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For teenagers who have experienced any kind of abuse or abandonment, it can often feel like hope is lost and they're doomed to stay stuck in unhealthy habits and patterns. This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God's grace to touch their heart's deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain. It will help them navigate the emotional trauma of abuse and abandonment, as well as recognize signs of unhealthy families and dating relationships. Armed with a better understanding of their past and how the effects of abuse can lead to risky behaviors, shame, trauma and isolation-teens will be encouraged to face their brokenness, to heal and forgive and to look toward their hope-filled future.A practical resource for teens, Mending the Soul, Student Edition also offers insight into the struggles parents and ministry leaders face when working with teenage victims of abuse.

In this four-session video Bible study (DVD/digital video sold separately), bestselling author and pastor Andy Stanley takes a closer look at one of the unique things Christians believe: God became one of us. Why in the world would God do that? Why would God leave the comfort and recognition of heaven to live on this ball of dirt in a time before morphine and indoor plumbing when the best of conditions barely paralleled the worst of modern-day conditions? Why?We think we know why He died. But what compelled him to live as one of us?Sessions include:To Communicate and DemonstrateLike Son, Like FatherClasslessPutting Religion in Its PlaceAs the founder of North Point Ministriescomprised of six churches in the Atlanta area serving more than 36,000 people weekly, as well as a network of 30 churches around the globeAndy Stanley is uniquely positioned to reach an engaged and ever-growing ministry.Designed for use with the Why in the World Video Study (sold separately).

When youth work becomes crisis managers.Anyone who stays in youth ministry for a while will encounter significant crises. Family break-ups, substance abuse, sexual assault, eating disorders, cutting, suicide, gun violence.But without proper and immediate care, crises like these can cause years of emotional pain and spiritual scarring in students.Rich Van Pelt and Jim Hancock want to help you prevent that from happening.Through their experience and expertise, you'll learn how to:-Respond quickly and effectively to crisis -Balance legal, ethical, and spiritual outcomes -Forge preventive partnerships with parents, schools, and students -Bring healing when damage is doneWhen crises happenand they will, ready or notthere are practical steps you can take. Van Pelt and Hancock provide field-tested counsel and specific, biblical advice for each stage of crisis. Keep this book on hand as your go-to resource when you need it most.Because when it comes to crisis, it's not a matter of if, but when.

Understanding Your Young Teen is a book on early adolescent development for parents of young teens and pre-teens. Parents of young teens will 1. Gain an understanding of the unique and not-always-obvious realities of early adolescent development. This new understanding can greatly enhance parents' patience, parenting approaches, and relationship with their child. 2. Review the developmental uniquenesses of the young teen years. Most parents don't fully appreciate the changes that are taking place in their teens bodies, minds and relationships. This resource will give them a solid understanding of those areas. 3. Explore new research and cultural changes. Parents will get a better understanding of the changing landscape of teen culture and see how much as changed since they were young teens. The bulk of the book will be based on the first half of: Middle School Ministry. The developmental chapters will be re-written for parents, and will not only include the developmental issues themselves, but the practical implications for parenting and living with young teens. A strong pro-young teen bias will permeate the book, as my affection for young teens and conviction that this age is a great opportunity for faith formation will be woven through all chapters. While the book will be based on research and experience, the tone will be conversational, from one parent of young teens to others. First-person tense will be used throughout, along with examples from my family and extensive involvement with young teens.

CPYU President Walt Mueller's critically acclaimed book, Understanding Today's Youth Culture, is widely recognized as one of the most thorough and comprehensive overviews of youth culture today. This Gold Medallion Book Award winner is used as a seminal text in colleges, universities, and seminaries around the world, but is especially noted for its honest and easy to read style. The book approaches youth culture from a distinctively Christian perspective and contains chapters on a variety of topics including: music, media, sexuality, materialism, drugs and alcohol, and spirituality. A great resource for parents, educators, youth workers, and pastors.

