Book Info
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 OCD, ADHD, PTSD, Bipolar Disorder . . . these are no longer just technical terms and medical diagnoses, they are part of our common vocabulary and culture.
As Christians, we shouldn't isolate ourselves from this discussion or dismiss these important issues. But we also should be careful not to accept the entire secular psychiatric diagnostic and treatment enterprise without question. What we need is a balanced, biblically (and scientifically) informed approach that neither blindly accepts nor harshly dismisses psychiatric labels, diagnoses, and medicines that are prescribed to help those who are suffering.
As both a Biblical counselor and medical doctor, Michael R. Emlet, MD, gives readers a Christ-centered approach to psychiatry and guides both lay and professional helpers through the thicket of mental health labels and treatments with a biblical lens. In a clear and thoughtful way that puts the person experiencing mental health issues at the forefront, Emlet uses Scripture to show how the Bible engages in the discussion of psychiatric labels and the medications that are often recommended based on those labels. The first book in the "Helping the Helper" series, Descriptions and Prescriptions will give readers a biblical, gospel-formed perspective to help them understand and minister to those struggling with mental health issues.
 Michael R. Emlet, MDiv, MD, practiced as a family physician for over ten years before becoming a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He is the author of the book "CrossTalk: Where Life & Scripture Meet," the minibooks "Asperger Syndrome;" "Chronic Pain;" "Angry Children: Understanding and Helping Your Child Regain Control;" and "Help for the Caregiver: Facing the Challenges with Understanding and Strength," and many counseling articles.
Find out more about Michael at http://newgrowthpress.com/.
My Review:
Diagnoses and prescription medication is a hot topic in many (most) circles. Not only is there debate among service providers, but general debate among individuals as far as validity of diagnoses and if mental health concerns are real and then medication adds a whole new element as well. Emlel does a great job with his current book, "Descriptions and Prescriptions" with addressing these issues and concerns as he shares what he has learned throughout the years in his field of work and also the evidence of many hours spent in reading and researching. This is a book that every Pastor, counselor, or anyone in a role of counseling others whether they be of a Christian worldview or working with someone who is, should have as it will help clarify and provide guidance as to counseling and approaches to take.
to read other reviews included on this blog tour, go here!
*Thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*
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Wednesday, November 1, 2017
Learn how to take a Christ-centered approach to psychiatry with Michael Emlet's new book
Monday, October 30, 2017
Have you lost what it means to celebrate our Savior in the midst Christmas?
Book info
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About the book:
Give your Christmas a makeover with this practical approach to help your family learn what it means to truly celebrate their Savior.
In the bustle of the Christmas season, it can be easy to get swept up in all of the things to do. But it's important to pause and remember that our priority should be to spend time celebrating Christ's birth and not forget to invite Jesus to his own party.
Christmas is far more than a celebration of an event from long ago or a modern holiday centered around shopping. Mindfully take time to listen to how God continues to speak through the Christmas story as the Gospel narratives centered around the birth of Jesus provide encouragement and revelation concerning the love of God and his wisdom for us today.
In Total Christmas Makeover, author and Bible teacher Melissa Spoelstra provides a practical approach for you and your family to turn your attention toward God's grace day-by-day as you prepare for Christmas. This 31-day devotional presents key scriptures, ideas to implement with each reading, and questions for reflection to guide you in rediscovering rituals, relationship, and rest to connect you more deeply with Christ this holiday season.
About the author:
 Melissa Spoelstra is a popular women's conference speaker, Bible teacher, and writer who is madly in love with Jesus and passionate about helping women of all ages to seek Christ and know Him more intimately through serious Bible study. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Bible Theology and enjoys teaching God's Word to diverse groups and churches within the body of Christ. She is the author of the "First Corinthians: Living Love When We Disagree," "Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness," and "Jeremiah: Daring to Hope in an Unstable World Bible" studies and "Total Family Makeover: 8 Steps to Making Disciples at Home" book. She lives in Dublin, Ohio, with her pastor husband and four kids.
