Recommended Resources - The Grace Place Home Page

Ron s recommended resources
Long-time Church of Christ preacher Joe Beam, author, and
former President of Family Dynamics, currently operates a
Relationship Ministry called LOVEPATH. He hosts a regular
blog on his website discussing relationships, marriage, and
sex. The conversation is candid, but Joe has strong
Christian roots, and is well-positioned to discuss issues that
have been traditionally kept silent.
You can log-on and enter the discussion or ask questions. The website
also offers many articles on marriage, love, addictions, and sex.
I recommend it as a good and regular resource.
http://www.joebeam.com/
Here is Joe’s better-than-average website: http://joebeam.com/blog/.
His new three-day Seminar called “LovePath 911”
can have a powerful and immediate impact on a struggling marriage.
It is designed for marriages in crisis.
His next three Seminars are in Nashville; I checked with Joe to see if he
has plans to come to the Dallas area this year, and he might.
The Seminar costs $1675 per couple.
Here is the Nashville schedule:
January 22-24, Nashville, TN
February 19-21, Nashville, TN
March 19-21, Nashville, TN
You can call toll free at 866.903.0990.
Ron s recommended resources
Real Relationships……..
Transforming Relationships
to Transform Lives
Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott are presently some of the most
popular Family Psychologists in America. They are fertile
producers of books, DVD’S, and Seminars dealing with marriage, relationships, and parenting. They are friendly, entertaining, and refreshingly candid.
Their website is a treasure trove of resources. You can buy all of their materials there
including their new book: CRAZY GOOD SEX. You can blog and register for their
Twitter messages. You can also get loads of Video on Demand for use at home.
There are some really good downloads, as well.
Check out their website at www.realrelationships.com.
They travel the country doing live seminars.
Here is a schedule of events that might work for you in 2010:
February 6, 2010
Love & Marriage Event
Austin, TX
February 20, 2010
“Becoming Soul Mates”
Tyler, TX
Contact: Bannockburn Baptist Church http://bannockburnchurch.com/
Contact: Marvin United Methodist Church (903) 592-7396 (903) 592-7396
July 16-17, 2010
Contact: Gateway Church
August 21, 2010
Contact: First Baptist Church
Register Online
800.254.2022 800.254.2022
mumcfamily.org
THRIVE! Becoming Soul Mates
Southlake, TX
Love & Marriage Even
Dallas, TX
(817) 328-1000 (817) 328-1000
http://www.firstdallas.org/
http://gatewaypeople.com/
Ron s recommended resources
Dr. Dennis Rainey’s immensely popular and successful seminar is complimented by a helpful website: http://www.familylife.com/site/c.dnJHKLNnFoG/b.3082787/k.BF6A/Home.htm. You can register and gain access to blogs, articles, newsletters, and video products. Everything Dr Rainey produces is first‐class. His WEEKEND TO REMEMBER may be the most popular mar‐
riage seminar in the country. It’s a great experience, and only $129 per couple plus hotel costs (reduced). Here is a schedule for the Metroplex (there are also two in Houston and one in Aus‐
tin in April): Event Dates: 06/25/2010 ‐ 06/27/2010 Gaylord Texan Resort 1501 Gaylord Trail Grapevine, TX 76051‐1945 Resort Fee: $10.00 Hotel Info: Gaylord Texan Resort 1501 Gaylord Trail Grapevine TX 76051‐1945 Phone: 817‐778‐2000 $149.00/ night Ron s recommended resources
Like the other fine resource people listed Jimmy and Karen Evans, from
Colorado Springs, offer a website full of helpful information. Check out
www.marriagetoday.org.
Also, like other popular presenters they are now offering live simulcasts. These folks
even do Marriage Cruises! Their book, MARRIAGE ON THE ROCK is very popular
and very good. The best of his television segments are free on the website, and you
can easily download them. Here is a promo of their popular seminar hosted by Gateway church in South Lake in February.
