General Practice Books

I loved this book, so much that I'm buying it for gifts! Written with the traditional family in mind, Robert Wolgumuth uses honest,personal examples & stories from his own life to illustrate much needed do's and don't's for successful family relationships. Along with the Biblical references and explanations, this book is a "must own" encouragement for every family. Reading it was like talking with a friend. I was deeply moved.

Raising our children in a Christian home is an important part of our responsibilities as parents. However, sometimes it is difficult to know where to begin, especially when you might not have been raised in a Christian home yourself. Robert Wolgemuth lays out simple definitions, principles and ideas to help you be intentional and successful in creating a healthy, God-centered environment for your family.

One thing I love about Robert's style is that he is not sharing the "10 Principles for creating a Christian Home" or "How to Create a Christian Home in 3 Easy Steps." He shares key values - like the power of words and the importance of laugher - and then he shares practical ideas that have worked for him. He gives you some vital components of a Christian home and a starting point for implementing ideas that work for your family.

As we build our Christian home, we develop not only a ministry to our children, but to everyone who visits our home. As Robert notes, "God is exactly what a Christian home should smell like. The moment folks walk through the front door, there should be something - although completely invisible - that reminds them of the God of the universe. And when your kids show up at work or school, there shodl be a trace of secondhand smell that others can quickly detect."

As parents, we cannot leave the responsibility of the spiritual development of our children to the children's or youth ministry at church. We must begin at home. The Most Important Place on Earth is a great resource in helping us to do just that.

This book is an absolute must for any Christian home. I love it!

An absolutely outstanding read - very uplifting, very challenging. Author of She Calls Me Daddy!, Wolgemuth explores the various unique elements that make a Christian home different than just any other home. While the book has many practical suggestions that Wolgemuth shares from his own experience (good and bad), the primary emphasis of this book is to get the reader to feel, not think, about the importance of the Christian home. Wolgemuth begins with the smell of a Christian home - the aroma that brings back memories of family, food and fellowship within the home. He talks about the words that are used in the home - how they need to be encouraging, loving and tender. And he talks about the home being a safe place, one where children feel like they can be themselves, even if that isn't always perfect.

Wolgemuth probably says in the book a dozen times that he's "old school," and he is. He believes that the family ought to sit down for dinner together, he believes that electronic devices (TV, video games, etc) disrupt family conversation time and result in disconnected children, and he believes that the parents should view themselves as the "priests" of their home. I guess I would have to say that I'm "old school" as well and wish that more people would be!

Wolgemuth is also very honest about his own learning curve as a parent and gives numerous examples of where he blew it as a dad and a husband. The book is an excellent read - slows down a little in the final couple of chapters, but still one of the best books I've read on the importance of the home and the family...especially in our culture today!

I am only halfway through this book, not because it is a tough read, but because everytime I pick it up, I read something that calls me to get up and go do something. This book is so rich (the best word I can use to describe it). The author, Robert Wolgemuth, uses a very casual tone and talks about what works to build a Christian home in everyway. It really is motivating and it gives good reminders and habits to practice everyday. I would recommend this to new parents, old parents, and basically anyone who comes in contact with children who want to be of Christian influence. Wonderful! I will try to read it every year.

Excellent explanations of the symbolic meanings withen icons. I liked it.
Marguerite Culhane
Eagle River AK

Wonderful book. One those you can't put down. Great art. And i hope he does more on the subject. Just a great book. A+

A beautiful and helpful book. I'm glad I bought it. It is not a primer, but rather a middle school book.

An excellent book for those interested in iconography.Set at a level for both the experianced writer, who wants to refresh their knowledge and yet also for the novice who would like to investigate this area.The explanations of the icons are wonderful,while the prayers from the eastern orthodox church illustrate the deep comtemplative spirit of this media.

I read "The Language of Icons" with the intention of learning more about the mode of religious art most characteristic of Eastern Christianity. The book far exceeded my expectations. I learned more about icons than I ever would have hoped. The reproductions of representative icons were beautiful and luminous. Moreover, the text was deeply spiritual and inspiring. The reader is drawn to meditate on the Christian message that the icons symbolize. There are books that are informative and books that are inspiring. This book manages to be both.

After reading the book "On Becoming a Survivor", I found it very overwhelming to imagine what two people had to endure to survive physically and mentally. As a practical nurse and secretary, I would recommend the book to anyone who has been a victim of a violent crime or know of anyone who has been victimized.
In reading this book a victim can learn how Dr. Reister was able to work through this ordeal, which in turn can help others learn how to work through their own victimization.

