Books published by Howard Books

It's an alarming moment when it dawns on parents that their child is in trouble. And if you aren't perceptive you may never know until you find a half-smoked marijuana joint in a jeans pocked on laundry day or a sexy love note left inadvertently on a dresser or a citation from the police. In times like these, when children are making adult decisions that are often devastatingly destructive, parents must examine the facts and learn how to be what their kids need them to be before it's too late.

This must-read book will help you recognize the danger signs of a sexualized relationship and show you how to keep your future with your family, your friends, your coworkers, and your God secure."e;Our world is aflame with sex,"e; warns counselor and author Dr. Gregg Jantz. We live in a society where sex is practiced openly, talked about freely, engaged in creatively, and flaunted shamelessly. Cultural stigmas that once kept sex within definable boundaries have all but disappeared. Anyone can fall prey to sexual temptation or become the target of a sexual aggressor. Any man or woman who has contact with the opposite sexwhether at church, in the workplace, or at playneeds the vital information contained in these pages. Would you recognize a sexually charged relationship soon enough to avoid falling into an affair? Would you be able to help a friend, loved one, or someone you're counseling avoid such a relationship? Basing each section on gripping case studies, Dr. Jantz offers expert guidance in identifying sexual manipulators and climbers; spotting danger signals in friendships about to turn sexual; protecting family members from relatives or acquaintances who are sexual predators; knowing how to avoid sexual traps when advising church members; and avoiding sexual pitfalls in professional and pastoral counseling.

What's in a name?In the case of Jesus Christ, rich insights, fresh perspectives, and pathways to intimacy. From "e;Good Shepherd"e; to "e;Lamb of God,"e; Rubel Shelly explores the various names given to Christ in the Bible and reveals a Christ that will both surprise and challenge you. Shelly, a deeply respected scholar, uses his unique insight and fervent love for the Scriptures to develop a clear and unobstructed picture of Jesus through the biblical names that describe the One who invites the whole world to come to Him. What Shelly discovers and divulges is that these names and titles reveal the ultimate Savior, and the ultimate answer to your greatest struggles, fears, and failures.

Terry Rush tells his own story and the true stories of others who were dealt devastating blows, but trusted an unseen God to lead them on an unknown road to the comfort and assurance that they so desperately sought.We all eventually face an event or circumstance that leaves us anxiously looking for a way through. Every human plan falls short, every mental search leads nowhere, until finally, all hope is gone. Even when there seems to be no way, the pages of this book reveal that God will make a way.

The contemporary college campus is filled with spiritual surprises, daily dilemmas, and difficult questions and this book offers the help and heart to walk into the jungle of campus life as a Christian.Will the Christian faith hold up under the scrutiny of the new knowledge and ideas that bombarded students on the college campus? Tony Campolo and Dr. Will Willimoncollege professors and seasons authors and speakersinsist that the Christian faith is not threatened by tough questions. They maintain that some of the greatest minds the human race has produced have put hard questions to Jesus and come away stronger in their faith and more convinced of its truth than ever before. Whether you are a committed Christian or one who is still exploring the Christian faith, this book will provide sound answers to difficult questions. Open this book and find the help and heart to walk into the jungle of campus life and walk out more than a conqueror.

In this provocative book, nationally recognized speaker David Edwards delivers thirteen ways to ignite the fire within and learn what it means to live out your faith in a post-modern world.With boldness and cutting-edge insight, David Edwards turns the light on false perceptions of religion and gets down to the truth about the "e;cosmic"e; battle between light and dark. Describing the disconnect existing in "e;Sunday faith"e; and the rest of the week, Edwards defines character as "e;the life of God living in us."e; In this provocative book, nationally recognized speaker David Edwards delivers thirteen ways to ignite the fire within and learn what it means to live out your faith in a post-modern world. After reading just a few pages, you'll discover that Edwards' pen blazes with the same passion, enthusiasm, and humor that have made him a highly sought-after national speaker. Practical "e;Spotlight"e; exercises at the end of each chapter are designed to help you transfer the truth of each chapter into your everyday experience, and thought-provoking questions for both groups and individuals will help you ignite the light within your heart and teach you how to live the lit life.