You will want to make this FREE one, so register NOW:
http://www.marriagetoday.org/site/
DocServerMTDY_2010_Gateway_Seminar_Brochure_1.3.pdf?docID=701:
Ron s recommended resources
Pastor Mark Gungor has grown in na‐
tional prominence with the release of his popular book: LAUGH YOUR WAY TO A BETTER MARRIAGE. He maintains a rigorous seminar schedule with an event nearly every week somewhere in America, often in Texas. He is especially popular with younger couples getting started. He, also, has a full website with helpful materials including his schedule. Check it out at: www.laughyourway.com. His online experience is as good as anyone’s. Ron s recommended resources
Marriage Matters Jerry and Lynn Jones present the most popular Marriage Seminars in churches of Christ (exclusively). Jerry is a long‐time preacher and educator and Lynn is a dynamic family counselor, and together they make a great team. I highly recommend their seminars. We hosted them two years ago and will have them back in the fall of 2011. Their website is not as helpful or dynamic as many of those listed above, but you can use it to locate future seminars in the area: http://www.marriagematters.ws/. They will host back‐to‐back seminars in the Dallas area in early April. They will be sponsored by churches and are usually free. Tell them hell‐o from me! March 28‐31 April 11‐14 Dallas, TX 214‐342‐6060 Dallas, TX 972‐233‐2392 Contact Matt Mazza matt@prestoncrest.org Ron s recommended resources
FAMILY DYNAMICS INSTITUTE The fine ministry of FDI continues, though founder
Joe Beam has moved on to LovePath, as noted earlier.
FDI is a ministry of churches of Christ with our own Rick Cotton serving on the Board.
They are famous for their HIS NEEDS, HER NEEDS 8-week seminars that are held in
hundreds of churches across the country, including our own.
They utilize Dr. Willard Harley’s books (From Marriage Builders), and have benefitted
thousands of marriages. We will host a seminar later in the year, and many larger
churches in the Metroplex do the same.
One of FDI’s most important products is called NEW BEGINNINGS, and it is an
invaluable weekend for couples in crisis.
Their next regional Seminar is: Feb 26 – 28 in Fort Worth, TX .
You can learn more about it and other resources at their website:
http://www.familydynamics.net/, or visit with Rick or Ron.
Ron s recommended resources
CORNERSTONE MARRIAGE MINISTRY
This Houston, Texas-based ministry is overseen by Roy
and Sue Milam and specializes in Weekend Retreats and
Seminars to bolster current marriages, like yours. They
also do a nice job with follow-up and continuing
education.
You can see their schedules and get other valuable
information at: http://www.marriageministry.org/. Note that
there is a New Beginning seminar in Bedford at the
Homewood Suites, Jan 22-24 for $399.
If your marriage is struggling and you feel like all hope is gone, you’ve come to the
right place. The pain of divorce impacts a family deeply and affects generations to
come, but the good news is there is HELP and there is HOPE…
A New Beginning, Marriage Renewal Weekend
A distinctively biblical, Christian marriage renewal program
with a proven record of restoring 4 of 5 crisi marriages.
Space is limited—register now 877-252-5744
Ron s recommended resources
FAITHFUL AND TRUE MINISTRIES
When it comes to dealing with sexual issues in and out
of marriage, many recognize Dr. Mark Laaser as one of
America’s leading Christian authorities.
His books, HEALING THE WOUNDS OF SEXUAL
ADDICTION and THE PORNOGRAPHY TRAP have
ministered to hundreds of thousands of people. His wife
Debbie is also an active counselor and author.
Their website contains many resources regarding sexual
addiction and malfunction. It is straight and candid
material.
It appears most their seminars are in the Minneapolis area, though they are scheduled
in Boca Raton, Fl on Feb 20.
He also speaks at THE MEN OF VALOR Conference in Olathe, Kansas, Jan 29-30.
Here’s the link: http://www.faithfulandtrueministries.com/.
This from the Home Page:
We are a Christian recovery ministry for individuals and couples who struggle because
of sexual addiction. Combining our own experiences in recovery and our study with
some of the finest minds in the secular and Christian communities, we have developed
a program to restore lives, marriages, and families.