I found Dr. Reister's book to be a moving account of his ordeal and his insights about the recovery process. Since he and I have known each other for many years both as former colleagues at Boston College and as friends, I appreciate his desire to share his difficult journey for the benefit of others.

As a psycholotherapist, I recommend this book to victims of personal violence.

Bravo, Barry!

Dr. Barry Reister recounts the story of his girl friend's rape while their two attackers took turns holding a gun to his head. For reasons they still do not understand, the attackers let them go after two hours of horror. The attack took place in Los Angeles while Dr. Reister was Assistant Dean for Counseling and Health Services at Loyola Marymount University.
Dr. Reister, whose Ph.D. is from Indiana University, is a psychologist now in private counseling practice. He has been a member of the counseling staffs of a number of colleges and universities. After recounting his brush with violent crime, his slim volume walks the reader through the steps to emotional recovery from such an experience. After the traumatized stage, healthy recovery should move to reconstruction. He tells us how to let other people help us-"Calling in the troops," as he says. This includes taking others with you for your day in court to face your attacker. He gives us principles for staying safe, and, finally, how to resume life with a new perspective. This 40-page volume closes with a useful listing by states of the various coalitions against domestic violence and their telephone numbers. The book is recommended for anyone struggling to recover from a violent crime.

Barry Reister's graphic account of his personal experience as a victim of violent crime make the guidance he gives other victims all the more credible. Dr. Reister provides a detailed description of his frightening journey that will resonate with those who have suffered fron violence at the hands of others. From his initial account of the chilling and brutal crime; through the psychological damage he suffered; to his fears and trepidations in the courtroom when his facing his tormentors, Dr. Reister provides insight and healing advice to victims who have been traumatized by violence.
This little book is not "preachy" or overly academic. It provides help to anyone who has been victimized or is working with victims of violent crime, by conveying his message in a very personal, empathic and useful way. It is short, yet covers the important ground that is part of this type of traumatic event.
Dr, Reister's "healing" book will be greatly appreciated by his fellow travelers who have been on this terrible journey. In the end,he provides the steps to recovery and the hope of a new beginning.

This is a book about courage....the courage to face your demons and the courage to do something about them.

As a survivor of a traumatic event Dr. Reister puts his personal and emotional journey into words that are both disturbing on one level and instructive, informative, hopeful, and encouraging on another. As a psychologist he has the knowledge and skill to articulate nurturing and practical guidelines for others.

It is a wonderful resource for both survivors and healers looking for ways to turn helplessness into action and empowerment.

I begin graduate school this fall to become a therapist and this was my best summer read thus far on therapy. It's very well written and very honest.

My human sexuality professor recommended this book. She stated it helped her when she was beginning to practice. I am an LAPC and when I began to read this book, I could not put it down. It normalizes so many feelings that beginning therapists have. Please get this book, I am re-reading it!!

I recommend That's How the Light Gets In: Memoir of a Psychiatrist by Susan Rako, M.D. The title comes from a song by Leonard Cohen: "There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in." Rako's book is fascinating, insightful, and wonderfully well-written. The writing just flows.

I really enjoy this book. I like the way the author is so blunt and frank about the pros and cons of psychotherapy. Gives a realistic view of what I will most likely encounter later in my career.

Absolutely the best book to read for a therapist, whether beginner or well experienced in the field. It's so honest, with a hint of humor, and laid out so organized. The progression from introducing the concepts to applying in day to day therapist work is very well thought out and written. It doesn't pathologize any real personal feelings that a therapist can have during and about their work, but instead it accepts it as it is, and then tries to help one understand where it's coming from. When I read this book, it helped me feel so validated about my own frustrations with my work, and also helps me reflect my own part in it, and what I can do next. I've taken a more self-awareness and directive approach in pursuing my career as a therapist after reading this. It is not pretentious at all, yet so very precise and well-supported by discussions of what it means to be a therapist. I think every therapist should read this to be an ethical therapist in the field, and also for own personal self-care in our profession. I'm in love with this book.

This book gives a very clear and understandable explanation of many Buddhist as well as psychotherapeutic concepts. It is serious reading, but not too difficult; it is not necessary to be an expert in either subject. I read it twice and gained considerable insights. I have bought several copies to give to my children and grandchildren (college-age), and I recommend it without reservation.

