Out of the Depths
with various contributors

The book can be ordered free from Presbyterian Distribution Service by calling 1-800-524-2612 and asking for item #74340-02-012.

$Free
PDS #7434002012

The Will of God
by Leslie Weatherhead

The phrase "the will of God" is used loosely, says Leslie Weatherhead, and the consequence of that looseness to our peace of mind is serious. Weatherhead's recognition of this problem led him to write The Will of God, a classic that has helped more than a million grieving persons better understand the meaning of the phrase. It can help you as well.

It was during the tumultuous era of World War II that Leslie Weatherhead preached five sermons on understanding the will of God for the congregation at City Temple in London. These sermons became the classic book The Will of God, which has helped hundreds of thousands of Christians explore how God's will is related to God's character and ultimate intentions for us.
ISBN #0687074827

This workbook by Rebecca Laird helps readers discern God's will for themselves and their communities. The entire contents of Weatherhead's classic book "The Will of God" is reprinted, with three case studies added to illustrate the difficult questions that arise in understanding the will of God. Includes a "how-to-use" section and exploration exercises. 6 Week study. May be studied individually or in a group. (Book is also available separately #0687074827)
ISBN #0687008409

Job: Faith Remains When Understanding Fails (1997-1998)
by Janice E. Catron

Suggestions for Leaders by Lynn Williamson. At some point in each person's life, he or she must have the patience of Job, enduring suffering that seems it will never end. The book of Job recounts Job's reaction as all of his blessings (wealth, family, and health) are taken away by God in a test of faith. Janice Catron chooses the most significant passages to highlight the depths of Job's misfortune and sorrow. Catron proves that the book of Job serves as a guide for those who suffer or question God's ever- present justice, love, and protection. Participants will follow Job's progression of knowledge to realize that the God who blesses and the God who takes away can and should be reconciled into one rich portrait of God.

Lesson 1: A Test of Faith
Lesson 2: Why Ask Why?
Lesson 3: Does God Play Fair?
Lesson 4: The Limits of Wisdom
Lesson 5: When Tradition Fails
Lesson 6: Where Is My God?
Lesson 7: In Defense of God
Lesson 8: Out of the Whirlwind
Lesson 9: A Persistent Faith

The Wounded Healer
by Henri Nouwen

The Wounded Healer explores how we can understand our pain as a reflection of the suffering in our own time -- and to turn that recognition into service to others. The Wounded Healer is a hope-filled and profoundly simple book that speaks directly to those men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways often threatening and ineffective. In this book, Henri Nouwen combines creative case studies. ISBN #0385148038

Through the Valley: Prayers for Violent Times
by Margaret Anne Huffman

Emcompassing a wide range of emotions and situations in her prayers, Huffman dialogues with God who is a powerful resource in healing, restoring, and equipping us for going through and beyond violation. By talking with God we discover that, yes, we can live in vigorous hope that God fortifies us for living in violent times and redeems even the most vile acts against body, mind, and soul. We need not stay victims of fear or violation, for there in a path through dark valleys and a Companion for the journey. Based on personal experience and interviews with victims (both adults and children), families, counselors, and pastors, Huffman connects us to this God who does not desert anyone but accompanies us through the valley.
ISBN #0-8170-1238-9

Psalms of Lament
by Ann Weems

Beloved poet Ann Weems offers in this collection a poignant rendering of her own personal psalms of lament. She draws from the rich heritage of scripture, specifically the Psalms, to give voice to the grief and anguish she has felt, and continues to feel, over the death of her son. Her words will deeply move anyone who has mourned.
ISBN #0664220746

The Message of the Psalms
by Dr. Brueggemann

Dr. Brueggemann describes the human cries of anguish and the exultations of praise expressed in the Psalms.

This scholarly study of the Psalms retains its rigor while focusing particularly on the pastoral use of the Psalms, looking at how they may function as voices of faith in the actual life of the believing community. He uses the categories of Orientation, Disorientation and New Orientation to describe the Psalms. These three categories offer a helpful and healthy way to understand and respond to the difficulties faced in life.
ISBN #0806621206 Publisher: Fortress Press

Holy Humor Inspirational Wit & Cartoons
by Cal & Rose Samra

Featuring cartoons by such gifted cartoonists as Bil Keane, creator of The Family Circus, and Johnny Hart, creator of B.C., these collections by editors Cal and Rose Samra are a virtual treasury of good, clean, inspirational humor. Within the pages of each book, readers will find enough knee-slapping jokes, uplifting anecdotes, zingy one-liners, joyful Scripture references, inspiring stories, top ten lists, clean limericks, church cartoons, real-life "uh-ohs," bulletin bloopers, and "jestimonials" from pastors, health professionals, chaplains, and patients to make them laugh from start to finish! Conveniently arranged by topic or month for easy use, each book is ideal for pastors, teachers, public speakers, and all who seek to fill their lives with God-inspired joy and holy laughter, to help them face the challenges of life. Sometimes during a difficult time laughter is the best medicine!
Thomas Nelson Inc ASIN: 0785271902

Congregational Trauma: Caring, Coping, and Learning
by Jill M. Hudson

All congregations experience stress. Dealing with the out-of-the-ordinary event or tragedy-a fire, a sexual misconduct scandal, or the untimely death of a pastor, for instance-requires a completely different order of congregational coping skills. This is the first book to address those needs comprehensively, covering care strategies, how to adapt worship, assessment tools for measuring healing, how the judicatory can help, how to handle the media, and how tragedy can give rise to learning. Hudson is executive presbyter, Presbytery of Whitewater Valley (PCUSA), in Indianapolis.
ISBN 1-56699-205-2

Dealing with Crisis
By Bob Tuttle

This book is part of a series entitled The Roots of Youth Ministry series. Dealing with Crisis offers an informed and pastorally sensitive examination of several crisis scenarios. It offers an unflinching look at the statistics dealing with young people in crisis, as well as a detailed resource listing and a quick reference for the adult leader needing an immediate and appropriate response. Dealing with Crisis is designed for learning and teaching. Bob Tuttle the Vice President of the Center for Youth and Adult Ministry at Montreat Conference Center in North Carolina.