Youth workers need to fully understand the inner workings and development of adolescents in order to really meet their needs. In Teenage Guys, Dr. Steve Gerali presents the stages of development that adolescent guys go through, providing stories from his own experiences in ministry and counseling as well as practical research findings to equip youth workers (both male and female) to more effectively minister to teenage guys.With advice from counselors and veteran youth workers, you'll find helpful suggestions on how to minister to teenage guys and their families. Each chapter includes discussion questions to help you and other youth workers process the issues your own students face and learn how you can help them and mentor them through this tumultuous time. In addition to concepts like mentoring and rites of passage, Dr. Gerali also walks readers through the seven areas of development young guys go through.You'll understand more about:* Cognitive development* Identity formation* Social development* Emotional development* Physiological development* Sexological maturation* Faith formation

Girls are more than just sugar and spice. We've all figured that out. What we haven't figured out completely is how they're wired, why they do the things they do, how the world around them affects their choices and opinions, and what that means for youth ministry-until now.In Teenage Girls, you'll find advice from counselors and veteran youth workers, along with helpful suggestions on how to minister to teenage girls. Each chapter includes discussion questions to help you and other youth workers process the issues your own students face and learn how you can help them and mentor them through this tumultuous time.In addition to the traditional issues people commonly associate with girls, such as eating disorders, self-image issues, and depression, author Ginny Olson will guide you through some of the new issues on the rise in girls' lives. You'll understand more about issues related to:Family * Addiction * Emotional well-being * Mentalhealth * Physical welfare * Sexuality * Spirituality *Relationships

Get ready for a crash course in effective communication. More than just a book on how to "e;do talks,"e; Speaking to Teenagers combines the experience and wisdom of two veteran youth ministry speakers, along with insightful research and practical tools, to help you develop messages that engage students with the love of Christ and the power of his Word.Whether you're crafting a five-minute devotional or a 30-minute sermon, Speaking to Teenagers is essential to understanding and preparing great messages.Together, Doug Fields and Duffy Robbins show you how they craft their own messages and give you the tools to do it yourself. They'll guide you, step-by-step, through the process of preparing and delivering meaningful messages that effectively communicate to your students.Fields and Robbins walk you through three dimensions of a message - the speaker, the listener, and the message itselfand introduce you to the concept and principles of inductive communication. You'll also get helpful tips on finding illustrations for your talk and using them for maximum impact, as well as insights on reading your audience and effective body language.As Speaking to Teenagers guides you toward becoming a more effective communicator, you'll find that this book's practical principles will positively impact the way you view, treat, and communicate to teenagers.

As youth workers, we all have our vision-the plan we hope to make real in our ministries-to change the lives of teenagers as we introduce them to Jesus. But how often have you found yourself wondering if your picture is just wrong-or thinking you just don't know how to make your ministry match what you envision?In 101 Ideas for Making Disciples in Your Youth Group you'll explore the idea of ACTS to create a disciple-making ministry with the elements needed to create an environment necessary to cultivate this mission. ACTS represents everything a missional youth ministry needs to be about:* Adoration-More than an act, this is a lifestyle that is fleshed out in expressions of prayerful dependence, deep gratitude, and expectancy in what God can do.* Community-This is an atmosphere of genuine caring, authentic relationships, and unity based on Christ's love for his Church and the Church's love for one another.* Truth-and-Grace-The basis of everything that is taught and valued, this is a setting where God's Word is the standard and central to belief and behavior.* Serving-and-Sharing-As a way of life, serving involves helping the whole person by ministering to both believers and the lost by meeting their needs, as well as verbally sharing God's message of grace.As you dig into each aspect of ACTS, you'll discover Jesus' style and see how he cultivated each element in his own ministry. Then you'll explore the youth ministry style of each aspect, where you'll find 25 hands-on, easy-to-implement ideas on how to cultivate the same element in your context in order to create an environment of disciple-making that finally fits your ministry.