Although the title of this text implies that this is a work best suited to professionals, I was delighted to find just the opposite. This is a book clearly presents some of the most basic aspects of Zen meditation written from a personal and inspiring perspective. It makes it possible for even the beginner to understand the rewards and challenges of just sitting meditation.
As a previous reviewer said ..."this is not just an intellectual polemic. Using a combination of honest examples from his own life, the wisdom of the Zen koan, and not least of all, humor, he repeatedly returns to how these issues inform our everyday life as we live it."
In addition this work includes a nicely written index making it possible to revisit those areas that made you think on your first read.

Don't let the title of this book fool you into thinking that this is solely a precise academic discourse on the relationship of Zen and psychotherapy.

This is a solid, discerning book of Zen for everyday life. Barry Magid has a warm, gentle, no BS style like his own teacher, the loved Charlotte Joko Beck. He has the capability to take big wisdom and intelligently share it with his readers in an accessible, heartfelt and encouraging way:

"..this is like looking into a mirror: without any effort, our face naturally appears. Whatever we experience, whatever doubt or difficulty we feel, is simply who and what we are in that moment"

This is one of those books that does not leave the spot next to the bed. I find myself reading this over and over and am softer and kinder for it. This book shines!

This book is one of the most engaging books on Zen that I have had the good luck to discover. In addition to providing a concise discussion of the relationship between the foundational notions of modern psychoanalysis and the day-to-day work of Zen practice, Magid provides a lively discussion of twelve famous koans. Not only does Magid use his experience as a psychoanalyst to inform his view of Zen practice, he uses his experience of Zen practice to elucidate concepts in psychoanalysis. Best of all, he has written a book that is intelligent, engaging, and practical!

Soto Zen teacher/psychoanalyst Magid compares Soto Zen with Freudian, Self, Object Relations, & Intersubjectivity psychologies. His thesis is that p. 8: "documented case after case of experienced meditators whose core conflicts & deficits have not only been inadequately addressed through their practice, but for whom meditation itself served to reinforce defensive patterns" which have led to a number of scandals for Zen leaders due to "Zen transference" & that Zen & psychotherapy can be mutually supportive/beneficial. He is very oriented towards gradualism: Soto vs. Rinzai Zen, pro-bottom up vs. top-down approach, & thinks peak experiences are chimeras-despite Richard Bucke's famous book, "Cosmic Consciousness" which describes how such experiences have markedly changed numerous people's lives. His view seems Extroverted (object relations, intersubjectivity, etc.) & Sensate (bottom-up/gradualist). He does provide nice concise descriptions of Self Psychology etc. but makes no attempt to integrate them into extant models (e.g. Jung). His Intersubjectivity appears to be an interpretation of Knowledge Management social network analysis using Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle. The book has interesting explications of Zen koans & astute observations on important, often misunderstood, Buddhist doctrines: p. 95: quoting Aitkin Roshi--"The self is still present-but it is not self-preoccupied," p. 141: "Suzuki Roshi once said that detachment doesn't mean giving up the things of the world, but accepting that they go away," & p. 142: "Detachment means non-self-centered responsiveness to a situation...all detachment precludes is increasing the suffering of others in order to minimize your own." However, he seems to think p. 58: emptiness is perfection & Buddhahood is emptiness. He virtually ignores Buddha nature, stating that: p. 162: "It is only through the skillful use of forms, discipline, & the relationship that liberating change can occur. This is as true for psychoanalysis as it is for Zen." IMHO, this is not true for everyone--e.g. people have differing personality types per the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Thus, "doing by being" is comparable to "being by doing" & possibly more efficient. The moral is not to run slowly, it's to pay attention--the hare lost to the tortoise because he wasn't mindful. I'd recommend reading John Suler's "Psychoanalysis and Eastern Thought" which I prefer over this book.

This book is great! I would have never guessed that a book on organizing finances would be fun to read, but this one is! It is easy to follow and is presented in a way that makes it quite simple to customize your own systems. In addition to all the wonderful financial advice (some which I did not even realize that I needed to know!), there is plenty of advice on organizing other area's of your life. For example, dealing with non-financial paper and clutter like magazine articles and catalogs. My favorite is the "room-by-room" files. They work awesome!
Every young person or couple just starting out should have this book! I'll be giving it for bridal shower gifts from now on!

