Baker Books

Few books guide us in how to actually come close to God -- and stay there. This book not only addresses the problems of meaninglessness, depression, and dryness that arise as we spiral further and further out of God's orbit; but also nails down the core problem: self-centeredness and self-will; and gives practical ways, historically proven by many saints, to move yourself back into relationship with God. Solidly based on the author's personal experience -- he writes of what he knows. Highly recommended if you truly have a desire to know God as revealed in Jesus.

I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone looking to deepen their relationship with God. Unlike other books with "steps" or actions to take to enliven your relationship with God, this book provides practical advice, rooted in our Christian legacy, which actually draws you closer to God.

This book is a must have for all married couples! Jay and Laura share beautifully on how to make marriage fun, exciting and more intimate.
I was especially intrigued by the five facets of intimacy. Learning how to develop each facet to it's fullest and bringing them all together is something my husband Dan and I are taking enjoyment in.
Whether you are a newlywed or have been married for years, you will find this book filled with wisdom along with fun stories that everyone can relate to. Buy this book, read it, put it to practice, you won't be sorry!

In my work as a Marriage Coach, Motivational Speaker and Inside Romance Success show host I read a lot of books about people, their motivations, and their relationships. "The Spark: Igniting the Passion, Mystery, and Romance in Your Marriage" by Jay and Laura Laffoon is an engaging, fun, and personal journey to a healthy marriage. It's an excellent marriage and relationship book and I give it an A+.

The Laffoons surveyed over 2,000 married people to discover their beliefs about intimacy. They also conducted in-depth surveys with nearly 100 people about the issues affecting intimacy. Jay and Laura have used their training, experience, and the results of their extensive research to author a book that provides practical solutions that you can implement to help you update, improve, and enhance your marriage.

They set the stage for talking about marriage with the most unique engagement story I've ever read. When I shared it with my wife she laughed out loud. Jay and Laura's view on marriage and relationship priorities, and where kids fall on the priority list, is one that every parent should hear.

Jay and Laura's message and lessons are focused around 5 areas of intimacy;

- Social Intimacy,
- Mental Intimacy,
- Emotional Intimacy,
- Physical Intimacy, and
- Spiritual Intimacy.

The information provided for each Intimacy area includes lists of the attractors and detractors to that Intimacy. Where appropriate, chapters end with reflection and discussion questions to reinforce learning and help you into action.

Finally, Jay and Laura give us tips for putting this all together in our marriages.

I highly recommend you get a copy of "The Spark: Igniting the Passion, Mystery, and Romance in Your Marriage" by Jay and Laura Laffoon whether you're single, engaged, or married. It will prepare you for a great relationship that lasts a lifetime.

Kevin Decker, www.getROR.com

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my mother-in-law. I had just returned from a mission trip to Thailand and had a special interest in the work of Adoniram and his wife "Nancy" as he so lovingly called her. I found their commitment and drive fascinating. I think you'll find this to be one of those books that keeps coming to mind over many years. The story dug a place in my soul.

Not only is this book about an amazing life of a historical American, but the book itself is amazing. I felt as if the author was writing and describing things that they had seen, not just studied and passed on for our benefit. I recommend that ANYONE planning on doing foreign missions work, read and re-read this story of a predecessors life. If you are not a missionary in the making, it is one of the greatest and best retold stories yet.

This book was very helpful to me when looking for certain areas in question. When trying to complete a devotion for others a concordance is your key, but having a word study concordance I found even more helpful.

If u need to know where a word is located how it is used Strong;s Concordance is the book for you for sutding the Word of God.

Those who are familiar with Allison's previous works (i.e. whether on the historical Jesus, his 3 volume commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, or his book on NT eschatology,etc) will also enjoy his "Studies in Matthew." This book will get you acquainted with various schools of interpretation on the selected passages and revolutionize your own interpretation and understanding of various Matthean texts (i.e. 1:1, 1:18-25; 2:2, 9-10; 5:8; 5:21-25; 27:45; 28:9, etc) which the author treated in great detail. A gold to be treasured by every student of New Testament.

The three volume work on Matthew that this author along with Davies did in the International Critical Commentary is oftentimes the final court of appeal for just about any exegetical issue that comes up in the Gospel. Evangelicals may have to bite their lip at times, but the experience is worth it to savor all that those volumes say. Now, how would you like to get "the rest of the story" that Dale Allison couldn't include, even in those three volumes? Well, here it is - the overflow of years of thought on this book. Allison learned that the Fathers had something worthwhile to say about this Gospel, and he tells you what that is. His discussion of the "star" of Bethlehem made me want to re-write a chapter in one of my own books! If you are writing on Matthew or preaching through it, you must get this volume. It will stimulate you to fresh thoughts as well as take you down old paths that have been neglected.

