Erica’s Life of Beliefs: The Journey Just Begun By: Frederica T. Thompson Erica is a young lady who has been through a lot in her life. She has a past most women fear: abuse from those who should have loved her. As an adult, Erica only makes these obstacles worse by doing drugs, having affairs, and doing harm to herself and others. Overtime, Erica hits rock bottom, and knows she must make a choice: keep going down the same path or change. With the help of those who love her and a strong faith in God, Erica begins to turn her life around and looks towards a brighter future.
Everyone thinks you’ve got it together. But inside, you’re asking, “Am I enough?” No matter how good we look to others, the nagging voice of self-doubt is hard to shake. We ask questions like: If people really knew me would they still accept me? Will I be rejected when I can’t perform? Can I pull this off? What if I end up alone? Am I missing out on what life should be because I can’t shake this fear? If you find yourself having thoughts like these, Erica Wiggenhorn wants to lead you to freedom. Drawing from the story of Moses—the greatest self-doubter in the Bible—Erica shows how self-doubt is tied closely to self-reliance. It’s only when you cast yourself on God that you find the true source of strength. Are you enough? The answer is no . . . but your God certainly is. Step out in His power instead of your own and watch your confidence blossom because you’re in the hands of I AM.
What can God do with fifty days? In only fifty days Peter was radically transformed. He went from being a man in the shadows denying even knowing Jesus, to a man boldly proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus in the middle of the temple courts. How did the change occur? And more importantly, can such a change occur within us—today, in the here and now? For fifty days, I invite you to dwell in the first twelve chapters of Acts. Here we meet Peter face-to-face and encounter the source of his power. We become challenged to grab hold of that power ourselves, believing that God wants to do something in and through us that is unexplainable apart from Him. Let’s give God fifty days and see what He might do. The purpose of this study isn’t simply to reiterate a message. (You can find many studies on Acts.) Our purpose is to reignite a movement of the power of the Holy Spirit in each of us individually and in our churches collectively. Are you ready? — Erica Wiggenhorn Participants will enjoy: A verse-by-verse study spread over ten weeks (5 lessons/week) Many biblical, theological, and historical insights Text-based discussion questions that truly provoke thought
Mark R. McMinn is Professor of Psychology and Director of Integration in the Graduate Department of Clinical Psychology at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. He was previously on faculty at Wheaton College in Illinois, where he was the Rech Professor of Psychology from 1996 to 2006. Mark is a licensed psychologist in Illinois and is board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology. He is Past-President of the APA's Psychology of Religion division. His other books include Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling (2008), Integrative Psychotherapy (coauthored with Clark D. Campbell, 2007), Finding Our Way Home (2005), Why Sin Matters (2004), Care for the Soul (coedited with Timothy R. Phillips, 2001), and Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling (1996). Mark and his wife, Lisa--a sociologist and author--live in rural Oregon. They have three grown daughters.
We are all going to die, but some of us will die better. As a spiritual teacher based in the Washington, D.C., area, Erica Brown has attracted a strong following among those looking for practical wisdom based on the world’s most revered and treasured religious texts. Here she shares stories and ref lections on one of life’s most essential topics: how we pack each day with love and meaning precisely because we will not live forever. Erica helps us confront our fears about death—for ourselves and our loved ones—and demonstrates how the last days of life can be among the most inspiring if we learn to leave a legacy of words and values, to forgive and apologize, and to make important decisions about our last hours. Praised by New York Times columnist David Brooks for combining “extreme empathy with extreme tough-mindedness,” Erica Brown is a leading religious scholar with a sense of humor and a gift for storytelling. In Happier Endings, she meets people of all faiths who deal with death in enlightening ways, including a mother who arranged for her children to sprinkle her ashes on a favorite ski slope, an ex-nun who prepares people to die, a group of women who ritually wash the dead, and a family whose grandfather’s Ethical will is read by his survivors each year. Brown leads readers on an emotional journey to prepare for and accept death, drawing on the wisdom found in many spiritual traditions. The crucial step, Brown writes, is becoming comfortable discussing death—and not just in the abstract. This kind of honesty allows for important conversations, from financial wills to last words that reinforce to those you love most what matters most to you. After reading Happier Endings, you will have a greater understanding of what a good death can be and what a life well lived looks like.