This is an excellent guide that offers practical solutions to get your finances organized and keep them that way. Debbie Stanley's shining personality stands by the reader throughout the entire book as she offers a myriad of solutions to today's financial challenges. Her focus is on creating an organized, efficient financial system that works for you rather than you working for your system. The author emphasizes that even financial items need homes in order to manage financial clutter. Debbie offers recommendations for setting up financial files, automatic bill payment, financial software, daily mail, paper flow systems, and yes, even shopping excursions! The concept of being "organized enough" is stressed throughout as a pleasant reminder to keep it simple. This book is loaded with helpful tips, visuals and resources to help you save money, time, and frustration by creating a customized, efficient personal finance system. It's a "must have" book if you are ready to organize your personal finances and keep them that way!

This book was very helpful. If you take it step by step as in the book you will be organized in no time at all. I love how it is written step by step. Worked great for me. Now I am ready to face 2007 financially organized.

Whether you have been managing your personal finances for years, or you have just left home and have no idea where to start when it comes to managing your finances, you will benefit from this book. Stanley's approach to teaching the reader how to manage their finances is fun, exciting and motivating. The ideas in this book are practical and easy to implement. They are easy-to-follow and are adaptable to various situations and varous personalities.

Because the books contains consise "To-Do lists" as well as flagged reminders of key organizing principles, it is easy to take the information from the book and apply it to each reader's own situation. Working as a professional organizer, I was able to utilize the information from the book to help my clients become less overwhelmed with all of their papers and stick to an organized bill paying system that works for them.

This is NOT your father's self help book. :-) Dr. Ireland's book is awesome. Perfecting Your Purpose is chock full of biblical patterns and principles that are empowering me to deal with life's challenges-- on a daily basis. This book, with its humorous stories and plentiful bible references, glorifies God first, not the author; as a result, my relationship with God has become so much more meaningful and fulfilling...
My perspective is changing. For example, I now look at my job as part of my overall purpose, so I view the time that I'm toiling away as an opportunity for being salt and light in the workplace, and my work product, attitude and relationships have been significantly enhanced. I now see my wife and two children as my primary mission field for ministry and not just a financial burden, and my home has become more of a sanctuary and less of a source of stresss.
For maximum effect, this book should be read (i) with a journal for taking copious notes and addressing the life issues that are discussed in each chapter and (ii) with AT LEAST one other person.
I'm a big believer in the principle that you get what you expect out of life, so I strongly encourage all readers of this book to expect to be changed dramatically, and for the better.

This book is a life workbook. It's the kind of book you should use to write your annual goals. It asks you questions and gives you tools to create an action plan. The way this book is written it creates a safe place to ask ourselves questions about where we are, what we want to do with our lives and where we plan to be in 2-5 years. If you don't have the money for a personal life coach, buy the book.

Pastor Ireland's book is an excellent resource in developing a relationship with God. Through a relationship with God we begin to understand our true purpose. Pastor Ireland does a credible job providing the reader with a roadmap towards their true purpose. Like a roadmap, the book provides step-by-step guidance on the journey towards a more meaningful and fulfilling life. The book should continuously serve as a reference for future reflection and direction.

I highly recommend "Perfecting Your Purpose" to anyone who wants to discover his or her destiny. David Ireland is definitely a man of tremendous insight and great wisdom. If we follow these simple principles that he outlines in this book we can really find clarity and direction for our lives.
Some people are trying to be an eye when they are really called to be a hand and they don't realize that these misconceptions are hindering them and sending them in the wrong direction. He teaches us how we can apply these simple steps that he offers to our personal life as well as our spiritual life. Many of us have made wrong decisions in our lives but after reading this book you will realize that no matter how old you are, you can still get back on the right path.
David Ireland is a man of integrity and I believe the best teacher that I have ever heard. Everyone who read "The Purpose driven life" will definitely want to read this sequel to that book. It will help you comprehend the full measure of success God has prepared for you that will dramatically change your life as you discover your purpose in life. None of us are here by accident. If you are unhappy with the way your life is going, you can make a decision today to change your direction. This book is very easy to read because it is meant to be read over a period of forty days. I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.

Because of the word purpose and the 40 day commitment, this book may appear to be similar to Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life." However, after reading "Perfecting Your Purpose," there is a clear difference between the two books. To compare both books would be a disservice to both authors, as each book has different goals. Rick Warren's book helps you to question and search for your purpose. Dr. Ireland's book "Perfecting Your Purpose" enables you to flush out vagueness and state your life's purpose in one sentence with clarity and conviction.

