The Grace Filled Divorce

Divorce is one of those experiences that everyone believes will happen to someone else. So what do you do when it happens to you? As a Christian believer, how can you walk through the valley of divorce and emerge better and not bitter? Christians who check their faith at the courtroom door as they seek to "win" their divorce cases leave their families, communities, churches and, most tragically, their children permanently wounded. In The Grace-Filled Divorce, Dr. Melody Bacon shares a very different perspective on how to approach divorce-one that is an opportunity for personal growth and spiritual formation. Open yourself up to God's grace. Allow it to flow into and through you, so that the confusion and pain you are experiencing can be transformed into a deeper relationship with God, yourself, and others. This book will assist readers in learning How to embrace grief, in order to let go of old ideas, assumptions and perspectives How to recognize and change relationship patterns that contributed to the divorce How to create a workable relationship with an ex-spouse How to use ancient Christian spiritual practices to more fully experience the presence of God How to partner with God to redeem the divorce experience, so that His love may be more fully revealed. Melody Bacon holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, with an emphasis in depth psychology, from Pacifica Graduate Institute and an M.A. in U.S. history from Cal State Northridge. In their private practice, Melody and her husband Ron (a marriage and family therapist), work with couples and individuals facing relationship challenges. They also conduct workshops for pre-engaged couples: Before You Pop the Question, and married couples: Happily Married After. Dr. Bacon is also a teacher and administrator for the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Southern California where she chairs the Marital and Family Therapy program. She is passionate about blending the insights of psychology with spiritual formation practices and has been inspired by writings of Calvin Miller, John Eldridge and Alan Jones, among others. Her training in Jungian analytic psychology has given her tremendous respect for the ways in which God reveals himself, particularly through dreams. She endeavors to stay at least one step ahead of her clients in learning the lessons that God has to teach. Periodically, she and her husband test the limits of their marriage and spiritual commitment on the golf course.

How to survive the life, death, and rebirth of marriage. Forgiveness removes any walls between you and God. Forgiveness is vertical as well as horizontal. —Myles Munroe (excerpt from Single, Married, Separated, and Life After Divorce) God Understands Divorce is a comprehensive compilation of real-life marriage situations that explain how quickly relationships can deteriorate, how to bring life back to terminally ill marriages—and how to let go. Whether you are divorced or thinking about it, you will discover:· How and why God understands divorce.· How to cope and become refreshed and respected.· A variety of real-life scenarios designed to change your perspective.· An interactive, friendly conversation to help revive the best part of you.· The eight steps to reconciliation. Critical marital issues discussed include: Infidelity and Impotence; Drug and Alcohol Abuse; Personal Growth; Finances and Parenting; Personal Happiness; Intolerance, Physical and Emotional Abuse; Incompatibility. God Understands Divorce brings you full circle—back into the loving arms of a loving God.

What's Grace Got to Do with It?The missing ingredient in most marriages ins't love, it's grace. Love inclines us to get married, but we need grace to keep that love healthy, strong and committed. More than simply "nice," grace is that game-changing ingredient that enables us to treat each other the way God treats us-even when we don't deserve it.In Grace Filled Marriage Kimmel explores questions such as:How can you show grace when all your spouse seems to do right now is frustrate you?How can grace ramp up the frequency and temperature of your sex life?How do you show grave without being taken advantage of?How can God help you make grace the default mode in your marriage?Whether your marriage is just beginning, seems healthy, or is struggling on life support, a deeper understanding of the power of grace will help it not just survive, but thrive.

This book is being released because God has been urging me for a long time to release healing through this book. Divorce is considered to be unforgivable to many Christian beliefs. For many months this book has been in the process. HEALING AFTER DIVORCE is for more than the divorced person but also those who want to find God's heart concerning the topics of divorce and remarriage. Before we get started I want you to know it is true that God HATES divorce and we should never jump at the first opportunity to divorce the one we once loved. If you are ever going to consider the blessing of Holy Matrimony then this book can help you to avoid the missteps that lead to divorce. There is a lot that we are going to get into so may you receive revelation for yourself and let it set you free as you read HEALING AFTER DIVORCE.

You speak God’s truth when you counsel. But do you also communicate His grace? The Christian counselor or pastor plays an important role in helping people process the trauma they’ve experienced. Too often, a client leaves the counselor’s office with feelings of guilt and shame. They feel the heavy burden of what they did wrong. But somehow, they’ve missed the grace of God that makes things right again. A counseling model that stays true to a biblical worldview will overflow with grace . . . not cheap grace, but real grace that acknowledges sin while offering a hopeful path to redemption and healing. In Grace-Based Counseling, professional counselors Richard Fowler and Natalie Ford offer a model that blends the truths of Scripture, the science of psychology, and the everlasting hope of the gospel. In this book you will find: New, grace-based counseling model Detailed application of the model, with case studies Practical toolbox with surveys, assessments, and counseling helps A Christian counseling model can’t just be about admonishment. That approach only leads to shame and human efforts that are doomed to fail. But when the gospel is brought to bear in the counseling relationship, real life change is possible. Then the counselor becomes an instrument of divine grace in the hands of a faithful God.

Stepparenting Is Hard…but It Can Also Be Richly Rewarding Stepparenting can sometimes feel like an overwhelming and thankless challenge. Loving and caring for children who aren’t biologically yours means having to earn trust, establish authority, and often put your own needs aside in favor of your stepchild’s well-being or a birth parent’s wishes. But here’s the good news: With some expert guidance and God’s help, you can have tremendous influence in your stepchild’s life and grow in your faith along the way. Seasoned stepmom Laurie Polich Short understands and empathizes with the difficult job you face. Drawing on extensive research, biblical teaching, and her own real-life experience (including an insightful chapter cowritten with her stepson, Jordan), Laurie provides practical and spiritual advice to help you fully embrace and succeed in your role as stepparent. Whether you are about to become a stepparent or are further along on your journey, this compassionate and insightful resource offers the hope, help, and encouragement you’ve been looking for.

Illumination Book Award WinnerUplifting, practical and inspiring this award-winning divorce recovery book helps you with real-life issues and takes you on a journey that can change your life for the better. Selected as an exemplary Christian self-help book by the Illumination Book Awards, Peace after Divorce walks you through a process that helps you cope with and heal from divorce. Learn Ways To: Move beyond the pain of separation and divorce; Deal with loneliness and divorce grief; Win the battle with your thoughts, Choose healing actions; Cope more effectively with your ex or soon-to-be ex; Help children cope with separation and divorce; Enjoy life after divorce as a single adult; and more.Don't Become One of the Walking Wounded! Click to Order Your Copy Now. For individual or group use. Christian divorce recovery curriculum and leader materials are available through After Divorce Ministries.