Thursday, August 13, 2009

Books by Sarah Zacharias Davis and Kay Arthur

I recently got a couple of books for review. The first one was:

The Friends We Keep: A Woman's Quest for the Soul of Friendship

During a particularly painful time in her life, Sarah Zacharias Davis learned how delightful–and wounding–women can be in friendship. She saw how some friendships end badly, others die slow deaths, and how a chance acquaintance can become that enduring friend you need.

The Friends We Keep is Sarah’s thoughtful account of her own story and the stories of other women about navigating friendship. Her revealing discoveries tackle the questions every woman asks:

• Why do we long so for female friends?
• Do we need friends like we need air or food or water?
• What causes cattiness, competition, and co-dependency in too many friendships?
• Why do some friendships last forever and others only a season?
• How do I foster friendship?
• When is it time to let a friend go, and how do I do so?

With heartfelt, intelligent writing, Sarah explores these questions and more with personal stories, cultural references and history, faith, and grace. In the process, she delivers wisdom for navigating the challenges, mysteries, and delights of friendship: why we need friendships with other women, what it means to be safe in relationship, and how to embrace what a friend has to offer, whether meager or generous.

Sarah Zacharias Davis is a senior advancement officer at Pepperdine University, having joined the university after working as vice president of marketing and development for Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and in strategic marketing for CNN. The daughter of best-selling writer Ravi Zacharias, Davis is the author of the critically-acclaimed Confessions from an Honest Wife: On the Mess, Mystery & Miracle of Marriage and Transparent: Getting Honest about Who We Are and Who We Want to Be. She graduated from Covenant College with a degree in education and lives in Los Angeles, California.

I'm a bit outside of Sarah's target market, but from thumbing through the book it did appear to be an interesting read.


The other books I got were two from a series of books by Kay Arthur - Building a Marriage That Really Works (40-Minute Bible Studies) and How Do You Walk the Walk You Talk?
Both are excellent summaries on these subjects.

Building a Marriage that Really Works - A Blueprint for Building a Love that Lasts

Marriage begins with visions of eternal love, hope, and happiness. Yet, even among Christians, hope too quickly fades. The happiness dims. And love seems too hard to sustain.

It doesn’t have to be that way. God designed marriage to be a satisfying, fulfilling relationship, and He created men and women so that they–together, and as one flesh–could reflect His love for the world. Marriage, when lived out as God intended, makes us complete, it brings us joy, and gives our lives fresh meaning.

In this study, you’ll examine God’s design for marriage, and you’ll learn, from the Designer’s perspective, what it means to be a godly husband or wife. You’ll discover biblical wisdom for pursuing harmony in difficult areas such as finances, communication, and respect for each other’s roles. Most important, you’ll learn the principles you need to build a love that lasts.


How Do You Walk the Walk You Talk?
You are surrounded by a world that's watching you, waiting to see if what you say is true--if you really believe what you say and "walk the walk you talk.

That thought may seem overwhelming, even intimidating. But Kay Arthur is ready to guide you into a deeper understanding of God's Word. This study of vital passages from Ephesians will help you discover what God says about the lifestyle of a true believer. And it will equip you to live in a manner worthy of your calling--with the ultimate goal of developing a life marked by maturity, Christlikeness, and peace.

Get started on an authentic walk with God that matches your talk. Kay Arthur will show you the way.

The 40 Minute Bible Study series from beloved Bible teacher Kay Arthur and the teaching staff of Precept Ministries tackles important issues in brief, easy-to-grasp lessons you can use personally or for small-group discussion. Each book in the series includes six 40-minute studies designed to draw you into God’s Word through basic inductive Bible study. There are 16 titles in the series, with topics ranging from fasting and forgiveness to prayer and worship. With no homework required, everyone in the group can work through the lesson together at the same time. Let these respected Bible teachers lead you in a study that will transform your thinking—and your life.

Titles Include:

•The Essentials of Effective Prayer
•Being a Disciple: Counting the Cost
•Building a Marriage That Really Works
•Discovering What the Future Holds
•Forgiveness: Breaking the Power of the Past
•Having a Real Relationship with God
•How Do You Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk?
•Living a Life of Real Worship
•How to Make Choices You Won’t Regret
•Living Victoriously in Difficult Times
•Money & Possessions: The Quest for Contentment
•Rising to the Call of Leadership
•How Do You Know God’s Your Father?
•Key Principles of Biblical Fasting
•A Man’s Strategy for Conquering Temptation
•What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

Kay Arthur, executive vice president and cofounder of Precept Ministries International has worked with her teaching staff to create the powerful 40-Minute Bible Studies series. Kay is known around the world as a Bible teacher, author, conference speaker, and host of national radio and television programs.

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