12 Simple Secrets of Happiness: Finding Joy in Everyday Relationships

Book Description

Imagine sustaining a blissful marriage, a harmonious family, a cooperative network of colleagues, and a block full of truly friendly neighbors. An expert and popular speaker on interpersonal relationships, Glenn Van Ekeren shows how to transform this utopian vision into a daily reality.

Finding happiness through rewarding relationships can become a way of life for readers once they make twelve simple secrets a part of everyday living. These secrets include gratitude, encouragement, understanding, acceptance, forgiveness, empathy, and generosity, among others. As simple as these secrets truly are, putting them into practice can often be a challenge. Insightfully pairing his "people building" principles with uplifting anecdotes and keen observations, Glenn Van Ekeren gives readers the keys to maintaining rewarding relationships.

Customer Reviews:

Omaha, Nebraska.......2000-09-25

Do yourself a favor and read this book.

12 Simple Secrets of Happiness.......2000-07-17

I had the priviledge of working with Glenn Van Ekeren for 12+ years and can testify that he "walks the talk". His energy and love for life shines in everything he is involved in. He is a great people builder, and his book is a true inspiration for anyone seeking happiness.

Frugal Luxuries ..........2000-07-09

This is one of the books, which is charming and delightfull as well as serious. It remindes you of lots of ideas you have already had - but you have forgotten them in stress, depression and burnout. After reading I bought this book for a special friend and suggested that she schould do the same for a friend of hers, and so on... So there is a chain and a connection.

a great book.......2000-02-07

Glen has been inspiring all of us at Chicken Soup for a long long time. I am very happy that he now can share his wonderful wisdom and anecdotes with the rest of the world. Be sure to check it out and find out what we have known for awhile... Glen can warm the hearts of anyone who reads his words.

It's a Joy to be able to get tips on Finding Joy Everyday!.......2000-02-03

Glenn Van Ekeren's "12 Simple Secrets of Happiness" is indeed that....SIMPLE! He uses everyday life experiences, and memorable quotes from some of the nation's past and present notable figures, in driving his point home about how simple it can be to nurture and improve the many relationships and connections we make with people in our everyday lives...at home...at work...with friends...family...etc. By covering 12 essential character and value builders...Generosity, Hope, Kindness, Friendship, Empathy, Love, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Understanding, Encouragement, Communication and Gratitude, you will be educated, energized and inspired, to start doing some things in your everyday relationships that will help you to better connect with people. This is a great gift to give to a co-worker, a best friend, or a beloved family member, for the lessons it teaches, knows no boundaries. It's presented in a very easy to read and understand format, and makes you sit back and reflect on how you currently handle your everyday relationships. Have fun with this awesome book on life!

Average customer rating:

Runaways Volume 1
There Are Rougly One Million Reasons To Read "Runaways"
An Enjoyable, Slightly Dark, Youth-Oriented Graphic Series
Great start for a new series
Great book, but spring for the Hardcover collection.

Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy
Brian K Vaughan , and Adrian Alphona
Manufacturer: Marvel Comics
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0785113797

Book Description

All young people believe their parents are evil ... but what if they really are? Meet Alex, Karolina, Gert, Chase, Molly and Nico - whose lives are about to take an unexpected turn. When these six young friends discover their parents are all secretly super-powered villains, the shocked teens find strength in one another. Together, they run away from home and straight into the adventure of their lives - vowing to turn the tables on their evil legacy.

Customer Reviews:

Runaways Volume 1.......2007-09-19

In this first volume of the smash-hit series, Runaways, written by award-winning writer Brian K. Vaughan, which has now attracted the likes of Joss Whedon, we are introduced to a bunch of young teenagers who have little in common and don't like each other that much. Every year they are forced to hang out together as their parents meet secretively for some charity event, it is thought. Except this time, things are a little different. The kids are older, starting to take an interest in the opposite sex, which they immediately do, and their curiosity is insatiable. They decide to finally find out what their parents are exactly up to. Using hidden passages in the house they sneak up on their parents and discover two important things: 1) Their parents are super heroes, and 2) Their parents are not super heroes, but actually super villains.

Vaughan presents a very interesting and unique dynamic. The teens immediately work on running away from their evil parents and along the way discover unique powers that they possess. It is an enjoyable and ideal story for young teens or teens of any age who are looking for something in the vein of Teen Titans; but it is also a very enjoyable story for adults also. It marks the continuing tangent that Marvel has taken of late in looking into the early lives of their super heroes.

For more book reviews, and other writings, go to www.alexctelander.com

There Are Rougly One Million Reasons To Read "Runaways".......2007-09-13

When I decided to start reading Brian K. Vaughan's acclaimed comic series "Runaways", I did so with no trepidation. I knew Vaughan was a great comic writer, not only from having read and highly enjoyed some of his highly enjoyable "Y: The Last Man" and his fantastic issue in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight" series, but also from the fact that a negative review for "Runaways" is perhaps one out of twenty. Also, I wasn't put off at all by the fact that Vaughan lists "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", my all time favorite show/comic series, as an inspiration for "Runaways" and the fact that Joss Whedon would eventually take over "Runaways" for an arc later on down the road. If that wasn't enough, Jo Chen is the cover artist.