Nobody can prepare you for all the issues you'll encounter when it comes to teenagers. Whether you work with teens or are trying to parent them, chances are that you've already run into a few things that you felt completely unprepared or ill equipped to deal with. You're not alone! In this hard-hitting series of books, you'll find answers to the difficult questions you face when challenges arise. In What Do I Do When Teenagers Deal with Death?, Dr. Steven Gerali will help you:* Understand adolescent death, whether accidental, illness-related, homicide or suicide* Grasp the stages of grief and what they look like in adolescents* Explore how theology informs the issue of death* Delve into questions that demand theological consideration, such as, "e;Why does God allow tragedy? or "e;Is the dead person in heaven?"e;* Get tips for practical ways to help when a youth group experiences death, including helping the grieving family and the surviving teenagers* Deal with your own personal grief in the situationWith this practical book, you'll have what you need to offer help and hope to hurting teens and their families, and you'll find plenty of resources for help beyond what you're able to give.

Nobody can prepare you for all the issues you'll encounter when it comes to teenagers. Whether you work with teens or are trying to parent them, chances are that you've already run into a few things that you felt completely unprepared or ill equipped to deal with. You're not alone! In this hard-hitting series of books, you'll find answers to the difficult questions you face when challenges arise. In What Do I Do When Teenagers Encounter Bullying and Violence?, Dr. Steven Gerali will help you:* Understand the issues of bullying, violence, and aggression* Grasp the factors that play into the issue, including the gender difference in the issue* Identify the profiles of the aggressors, victims, and gangs * Explore how theology informs the issue* Delve into questions that demand theological consideration, such as "e;Why are people so cruel?"e; and "e;Why does God allow suffering?"e;* Get tips to help prevent bullying in your youth group and how to transform the bully and empower the victim* Find ways to deal with the issue when it is specifically targeted at your youth groupWith this practical book, you'll have what you need to help the victims and transform the bullies, and you'll find plenty of resources for help beyond what you're able to give.

"e;Nobody can prepare you for all the issues you'll encounter when it comes to teenagers. Whether you work with teens or are trying to parent them, chances are that you've already run into a few things that you felt completely unprepared or ill equipped to deal with. You're not alone! In this hard-hitting series of books, you'll find answers to the difficult questions you face when challenges arise. In What Do I Do When Teenagers are Victims of Abuse?, Dr. Steven Gerali will help you:* Grasp the realities and myths associated with abuse* Explore how theology informs the issue* Understand the different forms of abuse teens encounter, such as physical, emotional, sexual, and self-abuse* Identify the profile of abusers* Learn your role in mandated reporting* Equip teens to identify and avoid abusive situations or relationshipsWith this practical book, you'll have what you need to identify and help victims of abuse, and you'll find plenty of resources for help beyond what you're able to give."e;

"e;In this new series of books designed for anyone connected to teenagers, Dr. Steven Gerali addresses six daunting and difficult situations that, when they do happen, often leave youth workers and parents feeling unprepared. With a background in adolescent counseling, Dr. Gerali provides valuable resources to help youth workers and parents through some of the most challenging situations they may face. Each book defines the issue, explores how different theological perspectives can impact the situation, offers helpful, practical tips, along with credible resources to help the reader go deeper into the issues they're dealing with. This direct and hard-hitting series will include: *; What Do I Do WhenDeath ComesHow to help teens through the questions and pain that arise when another student dies *; What Do I Do WhenBullying and Violence Hits HomeUnderstanding and addressing the issues of bullying in and out of the youth group *; What Do I Do WhenWe Encounter Sexual and Physical AbuseHow to handle issues of sexual and physical abuse, including practical intervention strategies and legal parameters *; What Do I Do WhenFamilies are Shattered by Dysfunction and DivorceEquipping youth workers to help students pick up the broken pieces and find health and healing in the midst of family breakdown *; What Do I Do WhenSecret Eating Disorders Eat Away at KidsUnderstanding and recognizing eating disorders in order to initiate helping strategies for teens dealing with this issue *; What Do I Do WhenHomosexuality Comes Out of the Closet and Into the Youth MinistryEquipping youth workers to help students navigate the dangerous waters created by this issue, and educate other leaders on how to engage with homosexuality in the church"e;