Ron s recommended resources
Few, if any, Marriage and Relationship Counselors have been
doing it better or longer than Dr Willard Harley.
His website is loaded with an expansive list of resources.
Check it out for yourself at: http://www.marriagebuilders.com.
He specializes in an Online Program with materials you can do at home.
This is an impressive and user-friendly program to keep you growing and accountable.
You will have to check his website monthly to see where his next Weekend Marriage
Builder Conference will be located.
I encourage you to buy and read his books.
Ron s recommended resources
I’m guessing Dr Leman is the most popular Relationship Counselor in the country
today (apologies to James Dobson). He is a voracious writer and video producer.
We have used many of his video series in our Bible Classes, and we have them in the
Library.
You may recognize titles like: SEX BEGINS IN THE KITCHEN, HAVE A NEW
HUSBAND BY FRIDAY, BECOMING A COUPLE OF PROMISE, and SHEET MUSIC.
Everything I have seen and heard from him is good, especially his material regarding
sexual matters.
His website is excellent, and like many others, is loaded with resources.
I recommend you visit: http://www.drleman.com/store/index.php.
You can also buy his materials and many other resources from the PRAISE STORE:
http://www.praisestore.com/kevin-leman/?gclid=CMGG_IHl-54CFRafnAodaQPAJQ.
This is probably a good place to recommend Christian Book Distributors (CBD), the
largest Christian Book seller in the world. You need to be familiar with this site for all
your printed and audio/visual materials: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/
easy_find/1026148968.
I think the best way to keep up with a busy Dr Leman and find a live seminar is to
subscribe to his Twitter site at: http://twitter.com/drleman.
Ron s recommended resources
Dr. Gary Smalley, a prominent Counselor, author, and speaker since I can remember,
has built a virtual empire “Inspiring Our Most Important Relationships.”
You can visit his website and spend a half-day downloading his various materials.
I have never read anything he has written than didn’t help me.
See the family stuff, including Podcasts, Live Webcasts, and Video Seminars at:
http://www.smalleyonline.com/.
His MARRIAGE RESTORATION INTENSIVE SEMINARS are perhaps the best in the
business for couples in crisis, and you can register online at:
http://gosmalley.com/help-your-marriage/save-your-marriage.
For Pre-Marital Counseling and Newlywed Adjustment,
I recommend his $45 Newlywed Kit.
Ron s recommended resources
Long-time associate of Dr Gary Smalley is Dr. John Trent, the former Pastor at
Northwest Bible Church in Dallas. Both men are strong Christian advocates of building
a home around Biblical values.
Dr Trent is best known for his very popular book: THE BLESSING (over a million
copies sold!), but he has written another dozen high quality books that deserve your
attention, a number of them co-authored with Gary Smalley. For years the two traveled
and spoke together at Seminars, but today they are on their own.
Strong Families has a stable of nine speakers who travel the country speaking at
churches and conferences. For a schedule of their appearances, check at:
http://www.strongfamilies.com/index.asp.
There is a ton of info on this website.
You can get newsletters, register on a blog, watch videos, ask questions,
buy materials, and listen to his radio program.
It’s all good stuff!
Ron s recommended resources
This organization/ministry is unique in that it offers a coalition of resources and
speakers at a location near you all the time! This is a great website loaded with
interesting and unique materials.
Their speakers are first-rate and their Seminars are generally good values. You can
even view past Smart Marriage Conferences!
Here is a good and inexpensive way to improve your life and marriage: http://
www.smartmarriages.com/index.html.
Topics on Web site include:
The #1 predictor of divorce...
INFIDELITY-you CAN recover
BEFORE you even think about divorce...save your marriage!
UNWANTED DIVORCE? How to stop your divorce. Alternatives to Marriage
Therapy and Marriage Counseling...
