Your mother always said that you would never amount to much. Or perhaps a teacher asked you to help her because you were just so good at (fill in the blank). Those early messages about our intelligence and worth affect our lives forever ... or do they? How do we find authentic hope and wholeness based on truth, reality, and God's view? Dr. Kathy Koch draws on decades of seminars and workshops geared to the educational community. She knows the right questions to ask. She also knows that intelligence and worth take different forms in each of us. Readers of all ages and stages will benefit from the life-changing wisdom contained in Finding Authentic Hope and Wholeness.

As a Christian educator, have you considered that you probably have more daily ministry opportunities than your pastor? You shape the next generation in countless ways through your conduct, character, and conversationso how can you most effectively share this gift that God has given you? Bringing Christ to the Classroom equips you to be an even more effective educator and follower of Christ through investigating scripture, illuminating what Jesus did as the master teacher, and integrating your discoveries into your instruction and interactions with students. Author and professor Charissa Dunn shares her own journey as a Christian educator so that others called to teach can discover what Jesus did to earn the title of the master teacher, applying what they learn to their positions as Christian educators. Bringing Christ to the Classroom can also help you connect with Gods message on a deeper level while you pray for guidance, listen to his voice, and ask him for transformation. God provided you with the talents, abilities, and experiences required to serve as an educator, and he called you as an educator for such a time as this (Esther 4:15). By reading and examining the Bible in a new light, you will be thoroughly prepared for every good work, serving both your students and God in faith.

What? Another dictionary? Or really an anthology, organized alphabetically by virtue of a particular conversation. The idea for this project emerged from a free-for-all conversation around breakfast one morning. We had invoked any number of authors living and dead, and had spanned spirituality, leadership, education, philosophy, ecclesiology, and even cosmology. We heard from Augustine and Barth, Jim Wallis and Dallas Willard, referencing chaos and culture. Someone had even shared an ancient koan! Why . . . that's it. Why not a roving, eclectic dictionary that is both ridiculously current and particular, and at the same time broadly inclusive, reaching back to Augustine and St. Benedict. Why not write the ABCs of the emerging and missional conversation: this is Wishful Thinking (Buechner) meets A for Abductive (McLaren and Sweet) meets Soul Survivor (Yancey). And maybe there is just a touch of Brian McLaren in A Generous Orthodoxy. The rules are simple: no more than five words per letter; names and personalities can occur on either side, attached to a definition or as referencing a word or concept, and while the overall interest is theological, the focus is life and mission, not theory. Leave your luggage behind, climb aboard and join a journey of exploration that will enrich, challenge, and bring a smile to your face.

Moms and dads—here it is at last! A quick, sweeping overview of MySpace: what it is, how it works, and why it is so important to your teen. You’ll find out how to address important issues with your teen in a way that strengthens your relationship and resolves conflicts.Whether you’re computer illiterate or a seasoned web surfer, MySpace for Moms and Dads will help you understand the social networking revolution and equip you to make smart, confident decisions about your son’s or daughter’s use of MySpace and sites like it.Learn how to minimize the risks of MySpace and bring out its benefits and positive opportunities. You can not only ensure that your teen uses MySpace safely, but also use MySpace yourself to gain a window into your teen’s world. Find out how to tailor your teen’s use of MySpace to his or her present maturity level—and deepen your appreciation of the unique individual your son or daughter is in the bargain.Includes complete glossary, discussion starters, fun quizzes, negotiation helps for you and your teen, and resources with complete contact information including non-web and web addresses.

It is a sharp-edged world and getting hurt is unavoidable. Whether it is physical, spiritual or emotional, we all experience pain on some level and are left with trying to pick up the pieces. What do we do? How do we move forward? Do we want to merely get bandaged up so we can get back into the game? Or do we want something so powerful and miraculous that it leaves us better than when we first experienced pain? In How Healed Do You Want to Be? author William Faris explores the world of healing from a different perspective, defining the true nature of healing and challenging the reader to ask those tough questions that help us discover the deep healing God has for our lives. He lays out a biblical road map that helps those on this journey find a healing that leaves them in better shape than when one of the sharp edges from the world first found them.

Has Technology Taken Over Your Home? In this digital age, children spend more time interacting with screens and less time playing outside, reading a book, or interacting with family. Though technology has its benefits, it also has its harms. In Screen Kids Gary Chapman and Arlene Pellicane will empower you with the tools you need to make positive changes. Through stories, science, and wisdom, you’ll discover how to take back your home from an overdependence on screens. Plus, you’ll learn to teach the five A+ skills that every child needs to master: affection, appreciation, anger management, apology, and attention. Learn how to: Protect and nurture your child’s growing brain Establish simple boundaries that make a huge difference Recognize the warning signs of gaming too much Raise a child who won’t gauge success through social media Teach your child to be safe online This newly revised edition features the latest research and interactive assessments, so you can best confront the issues technology create in your home. Now is the time to equip your child with a healthy relationship with screens and an even healthier relationship with others.