Dr. Ireland's "Perfecting Your Purpose" has three goals, which are:
1) To help confirm your life's purpose through self-discovery exercises
2) To help perfect your purpose
3) To present the benefits of practicing 40 day habits

Goals fulfilled after reading "Perfecting Your Purpose":
1) The self-discovery exercises truly help the reader solidify his/her purpose.
2) With a clear understanding of your purpose, the book guides you by providing exercises such as "Sampling the Fruit," which challenges you to seek and engage with people and/or programs to enhance your purpose.
3) In practicing 40 day habits and fasts, the reader will gain new insight of God's power in his/her life's purpose. Dr. Ireland writes a remarkable explanation describing how God influences and transforms biblical heroes during a 40-day interval.

"Perfecting Your Purpose" is a helpful resource that brings the reader closer to God. Dr. Ireland's book will help stimulate ideas and prayers that reveal specific tasks to fulfill your life's purpose and serve God's Kingdom.

I purchased this book because it was recommended as a great follow-up to his book In Pursuit of Holiness. I'm glad I followed the recommendation. The Practice of Godliness made me see that all my efforts for God were being done with the wrong motivation.

Instead of putting God's honor as my prime motivation for serving Him, I was serving Him to win some sort of victory for myself. I had some sort of internal score card that I could check off.

I got so much out of this book that I'm off to read it again.

This book I think God (Holy Spirit) pointed to me in the used book store. It describes the different characteristics of being like God , and how to emulate Him. It takes no short cuts or easy routes, and lays down the difficulties that we (as sinners) all have in measuring up, but only through prayer, practice and the power of the risen Christ can we get there. The many passages from the Bible are used well thoughout.

'Make every effort to live in peace with all men.' (Hebrews 12:14)

Biblical based book that is easy to read and practical for today's lifestyles.

So says the first words of the back cover. And indeed, this book will do everything but force you to become godly. This part is going to be left up to you. The Bible says that the fruit of the spirit are obvious, and so it ought to be. Yet sometimes, in the American society at least, it has become most difficult to keep a Christian witness and remain devoted to God. And so often the joy of Christian living is lost as we enmesh ourselves in the everyday routines of our everyday wrolds. It need not be, and Bridges does a wonderful job covering some of the virtues of the victorious Chrstian life. My suggestion is to get the workbook, get together with several other Christians, and treat this as a Bible study. It makes for wonderful discussions, as I can attest as a Sunday School teacher of adults. This is a book well worth the read.

I was encouraged to find a book on spiritual growth that gets it right! Mr. Bridges' concepts rely very strongly on the work of the Holy Spirit to bring about success. He also encourages the reader to look up passages in Scripture that he refers to in the book by often only providing book, chapter and verse referances (without providing every passage word-for-word in his book).

I'm currently reading his earlier book titled "The Pursuit of Holiness". So far, it isn't quite as good as this one. Some of it comes off as a little legalistic, but there are a lot of good points in it as well. Mr. Bridges obviously matured between his writing of "Pursuit..." and "The Practice of Godliness". If you desire to live your life in a way that is pleasing to God, and want some outstanding pointers, read this book!

The Serpent Handlers: Three Families and Their Faith tells the stories of three families of the Signs Followers faith - a branch of Christianity originating in 1910, whose members take Mark 16: 17-18 as a central tenet of their belief. Known for the sensational aspects of their belief - picking up poisonous snakes, drinking strychnine, and speaking in tongues - Signs Followers have often been negatively portrayed by the media, and . Journalist Fred Brown earned their trust through longstanding respect, and offers The Serpent Handlers as a counterbalance. Great pains have been taking to present the stories of the serpent handlers in their own words, without extraneous or editorializing, though each individual's memoir is prefaced by with a summary of who he or she is and his or her role in the movement. A "must-read" primary source highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about Signs Followers and their faith.

Serpent handling is a controversial practice that is often sensationalised by the media. However, the adherents of the Signs Following churches generally avoid publicity. That is what makes this book so special: The handlers are allowed to speak for themselves in telling their own true stories in their own words. What emerges are real people and an impressive testament to an enduring faith provided in moving personal accounts of people who are prepared to risk their lives for wat they believe is obedience to the Bible.