In Daring to Dance with God, Jeff Walling uses biblical insight, fascinating stories, and cutting-edge wisdom to move you into a celebration of life's surprises and a richer relationship with the God of the unexpected.How would you like to step into God's embrace and know him more intimately? How would it feel to be swept away in his strong arms and warm affection? Such visions may seem like impossible dreams, but the incredible fact is that God yearns for deep communion and intimacy with you. God does not intend that your life be paralyzed by fear, duty, or guilt. Rather, he has orchestrated a melody, written just for you, that is full of energy, passion, and exaltation. In Daring to Dance with God, Jeff Walling uses biblical insight, fascinating stories, and cutting-edge wisdom to move you into a celebration of life's surprises and a richer relationship with the God of the unexpected. Open this book and open your life to the daring possibilities of celebrating life at its deepest level through an intimate, expressive relationship with God. He is the lead in this great dance of lifeinvitingencouraginginspiring you to step forward into his waiting embrace. Dare to take a step and dance with God.

For anyone who experiences a lapse of faithhere are the answers you seek.Faith is the most fundamentally important aspect of following Christ. Yet there are times in every believer's life when the inevitable question arises in the heart and works its way to the soul: If I really believe, why do I have these doubts? The question may have been planted by tragedy or trial. It may have been ignited by rejection or heartbreak. It may even be as simple as an intellectual burr that can't be shaken. If you or someone you know is asking this question, this book will bring help and hope to every heart in search of a deeper faith.

Funny and delightfully heart-nourishing stories that help the reader to feel better and live longer from Dr. Dennis Swanberg, the host of the nationally broadcast television show, Swan's Place and author of Is Your Love Tank Full?, and Swan's Soup and Salad.Dennis Swanberg, "e;The Minister of Encouragement,"e; delivers deliciously funny and delightfully heart-nourishing stories that will help you feel better and live longer. Well, at least feel better. With every page you will find yourself snickering at the antics of people from Swanberg's past or laughing at stories that reveal a side of life you recognize as your own. From "e;Funeral-Home Fans and Tongue Depressors"e; to "e;Zipper Revenge,"e; you will find Swanberg's humor contagious and his heartwarming view of life a great source of encouragement. Have a taste of life from Dennis Swanberg's Soup & Salad, and you will definitely come back for seconds.

Why should churches heal? Does your church touch the lives of broken people and bring healing to their hearts? How does a church become that healing force that glorifies God and impacts whole communities? In a desperately hurting world full of toxic relationships, crippled values, and mutilated morality, lives are crying out for real healingnot drug-induced solutions, not psychobabble Band-Aids, but authentic answers that heal the heart, soul, mind, and strength. Doug Murren, in this insightful, inspiring, and instructive book, reveals why and how you can become a healing force in your neighborhood, community, and the world.

If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, this book will show you a way out.The life of an abused woman is one of fear, pain, and isolation. Not only is she victimized by the man she loves, she is often disbelieved and abandoned by friends and family. Broken emotionally and battered physically, she is left feeling as if there is no way out. But there is a way out, and this powerfully courageous book leads the way. Refusing to gloss over the terrible realities of abuse, this book shares the true stories of abused women while exploring the male rational behind abuse and the reasons women minimize or deny the extent of their abuse. The book goes on to discuss practical issues such as court procedures and child custody as well as offering a step-by-step safety and escape plan.

