Baker Books

I really enjoyed how this book looked very practically at the arts and the evolution of them within the church. It gives not only a historical requirement to continue to press for more artistic use and involvement in the modern movement of the church, but also gives practical ways in which to do so. If you're involved in creative arts ministry in any capacity, you probably should read this book in order to get your berings.

This book brings a whole new perspective to the table of Christianity and the arts. Dyrness is able to argue that such things are an essential part of Christian life, especially if we are to live holistically. I enjoyed it very much.

Written by master certified coach Marian Baker, Wake Up Inspired: Fuel Healthier Success and Love the Life You're Meant to Lead is helpful to finding inspiration and greater balance in life, written especially for women. Wake Up Inspired examines the mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions of life, and acknowledges that different women will have different personal goals and priorities. Wake Up Inspired does not discriminate between women's dreams, but instead encourages readers to seize their dreams by properly assessing their investments, connecting with the "right tribe" of like-minded dream-seekers, taking positive steps to turn wishes into intentions and actions, and much more. A motivational, positive-minded self-help book to getting the most out of life.

While a yearning and search for meaning is not new, millions of hard-working achievers (especially women) are discovering that something is missing in their drive to succeed. As dissatisfaction reaches epic proportions among aging Boomers and their younger counterparts, numerous gurus have offered assistance.
This author, a Master Certified Coach selected as one of fifty top coaches in America, offers enthusiasm and humility in an unexpected yet effective package. A former six-figure-income executive, she has lived through crises to blaze a trail. Baker explores a productive and holistic middle way that bridges the chasm between ambition and spiritual awareness, "bringing the best of mind-body-spirit wholeness to professionals without too much ... woo-woo."
Even more appealing is the likable personality that comes through her writing, reflected in refreshing comments such as: "I'm asserting that we can be on a quest for higher consciousness and a great shoe sale in the same lifetime."
Spotlighting this search for authenticity, she notes: "The revolution I speak of is a movement towards becoming whole and experiencing a harmony between who you are deep inside and how you function in the outer world." The constant juxtaposition between working on one's inner being and at the same time creating results in the outer world is a challenge that is too often shunted aside for quick and easy fixes in the either-or category. (Either people are working on ambitious worldly success, or they're on an inner spiritual path.) Few have the courage to draw the two together with a comprehensive and holistic approach. Baker does so with distinction, wit, and good cheer.
Dubbed "The Queen of Powerful Questions" by a leader at Coaches Training Institute, Baker asks productive questions meant to unearth potent insights when used mindfully. For example, "How do I combine spiritual growth and real world achievement? ... Am I willing to love myself enough to create the life I am meant to lead? ... What are the most compassionate and smart ways to set yourself up to succeed?" and one that reflects the process of conscious choosing in any given moment: "What choice would have you feeling taller?" Pondering that question for a moment will provide a taste of the magic that Baker's work unleashes.
These questions are embedded throughout the text, not just segregated in sections devoted to exercises. Along with the author's insights, questions like "Who am I meant to be? ... The truth of who you are is already within you," or "Just asking yourself, `Is this how I really want to live?' is a significant step toward shaping an inspired life for yourself," engage the reader's curiosity, an important, overlooked ally. Gentle reminders reinforce the importance of taking small steps that cumulatively make a big difference in people's lives, even as Baker shares snippets of her own turning points.
The author sets the stage in Section One, laying the foundation with an opening discussion of "Waking Up to a New Story" while inviting readers to explore "Three Layers of Inspired Living." Baker surprises these achievers (often compulsive planners), with the counterintuitive position, "Having a Plan is Not the Answer."
If the plan is not the answer, what is? The metaphor at the heart of the book and Section Two is "Your Inspired Fitness Trail." (Think of stations on a physical fitness trail--push-ups, sit-ups, chin-ups, etc.) It's a path to achieve integration, getting stronger with each repetition. While Baker's path isn't about physical fitness, it doesn't ignore the body, with Station Two called "Get Back in Your Body." At Station Four, "Make Room," an exercise illustrates Baker's lighthearted approach to these tools: "Imagine me handing you a magic pair of pruning shears. Imagine walking through the areas of your life." It's a vivid method to identify and prune what she calls "energy suckers."
Exercises like "Hit the Pause Button," reading an internal "energy meter," and connecting with the "Inner Champion" offer user-friendly jump-starts. The tools to integrate the work include a thirteen-week program plan, interactive exercises, charts, and list of resources by chapter. The author's check-in form and "compelling charter" add specificity to the array of tools.
Anyone seeking more vital and meaningful life and work, especially women experiencing dramatic life changes, will want to consider Wake Up Inspired as they take a spin along Baker's Inspired Fitness Trail. While the holistic concepts are not new, Baker has performed quite a feat of service by weaving previously divergent world-views into a cohesive whole that is both pragmatic and inspirational. (November)
Bobbye Middendorf ForeWord Magazine

Wonderful bilingual book to get interested in travel, geography and animals.
Stephen J. Hemenway

This is a wonderful way to introduce a new place to children. It is full of photographs and written in a simple clear format by a child for children. The book is now available in a bilingual format and the vivid photographs of exotic animals captures a child's attention.

This is a follow-up to the previous book, Let The Children Come. It provides even more sermons/activities for use with children of all ages, to permit them to feel by experience what the Biblical characters felt.