So were my expectations met when I delved into "Pride and Joy", the first arc of the series?

Yes. The dialogue is fresh and snaps with pop culture references and witty bits of sarcasm are aplenty. Each character gets an extraordinary amount of development for short time we have here (six issues, at twenty-two pages a piece), though it can be argued that they are merely archetypes: Nerd, goth, brain, jock, hottie, little kid. However, I have enough faith in BKV's writing that by the time I read further into the series, the characters will develop past what we've seen so far. Actually, based on a spoiler or so that I accidently read, the characters do in fact mature past what we've seen here.

What we've got here is a story about kids rebelling against their parents, except blown up into a huge situation. The kids here find out their parents are murderous supervillains, and this arc is pretty much coping with the consequences of that knowledge and figuring out what they're going to do next. There are some awesome fight scenes, as drawn by Adrian Alphona, who also has a great hand for drawing the six main characters and putting their personality into their expressions and body languages. The color reminds me of a television cartoon, and that provides a nice contrast with a story that is really a dark tale told through light, snappy language.

And speaking of the dialogue. Sometimes, the dialogue flows so well that it actually gets in the way of appreciating the art. I know that's truly not a negative, but sometimes I just wish there would be a break to take in some of the art. For the next arc, I really have to pace myself with this and take each panel at a time. BKV really knows how to build suspense from panel to panel.

The only real complaint I have here are the portrayal of the villainous parents. There are so many of them (twelve, if I remember correctly) that it is impossible to remember what each of them does, and equally impossible for BKV to flesh them out into more believable villains. This made for a slight problem here; I found some of the things said by a few of the villains while taunting the kids to be cringe worthy. Very stereotypical villain-esque. What I hope happens is that a primary villain comes to the forefront, so he/she would be able to be properly fleshed out.

*NOTE: It is a better buying decision to, instead of purchasing this, buy "Runaways, Vol. 1." It is a huge hardcover and includes the entirety of the first three arcs, plus some "commentary." It costs less than buying the three arcs separately in much smaller, digest sized paperbacks.

8/10

An Enjoyable, Slightly Dark, Youth-Oriented Graphic Series.......2007-05-22

I'm middle-aged, but I enjoyed volume one of RUNAWAYS. It's not as if there's anything grandly new here. If you've read comics at any point in the last 30+ years, you'll get the "been here, read this" feeling. What's nice is that the young people do have contemporaryish patter. You get your multicultural stuff, your hippieish-vegan entries, your "young people must save the world..again" groove that seems to satisfy the need of young readers to feel heroic and superior to their parents. The Generation Gap is alive and well in RUNAWAYS.

Still, it's got a nice pace, action, dark deeds, heroic deeds, and the bickering you'd expect among teens. Plus a pre-teen who adds the added dimension.

In this opening bound volume, we get to meet the families of Villains/Heroes--that is, the parents are villains and the kids will be heroes who decide to break from the familial units and band together to stop the evil plans of their moms and dads. That, in itself, is a huge conflict. Think about it: Would you be willing to fight your parents to the death? Hmmm. I don't know. Sounds tough to me. And that's good. Anything that adds an emotional and conflictive dimension to a story is a dramatic plus.

So, kids find out who parents really are, learn things about themselves they never knew (ie, each one has a power/gift/specialty), and, yes, they become RUNAWAYS. Of course, running away from supervillains isn't easy. They have ways of making you show yourself, ways of tracking you, ways of making running away extremely stressful. And that's good, too.

I like the digest size volume. I am vexed that amazon doesn't have the digest size volume two: Teenage Wasteland. Geesh. Now I have to traipse to the local comic store and scout for it. Or order it. Why is volume 2 so hard to find?

Well, be warned. While volume one is a pleasant graphic novel read, you may have a bit of a headache getting to the next installment in this form.

Mir

Great start for a new series.......2007-02-27

Once again, Brian K Vaughn shows that he is one of the most consistently good writers in the business. He obviously has another winner with Runaways, a book about six children who discover that their parents are super-villains. While this book is aimed at younger readers, is definitely has something for everybody.

From what I can tell, the events of Runaways occur within the traditional Marvel universe. However, BKV has written it in such a way that it completely stands on it's own. The six Runaways, along with their murderous parents, are based in Los Angeles. As there are so few heroes on the west coast (why haven't villains realized this?), the story in Runaways evolves without relying on the support of existing Marvel continuity.

