person who was about to have their first meal in a week (I basically "gulped down the interviews").

I hope that others will find solace in your writing.
K.

Bravo! This book was amazing... who knew commonality exists between Geraldine Ferraro & Ice-T in regards to building strength from hard times. Ms. Gilbert weaves an expert string of essays, how-to's, and wonderfully heartfelt stories for anyone who's experienced loss, or for those looking to appreciate what they have NOT lost.

I was able to buy a copy of this book at a recent publicity signing and read it over the Thanksgiving holiday, around family, and it left me with such a feeling of closure and peace within myself. Each of the interviews touches upon different aspects of loss and healing and the author has woven them together so masterfully. I highly recommend the book to anyone who has lost a loved one, whether it be one parent, both parents, a sibling, grandparent, or even a dear friend. It is filled with heart-warming sentiments, deep emotion, and that part of all of us that makes us human. Enjoy!

Anger Busting Workbook helps you understand that you do not have to be the person that keep having bad relationships with your family, friends, associates do your anger.
It shows you how you can stop the rage today.

[[ASIN:188629819X James Baker, Anger busting Workbook: Simple, Powerful Techniques for Managing Anger & Saving Relationships]. What first interested me in this book were the step by step lists for behaviours to watch and change, and expectations for both the angry person and the person living with the anger. Having the book available online to read before buying is how I became aware of the helps it includes. That said, I wonder if it is useful for most angry men without the help of a third person (psychologist) in real life. The men whose difficulty is the subject of this book, may resort to a backlash against it, in their house, thus, putting the spouse at greater risk. If a spouse thinks this may apply to her, I recommend finding it in a library. The author, Baker, recommends getting the help of a local support whether psychology or other. The book emphasizes a particular kind of expression of anger which is particularly destructive to the partner, thus the suggestions to keep taking steps to change, and to get the kind of help needed is essential. This very urgency and extreme case types may scare off some who could use most of the suggestions, but for whom a court order for anger management is not an issue. This book is thorough in the situational possibilities for manipulative anger in everyday life, and for dealing with these in a way that moves both the angry person and the person coping with excessive anger, to find ways to truly improve their lives, for some, by learning to stop the destructive expressions, and for others, to leave. The helps continue with how to safely leave. A resource to reread, carefully.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (2/06)

In "The Anger Busting Workbook" James Baker gently encourages the reader to identify and face ones own anger. Although this workbook mainly points towards the husband's anger issues, there is a section for the wife to work along side her husband.

Baker provides an easy step-by-step solution by first identifying whether or not one has rage issues through self assessment. Once acknowledged that an issue occurs, Baker provides a pledge form to sign and have witnessed as a commitment to addressing anger issues, working the workbook, and abstaining from displaying inappropriate anger. He also provides check lists and a contract to sign with oneself, and as a couple. In the end, Baker provides an opportunity to write new scripts. Research indicates that a process of 90 days will change the habit.

Anyone in a 12-step program would recognize that Baker gives the opportunity to work the steps in a concise, well constructed process. The workbook is simple and well designed to address the issues at hand. The hardest part would be the first step - to admit that there is an anger problem. However, Baker gives the process to identify it, if the reader is truthful. I highly recommend this workbook. Baker has taken an issue that affects most families and is giving them the opportunity to address it in a safe and gentle manner.

Too much of what the psychotherapy/self help industry turns out relies heavily on hand-holding, navel-gazing, and fishing expeditions into childhood that can last for years. This approach rarely appeals to men, and it is practically useless when dealing with rageaholics. A-la Dr. Phil, James Baker delivers a kind of in-your-face, step-by-step plan to help anger addicts get an immediate reduction in their level of inappropriate anger. It is filled with practial exercises and down-to-earth language that will challenge angry men to face themselves and quit blaming everyone else for their anger. It also provides a very helpful section for women, to help them figure out how to make safe choices with angry men. The flexible format makes it great for use in a variety of therapeutic settings.

