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Recommended resources

I am asked frequently for recommendations on resources on a variety of topics. Below is a list of resources that I trust and recommend in my classes and my counseling practice. I may not agree with everything said in every resource, but as a general rule, I find these resources to be helpful. If you click on any of the resources it will take you to that resource on Amazon. Purchasing these resources through the links below is a small way to support our ministry. 

Anxiety

  1. Anxiety: Calming the Fearful Heart by June Hunt

  2. When I Am Afraid: A Step-by-Step Guide Away from Fear and Anxiety by Edward Welch

  3. Running Scared: Fear, Worry, and the God of Rest by Edward Welch

  4. Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World by Max Lucado

  5. Depression, Anxiety, and the Christian Life: Practical Wisdom from Richard Baxter by Michael Lundy

  6. The Anxious Christian: Can God Use Your Anxiety for Good? by Rhett Smith

 

Anxiety & Depression in Adolescence

  1. Seen: Healing Despair and Anxiety in Kids and Teens Through the Power of Connection by Hutcherson and Williams

  2. Why Am I Feeling Like This?: A Teen's Guide to Freedom from Anxiety and Depression by Murray

  3. Why Is My Teenager Feeling Like This?: A Guide for Helping Teens through Anxiety and Depression by Murray

 

Biblical Counseling

  1. The Gospel for Disordered Lives by Jones, Kellen, and Green

  2. Christ Centered Biblical Counseling by Robert Kellemen and Steve Viars

  3. Effective Biblical Counseling by Larry Crabb

  4. Gospel-Centered Counseling by Robert Kellemen

  5. Instruments in the Redeemers Hands by Paul David Tripp

  6. The Pastor and Counseling by Pierre and Reju

  7. Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark McMinn

  8. Consider Your Counsel: Addressing Ten Mistakes in Our Biblical Counseling by Robert Kellemen

 

Burnout / Ministry Health

  1. Zeal without Burnout: Seven keys to a lifelong ministry of sustainable sacrifice by Christopher Ash

  2. The Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus by Zack Eswine

  3. The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World by Peter Scazzero

  4. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

  5. Journey of the Soul: A Practical Guide to Emotional and Spiritual Growth by Bill and Kristi Gaultiere

 

Dating

  1. The Sacred Search: What If It's Not about Who You Marry, But Why? by Gary Thomas

  2. Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness and Dating by Marshall Segal

  3. Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

  4. ​Christ-Centered Dating: Pursuing a Relationship That Glorifies God by Mark Ballenger

 

Depression

  1. When the Darkness Will Not Lift: Doing What We Can While We Wait for God - and Joy by John Piper

  2. How Long, O Lord?: Reflections on Suffering and Evil by D.A. Carson

  3. Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop

  4. God's Grace in Your Suffering by David Powlison

  5. ​Spurgeon's Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Swine

 

Devotionals 

  1. Devotions on a Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas

  2. The Guy's Guide to God, Girls, and the Phone in Your Pocket: 101 Real-World Tips for Teenaged Guys by McKee

  3. The Smart Girl's Guide to God, Guys, and the Galaxy: Save the Drama! and 100 Other Practical Tips for Teens by Shellenberger and Weber

  4. One Year of  Dinner Table Devotions and Discussion Starters: 365 Opportunities to Grow Closer to God as a Family by Guthrie

  5. The Family Bible Devotional: Stories from the Bible to Help Kids and Parents Engage and Love Scripture by Wells

  6. Fuel: Devotions to Ignite the Faith of Parents and Teens by White

 

 

Discipline 

  1. The Well-Behaved Child: Discipline That Really Works! By John Rosemond

  2. The New Dare to Discipline by James Dobson

  3. Grace Based Discipline: How to Be at Your Best When Your Kids Are at Their Worst by Karis Murray

  4. For the Love of Discipline: When the Gospel Meets Tantrums and Time-Outs by Sara Wallace

  5. The New Strong-Willed Child by James Dobson

 

Domestic Abuse

  1. Is It Abuse?: A Biblical Guide to Identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims by Darby Strickland

  2. Domestic Abuse: Recognize, Respond, Rescue by Darby Strickland

  3. The Emotionally Destructive Relationship: Seeing It, Stopping It, Surviving It by Leslie Vernick

 

Family Discipleship

  1. Family Discipleship: Leading Your Home through Time, Moments, and Milestones by Matt Chandler

  2. The Disciple-Making Parent: A Comprehensive Guidebook for Raising Your Children to Love and Follow Jesus Christ by Chap Bettis

