Family Resources Books

This is not for the fainthearted or those who wish to gloss over and sugar coat anything. Here is something that you will struggle over if you choose to recognize how we have been so deceived even in our churches into accepting less than a Christian Worldview. I recommend that you plan on going through this prior to using it with a student. Is an excellent study for high school and above.

This book is a must have for those professional and lay persons who want to explore the often confusing areas which comprise alternative medicine. It's easy to read and look up information. It's quite comprehensive and I look forward to future editions.

My husband and I have been reading this book to one another aloud all evening and can't put it down. There are so many "aha" moments in this book! I love how the author combines science, personal stories, and scripture to give families a realistic and yet optimistic and eternal view of dealing with mental illnesses. The book is sometimes brutally honest, but refreshingly so. It acknowledges that some people will deal with mental illnesses all their lives, but that there are ways to cope better and to best treat chronic illnsses. It dispels many stigmas held against those with illnesses and openly discusses medication, therapy, and professional help. Also included is truly wonderful advice about how to tell the difference between "normal" emotions and those of a person with mental illness. We've enjoyed that the book gives a balanced view of brain disorders and is written in an interesting, useful way where you can immediately put to use what's included. Many contributors are well-known individuals who make it clear that mental illness is no respecter of persons and affects people from every age, race, and status. We've been through half the book twice already and intend to read it again, plan on buying several for friends and family, and plan on using the book as a resource for a congregational meeting on the topic of mental illnesses.

SO worth the price.

I highly recommend all of John Ward's books about family businesses.

Terrific resource for baby boomers who will need to cope with the aging of their parent(s). The cassette is great for on-the-road listening; it only takes 1 1/2 hours of your time and will provide you with endless insights into a subject that may very well overtake your lifestyle. Priceless resource list

In this book, author Richard Olson notes that Jesus often asked questions as a way to get people to better understand themselves, their world, and their relationship with God. Olsen examines the way Jesus used questions and how they affected the person involved.

Each chapter starts with a common question followed by related questions from Jesus and a discussion of those questions. For example, the first chapter presents the common question "Where do I find meaning in life?" This is followed by questions Jesus asked that might be used to explore and find perspective related to this main question. The related questions Jesus asked are "What are you looking for?", "How many loaves do you have?", "Which was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?", "Why do you call me good?", "Are you able to drink the cup and be baptized with the baptism?", and "Do you know what I have done?". After listing the Scriptures sources for those questions the author follows with several scenarios and a discussion of how answering these questions ultimately answers the first one. Each chapter ends with questions for personal or group discussion.

Appendix A contains a list of questions Jesus asked in the synoptic Gospels and appendix B contains questions from the Gospel of John. Ask Anything: A Pastoral Theology of Inquiry is a highly recommended read to anyone questioning life or their purpose in life

My baby's doctor gave this book to her at one of her appointments, and she has loved it since she was only a few months old. (She is one now, and she still loves this book.) I love that there are photographs of real babies, and it is a fun way to prepare little ones for siblings too. Each page shows something different that babies need.

As a greenhorn pastor who just did his first funeral yesterday, I thank God for the Baker Funeral Handbook. When the time came to meet with the widow to talk about options for the memorial service, I had good ideas to present to her. When the time came to consider hard questions about how to frame the sermon, I had helpful advice. And while I was still nervous when the time came, I was prepared.

Thanks, Dr. Ken Swetland (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) for your teaching on conducting funerals, and for your recommendation to purchase the Baker Funeral Handbook.

This book is well written and is the best book on grief that I have read. I use it to teach at the seminary, and it transfers to secular settings as well as it addresses spirituality. This is a fantastic book to aid in practical techniques to aid those in need of advancing through various aspects of the grief journey. It aids one in distinguishing from those in normal grief all the way to dysfunctional grief or being stuck in grief. A must have for those in pastoral or any form of counseling!

This is great advice for parents of young children -- not only because it is true and instructive, but also because it can be easily practiced in the real world of hectic family life. The authors help you use everything -- from a trip to the grocery store to a trip cross-country to see Grandma -- to reinforce learning for your little ones. It's scholarly thought seen through a giant common-sense magnifying glass. The message is all about simple, practical ways of making your child's world the kind of fertile soil that lets her bloom and grow in her learning. Bravo!!