After reading Archeology and the Old Testament by Hoerth, this book fills out the needed holes. For a newcomer to the field of archeology this book helps to understand some of the basics. Very well put together and infromative. The development of ideas is clear and insightful. This book is a winner, and I recommend this for any student of the Bible who seeks to teach the Word of God in it's context. You will find yourself quoting from this book in your sermons!!! Gary Van Daele

Although a scholarly, the author has done an excellent job of thoroughly presenting the current state of the archaeology of the New Testament in a manner both the scholar and layman will find approachable and thrilling.

The author handles all significant topics of New Testament archaeology from the life of Christ to the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul in a systematic manner. For example, the author discusses and illustrates where Christ was templed by the devil from the pinnacle of the temple. In another example, fascinating pictures of 1st century life come alive through discussions of the dates and events that occured as Paul lived and shared the word of God with people at the various cities on his journeys. This weaving of biblical passages with the archaeological data make the book readable and sheds new light on the Bible and the historical sites.

There are detailed discussions of the city planning, civic centers, housing, commercial activities, entertainment, and the methods and difficulties of travel in the Roman world. There is a special chapter on archaeology and ancient documents.

The book is very well illustrated and includes detailed maps of most archaeological sites. There are many photographs and numerous Endnotes for further study.

After reading Archeology and the Old Testament by Hoerth, this book fills out the needed holes. For a newcomer to the field of archeology this book helps to understand some of the basics. Very well put together and infromative. The development of ideas is clear and insightful. This book is a winner, and I recommend this for any student of the Bible who seeks to teach the Word of God in it's context. You will find yourself quoting from this book in your sermons!!! Gary Van Daele

An up to date discussion of the more important archaeological finds relevant to New Testament studies. Packed with social and cultural insights and written clearly.

Like Jeremiah who deals with suffering, Mr. Tabbs book is wonderful in helping us search for understanding through the pains of life. His advice and wisdom are encouraging and the questions that he asks througout the book are what everyone of us is asking on the inside but Tabb as the bolness to verbalize and wrestle with. This book stretched my soul and strengthened my relationship with God. I have read a lot of books on suffering and this is the best. It is honest, God honoring and helpful, in walking through the variety of trials that people face. Praise God for a real and great book on suffering. I will buy many to give to those who are wrestling through life. - Chris Trent

In reading Out of the Whirlwind, I've grown closer to God and gained a greater perspective for understanding the times when I went through times of suffering. This book isn't pop-theology, it springs out of the authors extensive Biblical research and personal experience. I've already passed a copy on to someone who is questioning "why God is allowing her to go through bad times," and plan on keep other copies handy to give to others. This book will benefit you whether you are struggling or not. It is for anyone who wants to draw nearer to God and gain a greater understanding of who He is.

It is not my intent to pit Christian book against Christian book, so please don't be offended by my review title.
On the surface it is very easy to ask God to bless us. It is easy to be a joyful, loving believer when things are all well and good. But people, we are going to have good days and we are going to have bad ones as well. How do you handle, the bad, or turbulent or the desperate times. When it seems as if even God has turned from us, what do we do? Job 2:1 says" Shall we accept only good things from the hand of God?"
When I got this book I thought why take on this subject? After reading it, I realized why Mark Tabb had to write this book. This is a message that needs to be told and this author doesn't pull any punches. Bad things are going to happen to everyone of us and our true dependence on God will be tested. Mark Tabb writes in the first chapter,"It is not a question of if our lives will be turned over by grief but when."
Tabb also warns us toward the beginning of the book that he is not going to try to explain why bad things happen. I think that this was a wise choice. The way he explains issues of truth, acceptance and moving on are more important then any discussions we could have about why bad things happen. (I will say that Mr Tabb does make some profound statements about the why's and where's of bad things.)
This book is also one of the most definitive character studies on Job that is out there. I gained a tremendous amount of respect for this Bible hero after reading this book. Tabb eloquently uses Job's faith, trust and character as examples that we should all strive for.
If you are unfamiliar with Mark Tabb's books you are in for a real treat. He is incredibly gifted communicator. His writings are very intelligent yet they are quite easy to understand. His "real life" stories are at times touching, other times humorous and always thought provoking. Out of the Whirlwind is his best book to date.
In closing, we know that this is definitely not the first book on this subject, but there is something unique about it. This book's readers are going to have a common thread... the desire to pass this book on to others. I have heard and read of quite a bit of this going on already. I personally have given this book to three people. That, my friends, is a benchmark, not for a good book, but for a great book.

