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108th out of 129 books
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Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls
Parenting is a school for spiritual formation---and our children are our teachers. The journey of caring for, rearing, training, and loving our children will profoundly alter us forever.Sacred Parenting is unlike any other parenting book you have ever read. This is not a 'how-to' book that teaches you ways to discipline your kids or help them achieve their full potential. ...more
Paperback, 240 pages
Published
April 1st 2005
by Zondervan
(first published 2004)
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MY REVIEW:
Gary Thomas has written a thought provoking book that goes beyond the how-to's of parenting to the deeper issues of how parenting shapes us spiritually. I appreciated his open and honest sharing from his own life as he presented his ideas of how parenting is not just a responsibility but rather an opportunity for great spiritual growth.
I set this book down with a renewed hope toward the big, small, and daily challenges that come with being a parent as I gaine...more
Gary Thomas has written a thought provoking book that goes beyond the how-to's of parenting to the deeper issues of how parenting shapes us spiritually. I appreciated his open and honest sharing from his own life as he presented his ideas of how parenting is not just a responsibility but rather an opportunity for great spiritual growth.
I set this book down with a renewed hope toward the big, small, and daily challenges that come with being a parent as I gaine...more
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Received this book as a gift after my son was born, and I really enjoyed it. I learned how God uses our children to teach us, rather than us teaching our children. I never considered that before reading this book, but it is so true. It is not a typical "how to" parenting book, but it is just what I need on the days when I have no patience. I am reminded that God has given my this little boy because he trusts me to raise His child. There is no greater responsibility in life. The message...more
"Mothers and fathers, when you give your tiny infant a bath, you are washing God's baby. When you minister to that youngster, can you imagine God smiling down at you? When you fix that hungry six-year-old a peanut butter sandwich, you are feeding one of God's children. Listen carefully -- you may hear God laughing in pleasure. When you hug an adolescent whom other have teased mercilessly at school, you are comforting God's teenager. Are those God's tears dampening your shoulder?" (221)...more
Really appreciated the overall theme of this book. As the book jacket will tell you, it's not a "how-to" parenting book, but instead focuses on the idea that God uses the very act of parenting to encourage our own spiritual growth. Not a completely new concept for me, but really affirmed the fact that yes, parenting is tough, and that's a good thing in some ways because the struggle itself can lead me closer to God if I let it.
It got a little repetitive at times, and some ...more
It got a little repetitive at times, and some ...more
Thomas' suggestion that parenting is a primary vehicle for sanctification is simultaneously self-evident and a revelation. While I've always believed this, I had not reflected on the far-reaching implications of this truth. The content of this book convicted and challenged me at every turn, and his breathed fresh life into my intentions as a father. A must read for all parents!
Even better than Thomas's Sacred Marriage, this book spoke straight to my soul. Written by a hands-on dad all-too familiar with the struggles of parenting, this is not a step-by-step guide on how to raise your child, but instead how raising our child should be pointing us closer to our heavenly father. Highly recommend!
If you have a child, ever intend to have a child or have ever been a child...this book is for you. LOVED it!!! Literally, I laughed, I cried, but most importantly, the Lord used it to deepen my understanding of how much He loves me and therefore I am called to love my child and all His other children.
Mary Lou
is currently reading it
It's helping me be more aware of my parenting and what I can learn, not just what I want to impart to my son. It's interesting how much parenting stretches, changes and teaches me.
This was an amazing book. All about the different ways in which God uses parenting to form us spiritually - very profound, helpful, sparked great conversations with my wife. It's not a how-to book, but it is helping me be a better daddy all the same (so it's how-to in a round about way). Highly recommended!
If you read one book on parenting, make it this one. No, it won't tell you "how" to parent, but it will give you a bigger vision of how God can use it in your life to shape you.
I appreciated the perspective from Gary Thomas. The "why" of parenting as opposed to the "how." I'll definitely be re-visiting this book in the future!
