UPCOMING WOMEN'S CONFERENCES
"Restoring Your Soul" - Just Between Us and Rev Ministries joined together on January 17-19, 2008, to present this conference for pastors' wives and women in ministry in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Log onto http://jbuconference.org to check out all the details from this year and to look for information on 2009.
"Extraordinary Women" - The American Association of Christian Counselors invites you to check out this year's opportunities. Guest speakers include women such as Kay Arthur, Angela Thomas, Chonda Pierce, Gloria Gaither and Jennifer Rothschild. A quality conference at an affordable rate - and at several locations and times of the year. http://www.ewomen.net/conferences
"Infinite Grace 2008" presented by Women of Faith. Check out upcoming dates in your region by logging onto www.womenoffaith.com/conferences/dates/08dates.asp or check out the Revolve Tour for teens!
Lifeway Women's Events presents various training and inspirational events: Women Reaching Women Training (various dates/locations in 2008). Check out their website and information at http://www.lifeway.com/ev/events_list_mainpage/0,2234,M%253D200980,00.html
UNDERSTANDING YOUR MARRIAGE
Weekend To Remember" - Family Life Today hosts marriage conferences throughout the US. Many dates and locations are available to choose from this year. Special deal for pastoral couples - your registration fee is waived (yep! that means it's free to attend; all you'll have to do is find a location for a suitable motel for your special weekend getaway) Check out more details at: http://store.familylife.com/conferences/find_conference.asp
"Marriage on the Rock" - Great on-line resources as well as conferences held at various dates/locations in 2008; learn more at www.marriagetoday.org (click on events)
"Love and Respect" - Another source for great on-line learning and living as well as conferences held throughout the country; learn more at www.loveandrespect.com
"I Promise Seminar" - various dates/locations in 2008
Featuring Michael & Amy Smalley
www.dnaofrelationships.com/conferences or 1-800-848-6329
RETREAT OPPORTUNITIES FOR PASTORS & SPOUSES
Each of the following ministries provide retreat ministries for inspiration and restoration for those involved in full-time Christian ministry. Some ministries even have scholarships available. Check out these resources and invest in your marriage!
www.barnabas.org/elimretreats; www.broomtreeministries.org; www.retreatatthelodge.org and www.pastorsretreatnetwork.org
Additional resources for pastoral couples are available via Focus on the Family's ministry at www.parsonage.org
SUGGESTED READING MATERIAL
Great Devotional Resource
"Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young
Stacy Gentry shares "I just started it, but it is AWESOME!" The book includes short readings with scripture to go with it--it's like Jesus is talking to you. Oh, and make sure you read the forward and introduction pages as it helps you understand the book and the author.
Especially For Parents:
"Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson
This is a really good parenting book on letting your children experience their dreams. A great read for both husband and wife to read together with great potential to generate good discussion.
"Seven Solutions for Burned Out Parents" by James Dobson. Learn practical ways get off the merry-go-round of busyness and learn to say "no" to overcommitment.
Marriage-Related
"Romancing Your Husband" by Debra White Smith
Ladies, if we have more of this, we'd have much happier and fulfilled husbands!!
Especially for women:
"Free Inside & Out" by Marilyn Meberg and Luci Swindoll. This is only one great book in the "Women of Faith" series. www.womenoffaith.com
"Lies Women Believe" by Nancy DeMoss
"Eight Choices That Will Change A Woman's Life" by Jill Brisco
"Every Woman's Battle" by Shannon Ethridge
Recommended for families:
"The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S Lewis
"The Soul of the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe" by Gene Veith is also excellent.
This book brings out points people can miss in either reading the books by C.S. Lewis. Recommended to any parents of children who are intrigued by the story - either the movie or the books.
Recommended for teens:
"Every Young Woman's Battle" by Shannon Ethridge
"And the Bride Wore White: Seven Secrets To Sexual Purity" by Dannah Gresh
Recommended for the 20-somethings:
The "Nooma" series of teaching DVDs by Rob Bell is really cool. They are 10 min. teachings that will promote great discussion.
General Recommendations:
"The Family Man" - An biography on the life of Dr. James Dobson by Dale Buss
"Falling Forward" by Sandi Patty
This is a great book on grace and a good reminder that those in the limelight are just people too. Highlights good warning signs for others not to fall into the trap of sin.
Great books for Leadership Studies or Book Clubs:
"The Winning Attitude" by John Maxwell
"Celebration of Discipline" by Richard Foster
"Investing in Things That Matter" by Linda McGinn Waterman
"Being the Body" by Chuck Colson
"The Case for Faith," "The Case for Easter," or "The Case for Christmas" by Lee Strobel.
"Cracking Davinci's Code" By James L. Garlow & Peter Jones.
BIBLE STUDIES FOR ALL LEVELS
Stacy Gentry recommends The Focus on the Family Women's ministry series which has a good line of books. The one called "Balanced Living" is a very good Bible study for personal or group studies. www.family.org
Molly Shull from King Street shares this review: "I just started a Beth Moore series on the Patriarchs - I think it is a couple years old but really good!" (Thanks, Molly!)
~ Kay Arthur's Precepts Ministries - www.precept.org
Molly Shull from King Street UB is excited to recommend Kay's 13-week study entitled: "As Silver Refined." She says "It's the best study I've ever done!"
~ Studies by Jill Brisco; published by Tyndale House - www.tyndale.com
Kathy Bruce recommends these studies by Jill Brisco: "Faith Enough To Finish," "Prayer That Works," and "Love That Lasts."
~ Studies by Michelle McKinney Hammond - www.waterbrookpress.com
~ "The Harmony of the Gospels" by Robert L Thomas & Stanley N Gundry
~ "The Joy of Living Series" - Molly Shull recommends this series and says, "It is very similar to Bible Study Fellowship in which the participant is given notes and questions as homework. You may or may not have a teaching leader to give a lecture. It is great to have more than just a discussion class though if this was being done in a local church. The studies come in different lengths and they are just terrific!" Contact them at Joy of Living Bible Studies, 2500 Knoll Drive, Suite 6, Ventura, CA 93003; 1-800-999-2703 or www.joyofliving.org
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