I have looked at and tried to use lots and lots of children's sermon books. Most of them are far too abstract for the children, and seem aimed more at adults than children. This book is probably the best children's sermon book I have found. Instead of asking children to make an analogical leap, as object lessons do, Baker's messages get the kids involved in doing something, something they understand and will remember. Highly recommended for the harried pastor, since these children's sermons don't require so much re-working to make them work at all.

I used Spielvogel's _Western Civilization: A Brief History_ when teaching a Humanities I course. _A Brief History_ is a shorter, paperback adaptation of Spielvogel's longer _Western Civilization_. Of the Western Civ texts I've used before (including the longer version of Spielvogel, I thought _A Brief History_ was the most successful. Spielvogel did a good job of choosing the most important historical events and cultural developments to include in his shorter version, at least those most likely to be included in a Western Civ course. Important information is clear both from subheadings and from the text itself, and short samples of primary texts that give students a taste of the past are included. Students also seemed to enjoy reading the _Brief History_ more other Western Civ texts I've taught. Women's history is well-represented. Only caveat: Because the text is a shorter version, not much of Asian, African, or Indian history is included.

this is a good introductory book for western civilization. if u r new to the field of western civilization, then read this book before any more advanced or complicated books...

I've lost count of how many times I have read these books. Not only have I immensely enjoyed them, but they also inspired me to write a book of my own. With the Alexander's usual wit, lively characters, and narrative powers, the Westmark Trilogy is definitely a gem among books.

Westmark is about a printer's apprentice, The Kestrel is about a warrior, and The Beggar Queen is about a prince. Surprisingly enough, all these peolpe are the same person. His name is Theo, and in each book he's fighting for Westmark--and his sweetheart. Mickle is a young urchin girl who knows nothing of her past. Las Bombas is a combination count/soldier/quack doctor/mentor. Musket is a dwarf and a temper. Torrens is a doctor. Florian is a rebel. Justin is a hothead. Al these characters make up the Westmark trilogy.

Stephen Simpson's "What Women Wish You Knew About Dating" is a thought-provoking, laugh-out-loud funny reality check! Filled with wonderful quotes at the beginning of each chapter, do-able Biblical advice, and true life stories that draw the reader into the chapter topics, I recommend this book to men and women, single and married. This is a must read for anyone who has or hopes to have a significant other. We should treat each other this way all the time - especially after we marry - not just when we're dating.

The author's use of movies to explain topics really impacted my film-loving libido. I also loved the info boxes created in each chapter just for us gals. Simpson deserves many thanks for defining the difference between guys and men, discussing everything involved in dating relationships from where to meet to sensitive issues like how to handle pre-marital sexuality. I wish I would have had this book in my naive dating years! Although I must admit, it did shed some light on several situations from my past that I didn't really understand, and made me very grateful for how blessed I am to have the husband I do.

This book is well written, and an engaging read. It is written from a Christian perspective, but is a lot more practical and useful than most Christian relationship books out there. Dr. Simpson shows a clear understanding of the Christian dating culture, and the unique challenges faced by men in this culture.
It is also refreshing to read a book that does not fixate on overly spiritualizing the dating process to the point that it becomes unapplicable. It addresses topics ranging from talking to girls, doing the actual asking for a date, where to go, what to do on the second and third date, and how to maintain a relationship once you have one.
This is an ideal book for any single Christian man looking to improve their dating situation. It would also be a great book for any Christian woman stumped by why men are clueless in the dating arena (there are actually numerous blurbs in the chapters directly speaking to women who are reading the book).

This is the perfect little book to give someone while attending a wake or funeral or someone who has just lost a loved one. It is also useful to get the Christian message out there to people. I order these little books by the dozen because they are a comfort and encouragement to those who read it.

As a pastor I have given this book to dozens of people when they have expereinced the death of a loved one. It is full of material that not only provide comfort and hope but also help to put death in perspective. This little book is big in helping answer the questions that one has when someone dies. It is full of Scripture references and also reflections that other's who have been through the experience of losing a loved one are willing to share. It also contains poems from some of the great poets, like Edgar Guest, John G. Whittier and William C.Bryant. Wernecke has created a timeless masterpiece.

This is a great resource. If your child has been abuse this book is a must have.

This book is the first resource book I have found specifically for parents of abused children. It is the source every parent is looking for when faced with abuse in the family. The book deals primarily with sexual abuse, but could be applied to other forms of abuse as well.

Think of what the world would be like without any pain or suffering. People would be a bunch of immature, self indulgent cry babies. Pain is a gift from God that drives people to God. Jesus demonstrated how pain leads to glory on the cross. God works through lifes pain. We don't grow by reading about how to grow, we grow through the agony of pain. Pain is all over the world under various political regimes, cultural customs, philosophies, but it's all pain that is intended to drive man to the Lord. It's just that simple. If man rejects God then he is doomed to an eternity of pain in hell. Pain is a blessing. Don't complain about it, thank God for what He is doing through the pain.

How do we handle a world of pain, agony, yet still understand that its for God's purpose. This book was great in opening my eyes to a broader scope of things. One thing I loved that Chris said was that the greater the suffering, the greater the glory is for God. He explains these events using examples of his own personal life and puts it in a very easy to understand book. I recommend to anyone who wants to broaden their horizons, it's a great eye-opener