I have read, and own, many books on the suffering and hardship that we experience at some point in our lives. I first started to read this as a local church pastor merely looking for another resource, but soon found myself captivated as a man living in what can sometimes be a very harsh and painful world. Mark writes well and very personally but never loses track of the big questions that must honestly be asked about the hard issues of suffering. He does a fine job of presenting a solidly Biblical framework for understanding what God is up to in our complex, and at times, terrifying world. I have read the book three times now, and am about due for another read. It may make you cry, or be angry, or be silent, but it will not leave you unchanged if you read it with an open heart and mind. My family member who is battling cancer read it and then gave a copy to his friend to read who is now a parapalegic due to a car accident. I simply cannot recommend it more highly.

My fifteen-year-old son read Baker's Dozen on the ride home from Maryland today. As we rode along, whenever I tried to engage him in conversation, he politely asked when he could get back to reading. In part that's a clever way of ignoring his dad, but during the ride he laughed out loud in several places, and during the part about the wooden sword fight and deer-head stabbing, his expression was one of amazement .. he was truly caught up in the story the whole time he was reading it. He gives it a B to B+, and would recommend it to others. He said that while it probably wouldn't interest an old fellow like me, it was good for his age range. I call it high praise when the reader's face shows a wide range of emotions, as his did during the ride. Clearly, this book is a good read.

one book make it Baker's Dozen. If you have to own two books make it Baker's Dozen and a Bible.

Joshua really brings to life 13 days of High School for those who forgot what it was like and for those who need reminding. This book shows what it was like any ordinary day in the life of a busy high school student starting two weeks before 9/11 and ending the day after the towers fell. This book is written as a journal, therefore it is life as seen through the eyes of an informed, albeit confused high school student.

Moorhead, at the ripe age of 20 manages to seamlessly blend the timeless memories of highschool with the time-changing massacre that is 9/11. This young author is here to stay.

The have read this book several times and use it as a textbook in a post-secondary institution for baking students. The book is no longer out of print as the limited 2nd edition has just been released (January 25, 2001). I have been personally involved in the translation of this book and have found nothing equal to compare it to, based on the content, photos and schematics.

The have read this book several times and use it as a textbook in a post-secondary institution for baking students. The book is no longer out of print as the limited 2nd edition has just been released (January 25, 2001). I have been personally involved in the translation of this book and have found nothing equal to compare it to, based on the content, photos and schematics.

This is a must have for professionals and baking enthusiasts. This book encompasses all aspects of production, from the roll of the ingredients to final product. I highly recommend adding it to any baking library.

This book is second to none regarding flour origins and sciences of all aspects of baking. I highly recommend this book as a must read for anyone in the field or anyone who has an interest in baking..

Reviewed by Brianne Plach (age 10) for Reader Views (4/08)

Do you like to get email? If you do and find it interesting to read emails, you will like Jordon Mink. He got an email from heaven. He must leave this earth immediately. The emails come from Barth Penn who lives in heaven. Barth is assisted by different angels who are trying to convince Jordan to come to heaven. It's only Barth who talks to Jordan, but the angels give him advice.

Can you imagine his response when opening his email? He goes through four months of corresponding with Barth. There are blank pages in between some of the emails because Jordon does not reply to his email partner. Jordon was undergoing some medical treatment.

"barthpenn@heaven.org" is a very interesting book for young readers who like fantasy books. Their story is told by reading each email and seeing just how the story develops on and on. I read this book in two days, it was so exciting. It's definitely a book which you can't put down until you are finished with it.

You never know what might end up in your inbox. But you definitely won't get any from heaven like young Jordon did in "barthpenn@heaven.org."

Kevin Scott Collier's ability to write a story in e-mail form is pure talent. I've seen this technique before and quickly became bored with it. His word choices and message can hold the most reluctant, child-reader captive. Jordon Mink, the Angel who accidentally sent an e-mail to Bart, creates an intriguing picture of Heaven. He also answers all of Bart's questions with skill and honesty. Kids will appreciate Collier's style of writing. I recommend this book for boys and girls, as well as adults who need their heart-warmed.

BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG by Kevin Scott Collier
Reviewed by Dian Moore

Ten-year old Jordan Mink accidentally receives an email from Bartholomew Pennington (Bart), an Angel who lives on Cloud 9. Jordan writes back, and Bart is in deep trouble for breaking the confidentiality of Heaven. To avoid exposure he agrees to correspond with Jordan, and the story unfolds, told entirely in emails.

I recommend that people of all ages read this small book with a big message. Better yet, all ages should read this book together, as a family, with friends, and in school. Yes, in a public school.

Without preaching, Collier has created a masterpiece of communication full of vivid details, which appear in the reader's mind through short, web-ese emails.

By the end of the story, I was amazed, and touched, to realize I had finished a story of remarkable dimensions. Though written for the middle-school-aged child (tweener), BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG strikes a chord in the adult heart as well.

Kindness, good deeds and learning the importance of empathy are explored, and Collier shows readers, through this story, how our actions cause ripples in the ocean of human life, affecting ourselves and the people we come to know. The importance of love and friendships without judging one another are illustrated as Jordan interacts with his family, schoolmates and an angel who also has a lesson to learn.



Interview with Kevin Scott Collier, author of BARTHPENN@HEAVEN.ORG
Interviewed by Dian Moore

Q. What was your inspiration for a book written entirely in e-mail form?

A: It just came to me, from a joke I told a child. He asked me if I prayed to God, and I responded, "No, I email him instead!" Then, the wheels in my head started turning. I started seeing the entire concept in my head, of a book that is both inspirational, and tech oriented for children.

Q. What is your ultimate dream - your hopes from the publication of this book?

A: To inspire children. To reach out and make people think, both young and old. I'm not in it for fame or fortune, I'm on a pathway my creator has put me on. This is about using my gifts for a spiritual purpose.

Q. When did you begin to write, and what types of things did you write?

A: I actually began as an artist, at age 5. But, with the creation of characters, stories had to be told, so writing was a natural companion to illustration. I mainly created, wrote, and illustrated Super Heroes, and made my own comic books which I sold to neighborhood kids. I pretty much had my own humble little publishing company by age 13.

Q. Tell us a little of your background - where you grew up, family composition, hobbies and current life.

A: I was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan in 1957. It was a foundry town, my dad worked as an automotive pattern maker, and mom was a full time mother raising us five kids; I have 3 brothers, 1 sister. I was really into art as a kid, cartooning in particular, and still am today. I have a lot of strange and dangerous hobbies, like Parasailing and Sand Boarding to name a few. My family has a cottage on a lake, we pull a parachute behind our powerboat, and go sailing up to 500 feet in the air. I have a few surfboards I surf down huge sand dunes with too, some hills as high as 10 stories. I've had a few mishaps there! I love to ride my mountain bike everywhere too, and average 1,500 - 2,800 miles a year recreational biking.

Q. Will there be a sequel to Barthpenn?

A: The ending of the book is set up to lead to a sequel, and my publisher, Baker Trittin Press has opened the door for one. We're just going to see how much impact it has before I begin a second one. And, I have many other books for them in the works, so I'd like to get out new things before revisiting
something I've done.

Q. How about a book for adults, in the same format - would you do one? If so, why, and if no, why not.

A: Actually, "barthpenn@heaven.org", and all of my upcoming titles, are for parents, too. My publisher is aware of this, and supports the concept. It's a way to reach and touch kids and adults for more of a blanket audience. My next book, "Esther's Channel", on the surface, looks like a little tale about a turtle and her friends, but it's really about adult behavior that unites and divides us.

Q. When determining what type of job an angel might hold, how did you come up with the "workforce."

A: It all sort of fell into place. Heaven was going to be shaken up with a breach in security, and thus there has to be an angelic food chain as well, different levels all trying to manage a crisis. It's whimsical! I think the funniest part is Bart the angel's superiors (St. Andrew and St. Hawthorne) trying to keep the "misguided email" sent to Jordon Mink a secret of sorts from God Almighty. Yeah, right! God knew this all was going to happen before
any of it did!