Vaughn has created 6 unique characters for this book. What is most impressive is that they are instantly interesting and unique. He develops their personalities quite well through good use of dialog. In addition, he was fairly creative with the origin of their powers. In the world where mutants and genetic alteration are the norm for super hero origins, he could have easily used either of these clichés. Instead, he does a good job mixing it up; a couple of members are mutants, but here is also some use of alien origin, time travel, advanced technology, etc.

Adrian Alphona deserves equal credit for the quality of this book. While obviously influenced by Manga, his work here leaves out all of those aspects of Manga which I dislike. There is a general absence of oversized eyes, and the female characters don't look like thirteen year old prostitutes. Further, he does a fine job of making every one of the characters seem even more unique.

The book comes together rather nicely. It is well written, well drawn, the colors add a very nice finishing touch to the book. Some of that suffers in this digest format, as the art is shrunk down and the paper quality is slightly inferior. However, I think this is more than offset by the drastically lower cover price. If you want to see the book at it's best, definitely check out the over-sized hardcover. If you just want to read some good comics, you can't go wrong with this format.

This volume only collects the first six issues of the series, so it generally deals with the teams origin. Now that this necessity is covered, I expect the book to be much more fun in future volumes. While being aimed at a younger audience, it is written in a manner which should appeal to super hero fans of all ages. Definitely check it out.

Great book, but spring for the Hardcover collection........2007-01-13

Well drawn, well written, all the prerequisites for a good comic, but be warned, these volumes are digest sized (think the old TV guide or manga books). Not that this is a bad thing, it's compact and easily concealable, but if you want something full sized spring for the Hardcover Collections. I bought this volume and two days later ordered both available hardcovers. Besides last I checked Vol. 2 was sold out on Amazon.

Average customer rating:

Cute book with a great lesson
Very Cute Book
Not what I expected
Great Children's Book
adorable story with good meaning

Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog
Joy Behar
Manufacturer: Dutton Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0525477187
Release Date: 2006-09-21

Book Description

Comedian and talk-show host Joy Behar has teamed up with illustrator Gene Barretta to create a feisty, lovable character in this cheerful, funny picture book. When Max the mixed-breed meets a pack of snobby purebred dogs in the dog run, he can't understand why they don't want to play with him and his mongrel friends. Determined to get everyone to play together, brainy Max—who is part poodle, after all—comes up with a way to break the ice between the mixed-breeds and the purebreds. America's current obsession with designer dogs makes this book as timely as it is lively.

Customer Reviews:

Cute book with a great lesson.......2007-03-19

"SheetzuCacaPoopoo" appeals to the dog lover on two main levels. The illustrations and story are appealing and the moral that one can be accepted regardless of their "pedigree" is told in a way in which Children can easily relate.

Very Cute Book.......2007-02-18

This book is adorable. I thought it would be another "celebrity written" book. Just a few quick words and done. But I was wrong. This had a very cute story and a nice moral. The kids loved it!

Not what I expected.......2007-02-18

I bought this because I love Joy Behar and I like the idea that it was benefiting a good cause, but my five year old did not enjoy it - I found it to be a tongue-in-cheek adult version of a child's book. The name itself has three different ways to say a four letter word begining with "s" and ending in "t!" That's why it's funny! But it's just not funny to a five year old like I thought it might be. Buy it for the good cause, but not because you think a five year old will giggle through it.

Great Children's Book.......2007-01-18

Very much enjoyed this children's book. Story and illustrations were wonderful. As a canine lover, this gift is perfect for the child who owns a dog or dogs. Adults can even get enjoyment out of reading this book.

adorable story with good meaning.......2007-01-16

I bought this book for my daughter for Christmas and she loves it. She loves it because the illustrations are bright and cute and the story is fun for her. I like it because of it's message! Great book - I am very glad I bought this.

Intimate Friendship with God: Through Understanding the Fear of the Lord

Average customer rating:

Great book!
Get an extra copy or two to give away
Wonderful description to experience God
This book changed my life!!!
This book changed my life!!!

Intimate Friendship with God: Through Understanding the Fear of the Lord
Joy Dawson
Manufacturer: Chosen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0800790847

Book Description

Drawing on scripture and experience, Dawson invites readers to a deeply satisfying relationship with the God who calls us not servants, but friends.

Customer Reviews:

Great book!.......2006-03-10

This little book is worth reading more than once. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to really walk the Christian walk. Tired of hypocrites? Don't be one either. Each chapter is fast reading, but it goes very deep to the core of why we really decided to walk with Christ anyway. Knowing Jesus better helps us to be better; with Him as the center focus we become focused on what really matters in life. I have recommended this book to everyone who wants a close relationship with God.

Get an extra copy or two to give away.......2005-10-14

Before I became a pastor nine years ago, I read this book with my wife. It is one of the few books we keep a copy of in our bedroom. I make sure our booktable has a copy at the church...and I regularly still recommend this book.