Find out more about Melissa at http://melissaspoelstra.com.
My Review:
It is so easy to lose focus as to the real reason for Christmas and the season with the commercialism and the general busyness of the time, not that it is all wrong and bad, it just is easy to lose out on the meaning. Melissa's created a cute little book that is filled with 31 devotional readings to help with keeping the focus while celebrating. Each reading is only a few pages and then some questions to reflect upon and these are then followed by a practical approach section. I love this layout to the book and that there is such a big piece focused on really applying this and using this in each of our lives, it makes it so much more personal and easy to implement than just having a reading to complete on the topic. I am looking forward to really taking my time and working through this book in the month of November as it will help me to be in the right mindset and focus by the time December arrives.
To read other reviews included on this blog tour, go here!*
*Thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*
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Thursday, October 26, 2017
"The God-Shaped Heart"
This book is an in-depth look at who God is and understanding His love and how this directly impacts each of us personally. Jennings really does a great job with exploring this topic as he ties in research, examples from the media and society today along with Biblical accounts. While there is so much information included in this book, I first thought it was going to be a little overwhelming and "heavy," but the chapters are divided nicely and there are charts, lists and a review of key points at the end of the chapters which help to break the information down into smaller pieces and make it less intense. This is a great book to read if you feel as if there is more to how you are living life and want a clearer understanding for who God is and His love.
*Thanks to the Baker Books Blogger Review Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*
Saturday, October 21, 2017
a gorgeous book filled with amazing photos and ideas!
This book is absolutely gorgeous! I could sit down and page through it for hours! It is filled with 60 various projects that you can do to really make your house, your space your own. The book is divided into sections, each section being a different area of the house including entry way, kitchen and closets to name a few. Each section is further divided by each specific project. The steps needed to complete each project are very specific and in my opinion well-written making it very easy to work through a given project from start to completion. There are so many photographs included of the projects at various stages as well as the photographs of the completed projects. This book is so inspiring and makes me want to really dive into various rooms of my house and do little things here and there to make it more inviting, more pretty, just more me. I highly recommend this book if you are looking to make changes to your home, your space or just want to see various ideas and projects just in case you may perhaps want to make a few changes or need some help getting started!
*Thanks to the Blogging for Books program for the complimentary copy of this book.*
Thursday, October 19, 2017
Find grace in an overwhelming God in the midst of daily life
Become a woman less overwhelmed by life and more overwhelmed by God and enter to win Hayley's $75 Merry Maids Visa Card Giveaway to help lessen your daily load.
One grand prize winner will receive:
- A copy of A Woman Overwhelmed
- A $75 Merry Maids Visa Cash Card
Book info
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About the book:
"A Woman Overwhelmed" is a phrase with which many women can relate.
But what would happen if we could see the insanity in our pace and embrace our overwhelming God?
There is a reason they say that a woman's work is never done- because it isn't! As women, we often are overwhelmed by the demands and circumstances of life, resulting in stress, fear, worry, impatience, fatigue, frustration, and even depression. The truth is that we were created to be overwhelmed . . . not by life but by God! When we learn to be overwhelmed by God, the fruit in our lives goes from rotten to fragrant-filling our days with peace, hope, love, and joy
In A Woman Overwhelmed, best-selling author Hayley DiMarco shares biblical insights and personal stories to offer a glimpse at the comedy of an overwhelmed life while encouraging us to discover the depths and heights of God's love and power.
Be empowered to find freedom in becoming overwhelmed with who God is-by learning to focus on what we know about God so that we can hold onto faith even when it seems that all is lost. For it is when an overwhelmed woman gives up the mission of me and exchanges it for the mission of God that being overwhelmed becomes a good thing.
Choose to bask in the abundance of the Father instead of the abundance of life as his unfathomable depths can surely replace our fathomable messes.
About the author:
 Hayley DiMarco is the best-selling author of more than 40 books, including multiple books in the God Girl line, "The Fruitful Wife," "Obsessed," "Die Young" and "Own It." As the founder of Hungry Planet, a company intensely focused on feeding the world's appetite for truth, DiMarco speaks regularly for women's groups and events, including Women of Faith, dotMOM, Precept National Women's Convention and MOPS International. Hayley and her pastor husband, Michael, live outside Nashville with their daughter and four dogs.