I really enjoyed buying from this seller. I had no trouble with my order and would definitely continue my business with this seller

This was a very good study guide. I took this course via Independent Study, so it was nice to have a study guide that I could depend on. The book features a summary outline of the key concepts for each chapter along with 10 to 15 true/false questions, 10 to 20 fill-in-the-blanks, 10 to 15 multiple choice questions, and 2 to 4 excercises/problems. The fill-in-the-blanks are somewhat cheesy, but all the other types of questions make you think. There are answer keys for each chapter that even explain why the answer is what it is. The exercises/problems are good because they were usually a different scenario than what was used as an example in the textbook, so you got even more learning out of them before attempting homework problems in the text book. All in all, I recommend this study guide if you are looking for extra help with the answers available or if you are taking this course via independent study.

This book will provide encouragement and valuable guidance tohelp you survive the stormy, unplea\ sant world of divorce.

The principles in this book formed the basis of my recovery from a devastating divorce, and began me on a journey back to reclaim hope for a bright future. It was written in such a kind and gentle way that even in my darkest hour I could assimilate the information and understand that I was not alone and that the depth of my dispair was a natural response to this huge loss. I have since recovered to the point that I assist others through this most difficult time. This book was a great blessing to me at a turning point in my life. Steve Millbern, Divorce Care Leadership, Saddleback Valley Community Church

"....a valuable addition to the library of parents, neighbors, teachers-anyone who has any encounters with teenagers."

This is a nifty little book with lots of tips for connecting with teens that you can use in your every day interactions with them. The section on FSW (Frequently Stated Worries) answers those questions many of us ask ourselves when we start thinking maybe we aren't cool enough to connect with teens.
Each topic is just a couple pages long.... something you can start every day with to make you a better, stronger teen advocate.

This book is a great resource for anyone desiring to know more about Jesus' method of teaching.

I have a series of notes that I made while reading this book. The notes are availalbe for free at http://ShakinAndShinin.org/TeachingAsJesusTaught-Notes.pdf

Roy Zuck's book gives the most indepth look at Jesus' teaching style of any I have read. His study is phenomenal! He defines Jesus as the master teacher from various sources--from history, from the rabbis of Jesus' time, and from popular definitions of today. The book also explores the goals and objectives Jesus had for his disciples, those who sought him, and his enemies. Roy Zuck then dedicates several chapters to exploring the methods of teaching Jesus used. Zuck's study is a very thorough exegesis of the gospels. He uses several examples from the biblical text to support his claims about Jesus' teaching style. The book has several helpful charts to summarize Zuck's findings, as well. I have found the book useful both in a college classroom for Christian education as well as for a layman wishing to improve upon his teaching style and to understand the Master Teacher.

REVIEW SUMMARY: Biblically strong, a perfect reference tool for those who want to categorize Paul's teaching methods and apply to their own methods.

OVERVIEW: Roy Zuck follows his classic Teaching as Jesus Taught with a focus on St. Paul (Teach ing as Paul Taught). Zuck makes sure to focus on Scripture and from there draw any and all conclusions.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Biblically focused to draw any conclusions about Paul's teaching, the book is an excellent resource and deserves a place on a teacher's shelf if he/she needs Paul's teaching labeled and categorized. Otherwise, the long lists might make some weary in reading. Definitely recommended, but know what you're buying.

MY REVIEW:
THE GOOD: Completely focused on Scripture. If Zuck points out that Paul uses Questions as a teaching method he'll cite two hundred and fifty verses, in a numbered list, and quoting the question. If he wants to expose the reader to Paul's Diatribes he'll feature a table with references , preceding premises, false conclusions, initial brief responses and then the subsequent reason for the rejection: this method is excellent. You're not going to come out of this book thinking Paul's teaching style was something you can confine to a school of thought.

THE BAD: Although helpful to have these lists, they are very much like a concordance: long and dry. Now that can be negative to a certain type of reader who automatically looks at long lists as mere reference.

THE UGLY: The original book jacket is pretty ugly but the newer softcover jacket is nie with an excellent painting on the cover. The font is easy to read and the use of footnotes was done in a manner equal to any scholarly commentary.

Following up on the concise and informative views of Teaching As Jesus Taught, Roy Zuck has taken the next step. Many students of the Bible really do not think Paul a teacher, but well, how else could he have helped established Christianity in Europe and Asia? Zuck details almost exactly, the strategies and methods used by Paul and how we can learn and use these tools!