It's the most balanced and penetrating study on the fear of the Lord I have ever read. It changed my understanding of God and spiritual living and has had a good effect on many people we work with regularly. If you are thinking about getting this book my only recommendation is that you buy extra copies because you will probably want to keep yours....instead of loaning it out.

Wonderful description to experience God.......2003-05-19

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ !!!
I was saved 14 years ago. At that time as a middle school student, I experienced the baptism of the Holy Spirit while I was in the prayer meeting in the end of the day of Church summer training. At the right time, I did not noticed what had happened to me and I could not understood God was trying to talk to me. Around 10 year later since then, I was able to pray every day morning to receive answer for my desperate life problems, and during my praying time, I came to convince that God have been continuously trying to speak to me. God showed his evidences so that I may not ignore His voice and signs any more. Samuel , the author of 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, could answer to God after 3 times of God's call. But for me it took more than 10 years. Before I read this book, I myself had similar experiences as the Mrs. Joy wrote in this book. I was not sure what is the exact spiritual meaning is. Before I read the books of Mrs Joy, I made progress in the knowledge of the Spirit day by day very little. And as a result. I start to undertand a little part of spiritual things described in bible, by Jesus, Paul, prophets of old testament. The slow speed was majorly because I did not make enough memo and prayer concerning the all things which was happened to me. Now I think Mrs. Joy started and established good foundation to start our fellowship and talking with God, Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, who was known as Triune God or God the trinity. I have lots of things to exchange concerning the topics of Mrs. Joy's books.
...

This book changed my life!!!.......2001-11-25

I have been a christian for a long time. Never have my eyes been more opened, nor have I seen so clearly what the fear of the Lord truly means. I have longed for true intimacy with God for years. But until I read this book I always felt he was so far away, intangible and therefore I was unable to really, truly comprehend His love. Joy's book helped bring to life the true love of God and how much he desires intimacy with us all. The fear of the Lord? The age old interpretation couldn't be more wrong. All of this book blessed me, parts encouraged me and yet others convicted me. At times I felt such conviction I would look at it and not be able to pick it back up until I set right the cause of my conviction. What a powerful book! Every christian who truly seeks intimacy with God, should read and reread this book!

This book changed my life!!!.......2001-11-25

How Do You Know He's Real?: God Unplugged

Average customer rating:

People teens admire talk about God
Celebrities share their faith
god unplugged
After reading this, you certainly KNOW he is real!
Fantastic book!

How Do You Know He's Real?: God Unplugged
Amy Hammond Hagberg
Manufacturer: Destiny Image Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0768423880

Book Description

"How Do You Know He's Real? God Unplugged," the second book in the successful "He's Real series," shares the profound real life journeys and dramatic encounters with the living God by young celebrities from the worlds of sports and music. The book addresses issues that young people deal with, like insecurity, anger, peer pressure, addiction and self-esteem. Always inspirational and often miraculous, "God Unplugged" is a must-read for those who desire to go deeper in their relationship with God.

Download Description

Between the covers of this book are testimonies from Christian role models from the worlds of film, sports, and music. The stories are real and powerful, and are presented in a way that believers and seekers alike will find compelling.

Customer Reviews:

People teens admire talk about God.......2007-04-13

Author Amy Hammond Hagberg wanted to help teens--her own and others--answer questions about God, including the big question: "How do you know he's real?"

Hagberg wrote to sports stars, recording artists and other celebrities, asking them to reflect on their life experiences and share how the reality of God was making a difference to them personally and professionally. The responses she received--from NBA players, Christian musicians, 'American Idol' contestants and others--are honest, revealing, and often compelling.

The resulting book is a collection of celebrity essays: mini-bios that focus on the reality of God in the midst of media attention, success and failure, and broken relationships. Contributors include Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic basketball team, quarterback David Carr of the Houston Texans, and popular Christian recording artist Clay Crosse.

Some of the interviews are especially helpful for Hagberg's original target readers: teens. Among these, Chrissy Conway of 'Zoe Girl' talks about her parents' divorce, the party scene, and the twists and turns along her personal career path in ways that connect with teens and with anyone who has ever considered attempting a career in music.

Hagberg is a gifted and skilled writer who keeps readers turning the pages as she unpacks celebrity affirmations of the presence of God in their lives. A great gift book for readers from teens through Gen X, but the stories here will interest readers of any age!

Note: Reviewer Dr. David Frisbie is an author and Executive Director of The Center for Marriage & Family Studies in Del Mar, California.

Armchair Interviews says: Anything that can help teens understand their role in living a good life is good.

Celebrities share their faith.......2007-03-11

This is an ideal book to give to people who have questions about becoming a Christian, and who love sports and music celebrities.

44 extreme sports and music celebrities tell their stories in this book, from Jonny Lang (recording artist), to Barlow Girl (rock group), Kimiko Soldati (Olympic diving), CJ Hobgood (surfer), Dwight Howard (NBA player, Orlando Magic), Mick Hannah (downhill mountain bike racer), Jimmie McGuire (professional motocross rider) and more.