"e;The book of Romans is rich with spiritual wisdom. By studying Paul's letter to the Romans, your students will explore everything from new life in Christ to how to live a life like Jesus.Through engaging activities and thought-provoking questions that get right to the heart of Romans, your students will see that even though Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, the instructions also apply to them. In 30 studies, your students will find practical applications for their life as they explore the concepts of: * Righteousness* Faith* Salvation* Sacrifice* Freedom* Friendships, and much moreWritten with the busy youth worker in mind, Studies on the Go: Romans provides Scriptural depth and substance to be tackled in a manageable time frame. The questions are real, down-to-earth, and straight to the point to get students quickly into Romans so they can hear God's word on a practical level. Designed for Sunday school classes, youth groups, and small groups, this curriculum is guaranteed to get your students excited about and engaged with the Bible."e;

"e;Everyone makes mistakes. But why make the same ones that other youth workers have already learned tough lessons through? Whether you're a youth ministry volunteer or you've just stepped into a full-time youth ministry position, chances are that you don't know everything...not yet anyway. Here you'll find wisdom from seasoned veterans who have "e;been there and done that"e; so you can avoid the pitfalls they've found themselves facing.With true stories from real youth workers, you'll get the truth that you just don't learn in your seminar classes or volunteer training meetings. With thought-provoking questions, relevant Scripture, and practical applications, you'll learn from some of the common, but avoidable, blunders of youth ministry veterans such as: * Soul care slip-ups* Team building terrors* Relationship errors* Parent problems (or is it problem parents?!)* Programming pitfalls* Budget blunders* Moral minefields* Authority ailments* Crisis controlWhile most people will cover up their mistakes and hope to never be found out, these brave youth workers are laying it all out there so you don't have to make the same mistakes. Let their encouragement and wisdom be your most-read training manual."e;

"e;In an age where teenagers are deeply engaged in virtual communities and social networks, they're still feeling alone and isolated. It may sound all too simple, but the truth is that you have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of students with the simple act of spending time with them, one-on-one. Whether you're a volunteer or the lead youth pastor, getting some students to open up and share their lives can be a challenge. In this practical book you'll learn the importance of connecting with students on an individual basis and get helpful ideas on how to engage a variety of students in meaningful dialogue. You'll explore and learn more about connecting with six different types of students, including: * The "e;No Way"e; Kid * The "e;Not Interested"e; Kid * The "e;Checking Things Out Kid"e; * The "e;Stagnant"e; Kid * The "e;Growing"e; Kid * The "e;Looking for Ministry"e; Kid Connect will walk you through the steps to lead you into relationships with students that go beyond the youth room and impact them into adulthood."e;

With over 800,000 copies in print, If Only He Knew by bestselling author Gary Smalley has long been esteemed as one of the premier books on marriage for men. Smalley helps men understand their wives and meet their needs in order to establish a loving, thriving relationship that will last a lifetime.Newly revised and expanded to reflect up-to-date research and the current cultural landscape for today's modern audience, this book is the perfect guide for husbands who want to love their wives and strengthen their marriages in a way like never before.Using humorous and touching illustrations from his own life, as well as case histories and biblical examples, Gary Smalley maps a blueprint to a better marriage that will have a deep and lasting impact on men and their wives.

In this newly revised edition of the classic bestseller For Better or for Best, Gary Smalley speaks to women and explains what motivates men and how wives can use their natural qualities and abilities to build a better marriage.Using case histories and biblical illustrations, as well as stories from his own marriage, Smalley offers empathy, humor, and wisdom to women who wish to more fully understand their husbands and love them better. With over 750,000 copies in print and now updated and expanded to integrate the latest research and cultural changes for today's readers, For Better or for Best offers women an insider's perspective into the world of men, including practical help and application so they can deepen their relationships with their husbands and build a lasting marriage.

