The Modern Dad’s Dilemma: How to Stay Connected with Your Kids in a Rapidly Changing World

Author: John Badalament, EdM
Publisher: New World Library
Price: $14.95

Reviewed by: Brandee Musiala

John Badalament is widely known for speaking about parenting, so it’s no wonder that Patrick F. Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools, referred to The Modern Dad’s Dilemma as “The refresher course that many dads need to reconnect with their children.”

We definitely expect more of fathers today than we ever have. From their child’s birth to adulthood, they are now right there by their partner’s side and very hands-on. Yet, sometimes issues like communication and finding that perfect balance between work and family can be tricky. If this sounds all too familiar to you, then you really must read through the stories of the fifteen dads featured in this book for tips on how they worked through these issues and more.

The Modern Dad's Dilemma is an invaluable asset for those who: need to find a balance between work and family, and want to model a healthy loving relationship and establish open communication with their children.

One in a Million: Journey to Your Promised Land

Author: Priscilla Shirer
Publisher: B&H Books
Price: $14.99

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

The Bible says abundant life can be ours. However, many of us don't understand what exactly that means and are confused about how to obtain it.

Author Priscilla Shirer wants us to break out of the ordinary, to have the confidence to face life with “spiritual stamina” and grab hold of the fullness and prosperity that God offers and receive blessings that really matter.

In using the example of the Israelites' trek through the desert to the Promised Land, Shirer draws on the parallels between their journey and the journey of every Christian ever since. Broken up into three parts – Deliverance, Development and Destiny – One in a Million is written in a conversational tone that is both explanatory and illustrative.

No matter the path, we can follow God with bold faith because He is there every step of the way. Good living ultimately opens the door to fulfillment and God moving on our behalf in miraculous and unexpected ways.

Selected Passage: “That's why I'm glad God didn't promise the Israelites a land flowing with nothing but milk – just as I'm glad Jesus didn't stop short in John 10:10 by merely saying, 'I came that they may have life.' Life is good, just like milk is good. But the life Jesus came to give is a whole lot more than good. It's not just the good life; it's the great life, the kind of life He intends for us to experience 'abundantly'.”

A Remarkable Marriage

Author: David J. Whitcomb
Publisher: BJU Press
Price: $19.95

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

“God gave His guidelines so that His people would demonstrate proper relationships in the home. Therefore, it should be especially true that God's people demonstrate successful relationships.” (5)

More than ever, families and marriages are falling apart in the modern world. Author, pastor and experienced marriage counselor David J. Whitcomb wants to give you the guidance you need to protect these institutions and thrive in your relationships.

Through straightforward principles, demonstrated with relatable contemporary examples and simple-to-understand Biblical instructions, Whitcomb is effective in getting his message across. His style of writing flows seamlessly and the divided chapters (into 30 different principles) makes reading easily digestible, as well as specific categories plainly accessible.

“Without rules, we will all do what we want to do, which results in hurting or neglecting others.” (3)

A Remarkable Marriage is an excellent guidebook for those preparing for marriage and those who are already married. It is highly recommended.

The Faces of Grief: A Woman's Bible Study

Author: Marian Talley-Cunningham
Publisher: BJU Press
Price: $7.95

Reviewed by: Brandee Musiala

There are many faces of grief and just as many ways to deal with it. Yet when Marian Talley-Cunningham found herself widowed for the second time, it was scripture that really helped her.

This bible study will arm you with helpful passages and advice as you begin to navigate your way through the loss of your loved one. So if you find yourself dealing with denial, anger, bargaining, depression or even acceptance, this is a great resource for you.

A Homeopathic Guide to Partnership and Compatibility: Understanding Your Type and Finding Love

by Liz Lalor (2004)
Publisher: North Atlantic Books
Price: $18.95

Reviewed by: Olivia Worobec

Although we see the effects of illness physically, there are mental and emotional factors that run alongside it. Homeopathy takes into account the simultaneous forces at work within us.

Lalor not only looks into the underlying emotional component that affects one's health and well-being, but even goes further by linking self-knowledge to finding your ideal partner (unlike previous uses and methods of homeopathy). There is a stronger connection than you may think.

“Homeopathic constitutional analysis is based on the assumption that when you know who are you are, you also know what fulfills you emotionally,” she says.

Studying movies as examples, from The African Queen to American Splendor, Lalor looks at character and emotional personalities, as well as relationship types. By observing individualized and custom approaches to life, the author is able to categorize a number of constitutions. By seeing where you match up, the result is self-understanding and finding what makes you feel fulfilled in a relationship.

“A constitutional analysis encompasses who you are, how you operate in the world, how you interact with people, and, most important for this book, what you are like in your relationships.”

A truly unique application backed up by research and experience, Lalor's book takes self-knowledge and compatibility to a whole new level.

Angel of Light: A Personal Journey Through Imagination to Find the Spirit

by Richard James Cook (2001)
Publisher: Fountain Publishing
Price: $16.00

Reviewed by: Brandee Musiala

Few of us can't imagine anything more tragic than the death of a child. In the face of such a tragedy, Richard James Cook managed to channel his grief into the poems and artwork that are of Angel of Light: A Personal Journey Through Imagination to Find the Spirit.

Not to be read without a box of tissues nearby, Angel of Light chronicles the short life of Cook’s daughter Laura who was diagnosed with a rare heart disease in her first year of life. The Cooks’ were then faced with the reality that Laura would need a heart transplant. Unfortunately, despite the transplant, Laura passed away when she was just four years old.

When his journaling gives way to poems, passages and paintings that helped Richard James Cook work through his loss, the spiritual closure is evident. The paintings in which Laura is depicted as living on in heaven are especially telling.

As emotionally charged as this book is, I believe it is the depictions of Laura living on that may help someone in a similar situation. All in all, bittersweet.

From Fat to Fit: Turn Yourself Into a Weapon of Mass Reduction

by Carole Carson (2007)
Publisher: Hound Press
Price: $14.95

Reviewed by: Brandee Cote

From The Biggest Loser to Village on a Diet, it seems that we can’t get enough of a great weight loss story. Not only are they inspirational, but for the subjects themselves, the shows' popularity brings accountability. For those of us who have struggled with weight loss, we know all too well that in those moments of weakness, it’s harder to give in when you have a weight loss partner to answer to.

Carole Carson’s weight loss journey is a great testament to that. Tired of the self-loathing, she courageously spoke publicly about the shame of being obese in her local newspaper. She also made a commitment to continue to be open about her weight loss. So as Carole went from 'fat to fit', she took a community with her and after two months of encouraging each other, they collectively lost 8,000 pounds!

If you’re about to start your own weight loss journey, I definitely recommend reading this book and pairing up with a friend for support and motivation.