They share hard times they faced, how they became Christians and how their paths are more joyful due to their faith. Being a Green Bay Packer fan I turned to Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila's story of growing up in South Central Los Angeles with a tough background, a Muslim dad and a Christian mom, and how his becoming a Christian led to his current happy family life and NFL career. Christian Hosoi, professional skateboarder, after serious drug problems, is now leading a skateboarding ministry.

The two page "God's Road Map" at the end of each celebrity's story contains perceptive questions and Scriptures. Sports and music lovers will enjoy this book, and it can even be a "past watchful dragons book" that will steer doubting people on a new clear path.

god unplugged.......2007-02-02

God Unplugged by Ammy Hagberg was very interesting. It is 403 pages long and was published in 2006 by Destiny Image. In the story top athletes, musicians, and also stars tell how god helped them get where they wanted to be and changed their lives.
In the story there were 44 celebrity reflections on true life experiences with god. Many of these celebrities have been extremely low in their lives and god has pulled them out of them. Also in some cases they have had no luck in there lives and finally achieved their goals after they gave there lives god. All of these people believe that god has either given them opportunities or even the strength to work through where they were to get to where they want to be.
I thought that this was a good book. I enjoyed reading it and seeing how god has changed all of these people's lives. The strengths of this book are that it has top named celebrities that people actually want to read about. The weakness of this book is that there is nothing to find out nest so you don't have a reason to keep reading. I did like how god actually gave them the strength to continue and succeed in life. The writing was very boring to me, but I liked the idea.
The book gave a lasting effect on me because I have a saint Christopher necklace that my grandma gave to me before she passed away and that keeps me safe when I race motorcross. So, I think that god has a great power on us. I would recommend this book, it will make you think.

After reading this, you certainly KNOW he is real!.......2007-01-25

Truly, this, and the book before this, are really awesome books!
** Why?
Because they give some very good insights into other peoples way to God. Not only that, if you don't know the Bible inside and out (and even if you do, actually!), there are quotations from the Bible explaining the why and hows, depending on the story of the person interviewed.
All this, with Amy Hagbergs very nice way of writing (down to earth serious mixed with a nice blend of humor) makes this book a pleasure to read!
Personally, I strongly recommend this book to everyone. It might be those who Seek, or those who have found, it doesn't matter, in my opinion! :)

Fantastic book!.......2007-01-24

What a great book! Amy Hagberg has gathered some of today's biggest sports and music celebs to talk about how they know God is real. This book is in stark contrast to so many of today's depressing, tragedy-focused headlines. And the list of celebrities is impressive! [...]

The Joy of Believing in Prayer: Deepen Your Friendship with God

Average customer rating:

Praying for Results!
Wonderful..... Informative
Powerfully affected my prayer life!
Uplifting and Comforting

The Joy of Believing in Prayer: Deepen Your Friendship with God
Joyce Meyer
Manufacturer: FaithWords
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 044653210X

Book Description

Simple, believing prayer comes straight out of the heart and goes straight to the heart of God.

Customer Reviews:

Praying for Results!.......2004-01-15

We're told that some people cancel out their prayers by praying for one result, then expecting another. Worry focuses the mind on the opposite of the desired result. Biblical prayer is faith-centered, i.e., the desire of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (see Hebrews 11:1). Reading this book helps one to pray more effectively because it conditions the mind to expect the desired outcome.

Keeping Joseph (in the book of Genesis) in mind, we're reminded that what the enemy means for harm, God can turn for our good. He is so creative, He can create good out of chaos. Prayer causes us to realize God is at work in circumstances and to expect His intervention. Meyer writes, "Remember we are not the potter, God is, and we certainly don't know hot to 'fix' people."

On the issue of praying fervently, what she teaches reminds me of something I read by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale along the same lines. She says such praying involves putting one's whole self into prayer. All the mind, the emotion, and the will are included in praying fervently.

This is a powerful, life-changing book. Its insight is practical and all encompassing. Read it, mark it, put it into effect.

Wonderful..... Informative.......2003-10-28

This is the first of Joyce Meyer's book that I am reading and it would not be my last. This lady writes with such a Holy strength and command, it draws you like magnet. She explains in great detail those things that bother us and play about in our minds as we strive to do our utmost best living Christian lives. There is something comforting in the way this book is written probably because it has answered so many of our puzzling questions. May all who read this material be richly blessed by this great and wonderful work of God's servant, Joyce Meyer.
Reviewed by Heather Marshall Negahdar (SUGAR-CANE)

Powerfully affected my prayer life!.......2003-08-29

I found this book to be a very helpful resource. The author is a talented bible teacher and uses scripture to share the simple, but POWERFUL truth about prayer. I have purchased several of these to share with friends and family - they borrow it and then want one of their own!