';When people describe my lifestyle or family as weird, I find comfort,' writes author Craig Groeschel. He then shares a Christ-centered philosophy, on everything from money to scheduling to purity, to help you break out of the normal rut and live according to the rhythms of God's grace and truth of his word. Normal people are stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted. Many of their relationships are, at best, strained and, in most cases, just surviving. Even though we live in one of the most prosperous places on earth, normal is still living paycheck to paycheck and never getting ahead. In our oversexed world, lust, premarital sex, guilt, and shame are far more common than purity, virginity, and a healthy married sex life. And when it comes to God, the majority believe in him, but the teachings of scripture rarely make it into their everyday lives. Simply put, normal isn't working. Groeschel's WEIRD views will help you break free from the norm to lead a radically abnormal (and endlessly more fulfilling) life.

Everyone Needs a Second Chance on the Course and In LifePaul McAllister was a driven man. Ivy League educated and the founder of a multimillion dollar business, Paul was a success in everything but life-and golf. It only took one Pro-Am afternoon, one short putt, and one airborne putter to send his world flying in a different direction: a mulligan! Golf's gracious do-over, a mulligan is the beginning of Paul's own second chance. Guided by the wisdom and advice of an Old Pro, Paul learns about priorities, about self-confidence, and about playing a good game both on and off the course. Written in the appealing "e;parable"e; style of other best-selling books such as Who Moved My Cheese?, Gungo Ho! , and Whale Done! , golf pro Wally Armstrong and author Ken Blanchard condense decades of practical know-how into a simple book with an amazing message. The Mulligan is a second chance to change it all, and improve both your life and your game!

';The more I looked, the more I found Christian Atheists everywhere.' Former Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel knows his subject all too well. After over a decade of successful ministry, he had to make a painful self admission: although he believed in God, he was leading his church like God didn't exist. To Christians and non-Christians alike, to the churched and the unchurched, the journey leading up to Groeschel's admission and the journey that followsfrom his family and his upbringing to the lackluster and even diametrically opposed expressions of faith he encounteredwill look and sound like the story of their own lives. Now the founding and senior pastor of the multicampus, pace-setting LiveChurch.tv, Groeschel personal journey toward a more authentic God-honoring life is more relevant than ever. Christians and Christian Atheists everywhere will be nodding their heads as they are challenged to take their own honest moment and ask the question: am I putting my whole faith in God but still living as if everything was up to me?

Must you believe something to be saved? Does the kingdom of God include non-Christians? Is hell for real and forever? These are big questions. Hard questions. Questions that divide Christians along conservative and liberal lines. Conservatives love their beliefs and liberals believe in their love. Each pushes the other to opposite extremes. Fundamentalists imply that it doesn't matter how we live as long as we believe in Jesus, while some Emergent Christians respond that it doesn't matter what we believe as long as we live like him. Theologian Michael Wittmer calls both sides out of bounds and crafts a third way that retains the insights of each. He examines ten key questions that confront contemporary Christians and shows why both right belief and right practice are necessary for authentic Christianity. Here is an urgent reminder that best practices can only arise from true beliefs. Genuine Christians never stop serving because they never stop loving, and they never stop loving because they never stop believing.

Introducing a new series of Ebook Day-Votions(TM) from bestselling inspirational author Rebecca Barlow Jordan. This beautiful, lighthearted series of devotional Ebooks is perfect for you and is a perfect gift for women of all seasons, and all stages of life. From deepening your walk with the Lord to strengthening your relationships with others ... mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and women everywhere will find page after page of powerful spiritual encouragement within. Each "e;day-votion"e; points to a biblical truth, affirming with every reading that God is faithful no matter what challenges you face. With forty devotions per Ebook in this three-set series-Day-Votions for Grandmothers, Day-Votions for Mothers, and Day-Votions for Women-designed to bring you into deeper relationships with God, your family, your children, and your friends ... inspiration is certain.