This book is about surviving the storm.One day the sun is shining, the winds are calm, and the water is smooththen all of a sudden, a furious storm comes out of nowhere, and the waves break over you and knock you off your feet. Grasping for breath, you struggle to regain your senses. You turn your eyes to heaven in search of helpbut sometimes you can't see the help, and sometimes you don't know if you're heard. This book is written by and for storm travelers. To help you survive your storm, Jerry Jones freely shares his own hard-earned insights gained from his five-year ordeal of watching his wife die after a valiant struggle with cancer. Other storm travelers also share personal stories of death, terror, divorce, and illness. Together, these Voices from the Storm confirm that you are not alone in your heartache, and their struggles and victories assure you that there is a path that leads to the peaceful shore. The pages of this book will fill you with comfort and will empower you with strength and fortitude to survive and move beyond the storm.

With compassion and insight, Caron Chandler Loveless uses humor -- lots of it -- to inspire and encourage women as they face midlife. Loveless writes with sensitivity about more than estrogen and hot flashes; she confronts self-image questions, the empty-nest syndrome, ailing parents, and the fear of letting go, among other topics, and gives a hopeful outlook to the new world that lies ahead.

Pastor Scotty Smith challenges readers humbly and honestly to consider what it means to be stewards of God's graceto live a life of obedience and service in response to His wonderful love.With breakthrough understanding, this book reconciles the disconnection between God's faithfulness to Christians and their unfaithfulness to Him.

Your journey toward a life of yes begins as you open the pages of this powerful book.How we view God affects our whole worldincluding our view of ourselves. Many see God as The Great Restrictor, saying no to our every move. But the God of the Bible is a God of yes, empowering us with confidence, hope, and expectancy. Speaking with boldness and clarity to the post-modern generation, David Edward reveals the God of yes as he explores subjects like the four agreements God has made with humankind: God's agreement with Adamto remove sin; God's agreement with Abrahamto release blessings; God's agreement with Davidto reign with authority; God's agreement with Jeremiahto redeem nations. Are you ready to look past the static religiosity of our day and peer deeply into the God of yes to find a life that truly works? The choice is yours.

Are you ready to be found? Open the pages of this book, and open your hear to His relentless love.If you are honest enough to admit that you aren't perfect, this book will guide you to a Redeemer whose love for you isn't bound by your behavior. If you need to know that God's love will remain steadfast and trueno matter whatthis book is for you. He is pursuing you at this very moment.

What is the origin of the world and of life itself? Did a series of accidents and evolution bring about the world as we know it? Or is there a design and purpose behind it all? And if there is a design, is there an ultimate designer? A number of years ago, John Clayton, a second-generation atheist and respected scientist and teacher, set out to disprove the Bible from a scientific point of view. Instead, his six-year study brought him to a profound faith in the God of the Bible. Now, in this highly informative and easy to understand book, John Clayton and Nils Jansma -- a geotechnical engineer and geologist -- present convincing evidence that the Bible and the facts of science agree. As the public moves away from a belief in God as Creator of our heaven and earth, it becomes imperative that all believers be well informed on this vital subject. This book will become a resource you will use again and again.

Tune your ear to the shepherd's song, and let its powerful melody bring you back into harmony with God. Your life is going wellyou are winning the battles of faith and enjoying your relationships with people and with God. Suddenly, you stumble. Things go wrongyou lose your job; your marriage crumbles; or a loved one dies. Through prayer and perseverance, you recover and regain your strength; but disaster strikes againunexpected temptation shakes your faithand you find yourself searching for answers. Suddenly, you hear a friendly, calm voice singing a song of strength and renewal. A handsome man from the past appears; he extends a hand of hope and lifts you to your feet. He introduces himself as David, the shepherd. He begins to sing a beautiful songthe song of his life, his struggles and victoriesand the melody of his life amazingly resembles your own. Accept his invitation and discover how the most thrilling and adventurous life in Scripture holds valuable meaning for your own life of faith. Anderson's extensive research and travels throughout the Holy Lands eminently qualify him to lead you on this journey of faith. At times, you will visualize David's adventures so clearly you will feel as though you are there. Other times, your view of the shepherd turned king will be eclipsed by the reflection of yourself. But at all times, you will hear the songthe shepherd's songand it will give hope and meaning to your own life's song.