This reference list is provided to you as a courtesy service. The intent is to offer useful books of interest. They are NOT intended to serve as, or take the place of necessary counseling. It is the sole responsibility of the reader to exercise due diligence in understanding and appropriately applying what is read, no matter the source. The list is not exhaustive. Feel free to check back regularly as we attempt to update the list.
If you read or discover something about yourself or your situation that creates unanswered questions or concerns, please call us for an appointment at 817.812.3021.
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Photo of Grand Canon taken by Dan Graham, Homestead Counseling Services
The Life Principles Daily Bible is arranged in 365 portions, each including devotional insights derived from Dr. Stanley's Life Principles Bible. The full text of the Bible is broken into daily readings so you can read the Bible in a year. The daily 15-minute readings consist of a passage from the Old Testament, readings from Psalms and Proverbs, and a New Testament passage. Notes from Dr. Stanley shed additional light on each day's readings, and articles apply the Scriptures to our daily lives. This daily Bible is designed to bring more focus and depth to the time spent in God's Word.
Based on a groundbreaking in-depth survey of 22,000 Christian women, The Great Sex Rescue unlocks the secrets to what makes some marriages red hot while others fizzle out. Generations of women have grown up with messages about sex that make them feel dirty, used, or invisible, while men have been sold such a cheapened version of sex, they don't know what they're missing. The Great Sex Rescue hopes to turn all of that around, developing a truly biblical view of sex where mutuality, intimacy, and passion reign. The Great Sex Rescue pulls back the curtain on what is happening in Christian bedrooms and exposes the problematic teachings that wreck sex for so many couples--and the good teachings that leave others breathless. Not only is this book a long overdue corrective to church culture, it is poised to free thousands of couples from repressive and dissatisfying sex lives so that they can experience the kind of intimacy and wholeness God intended.
John Gottman’s unprecedented study of couples over a period of years has allowed him to observe the habits that can make—and break—a marriage. Here is the culmination of that work: the seven principles that guide couples on a path toward a harmonious and long-lasting relationship. Straightforward yet profound, these principles teach partners new approaches for resolving conflicts, creating new common ground, and achieving greater levels of intimacy. Gottman offers strategies and resources to help couples collaborate more effectively to resolve any problem, whether dealing with issues related to sex, money, religion, work, family, or anything else. Packed with new exercises and the latest research out of the esteemed Gottman Institute, this revised edition of The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work is the definitive guide for anyone who wants their relationship to attain its highest potential.
The advice from best-selling author Jerry B. Jenkins is this: plant preventative hedges around your marriage. These hedges are practical ways to avoid compromising situations and giving temptation a foothold in your life. Jenkins's real-life stories of how temptation can slip in undetected and, in a dizzying whirl of deception and betrayal, cause a marriage to crumble are a wake-up call for all married couples. He openly shares insights from his own marriage as well as the hedges he has been using for years. In this newly revised and updated edition with a DVD message from the author and a new study guide for group and personal use, Hedges is more helpful than ever. Recommended by Dan Graham, Director of Clinical Care.
Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend teach us that healthy boundaries are the property lines that define and protect you and your spouse as individuals. Once you have them in place, a good marriage can become better, and a less-than-satisfying one can even be saved. Boundaries in Marriage will give you the tools and encouragement you need to: Set and maintain personal boundaries and respect those of your spouse Understand and practice two key ingredients to a successful marriage: freedom and responsibility Establish values that form a godly structure and architecture for your marriage Protect your marriage from different kinds of "intruders" Work with a spouse who understands and values boundaries--or with one who doesn't. It's time to deepen your love by providing a better environment for it to flourish, and Drs. Cloud and Townsend are here to help. Discover how boundaries can make life better today!
In The Gift of Sex, the Penners give you the tools you need to move past barriers that inhibit true intimacy and embrace marriage as God intended it. This revised and updated version of The Gift of Sex features a new introduction, new illustrations, a section on addictions and the Internet, and a timely discussion on sexually transmitted diseases and their consequences. It also asks and answers key questions about biblical marriage, including: How does sex fit into God's design for marriage? Why did God create men and women to think about sex differently? How can I light the spark in my relationship again? Whether you're newlyweds or you've been married for decades, The Gift of Sex is a timeless guide to discovering the sexual fulfillment that you and your spouse deserve.