Believers who take Mark 16: 17 - 18 as a literal part of their faith call themselves Signs Followers and are found mainly in the southern Appalachians. Serpent handling is not the only sign; others are handling fire, healing the sick, drinking strychnine and casting out demons. It is important to know that the taking up of snakes and performing the other signs are not attempts to prove anything but is done to confirm the Word of God. This is emphasized by many of the interviewees.

These independent churches are in various ways connected to three great strands of American protestantism: Holiness, Pentecostalism and Fundamentalism. Generally considering themselves as Holiness, they share with fundamentalism a total acceptance of the Bible as the Word of God. Pentecostalism is their link with mainstream protestantism where the signs or Gifts of the Spirit, like speaking in tongues, are practiced.

The first part deals with the Brown Family of Tennessee and the House Of Prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ, situated in Marshall, North Carolina. The people include John Wayne Punkin Brown, Melinda Duvall Brown, Peggy Moore Brown, Rachelle Martinez Brown and Richard Cameron Short. Part Two looks at the Coots Family of Kentucky and the Full Gospel Tabernacle In Jesus Name in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Speakers include Louvernia Coots, Tommy Coots, Gregory Coots and Linda Turner Coots. The last part features the Elkins Family and the Church Of The Lord Jesus in Jolo, West Virginia. The people include Barbara Robinson Elkins, Joe Robert Elkins, Barbara Church Coleman, Lydia Elkins Hollins, Lucille Chafin Church and Charles Church.

In every case, the sections start with a family tree graph followed by a description of the areas or towns like Cocke County, Tennessee, Middlesboro, Kentucky and Jolo, West Virginia. For every individual, there is a short introduction by the authors before the person talks about his or her involvement in the church, their family and their community, what it means to be annointed and how they feel when they are practicing the signs.

Black and white photographs of individuals and families enhance the text and there are accounts of services in each of the aforementiond churches. The book concludes with an index. In addition to this most inspiring and illuminating work, I recommend Serpent Handling Believers by Thomas Burton and Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia by Dennis Covington.

Serpent handling is a controversial practice that is often sensationalised by the media. However, the adherents of the Signs Following churches generally avoid publicity. That is what makes this book so special: The handlers are allowed to speak for themselves in telling their own true stories in their own words. What emerges are real people and an impressive testament to an enduring faith provided in moving personal accounts of people who are prepared to risk their lives for wat they believe is obedience to the Bible.

Believers who take Mark 16: 17 - 18 as a literal part of their faith call themselves Signs Followers and are found mainly in the southern Appalachians. Serpent handling is not the only sign; others are handling fire, healing the sick, drinking strychnine and casting out demons. It is important to know that the taking up of snakes and performing the other signs are not attempts to prove anything but is done to confirm the Word of God. This is emphasized by many of the interviewees.

These independent churches are in various ways connected to three great strands of American protestantism: Holiness, Pentecostalism and Fundamentalism. Generally considering themselves as Holiness, they share with fundamentalism a total acceptance of the Bible as the Word of God. Pentecostalism is their link with mainstream protestantism where the signs or Gifts of the Spirit, like speaking in tongues, are practiced.

The first part deals with the Brown Family of Tennessee and the House Of Prayer in the Name of Jesus Christ, situated in Marshall, North Carolina. The people include John Wayne Punkin Brown, Melinda Duvall Brown, Peggy Moore Brown, Rachelle Martinez Brown and Richard Cameron Short. Part Two looks at the Coots Family of Kentucky and the Full Gospel Tabernacle In Jesus Name in Middlesboro, Kentucky. Speakers include Louvernia Coots, Tommy Coots, Gregory Coots and Linda Turner Coots. The last part features the Elkins Family and the Church Of The Lord Jesus in Jolo, West Virginia. The people include Barbara Robinson Elkins, Joe Robert Elkins, Barbara Church Coleman, Lydia Elkins Hollins, Lucille Chafin Church and Charles Church.

In every case, the sections start with a family tree graph followed by a description of the areas or towns like Cocke County, Tennessee, Middlesboro, Kentucky and Jolo, West Virginia. For every individual, there is a short introduction by the authors before the person talks about his or her involvement in the church, their family and their community, what it means to be annointed and how they feel when they are practicing the signs.

Black and white photographs of individuals and families enhance the text and there are accounts of services in each of the aforementiond churches. The book concludes with an index. In addition to this most inspiring and illuminating work, I recommend Serpent-Handling Believers by Thomas Burton.

