Books published by Healthy Life Press

ABOUT THE BOOKThe book contains seventy-four children's sermons for all occasions. Pastors, homeschoolers, parents who often lead family devotions, or other storytellers will find these stories, along with comments about props and how to prepare and present them, to be an invaluable asset in reconnecting with the simplest, most profound truths of Scripture, and then to envision how best to communicate these so even a child can understand them. A great gift for holidays, birthdays, or special events.FROM THE BOOKIn "The Clockmaker" chapter, Aram describes bringing to the sermon the pieces of a clock in a shoebox, and then shaking it long and hard to see if the clock could put itself together. When it didn't, he proposed shaking it harder, and longer. But the kids told him the clock needed a person to put it together. "Oh!" he said. "So what you're telling me is that in order to have a clock, you need a clockmaker, right? Okay, so let me ask you this. How did this beautiful world come into existence? Did it 'just happen' by chance?" [No!, they shouted.] "Of course not! Just as a clock tells us that there must have been a clockmaker, so the world tells us that Someone must have made this - that it couldn't have just 'happened by chance.' Who made the world? That's right - the answer to every children's sermon: JESUS!"ABOUT THE COVERThe author with one of his favorite Palm Sunday "props," "Firecracker," who carried Aram down the aisle many times, to the delight of children and adults, alike.FROM THE AUTHORThe purpose of these sermons is to embrace the incredible mystery and paradox of the Gospel ("For whoever desires to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it" Luke 9:24). Ironically, children are more able to grasp these concepts than are we adults. Yet, we think we need to try to explain to them every mystery and paradox of God - and that thiswill adequately equip their minds. But all the while - just like us - they're longing to be captivated in their hearts by something bigger. They want to encounter Someone who can't be reduced to a set of principles, Someone who promises to fulfill their young hearts' desire for adventure and wonder.

This new paraphrase is like a "Reader's Digest" version of the New Testament letters, capturing the original writers' essential meaning in 21st Century language - easy to read and understand. Without chapters or verses, notes, references, cross references, theological or denominational slants, these letters flow much as they did when written nearly 2,000 years ago. Readers will be encouraged, perhaps even amazed, at just how practical, timeless, relevant, and alive these letters really are. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an introductory overview of the New Testament epistles. Rev. Biebel's masterful paraphrase brings the New Testament Letters to life for those who usually avoid the formal theological phraseology of many of the popular Bible translations. I applaud my fellow physicians who place Bibles in their waiting rooms and would recommend a volume of We've God Mail as an additional consideration for patients in that setting. A person under the stress of medical or other concerns is likely to relate to and be comforted by this easy to read and understandable work. Its balance of scriptural accuracy and literary clarity is outstanding. I highly recommend this publication. - Jim Dill, MD [Co-author of 70 Ways to Beat 70] We've Got Mail is a wonderfully fresh and appealing read that ministered to me, personally, during a time of severe testing. The author's loving and accurate paraphrasing of God's Word reflects a heart and mind matured from 40 years of pastoral experience. The book's clarity and contemporary language is especially relevant for high school/college students, new Christians and adults examining Christianity. You will enjoy receiving mail that has eternal consequences. -Robert W. Martin III, MD, MAR [Physician, Christian Apologist and Seminary Faculty] Warren Biebel's pastoral interpretation of the New Testament letters is a highly readable and enjoyable re-write of a large portion of the New Testament. Biebel makes it clear that, while his work is not a word-for-word translation of these letters, he tries to stay true to the apparent meaning of the text. He has done a good job of making some difficult passages more readable, and the delight that comes from reading this book increases one's desire to understand and apply the principles and doctrines about which the authors wrote. My hope is that this work will take its place as a strong paraphrase-among such greats as "Living Letters" and "The Message." - David Wickstrom, PhD

This book, by a Christian psychiatrist who happens to be blind, shows how resolve is the key to resilience. The stories, all of which are true, and the examples or cases that are included (also true) all show how determination plus faith can overcome any obstacle. After all, if she can climb a 30 fall, what is holding you back? Or if she can be struck by a SUV and still participate in a mission trip only days later, buoyed by her commitment to fulfilling the mission God has given her, are you going to let a few aches and pains hold you back?Here we should examine the role of adversity. We live to avoid it, resolve it, legislate against it, as it has no known value and poses a threat to our livelihood. We create avenues of blame for it or we maintain an attempt to objectify adversity by saying “stuff happens.”We palliate human suffering with compassionate understanding, validating the legitimacy of emotions including anxiety, anger, and depression, creating safe havens for people to process them. If allowed some modes of counseling, strategizing solutions, coping skills, or programs to ameliorate the suffering, some strugglers will pass through. While these maneuvers remain unquestionably therapeutic, none asks the individual to embrace the trial. None asks the sufferer to value the adversity as the foster parent of the prized orphan—resilience.Facing adversity? You can overcome it by faith if you link your RESOLVE to God's power, because he is in you, both to will and work for his good pleasure.See how your adversity can become an opportunity, even a gift. As this doctor says, "this so-called tragedy in my life was very much for the good. I had the chance to “see” and care for my children during their precious young years; to play with them, sing songs, teach them, feed them, and do all those wonderful mothering things that many take for granted. I cherished them because I knew my life had been heading in a direction in which I could have missed it all. Now that they are grown, I can see in my mind’s eye all of those great images and memories. I enjoyed motherhood so much that I would not have changed my life in any way if given the chance. My eye condition was a gift from God, affording me the privilege of time to be with my children.