Discover the single greatest secret to a successful marriage! Touted as a classic among marriage books, Love & Respect reveals why spouses react negatively to each other and how they can deal with conflict quickly, easily and biblically. Client recommended.
You want to do the right thing—to take care of your family, to be a good employee, to "be there" for your friends. And you're good at it. Everyone knows they can depend on you—so they do. But are you really doing what's best for them? And what about you—are you growing? Are you happy and relaxed? Are you excited about your gifts and your calling, or do you sometimes think, "I don't even know what I want anymore." Find out why you have trouble saying no. Learn why you feel accepted only when you are producing. And finally experience the deep joy and peace that come with serving other people out of your abundance, not out of your need.
Decipher what you and your spouse are really saying to each other with this value-priced duo of bestsellers. Eggerichs draws on Ephesians 5:33 to help you build Love and Respect in your marriage. Then he addresses Cracking the Communication Code, so you can learn how to understand---and speak---each other's distinctly different language.
Retired NFL player, founder of Champions for Life and one of the most respected ministers in the country, shares his story. "I believe Champions for Life is doing very effective work bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to many lost men and women throughout America." - Billy Graham
As a former professional defensive end in the NFL, turned evangelist, Bill Glass has truly been Blitzed by Blessings. Glass shares just how fruitful and enjoyable life can be once you find faith in the Lord. Acting as a “how-to” guide, this autobiography provides insights and advice on how best to tackle the challenges that are faced every day, and come out on top! Bill has gained a unique perspective through his life experiences as an NFL hero and through his many ministry outreach projects.
The world is full of hurt children, and bringing one into your home can quickly derail the easy family life you once knew. Get effective suggestions, wisdom, and advice to parent the hurt child in your life. The best hope for tragedy prevention is knowledge! Updated and revised. Recommended by Dan & Deb Graham, parents of 30+ foster children and three adoptees.
Adopting the Hurt Child is an excellent resource for those parents who, knowingly or unknowingly, adopted a child with special needs. The authors offer assistance regarding different methods of dealing with the child while maintaining one's own sense of normalcy.
Dr. Gregory C. Keck offers new insights and parenting strategies relative to adolescents, especially adopted adolescents. Parents will find humor and relief as they realize their role in their child’s journey in the adoption process.
What Every Parent and Child Should Know About Preventing Sexual Abuse and Abduction
Children - A book based on his numerous interviews with convicted child molesters, rapists, and murderers in which he clearly outlines scenarios and explains the basic lures and tricks molester use to abuse children. Recommended by Dan Graham
Want a comfortable way to talk with your kids about pornography? This newly revised edition of the original bestseller from Defend Young Minds makes that daunting discussion easy! Good Pictures Bad Pictures is a read-aloud story about a mom and dad who explain what pornography is, why it’s dangerous, and how to reject it. Recommended by Dan Graham. Featuring easy-to-understand science and simple analogies, this internationally-acclaimed book engages young kids to porn-proof their own brains. With Good Pictures Bad Pictures, your child will never be caught off guard by disturbing videos or peer pressure! The 5-point CAN DO Plan™ teaches kids exactly what to do to protect their young minds when they see pornography.
Young children deserve to be armed early against internet dangers. Good Pictures Bad Pictures Jr. makes it easy for parents to protect their young kids ages 3 to 6. Using gentle, age-appropriate messages, children will learn to Turn, Run & Tell when they are accidentally exposed to inappropriate content. Written by best-selling author Kristen A. Jenson of the original Good Pictures Bad Pictures book, the Jr. version is a comfortable, effective way for proactive parents to empower their young kids with their first internal filter! Recommended by Dan Graham.
How can children successfully survive the trauma of divorce? In friendly, heart-to-heart language, Archibald Hart offers divorced parents specific ways to help children cope with the psychological and social damage that comes with divorce.