Jesus challenges us to heal the hurting, feed the hungry, include the lonely, and help people find their way back to God. Most people listen to the missional challenge of Jesus as if it were a good motivational talk-something to inspire us, but not something we can actually achieve. Others hear the challenge of Jesus and become frustrated with how little they've done. The mission Jesus gave us was not just meant to inspire us, nor was it intended to frustrate us. Jesus gave us this mission because he wants us to actually do it! Within each person lies a potential movement that could change the world. The beginning of such a movement is simple: you living a life as a Christ follower that is worth reproducing. You will reproduce what you say. You will reproduce what you do. You will reproduce what you don't do. You will reproduce who you are. Each of us has the ability to catalyze a movement that can accomplish the mission of Jesus. Some of us have the ability to impact 10 people; some of us have influence over hundreds, while others have the potential to reach thousands. The Rapidly Reproducing Church will present a Biblical strategy that explains how every Christ follower can successfully "e;reproduce"e; himself and maximize his impact for the kingdom of God. The purpose of this book is to communicate a simple strategy that will engage every Christ follower and challenge every leader to become a reproducing leader. Our hope is that every church will become a reproducing church. This book will lay out a brief, but solid theology for a reproducing strategy and then give very practical "e;how-to's"e; for reproducing Christ followers, leaders, artists, groups/teams, venues, sites, churches and networks of churches. Weaved throughout this book will be the amazing story of Community Christian Church, started by five friends who used these reproducing strategies to grow one of the most influential churches in the U.S and develop a network of reproducing churches.

Emily Curtis is used to dealing with her problems while under the hood of an old Chevy, but when her mom dies, Emily's world seems shaken beyond repair. Driven from home by hospital bills they can't pay, Emily and her dad move in with his wealthy sister, who intends to make her niece more feminine-in other words, just like Whitney, Emily's perfect cousin. But when Emily hears the engine of a 1970 Dodge Challenger, and sees the cute gearhead, Zander, next door, things seem to be looking up. But even working alongside Zander can't completely fix the hole in Emily's life. Ever since her mom died, Emily hasn't been able to pray, and no one-not even Zander-seems to understand. But sometimes the help you need can come from the person you least expect.

What is happening to the church in America today? By all appearances, it looks like we are "e;doing' church better than we ever have. Our programs are effective, our pastors are relevant, and our buildings are increasing in size. In the past 30 years the number of mega-churches has increased from under 100 to over 7,500. In the past 10 years the number of multi-site churches has increased from under 100 to over 2,000. By the numbers, these church movements enjoy the national platform, the national voice, and the resources to profoundly impact the Kingdom. But to what end? In spite of the rapid growth of these prevailing church movements we are still losing ground, and the church in the west is in massive decline. Numerous studies and books have been written documenting the flight of members from the institutional church. Yet the local church is Jesus' plan for reaching the world. The strength of the mega-church and multi-site models can be found in a strong emphasis on attracting people to the church, where they have an opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ. Yet many younger leaders are rejecting this model in favor of a more incarnational approach to ministry. These missional communities tend to focus their attention on trying to release people into ministry.In recent years a growing schism has emerged between those calling themselves incarnational leaders and those leading the prevailing church models. But what if we were able to incorporate the insights of both models into a cohesive understanding of the church? Can we bring together the very best of the attractional AND missional models for church ministry?What is needed is not is another book about how to do church better. Our focus on the form church is misguided when the vast majority of unchurched Christians and non-believers aren't moving toward any form of church. Beautifully Sent will give permission for leaders to value existing church forms while catalyzing a missional movement of incarnational people into the world.