Find out more about Hayley at http://hayleydimarco.com.
My Review:
I loved, loved, loved this book, just what I needed to read! The chapters are short and to the point and then the reading is followed by questions for personal reflection. I love the layout of the book for this reason, it is in-depth, but it doesn't require a lot of time to work through the reading and questions because honestly no one has time for that during the busyness of the day. This is the prefect book to pick up at any point throughout the day to read through and then think about and reflect on the questions. I highly recommend this book for all women to read as it is inspiring and uplifting.
To read more reviews included on this blog tour, go here!
*thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour*
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017
The key plan to growing in patience, peace, and wholeness? Jesus! New book from Edward Welch
Book Info
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How many times today have you been irritated? Frustrated?
While you might not think about it often, if you look closely at any day most everyone can find anger in their actions and attitudes. Something spills or goes missing, we get stuck in traffic or someone cuts us off on the road, or we feel like the people we live and work with are only making our lives more difficult. And while no one wants to get angry, what happens when our irritations and frustrations rise yet again?
Anger is so common-yet it also hurts. It not only leaves a mark on us, but it also leaves a marks on others. The wounds we inflict on ourselves and others because of anger-loss of intimacy, trust, security, and enjoyment in our closest relationships-give us compelling reasons to look closely at our anger and think carefully about how to grow in peace and patience.
But if you, like many others, have just gotten irritated for the umpteenth time today, you might wonder if change is possible. Can anyone truly find peace? The answer is yes, but you will need a plan. Biblical counselor and psychologist Ed Welch invites readers to take a fifty-day journey that unpacks anger while encouraging and teaching readers to respond with patience to life's difficulties. Readers will also be introduced to Jesus, the key to any plan for change. Known as the Prince of Peace, he is the only one who can empower his people to grow in patience, peace, and wholeness.
Edward T. Welch, M.Div., Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF). He earned a Ph.D. in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and has a Master of Divinity degree from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed has been counseling for over thirty years and has written extensively on the topics of depression, fear, and addictions.
Find out more about Edward at http://stores.newgrowthpress.com.
My Review:
This is such a great book! First of all, it is a pocket-sized hardcover book so this can be read anytime, anywhere. Set up as a book to work through over the course of 50 days, there are 50 short chapters, just a few pages to each chapter, but filled with so much wisdom! Edward begins with discussing how anger is an ordinary thing, an everyday piece of each human. To be human is to become angry. However, how this emotion is handled and dealt with has such a big impact on our day, each and every day with our relationships with others, our own well-being and mindset. On the flipside of this is peace, and the question is asked why should we pursue peace instead of anger? Of course, this is not easy at all and will take patience and work. Edward has designed this book with that in mind, several days (50 to be exact!) to work through and be on this journey. Therefore, there is very little to do each day, but just one or a few concepts to ponder and ask of ourselves and to really meditate on during that day. Also, there are questions interspersed to ask of ourselves, but can also lead to great conversations with others. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to have more peace than anger in your life, relationships and just overall for yourself.
To read more reviews included on this blog tour, go here!
*Thanks to the Litfuse Publicity Group for including me on this blog tour and for the complimentary copy of this book.*
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Monday, October 16, 2017
"Deadly Proof"
Kate is assigned to a new case as the lead attorney and she knows this is a big deal and much at stake after a death occurs of someone closely involved. When attacks start being geared toward her, she knows she need to do something. Landon is hired by Kate to look into the allegations that were made about the company and he finds himself enthralled by not only the case but Kate as well and knows that he needs to help her with what he was hired for, but he needs to keep her safe as well.
This is fast-paced and twists and turns throughout as the stakes get higher and more details are leaked to the reader bit by bit. I absolutely loved the characters in this book and cannot wait to read book #2! I highly recommend this book!
*Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book.*
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