Uplifting and Comforting.......2002-06-14

This isn't meant to be an intellectual book. You can be an intellectual, come from an intellectual church background, and still appreciate this book. Sometimes you need a simple to the point message, to be encouraged, and to be refreshed. This book offers just that.

The Joy of Women's Friendships: Sharing the Gift of Intimacy (A Bible Study for Women)

Average customer rating:

Not what I thought it would be

The Joy of Women's Friendships: Sharing the Gift of Intimacy (A Bible Study for Women)
Dee Brestin
Manufacturer: Chariot Victor Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1564760529

Book Description

Dee Brestin knows women of every age care deeply about their friendships. If a woman's friendships are healthy, they contribute enormously to her emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. If her friendships are filled with pains, she will be drained, and will miss the joyful, fruitful life God longs for her to have.

This guide explores early relationships, such as relationships with mothers, siblings, and childhood friends. Models like Miriam and Jochebed, Rachel and Leah, and the young women friends in the Song of Songs provide fascinating insights.

As friendship matures, many women experience the joy of ministry partners, mentors, and soulmates. This guide will help you to make these friendships the best they can be.

This guide is one of a series by Dee especially for women.

Dee Brestin ministers to the hearts of women with her speaking and writing. She is the author of The Friendships of Women, The Lifestyles of Christian Women (Victor), and eight Fisherman Bible studyguides (Shaw). She and her husband, Steve, are the parents of five children and live in Nebraska.

and nbsp;

Customer Reviews:

Not what I thought it would be.......2007-01-10

This is not a meaty study at all. I was not happy with the overall teaching aspect.

Average customer rating:

Not as preachy as you'd think
Wonderful Book about Friendships

Friends Through Thick and Thin
Gloria Gaither , Peggy Benson , Sue Buchanan , and Joy MacKenzie
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Relationships | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

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Confessions of Four Friends through Thick and Thin

ASIN: 0310229138

Book Description

Four close friends share about the comfort, the fun, the joy, and the importance of other women friends.

Customer Reviews:

Not as preachy as you'd think.......2000-01-16

You see "women of Faith" and think, oh no...all church doctrine and nothing more. Wrong here! This is a good book, plain & simple. I enjoyed reading about the friends' lives: joys, trials, and opportunities for growth. Peggy Benson looks so much like my own Mother, I just had to fall in love her right away. Her girlfriends too...you'll love them. Keep an open mind for the rest of the text. Reading what these women wrote down will make you laugh, cry, and celebrate life. Enjoy!

Wonderful Book about Friendships.......2000-01-11

I truly enjoyed reading this book.. The relationship these four women share with each other and with the Lord is so inspiring.. I laughed with them at their funny stories and cried when I read about the sadness some of them have had to share. You feel Peggy Benson's sadness at the loss of her husband. You share in Sue Buchanans triumph over breast cancer. You'll cry at Gloria Gaithers tender memories of her mother, and you'll enjoy Joy MacKenzies way with words. But mostly this is a book about friendships. You feel the love these woman have for each other, for their familys and for the Lord. Theres such a warm comfortable feeling between them all.This was given to me by my best friend, and I have to say it's such a wonderful gift for a treasured girlfriend. I could so identify with this book for I love my sisters in the Lord. If you do too you will really enjoy this one.

Average customer rating:

A LITTLE SUSPICION LIKE A LITTLE WINE IS GOOD FOR YOU
O M G
Very Mysterious
Surprise Ending
I really liked it!

Whispers and Lies: A Novel
Joy Fielding
Manufacturer: Atria
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

General | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0743446259
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Book Description

"She said her name was Alison Simms."

Terry Painter lives a quiet life in picturesque Delray, Florida. Forty, single, and a nurse at a home for the elderly and disabled, she enjoys a solitary existence in the cozy house she inherited from her mother five years ago.

Terry's tranquil life takes a turn, however, when young, vibrant Alison Simms rents the cottage behind her home. Upon their First meeting, Alison blows into Terry's life like a tropical storm, bringing with her friendship and excitement. Together they dine out, shop in the village square, and indulge in luxurious at-home makeovers. Alison even helps Terry charm the handsome son of one of her dear, ailing patients. For Terry, life couldn't be more perfect.

But after the initial euphoric wave has settled, Terry slowly begins to learn more about her wondrous companion. She becomes acquainted with the small but peculiar circle of friends Alison has accumulated since her arrival in Delray and meets her brother, who unwittingly reveals bits and pieces of Alison's closely guarded past. Terry soon finds that the friendship that once brightened her life has now crashed down upon her, leaving her trapped in Alison's mysterious world and the whispers and lies that fuel it.

Diving deeply into the psyches of her most captivating characters to date, Joy Fielding has emerged with a riveting tale that challenges our most basic assumptions regarding love, friendship, and obsession. Filled with the suspense and intimacy readers have grown to love in her previous bestselling novels, Whispers and Lies is an unforgettable drama of one woman's fight to reclaim her life.