This text is excellent and very timely. Philip Michael Stahl′s second volume is the perfect supplement to his Conducting Child Custody Evaluations because it deals with specific issues of great concern to evaluators: parental alienation, allegations of sexual abuse, domestic violence, move-away situations, and high conflict families. The chapter dealing with child considerations is also very well done. His discussion of developmental considerations is clear and supported by the latest research in the field. I also liked his treatment of children′s reaction to parental conflict, weighing the needs of the individual child with the needs of the sibling group, and giving the child a voice while protecting their privacy. I also appreciated his discussion of components of the evaluator′s recommendation, use of psychological testing, Rosemary Vasquez′s discussion of cultural issues, tackling the terror of testifying and ethical issues. Phil Stahl has written a very important text. It is timely, well written, and comprehensive. Nice work!!! --Hugh McIsaac, Oregon Family Institute When performing a custody evaluation, how do professionals deal with the issue of domestic violence? What impact does one parent′s moving away have on the evaluation? How should an evaluator handle high-conflict divorces? Over the past five to ten years, there has been a significant increase in the use of child custody evaluations by the courts. At the same time, the issues have become more complex and difficult. In this book, the author provides a theoretical and practical understanding of many of the factors that make custody evaluations complex. A key component is the integration of disparate research findings into a comprehensive resource that will enable the evaluator and the court to understand these complex issues. A second component is to provide a thorough understanding of the fact that divorce brings with it a set of complex needs, and evaluators and the courts must develop a paradigm for weighing these needs in a comprehensive manner. This book provides that paradigm.
Bring Minimalism to Your Home, Work, and Relationships Discover how to apply the minimalist mindset to every aspect of your life by changing the way you think about your home, career, relationships, family, and money. The Minimalist Way will help you take it one step at a time with simple exercises and activities. Ease into minimalism at your own pace and learn how to let go. Filled with practical philosophy and easy-to-use strategies for removing unnecessary distractions and stress, this is the essential guidebook for anyone looking to clear out their physical, mental, and emotional clutter. The Minimalist Way includes: MINIMALIST PHILOSOPHY_outlines the principles of minimalism and shows you how to define the practice to fit your life. THE MINIMALIST LIFESTYLE_teaches you how to apply minimalism to your spending, food, clothing, family, leisure time, work, and more. REAL SOLUTIONS_that help you spend time and energy wisely, including checklists, activities, and troubleshooting tips. Live simpler. Live better. Live minimalism.
You find yourself taking part in a story that casts you as the main character, a teenage girl named Erica. As an interactive story, you will make choices throughout the book which will affect the ultimate outcome of the story. You start off as a seventeen year old girl; young, fit, idealistic, and with your whole life ahead of you, full of hardships and happiness. Now read to discover which version of Erica you'll choose to become.--Cover p. [4].
Look What God Can Do is a book that everyone needs to read. As believers, we know that God is almighty and powerful; but we sometimes lose sight of that when going through trials and tribulations. Look What God Can Do is a strong reminder that God will bring us through every situation and circumstances, not only once, but over and over again. I've often heard the saying, "The Lord will make a way," as a reminder to have faith in what God can do; but I was excited to hear what God has already done. Daniel Wright III (Minister at Restoration Family Center and Entrepreneur) It is an honor to be associated with the initial offering of a new writer. A new writer steps onto the scene, and the world takes notice of their style and content. Erica has a straightforward style, born of her experiences with God, herself, and others. Very rarely is experience vague. Life experiences hit you right between the eyes, and you have no choice but to respond. Normally, it hurts. Erica teaches us that we can experience life's experience with God the Father who is the author of life itself, Jesus Christ who is the example of one who trusted in God's providence, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us with His presence. Therein lies her content. Everyone with breath faces the seemingly arbitrary circumstances of life. Luck, happenstance, and coincidence have no substance. To face life this way is to be tossed back and forth with no grounding. Erica teaches us that life has meaning and purpose. By her stripes, we learn that God actually is a part of our daily lives. Those who follow Jesus understand that all things work together for our good and God's will. Thank you, Erica, for teaching us that faith is the content of life that allows us to face life's trials. You teach us that suffering, doubt, and rejection have meaning and purpose. The meaning and purpose are God's way of molding and shaping His people. Your story actually is the story we all live. Avery C. Brown, D.D. A.M.E (Presiding Elder, Zion Church Denomination) This book tells the story of faith and hope. My goal is that every reader will read this book and no matter where they are in life, to have faith and trust in God and to understand that God loves each of us the same. There is no one that cannot experience his love and his presence. We all have a testimony; this one is mine. When I was given the prophesy by my first Spiritual Father Pastor James Armstrong of New Harvest Christian Center that I would someday write this book, I felt it would happen in two years; but no. God allowed me to experience and live what I was to write. It took twelve years of going through various life trials where God just stretched my faith and me right down to where faith is all I had. I began using nothing but biblical stories. But God showed me through Pastor Dorian Daniels that this is your story, so tell it. This is my testimony of What God Can Do; and I know that whatever God has done for me, he can do for you. I am so excited for our future!