Serving as a church leader can be a tough assignment. Whatever your role, odds are you've known your share of the frustration, conflict, and disillusionment that comes with silly turf battles, conflicting vision, and marathon meetings. No doubt, you've asked yourself, "e;How did it get this way?"e;With practical and accessible wisdom, Larry Osborne explains how it got this way. He exposes the hidden roadblocks, structures, and goofy thinking that sabotage even the best intentioned teams. Then with time-tested and proven strategies he shows what it takes to get (and keep) a board, staff, and congregation on the same page. Whatever your situation; from start-up phase, to mid-sized, to megachurch, Osborne has been there. As the pastor of North Coast Church he's walked his board, staff, and congregation through the process. Now with warm encouragement and penetrating insights he shares his secrets to building and maintaining a healthy and unified ministry team that sticks together for the long haul.

From bestselling author Nancy Rue comes a YA contemporary novel that combines coming-of-age drama with a rom-com series of adventures as one girl deals with her complicated family and first love. Jesse Hatcher is used to keeping everything togetherfrom trying to manage her thoughts amidst her ADHD to helping her mom through bipolar ';phases' and keeping the reality of the highs and lowsand their living situationa secret. But when her supposedly dead father, Lou, appears and her mother becomes suicidal, her taped-together life comes undone.Soon Jesse is placed in Lou's temporary custody, where she has everything but control. As she works her Dad-mandated job learning to make sushi with a chef intent on torturing her, she concocts a plan to get back to her real home. But then a cute boy named Rocky and the thrill of riding his motorcycle complicate things, and the book she found seems to have all the answers she doesn't want to hear. Torn between what her mom wants and a life she might actually enjoy, Jesse is forced to make a crazy decision.Motorcycles, Burritos & One Strange Book:features a vibrant and witty protagonist dealing with the realities of a divided family and mental illnessis a Christy award-winning novel that explores the ideas of self-worth and empowermentprovides an inspirational message for those dealing with tough circumstancesis the first book in the Real Life series

In this YA contemporary novel from bestselling author Nancy Rue, the issues of abuse and its emotional effects are explored as Bryn O'Connor struggles to find her voice while many of her one-time friends doubt she's telling the truth and her ex-boyfriend won't let go of their past.Bryn has learned to keep her mouth shut. But when a trip to the hospital following a car accident reveals bruises and injuries inflicted by her boyfriend days and months before, her biggest secret is unwillingly unleashed. And though a restraining order is meant to keep her safe from Preston, it seems nothing can protect her from her supposed friends, who refuse to believe Preston is capable of such violence and look to punish her for what happened to him. Making Bryn wonder if finally telling the truth only made things worse.The stress and loneliness leaves Bryn feeling crazyespecially when it seems like the leather book she picked up at the hospital is reading her thoughts. It doesn't help that her visiting grandma, Mim, is convinced surfing lessons and homemade Mexican food will somehow help Bryn regain control and focus away from the bullying messages pinging her phone. Though when Preston breaks the restraining order yet again, and a trial date looms, it's clear the only way out of the tsunami that is her life is to charge in and take control of the waves around her.Boyfriends, Burritos & an Ocean of Trouble: uses a fictional setting to explore the real-life issues of abuse and quieted voices young women facedelves into the concepts of finding your voice, overcoming difficult circumstances, and working past feelings of self-blameprovides an inspirational message for those dealing with tough circumstancesis the second book in the Real Life series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel

With easy access to sermons on the Internet, plus pressure to deliver the next sermon with little time to prepare, no wonder some pastors have resorted to plagiarizing other people's sermons, passing them off as their own.This growing epidemic has received coverage in the Wall Street Journal, on National Public Radio, and elsewhere. Some pastors have been caught in the act and dismissed from their churches. Is this fair? Is this stealing? How can you recognize it? How can it be prevented? This book not only helps explain the problem, but it also explores the ethical implications and gives advice on how to avoid it or deal with it if the problem surfaces in your church. It includes study questions at the end of chapters and a concluding case study.