Customer Reviews:

A LITTLE SUSPICION LIKE A LITTLE WINE IS GOOD FOR YOU.......2007-08-19

When it comes to women mystery writers, I am truly devoted to Joy Fielding. She has the ability to probe into the psyches of her characters with the precision worthy of a gifted surgeon. She forces her readers to question their own feelings about love, trust, truth, friendship, and whether or not we should listen to the "little man in our heads" and follow our instincts.

Without sacrificing the plot line or giving away pertinent details, let me just say that this story of two women of divergent age and character living on a property in Delray Florida is guaranteed to hook you from the first page. You will find yourself being slowly reeled into this drama that begins as a light spring shower, builds to a thunderstorm and finally ramps up into a full scale hurricane. The unexpected twists and turns keep you continuously second-guessing the actions and decisions being made by the characters and the finale will leave you dumbfounded.

WARNING: Get out your rubber finger protector because if you fail to protect your digit you will, in all probability, develop a blister caused by the speed at which you will be turning the pages to see what happens next.

O M G.......2007-06-14

I READ THE BOOK AND IT BECAME MY FAVORITE BOOK. I HAVE RECOMENDED IT TO MANY PPL AND THEY AGREE. YOU WONT REGRET GETTING IT. THE BOMB.

Very Mysterious.......2007-05-02

If you like mystery, you will love this book. I finished it in one day and the only reason is because I kept waiting on that happy ending that never came. Then, I had to watch Nickelodeon, so I could go to bed and not think about this book. Very shocking!!!

Surprise Ending.......2007-04-05

The ending seems to come out of nowhere, and you'll be delightfully entertained by all the twists and turns in this novel.

I really liked it!.......2007-02-02

I bought this book on a sale rack at books-a-million. I was attracted to it b/c I have read a few of Joy's books in the past and loved them so I went ahead and got it. I read some reviews after I bought it and thought oh no, but I really enjoyed it. It was very entertaining and had a great twist that I didn't see coming. It is one of the better books I have read in awhile. If you have liked Joy's books before or just want to read something entertaining then I would highly recommend this book to you.

States of Mind: A Search for Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Harmony, Unity, Friendship, Love, Pride, Wisdom, Honor, Comfort, Joy, Bliss, Freedom, Justice, Glory, Triumph,

Average customer rating:

Finding Spirit in America's Nooks and Crannies
If you can't afford a Winnebago...
This is my dream!
"Millionaire" Contestant's Book Finds "Fate"?
Great Concept, Indifferent Execution

States of Mind: A Search for Faith, Hope, Inspiration, Harmony, Unity, Friendship, Love, Pride, Wisdom, Honor, Comfort, Joy, Bliss, Freedom, Justice, Glory, Triumph,
Brad Herzog
Manufacturer: John F. Blair Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Travel | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books

Essays & Travelogues | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Travel Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0895871874

Book Description

Can you find love in Love, Virginia? Is there inspiration in Inspiration, Arizona? Brad Herzog took stock of his Generation X lifestyle and didn't like what he discovered. So he and his wife emptied their bank accounts, packed everything into a Winnebago, and set a course for a fabled America they weren't sure existed. What began as a literal search for the small places on the map became a figurative examination of the small places of the heart, a quest for virtues lost amid negativity and disillusionment. From Justice, West Virginia, where one-half the population descends from the Hatfields and McCoys, to Harmony, California, a town that's up for sale and can be yours for the right price, States Of Mind eloquently and intelligently brings into focus an American psyche often blurred by intersecting cultures -- and is, ultimately, an unforgettable journey all its own.

Customer Reviews:

Finding Spirit in America's Nooks and Crannies.......2005-08-22

Can one find faith in Faith, South Dakota? Or love in Love, Virginia? Or inspiration in Inspiration, Arizona? These are just three of the eighteen locations that author Brad Herzog visits in STATES OF MIND, his aptly titled and well-written travel memoir. While criss-crossing the United States, the internal worlds of harmony, inspiration, truth or consequences, comfort, pride, hope, triumph, glory, love, justice, bliss, unity, friendship, honor, faith, freedom, wisdom, and joy all collide with their more realistic communities by the same name.

The search for these flea speck sized towns becomes an internal quest as Brad and Amy (the author's wife) jump aboard an RV and try to discover their own answers to these almost ethereal locations. And it's quite an enjoyable trip for the reader, too.

Mr. Herzog's grasp of human nature and language is admirable and compelling, and pulls the reader into the book with such wondrous passages as: "West Virginia was a state conceived by secession, created by war, raised by irreconcilable differences. When the smoke cleared in 1866, the state constructed its first public institution - a lunatic asylum. And in a not entirely unrelated event, a family named Hatfield cultivated an extreme dislike for a family named McCoy."