An avid reader and homeschooler wrote, in her review published on Amazon.com: “The wisdom, life, humor and joy that pour through each page of ‘Romancing Your Child’s Heart’ has revitalized and inspired our home . . . for Monte’s passion for Jesus is real and extremely contagious! It’s so clearin these chapters that the One Who captured this author’s heart has also given him the burning desire to share the reality of this Divine Drama with his own children . . . and also with us. I am so grateful for that, and confident that this book will shine a whole new light on the high honor we have of introducing our children to the Author of what Monte calls ‘the original Love Story.’”“If out of all the multitudinous books on parenting out there, we were told that parents could choosebut one—this would be the one.”JOE L. WHEELER, PhD–Great Stories editor, Focus on the Family“I can tell you without reservation—this is a book you ought to read. . . . Romancing Your Child’sHeart will make you a better spouse, friend, brother, sister, and most of all a better parent.”TEDD TRIPP, PhD–Pastor and author of Shepherding a Child’ HeartThe fresh vision of parenting in "Romancing Your Child’s Heart," based on relationship, not rules,is modeled after the original love story—the gospel of Jesus Christ. Here you’ll find the courageand passion, through the biblical concept of romance, to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit inturning the desire of your child’s heart to God.

Monte swan shared a fresh vision of Christian parenting in the companion book "Romancing Your Child’s Heart;" specifically, just as God romances us, so we must romance our children. In this visioin and strategy manual designed for personal and group study, parents will discover that the best approach to opening their children’s hearts is to lead them to an intimate relationship with God, thus building up their resistance to evil. This book equips parents with enthusiasm for the challenge ahead—and with many concrete and practical ways to win their children’s hearts, including creative projects designed to help visualize the process as well as the goal.This manual takes the focus off what you can do. It guides you toward what you can be, namely an instrument of the Holy Spirit in the contest for your child’s heart.• Twelve sessions coach you in establishing your vision and strategy as a parent• Questions and activities inspire reflection, discussion, and brainstorming• A “commencement” chapter includes suggestions for a group retreat

Stay Sharp: 52 Ways to Keep Your Mind, Not Lose It is your once-a-week journey into the intricacies of the human brain - how it functions best, how to keep it healthy, how its health relates to your health in general, and the role of relationships and spirituality and other subjects not often discussed in a book on this subject. This book will help you cut through the fog of hype and overstatement out there about brain health, often intended to try to sell you something. Chapters are short, with practical suggestions, relevant to each chapter's topic, in the form of "Sharper Brain Tips." Chapters are designed to stand alone, so you can focus on one per week if you wish, ignore some occasional informational overlap, and start anywhere you wish, because topics are arranged in no particular order. Who might benefit from the facts and principles presented in Stay Sharp?¿ Laypeople of faith, who want to improve their brain functioning and/or keep it from deteriorating. The book reads like a "Readers Digest" collection of the most relevant, reliable, and biblically sound information on the subject. ¿ Medical professionals who welcome help in explaining the subject matter of this book in such a way that their patients are encouraged to continue if they are doing well, or motivated and informed regarding how to improve without delay or excuses.¿ Parents, including homeschoolers, who wish to have a faith-based conversation or to conduct a unit study with their children on a crucial subject related to healthy living.¿ Students, high school and college, who want to gain a basic overview of the subject. You'll learn about: 7 Pillars of Brain Health. You'll discover: 7 things your brain would say if it could talk.You'll enjoy chapter topics like: Stop Aiming and Shoot Already; Why'd I Come in Here?; Stop Killing Yourself Slowly; A Concert State of Mind; Getting Your Marbles Back; Don't Eat Squirrel Brains; Stick to Quiet Fish; Fertilize Your Mind; Eat the Rainbow; Rot Not Thy Brain; Stop and Smell the Memories; Synaptic Serenades; De-myth-ti-fying Brain Health; Which Planet Are You From?; Welcome to Club Med; Unfoggin' Your Noggin'.

Welcome to the Homestead, and the second in a series of stories featuring the twins, Richardand Rachel, who live there with their parents, Mama and Papa. The twins are home schooled,and they live in the fertile and beautiful Pacific Northwest of the United States. They help their parents cultivate and care for their little farm so it produces most of the food the family needs, all year round. When they''re not studying or helping with the homestead, the twins have many adventures in which they invite you to join them, like the one described in this book.Here''s a little taste of it: Breakfast finished, and dishes cleared, the twins skipped off to complete their chores and finish packing bags for the three-day camping trip. They chatted the whole time, talking about important stuff to bring along. Richard made sure to pack his flashlight and compass, and his newest book about survival in the wild. Since he had gotten his latest book, over a week ago, Richard would read it in bed, under the covers at night with a flashlight; the book had thrilling stories of frightening encounters and fearsome attacks written by survivors. Richard figured it couldn''t hurt to learn of such things and know what to do, especially when they would soon be camping in the woods. Rachel packed her miniature Bible, a wildlife guide, a first aid manual, and two pair of swim goggles, one for herself and one to share.