  3. Intentional Parenting: Family Discipleship by Design by Tad Thompson

  4. Biblical Grandparenting: Exploring God's Design, Culture's Messages and Disciple-Making Methods to Pass Faith to Future Generations by Josh Mulvihill

  5. Show them Jesus: Teaching the Gospel to Kids by Jack Klumpenhower

 

Family of Origin Issues

  1. Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

  2. Flawed Families of the Bible: How God's Grace Works through Imperfect Relationships by David & Diana Garland

  3. Letting Them Go: Prepare Your Heart, Prepare Your Child for Leaving Home by David Veeman

  4. Fledge: Launching Your Kids Without Losing Your Mind by Brenda Yoder

  5. In-Law Relationships: The Chapman Guide to Becoming Friends with Your In-Laws by Gary Chapman

  6. Toxic Sons- and Daughters-in-Law: Untangling Difficult Relationships by Doyle Roth

 

Gender Identity & Homosexuality

  1. God and the Transgender Debate: What does the Bible actually say about gender identity? by Andrew Walker

  2. Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire and Relationships Shaped by God's Grand Story by Christopher Yuan

  3. Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture by Mark Yarhouse

  4. Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Yarhouse

  5. Washed and Waiting: Reflections on Christian Faithfulness and Homosexuality by Wesley Hill

  6. Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Union with Christ by Rosario Butterfield

​

Growing in Faith

  1. The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

  2. Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard J Foster

  3. Knowing God by JI Packer

  4. Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God by Dallas Willard

  5. Experiencing God (2021 Edition): Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Henry Blackaby

​

Marriage/Pre-marriage

  1. The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Tim Keller

  2. Marriage: 6 Gospel Commitments Every Couple Needs to Make by Paul David Tripp

  3. The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert by John Gottman

  4. Tying the Knot: A Premarital Guide to a Strong and Lasting Marriage by Rob Green

  5. Sacred Marriage: What If God Designed Marriage to Make Us Holy More Than to Make Us Happy?by Gary Thomas

  6. The Mingling of Souls: God's Design for Love, Marriage, Sex, and Redemption by Matt Chandler

 

Parenting 

  1. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul Tripp

  2. Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp

  3. Parenting by the Book: Biblical Wisdom for Raising Your Child by John Rosemond

  4. Teen-Proofing: Fostering Responsible Decision Making in Your Teenager by John Rosemond

  5. Effective Parenting in a Defective World by Chip Ingram

 

Smartphone, Technology, & Internet Monitoring

  1. The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place by Andy Crouch

  2. 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke

  3. 52 Ways to Connect with Your Smartphone Obsessed Kid: How to Engage with Kids Who Can't Seem to Pry Their Eyes from Their Devices! By McKee

  4. Every Parent’s Guide to Navigating Our Digital World by Kara Powell

  5. Net Nanny Parental Control

  6. Kaspersky Safe Kids

  7. Norton Family Premier

 

Social Media

  1. The Teen's Guide to Social Media... and Mobile Devices: 21 Tips to Wise Posting in an Insecure World by Jonathan McKee

  2. Managing Media Creating Character: Using the Technology Kids Crave to Develop the Character God Desires by Kelly Newcom

  3. Connect: Real Relationships in a World of Isolation by Jonathan McKee

  4. Posting Peace: Why Social Media Divides Us and What We Can Do About It by Douglas Bursch

 

Sex

  1. A Celebration of Sex: A Guide to Enjoying God's Gift of Sexual Intimacy by Doug Rosenau 

  2. Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage by Kevin Leman

  3. Intended for Pleasure: Sex Technique and Sexual Fulfillment in Christian Marriage by Ed & Gaye Wheat

  4. A Celebration of Sex for Newlyweds by Doug Rosenau

  5. A Celebration of Sex after 50 for Newlyweds by Doug Rosenau

  6. Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage by Tim Allen Gardner

 

Talking to Your Kids about Sex

  1. The Focus on the Family Guide to Talking with Your Kids about Sex: Honest Answers for Every Ageby Fitch & Davis

  2. Talking to Your Kids About Sex: How to Have a Lifetime of Age-Appropriate Conversations with Your Children About Healthy Sexuality by Laaser

  3. How and When to Tell Your Kids about Sex: A Lifelong Approach to Shaping Your Child’s Sexual Character by Stan Jones

  4. What's the Big Deal?: Why God Cares about Sex by Stan Jones

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