Salvation on Sand Mountain: Snake-Handling and Redemption in Southern Appalachia

Mountain Holiness: A Photographic Narrative

If you only read one book on signs followers(serpent handlers),this should be the one.An accurate account of the beliefs of these unique people is provided in their own words, from the viewpoint of three of the most prominent families in the world of the serpent handlers. Stripped of the sensationalism prevalent in most accounts of believers of this faith, this book will present an honest look into the lives of some of the most honest, likeable people you would be proud to call your friends and neighbors.

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FACINATED WITH SERPENT HANDLING.
I THINK THIS HAS TO BE THE BEST BOOK,IF YOU WANT AN HONEST
LOOK INTO THE LIVES OF SOME SINSERE JESUS LOVING PEOPLE AND THERE
LIVES.I LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE ALOT OF IT WAS WERITTEN IN THE WORDS OF SAINTS THEMSELFS.BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE.AND A GREAT BOOK,I HIGHLY RECCCOMEND THIS BOOK OVER OTHER BOOKS THAT I HAVE READ ON THE SUBJECT.PEACE BE.STEVE SPARKS

Jerry White's book, The Spirit and Presence of Christ, cuts through the "Religious Noise" that is so often invoked when a discussion on the work of the Holy Spirit is undertaken.

His direct, through and often deeply personal style speaks to the heart of the individual who is seeking after a deeper and more meaningful relationship with his/her Creator. Jerry weaves the truths of the scriptures and the lessons of his own journey into a narrative that is both biblical and approachable for us all.

This book is a "must read" for any one yearning to live in His Presence.

Jerald White's book, The Spirit and Presence of Christ, is a book written for thirsty Christians. Those believers who have grown weary of living the Christian life in their own strength and power and with the ever nagging thought, "Is there more to the Christian life than this?" should read this book.

Jesus said, "If anyone thirsts let him come to me and drink and out of his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water" (Jn. 7.37-38). Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 7.39). This book helps thirsty believers learn how to appropriate that living water into their daily experiences.

The author uses a combination of biblical teaching and personal testimonies to encourage and lead the reader into a deeper experience with the Holy Spirit. For those familiar with the writings of A. W. Tozer, The Spirit and Presence of Christ, follows in that line. The book concludes with a study guide to help the reader to reflect on the teachings in each chapter and apply the truths taught in the chapter to the reader's life.

White has done a great service to the body of Christ by distilling a lifetime of study and Christian living into an easy to read and understand book on appropriating the ministry of God's Spirit in the Christian's life.

If you've ever read the New Testament book of Acts and wondered why today's church doesn't have that same power and impact, THE SPIRIT AND PRESENCE OF CHRIST is for you. God's promise is that we can have spiritual fullness in the presence of Christ. This book talks about how that can happen.

Author Jerry White has spent a lifetime seeking to know God and His purposes. THE SPIRIT AND PRESENCE OF CHRIST reveals White's own spiritual journey, biblical truths, and stories of God's transforming power in the lives of believers around the globe and throughout history.

This book will help readers break away from the powerless routine of Christian living that many of us experience and discover the promise of fullness--God's intention for each of us!

Without the waste of wordiness, yet with terse tenderness, Jerry White charts two journeys in his book: his journey and the Biblical journey with a singular destination; the fullness of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The integrity, the humility, and the humanity with which he writes are disarming. This author, with the accumulating years of reading what others have written, and what God has written in His book, now writes with the wealth of authenticity.
For those with a hunger for the Spirit in fullness, and for those who need to learn of such hunger, this book is what the academic world calls, "required reading".
Thank you, Spirit of God, for blowing fresh wind across the pen of Jerry White.

I've read many books on the Holy Spirit over the years. Some were Biblical and helpful, and others weren't. We are hearing much today about the "amazing things the Holy Spirit is doing" or the "new things" the Holy Spirit is doing. Many people are getting caught up in looking for an experience or some supernatural sign from God when what they really need is a personal relationship with Christ that is based on an intimate walk with Him in the fulness of the Holy Spirit. Jerry White writes from decades of experience in seeking for, finding, and helping others find the fulness of the Spirit that the Lord promises to all (and desires for all) His children. I know that the things he writes about in this book are true -- I was there during the meetings in Japan about which he writes. I highly recommend this book to any who long for a deeper relationship with the Lord.