If you feel like you’re losing your teen to technology, you’re not alone. Screen time is rapidly replacing family time, and for teens especially, it is hardwiring the way they connect with their world. In Screens and Teens, Dr. Kathy helps you make sense of all this and empowers you to respond. She: Exposes the lies that technology can teach your teen Guides you in countering those lies with biblical truths and helpful practices Shares success stories of families who have cut back on technology and prioritized each other Kathy’s research, experience, and relatability all come together for an inspiring book, sure to help you be closer with your kids. "Dr. Kathy continues to inform and inspire me with Screens and Teens. I feel better equipped to parent my kids in our constantly changing world because of her wisdom. Dr. Kathy’s expertise makes her my "go-to" person when I have questions about technology and the way it affects our family. Whether you have kids or not, this book will make you more aware of the tech-driven world we live in and encourage you to make bold, smart choices." -Kirk Cameron, Actor/Producer Grab a pen and get ready to underline, circle, and write "That’s so us!" in the margins. Be equipped to keep your family connected. BONUS: Every book includes an access code to stream or download a powerful 9-session video series (valued at $20) for FREE! In these videos, Dr. Kathy presents eye-opening insights to help you connect with your teen in a whole new way. Designed to be watched prior to reading each chapter, they will help you to engage the book on a deeper level.

Parenting strategies you can be proud of You know the feeling. You got frustrated, desperate, or overwhelmed and you reacted before you could think it through. Whether it’s a one-time thing or it becomes a habit, we all parent in ways we don’t like. But it doesn’t have to continue. Whether it’s bribery, yelling, counting to three, or threats of punishment you didn’t mean to make, reacting never feels good. But if you can learn to act with intentionality, you’ll feel better about your choices and be grateful for the results. Dr. Kathy Koch (pronounced “cook”), author of Screens and Teens and 8 Great Smarts, will teach you proven strategies for training your child’s heart and parenting in a way that honors God. She’ll help you move your child from, “I can’t, I won’t," to “I can, I will, and I did.” We can do better than “Because I said so.” or “No screen time for 3 days.” We can do better than mere behavior modification. We can change our children’s hearts and teach them to do what is good, godly, and right even when we’re not around. Once you’ve learned to put these motivation strategies in place there’s no more need to nag, you’ll be astounded at what your kids will do without being asked. Dr. Kathy doesn’t offer a quick-fix. Starting with the heart is all about changing what children believe in order to change their behavior. And learning to use this kind of motivation takes effort, consistency, and strategy, but it works. And it’s never too late! If you’re willing to commit to a little hard work up front, you’ll enjoy your kids, your life, and yourself much more when you learn to start with the heart.

Your child is smart, but does he or she believe it? "Smart" is a power word. Children who believe they’re smart excel more in school and approach life with greater confidence. But children who don’t can struggle to apply themselves. Do you wish your child could see how smart he or she is? Find hope in 8 Great Smarts. You’ll be empowered and equipped with new language and creative ideas for how to: Accept and affirm your child’s unique smarts Motivate your child to learn and study with all 8 smarts Reawaken any "paralyzed" smarts Redirect misbehavior in new, constructive ways Guide your child spiritually, relationally, and to a good career fit Dr. Kathy Koch loves seeing children flourish and helping parents make it happen—and it’s never too late to start. Now is the time to help your child be all that God designed him or her to be. BONUS: Every book includes a FREE access code for the official 8 Great Smarts Quiz located at: https://www.8greatsmarts.com/.

Love your kids for who they are. Mom and dad, your kids are created in God's image, not your own. Jill Savage and Kathy Koch will guide you in truly appreciating your kids. They will teach you how to study and become an expert on your children, because you cannot fully embrace them until you truly know them. In No More Perfect Kids, Jill Savage and Kathy Koch equip us with the tools and perspective to: Identify and remove the Perfection Infection from our parenting Release our children from unrealistic expectations Answer the questions our kids are silently asking in a way that gives them the courage and freedom to be themselves Meet the needs of our children, including those with special needs Written in a passionate, candid, and personal tone, the authors will instill within you hope and contentment. You'll be inspired to apply the practical, realistic, and relevant ideas and tactics Jill and Kathy share. GROUP RESOURCES: A leader’s guide is included in the back of the book. FREE video curriculum and additional group resources are available for No More Perfect Kids at www.NoMorePerfect.com.