« Irislee's Family Book Recommendations »

As part of the Family Matters Series, Irislee Koch recommended a number of books for families to consider reading. Here are the recommendations she gave as part of the service on May 17, 2009. These books and many others are available in the Emmanuel Library.

Marriage

	If you've never heard of love languages, this book is for you. The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman has become a classic because it's a practical, useful tool for helping you to fill your mate's "love tank" and keep it full.
	Once you've learned about love languages, you can pick out just the right dates that will make your mate feel loved with some great ideas in 40 Unforgettable Dates with your Mate by Gary and Barbara Rosberg.

Parenting

Focus on the Family publishes a number of Complete Guides to help with the challenges of different stages of parenting. Check out those that are relevant to you.

Making sure our family money management is Godly and wise is a great way to prepare for and endure economic hardship. Money Matters for Kids by Larry Burkett and Christie Bowler is an excellent book to help in this area or to teach children Christian principles of managing money.

Children and Teens

	Jesus Must be Really Special by Jennie Bishop is an easy-to-understand look at the different ways we express spiritual life in the context of family life. Kids will find it fascinating, and parents might find it convicting as well, making it a great read for the whole family.
	The Treasure Tree by John & Cindy Trent and Gary & Norma Smalley is a fun look at personality types that is easy to understand for children. This book is great for celebrating the uniqueness that each child brings to a family and showing them how God has created them.
	The first of the Hunter Brown books by the Miller Brothers suggests that the Codebearer Series should be an excellent new series for pre-teens. It is a fantasy/action story of mankind's fall into sin and redemption through sacrifice. The book is linked to the internet with mind challenging games, forums, and videos at www.codebearers.com.

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris and Be the Change by Zach Hunger are a pair of books for teens written by amazing and inspirational teen authors. They deal with teen rebellion against low expectations and how to become purposeful global citizens.