Q. Who is the inspiration for Jordan's character?

A: It's me, but I didn't do it intentionally. My wife says I drew so much on my past that Jordon became me. I did have a situation when I was 16, where I had a burst appendix, and spent a month in the hospital. I almost died, and I was very spiritual, and felt I had a guardian angel there watching over me.

Q. Feel free to talk at length about anything you would like readers of this book to know.

A: There are a lot of messages in BART (as I call the book), but perhaps the best message is to never make negative assumptions. There are so many situations in the book where assumptions are made about others that turn out to be totally wrong. Get to KNOW others. Negative assumptions caused Jordon to misjudge Mr. Baxter, the elderly man with Alzheimer's disease, and a misjudgment of Brandon's character (Jordon's friend) nearly cost the two their friendship. It isn't until we get to know others, and use compassion and wisdom and hope as our guide, do others begin to unfold for us in our lives. You really begin to see what life is all about when your heart becomes your eyes. And, we all affect one another, and influence others. It's like they book says, "by the end of our lives we become a collection of everyone who ever loved us." You will miss out on many good people by misjudging them or making assumptions.

***

Kevin Scott Collier takes children's writing to the next level with "barthpenn@heaven.org". The story of a young boy, Jordon Mink, "barthpenn@heaven.org" chronicles how Jordon inadvertently receives an e-mail message intended for a deceased man, who is late for his heavenly appointment.

The e-mail sender, Bartholomew Pennington, the angel on duty, is horrified to learn that the e-mail has fallen into the wrong hands and attempts to remedy the situation by sending Jordon a file which will erase the e-mail not only from the boy's computer, but from his mind as well. Being internet literate, Jordon does not fall for the ruse and forces Bartholomew to become his pen pal under threat of exposure. "barthpenn@heaven.org" is the story of ten-year-old Jordon Mink's friendship with the angel and the lessons he learns, due in part to his association with the angel.

Written in an engaging and fast-paced style, Kevin Scott Collier brings off the narrative with ease, presenting the story in the form of e-mails. It is a unique and intriguing, yet potentially dangerous, technique, yet the author handles it skillfully and presents the reader with a story more than worth its paper and ink! An enjoyable read!

Craig Hart - CraigHart.net/ChristianLit Magazine

Even though it is very small, Carson's book is deep, practical, straight-forward and challenging. It makes a great resource for pastors. It is like a mini-commentary on the book, full of great insight. Buy a copy soon and use it for personal devotion or as a starter for sermon ideas on Philipians.

I bought this book only because I've read Exegetical Fallacies by Carson and I was doing a sermon series on Philippians. While comparing this book to other works on Philippians, it is lacking in technical detail on many issues, but it outshines my other resources in presenting the thrust of the book in a memorable and practical way. So for a preaching/teaching minister who is working through Philippians, I think this is a valuable resource.

For example...when working through Philippians chapter 1 I had come to a summary conclusion on my own...and adjusted it after reading other commentaries. I had to rethink everything after reading Carson and eventually rewrote my sermon notes because of this perspective...I found it compellingly accurate. Instead of simply evaluating Paul's emphasis on thanksgiving and prayer as most works do...and showing the patterns in detail that relate to ancient forms of writing...Carson analyzes the content of these two paragraphs in Philippians 1 and says that the key is 'Put the gospel first'. He then applies that in different arenas...such as in your prayer life...fellowship with other believers and so on. When you reread Philippians 1 again it is clear that he has pointed out accurately what was going on.

Fresh summary from a deeper perspective. I had lost that perspective in the details of the verse by verse analysis with my other commentaries (some of the very best included). So this is an excellent book. It's different than anything else I have on Philippians. Highly recommended!

This is a great little commentary. D A Carson has done an excellent job of teasing out the flow of the letter as Paul might have intended it. It is because of this and the exceptionally practical nature of Carson's exposition that I can recommend this book to every Christian. It is also set out in such a way as to be useful for group Bible studies.

Another one of Carson's books which began as expositions at a Christian conference. Reading this book, you can almost hear the author speaking to you.He tells a number of helpful stories throughout the book which powerfully bring home the points he is illustrating.

The book is simple, but it shows a deep understanding of Paul and his theology. It will help you to fall in love with Paul's letter, but also with the Christ whom Paul urges us to emulate and serve.