So, as you can see, the author also gets us into some history of the locations we're visiting, which I found refreshing and, as it turned out, necessary to the understanding of how the towns of Hope, Joy, etc. got their names.

As we travel with our two wayward souls through these backwoods, we also feel the desperation of the author as he tries (often in vain) to find meaning in the towns via their names. In a hilarious and ultimately sad portion of the book, Mr. Herzog prepares to find inspiration in Inspiration, Arizona, only to find out that the community no longer exists. Is inspiration unattainable if the town of the same name has vanished?

My favorite portion of the book, however, was when they roll into Faith, South Dakota, and Mr. Herzog has to confront his own beliefs in God (the town has six churches within a population of 540) as he meets with two ministers to find out how much faith there is in Faith. Getting into the town held its own righteous significance, too, as they encountered golfball sized hail and a swarm of locust: "In the story of Exodus, locusts followed hail. I found our succession of plagues that day ironic, it being a journey to Faith and all, and ominous, my faith being in question. Keeping a lookout for boils and frogs, I collected my doubts and looked for the proper outlet for vocalizing and examining them."

Although I love the way this author zings his prose at us, I felt pretty let down by the ending. Perhaps the author wasn't sure how to put the book to rest. Or, maybe, that's part of the journey, not knowing, nor wanting, to end it. For a journey, that's fine. But for a book of discovery, I expected something more than simply chatting with a seven-year-old.

Even so, this is a great look at small town America and how our own states of mind can take us on a fantastic journey.

If you can't afford a Winnebago..........2005-04-25

...reading this book is the next best thing! Once I got over the jealousy I felt that this young couple was able to just quit life for a few months and travel around the country, I really got into this book and the adventures they shared in small town America. I especially enjoyed the general theme of the book being looking for values and traits such as faith, hope, and love in places actually called Faith, Hope, and Love, among others.

I could really understand and relate with Brad Herzog and his wife Amy, wanting to get out and see what life in America is really about outside of suburbia. As I'm sure many of us would determine had we taken this same trip, life involves some surprises, both good and bad, and it's up to us to discover what's truly underneath the cover of people, experiences, and life itself.

Until you and your someone special can drop everything and spend months on the interstates and backroads of the USA, this book is a very good substitute!

This is my dream!.......2001-08-29

This is the first book that I have picked up in a long time, and I can't seem to put it down. The author has lived my dream, so for the time being, I can live my dream vicariously through his writings. Mr. Herzog has enabled me, through his writing style, to visualize every little detail of his journey, making his journey mine as well. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever dreamed of seeing America, but is lacking the motivation to act. Thank you, Brad Herzog!

"Millionaire" Contestant's Book Finds "Fate"?.......2001-06-05

Brad Herzog has written an entertaining volume that is a combination of travelogue, history lesson, and even a bit of spiritual introspection. Each chapter is devoted to a small town in America named after a "state of mind." Sometimes the name is well-earned (such as Triumph, a Louisiana town destroyed by hurricanes) other times the name can be quite ironic (Justice, home to the legendary Hatfield and McCoy clans in West Virginia).

Herzog gives readers a fascinating history of each town, before setting off to meet some of the townspeople. A member of the often maligned "Generation X," the author also philosophically delves into the "state of mind" of each place - examining Faith in South Dakota, looking for Love in Virginia, and uncovering Honor in Michigan. There are many lessons to be learned by the "characters" Herzog and his wife, Amy, meet along the way. For those of us living in metropolitan areas, the book is as well an eye-opening look into life in a small town (many of which seem to be in deep decline).

As many, I became aware of this book when Herzog was on the game show "Who Wants To Be A Millionnaire." It is nice to know that this book received plenty of free (and well-earned) publicity thanks to that appearance.

Great Concept, Indifferent Execution.......2001-05-15

I was sold on the concept of States of Mind - the idea of looking for various virtues in towns of the same name (Hope, Unity, etc.) Unfortunately I was disappointed by the writing.

Herzog developed a formula for this book and doggedly stuck with it. Every piece has a similar structure: 1. Talk about the virtue the town is named for. 2. Give a quick rundown of the route to get to the town (I thought if he "climbed aboard" any more highways I would puke. 3. Give a long, often dull history of the town. 4. Interview a couple of people; in many cases there seems to be no rational for chosing whom to interview except their availablitiy. 5. Give a paragraph or two of commentary, them move on to next town and repeat.

Amy, Herzog's wife and the photographer for the trip, rarely is mentioned. There is no window into how the trip affected their relationship. There is no commentary on how they adjusted to living in an RV. There are few casual encounters with other travelers. The result is a set of newspaper style features that I found unrewarding. I was also concerned because one town I know intimately (Unity, NH) and there were factual errors in that chapter. I don't know about the other towns, but I did wonder how accurate the material was. All in all, it was a great concept, but a lifeless book.

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