The only thing preventing me from giving this book five stars is that I felt it became a little repetitive. I don't like parenting how-to books. As a woman pregnant with my first child I feel overwhelmed enough without trying to cram processes and three-step methods into my head. Not to mention the fact that I believe in trusting my instincts and learning from the community of people around me. This book is not a how-to manual; it's a why-to manual. The author's message is to allow parentin...more
Really encouraging for me as a parent to see the role I have as a key way for God to shape me more into the image of Christ.
Maybe the best book I've read on parenting (a seriously small group). Gary Thomas was easy to read and had a beautiful perspective on raising children and being a parent. This book came at just the right time for me.
This book looks at parenting from a spiritual formation point of view--how parenting encourages parents to "grow up" spiritually.
loved it! again, similar to sacred marriage it is a good reminder that God uses parenting to grow the parents too!
good, i thought it had a lot to chew on but great challenges and new insight on parenting.
Overall, I found this a helpful book. Unlike many parenting books in its field, it discusses the way that God uses parenting changes us as parents, rather than placing an emphasis on how it is a parents duty to change their children. A lot of thought provoking material, but nothing extrememly profound.
What I take major issue with in this book is the author’s writing parenting into Christ on the cross. (My husband refers to this as "hijacking the redemptive story.") Thomas is ...more
What I take major issue with in this book is the author’s writing parenting into Christ on the cross. (My husband refers to this as "hijacking the redemptive story.") Thomas is ...more
An Excellent book on parenting and how it affects you!
How to reach the heart of a child
One of the best parenting books.
parenting sanctifies us.
This book had some excellent points, including the fact that our existence and even our legacies, fame and glory, etc., are so very brief that we might as well focus on what's important. It was a worthy read, though once in a while I felt it just kind of flowed along, and I think I benefit more from a little more structure to a book.
I appreciated the way that this book didn't sugar coat parenting and the experiences related to being a parent. It was very validating for me and turned out to be one of the best parenting books that I've read. I liked the no nonsense approach. However it is important to note that it is VERY bible based and makes a lot of Christian references. If that kind of thing makes you uncomfortable, stay away.
We were given this book when our first child was born. Thomas challenges us to be aware of how the trials and joys of raising children bless us with pictures into our relationship with God. This is gained by experiencing God as parent, modeling God to our children, modeling repentence and our walk with God to our children, developing empathy for them in their struggles, etc.
An excellent work.
An excellent work.
I found this book thought-provoking and helpful. Gary Thomas does a great job describing how God's grace fits into our parenting, showing that especially that when we fail our kids, God can use our failure to grow their trust in Him as their perfect father. I wished sometimes that Thomas would have used fewer illustrations and more content-laden theology, but that's not the kind of book it is.
Though overall, I think the book is probably a 3 1/2 (it's a bit choppy, and sometimes it feels like he's trying to force ideas into his overall illustration), there are some golden chapters that every parent should read! There are some ideas that he shells out that will change your parenting, your view of God, your view of yourself, and simply renew your relationship w/ your kids!
Another home-run by Gary Thomas. All of his books are thoughtful and insightful, loaded with scripture and honest anecdotes to drive his points. I appreciate that he explains clearly without over-simplifying difficult and challenging concepts.
God has blessed Thomas with loads of wisdom to share with the world, and I am thankful.
God has blessed Thomas with loads of wisdom to share with the world, and I am thankful.
Children grow us up, plain and simple! While a little longwinded at times, overall I enjoyed this read. It is not a fast read; a chapter was typically enough at one sitting. It was insightful, encouraging and I liked that Thomas emphasized the fact that life’s every day scenarios truly are wonderful gifts.
Nice idea of reversing the thoughts about having kids: they are great teachers and impetus for spiritual growth, and are a legacy to leave behind. Still, this didn't seem enough to sustain the length. The rest was little more than a standard take on Christian ideology, which I didn't enjoy.
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Gary Thomas is a writer, speaker and the founder and director of the Center for Evangelical Sprirituality - a ministry that integrates Scripture, church history and the Christian classics. He's spoken in 49 states, four coutries and his books have been translated into eleven languages. His books have won and been finalists for the Gold Medallion Award. He's had well over 100 articles published by...more
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