The mouse detective Basil aspires to be like his hero, Sherlock Holmes, and the self-aware nature of the story works beautifully, making it especially cute when Basil and Holmes contrast (Basil laps up the attention, heartily approves of Dawson's stories, and plays the violin very badly). The story's real strength lies in its writing, however; the prose is simple and even lyrical in places, and it repeatedly borrows phrases directly out of the Holmes stories themselves, adapted to suit the mice - Dawson refers to Basil as "the best and wisest mouse [he'd] ever known", while chapter 11 begins, "It is with a heavy heart that I... take pen in paw to write these lines." Aside from training up a new generation of Holmes fans, it's surprisingly educational in other ways as well, with a scattering of Spanish vocabulary and an argument between Basil and the wife of the Mexican mouse president about women's rights and famous women in history. The story is quite interesting for a children's mystery, and even adult readers are likely to find it charming, Holmes fans or not.

Basil in Mexico is about a mouse who is almost exactly like Sherlock Holmes. Wih his keen eyes and sensitive ears, nothing escapes him. Basil takes a special trip down to Mexico to solve the case of the missing "Mousa Lisa." A real thriller, this book definitely takes the cake.

This is about as close as you'd want to come to seeing Sherlock Holmes investigating the theft of the Mona Lisa (because Basil is a bit more fun, and the history of the Mousa Lisa is more interesting).

This book is worth picking up, just for the sake of the story of how the Mousa Lisa came to be painted (I won't spoil it for you by trying to summarize it here, but it's touching). Someone has managed to substitute a forgery for the real Mousa Lisa, and the substitution was detected only due to the zeal of a visiting art expert. Basil and Dawson have been called in to track down and recover the painting, but of course things are more complicated than they seem...

Basil of Baker Street is back again! I'm a 12 year old girl who just loves this book. This one leds Basil and Dawson to Mexico to find the stolen Mousa Lisa! And it ends up were Ratigan, Basil's worst enemy, has kidnapped, or should I say mousenapped, Dawson!! Basil has to go threw thick and thin to solve this case

Today it seems that we the church are more independent than interdependent, this book helps to foster how we as saints can build more loving caring relationships that cross Racial, Social and economic lines. As paul says in Colossians 2:2 " My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in LOVE, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ."

"God's frozen chosen?" HA! I am a New Englander - born and raised. On behalf of my brothers and sisters in the body of Christ here in the Northeast, I'd like to inform the world that we are indeed chosen - but we are no longer frozen! The warm wind of God's Spirit has been melting much of our cold independence and pride. THIS BOOK CONFIRMS THAT THE SPIRITUAL ICE AGE IN NEW ENGLAND HAS COME TO A CLOSE! Read about real pastors - real people - real churches in the Northeast where God's plans and purposes are unfolding. Macchia provides a brilliant blend of real-life circumstances with practical guidelines. This book filled me with faith, hope, and renewed strength to press on in my role as a vital part of the Body of Christ in my region.

This book is for God's frozen chosen everywhere who long to become His freed indeed!

The author provides ten characteristics of a healthy church, revealing the principles they represent and the process whereby a church can become healthy. Based on two major surveys of what people want in a church--and what they actually experience in their church. Loaded with real life stories of churches in the northeast that exhibit one of more of the ten characteristics. The author reveals a strongly biblical and deeply spiritual approach, with a real heart for the church. A former children's and youth minister who eventually became associate pastor in a large Boston area church, the author, Stephen A. Macchia is president of America's largest regional association of churches, Vision New England.

I find this book to be a helpful way of looking at the local church. The author is not devloping a particular model, or specifically prescribing how to "do it right." Instead, he is submitting principles that can be applied in virtually any setting. There is a healthy mixture of real life stories, biblical principles and exhortations. The author clearly has convictions about the need for health in the local church, and he communicates his convictions well.

The 10 characteristics outlined in the book are worth regular review, and can be used to help develop a vision for healthy balance in ministry. The book doesn't hold out any quick fixes, but rather upholds the value of healthy sowing and reaping over time. Many, many churches will benefit from the concepts and principles presented in this book.