Help with Marriage preparation, planning the ceremony and guidance in your married life. Help with raising children within a Christian family.
Archive - Books reviewed in 2008
Caring About Abuse
- Prevention and Support
Various contributors
Covering many forms of abuse, Physical, Sexual, Neglect, Spiritual and Emotional, these essays are written by those closely involved with helping and counselling those affected, which of course includes close family members and the wider circle of friends and church members as well as the victim. Reading through these pieces will bring to your attention the many unpleasant things that can happen and their long term effects and but it will also show clearly how much help is available to churches and individuals from The Churches’ Child protection Advisory service. They know what is needed in a particular situation and have the right people to put you in touch with. It certainly opened my eyes into what can happen and the help available from this source.
To purchase see Links page
‘An inspirational collection of over one hundred poems, prayers, blessings and toasts To Have and To Hold offers newlyweds encouragement and comfort on new journeys together’
So says the publisher, and I’m sure that was the intention of the compiler, but as a long married wife, I too found these pieces a blessing. That on page 15 for instance asking for blessing on the union is valid throughout marriage. A wonderful gift for newlyweds, yes, but also for keeping by them in the years to come.
One of the most scripturally enlightening books on marriage that I have ever read: an incredibly valuable tool for the married couple. In the preface Selvaggio states that this book is primarily intended for couples who are either married or intending to get married, however I would suggest that any unmarried adults should read this book too, because of what the author has to offer those contemplating marriage sometime in the future. Throughout the chapters Selvaggio primarily uses the Song of Songs to reveal the practical elements of relationships in topics such as human sexuality, romance and marriage. He discusses the pitfalls of 'emotional promiscuity' and if you want to know more about that I suggest you get a copy of the book. I wish that I had had one before I started dating. This book is incredibly readable and in-depth and should not be rushed. It is packed full of helpful scriptures and practical tips for your marriage. The questions at the end of each chapter are really helpful and give you an opportunity to explore and examine yourself, society, your marriage and the Bible, that even thought about before. In essence this book tells you so much about marriage that it is a bit like reading a baby book before having the baby to see what is involved and to prepare yourself for the hard work ahead. Whilst love is a great starting point for marriage, love won't necessarily get you the best Godly marriage that God has for you; maturity, purity, exclusivity, friendship and maintenance will, and for this you will need commitment and God's word on your side so get reading.
Review by Zoë Stevenson(25/01/08)
Paperback Price: £6.95
Publisher: EP (Evangelical Press) Published: Spring 2007
ISBN: 978-0-852-34634-1
Books about marriage are not normally ones I'd take off the shelf to read, concerned that they'd either be too frothy white lace and orange blossom, or too deeply analytical. This book, refreshingly, falls into neither category, as Jo Swinney's breezy style informs without preaching. She interviews eleven very different couples to gather information on how they got together, and to conclude how their approach should be successful. Adding her own thoughts, observations and questions for couples, the book illustrates that marriages from those arranged by parents to whirlwind romances, are as different as all humans are individuals.
Parents' Kit includes:
- Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality - A Biblical Approach to prepare Them for Life ISBN 978-0-764-20208-7
- The Purity Code- God’s Plan for Sex and Your Body ISBN 978-0-764-20209-4
- The Purity Code: Audio Resource – containing a CD for the adults and one for the children or to listen to together.
ISBN 978-0-764-20547-7
Each can be purchased separately.
I could have done with this when my four children were growing up and I shall pass my copies to the daughter with teenagers.
The CDs reflect much of what is written in the books, so that books or CD make a useful resource. CD and books together in this pack, are an even better resource, as we are all different and some prefer to read, others to listen and the main reason for Jim Burns work is to get the purity message across for many practical reasons as well as the obvious Biblical teaching.
I wish I had been given this book to read when I was a young and very busy Mother; from ‘The Mother who worships’ to The Mother who teaches’ and on to The Mother who prays; there are thirty subjects in all. There is so much wisdom in Laura Martin's words, and her choice of subjects is ideal for daily thought. I enjoyed reading her thoughts on each attribute, and her choice of Bible reading to accompany her thoughts. The prayers at the end of each chapter exactly fit the subject and are followed by suggestions of further Bible reading and thoughts for reflection. This need not be time consuming. It does not take long to read each piece and reflection can be done while doing other things. I found myself thinking over many of the points she raised.