7 FAMILY MINISTRY ESSENTIALS by Michelle Anthony & Megan Marshman, David C. Cook Publishing

7 Family Ministry Essentials is for Leaders of Family Ministry in church settings and contributes to the planning and in-depth look at what needs to be brought to the forefront in teaching lessons.  There are nine chapters starting with a quote from renown ministers, spiritual and motivational leaders such as Les Brown, Francis Chan, Edward Everett Hale, and John H. Westerhoff (who went from United in Christ minister to an Episcopalian Priest).

Each topic chapter includes at least six or more sub-headings (The Temptation: Moral Formation; Worship Beyond Sunday; Discerning His Voice; Prayer Fixes Our Focus) for discussion in Ministry Leaders meetings. The chapters conclude with a Ministry Assessment containing Listen, So What?, and Now What? Questions and thought prompters to aid in leading people to faith transformation. Jake’s Story on page 120 reveals how “Jake has abandoned church—worse, he has abandoned his faith in Christ” and why Jake’s perspective was askew.

7 Family Ministry Essentials may be used as a tool for Ministry Leaders looking to add to their skills in teaching fundamental faith strengthening to people of faith and bringing people of non-faith closer to God.

I received this book from David C. Cook Publishing through the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest opinion in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.

About the Authors:  

DR. MICHELLE ANTHONY is the vice president and publisher of learning resources at David C Cook and a popular speaker in the area of family ministry. She is the author ofSpiritual Parenting, The Big God Story, and Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family. Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian education, Bible and theology as well as over twenty-five years of family ministry experience. Michelle and her husband, Michael are the parents of two adult children and live in Colorado.

MEGAN MARSHMAN is the director of student resources and production for David C Cook and has led and challenged thousands of students in their faith at Hume Lake Christian Camps. With a master's degree in organizational leadership from Azusa Pacific University, Megan speaks nationally at churches, conferences, and university chapels. She and her husband, Randy, live in Long Beach, California.

http://litfusegroup.com/author/AnthonyMarshman

TWO ROADS HOME, A Chicory Inn Novel by Deborah Raney, Abingdon Press

My favorite characters from book one, Home to Chicory Lane, Audrey and Grant Whitman are back with the problems of the majority of family drama in any nation. This second installment of the series focuses on their daughter Corinne, and son-in-law Jesse trying to work on marriage woes stemming from Jesse’s work associate.

Deborah Raney writes a sound and interesting story about sexual harassment and the toll it takes on an entire family. There are predictable scenes, but this should not deter you from reading this novel with topics that are tackled in most family homes. You will enjoy reading how Corinne and Jesse deal with this issue and how important family support and compassion needs are met in certain circumstances. I recommend reading Home to Chicory Lane also, but is not absolutely necessary to read Two Roads Home, as it is a standalone novel.

I received this book from Abingdon Press through the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for an honest opinion, in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.

About the author:

Deborah Raney's books have won numerous awards, including the RITA, National Readers Choice Award, HOLT Medallion, and the Carol Award, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. She and her husband, Ken, recently traded small-town life in Kansas-the setting of many of Deborah's novels-for life in the (relatively) big city of Wichita, where they enjoy gardening, antiquing, movies, and traveling to visit four children and a growing brood of grandchildren who all live much too far away.

Find Deborah online: website, Twitter, Facebook

http://litfusegroup.com/author/draney

DEVOTIONS from the GARDEN by Miriam Drennan, Thomas Nelson Publishers

For anyone who loves devotional books and gardening, whether it be vegetables, flowers or fruits, this book brings it all together. Every aspect of gardening is placed into this devotional from Neglected Beds to Blooms But No Fruit to Rock Gardening to Bringing First Fruits. Each mini-chapter offers a scripture reference, words of encouragement, and a prayer.

The pictures are crisp and beautifully photographed to correspond with the topic. This is a good go-to book for times of inspiration and devotion during your dedicated quiet time, that I will use frequently. Recommendation for this devotional is to those seeking inspirations, gardeners, as well as a great gifting opportunity to family and friends.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through the BookLook reviewer program in exchange for an honest opinion, in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission Guidelines.