How Marriage Therapy and Marriage Counseling Can be HAZARDOUS to your
Marital Health
Ask Dr Romance - marriage and relationship advice
Marriage Education on Radio & TV - watch & listen to examples of marriage
education classes
Daily Temperature Reading- quick fix marriage advicie/do-it-yourself
marriage counseling
Marriage QUOTES, wedding vows, cartoons & toasts,
What about COHABITATION??
SINGLE? How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk (or Jerkette) & The Case for NOT
Waiting to Marry (optimal age to marry is mid twenties!)
Stepfamilies and Remarriage/Stepparenting Advice
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
What is it with Men and Commitment?
When a Family Man Thinks Twice (about divorce)
What's Your Relationship IQ?
Ron s recommended resources
Focus on the Family's Mission Statement:
To cooperate with the Holy Spirit in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with as many people as
possible by nurturing and defending the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical
truths worldwide.
Nobody has done it better or longer than Dr. James Dobson and Focus on the Family.
He has been called “America’s Counselor,” and his radio program is second to none.
And, as you know, their political clout is very impressive. When Focus on the Family
folks speak, even Politicians listen. Thank God for their consistent opposition to
abortion and pornography.
Guiding Principles:
Since Focus on the Family's primary reason for existence is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ
through a practical outreach to homes, we have firm beliefs about both the Christian faith and the
importance of the family. This ministry is therefore based upon six guiding philosophies that are
apparent at every level throughout the organization. These "pillars" are drawn from the wisdom of the
Bible and the Judeo-Christian ethic, rather than from the humanistic notions of today's theorists. In short,
Focus on the Family is a reflection of what we believe to be the recommendations of the Creator
Himself, who ordained the family and gave it His blessing.
Of course, their website is superior, and their resources nearly unlimited. They have a
wonderful “Links” page leading you to all their ministries. You can listen to the daily
radio broadcast and the Weekend magazine. You can download excellent materials.
There is a large Online Community of which you can be a member. If you want or need
information on parenting, this is the place to be: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/.
Ron s recommended resources
Our friend Rick Reynolds in Austin leads a Counseling group
that specializes in Affair Recovery and Sexual Malfunctions.
Though in Austin, you can receive counseling over the phone,
and sometimes Counselors travel to Dallas.
The website also offers Live Chat and interactive resources
that are quite good, especially for the wounded or offended
party. Here is where you find Rick and associates:
http://crossroads-counseling.net/.
Crossroads Counseling: Where Healing Happens.
Looking for help? It's hard to know where to turn and who you can trust.
If you're like others, the decision of who to trust in a personal or marital
crisis is difficult at best. At the very least, you want to know they are
competent, and even more you want to know their approach to therapy
and if they can relate to your personal situation. Without these basic answers it's difficult to know if you're at the right place.
Those of us at Crossroads Counseling want you to know who we are and
what we believe before you ever come in. Please take the time to read
about the different therapists and their specialties. If you have specific
questions, please call to get answers.
Our mission is simple. We want to partner with our clients in achieving
life's greatest goal: loving others, loving self and drawing near to the
source of love. When this goal is realized, personal and relational difficulties are resolved.
If your goal is to grow and to rise above the circumstances that are keeping you down, call us.
Ron s recommended resources
Dr. Raymond Force - TV Host, Radio Talk Show Guest,
Conference Speaker, Pastoral Care (Faith-based)
Marriage and Family Counselor, Christian Life and
Relationship Coach, Pastor, and Director of Hitting Home
are Just a Few of the Roles that Dr. Force has Played to
Help Others in an Out-of-Control, Undisciplined World.
HITTINGHOME
As an alternative to Traditional Christian Counseling, Dr. Raymond Force offers
Christian Coaching over the phone for individuals and couples ($1.59 a minute),
including 24 hour live coaching. If counseling is not working for you, coaching (this is
mostly what I do—Ron) may be an attractive, practical alternative.
You can check out his services at: http://hittinghome6.net/dallas-ft-worth-texas-txmarriage-counseling-counselor-christian.html.
Our Christian-based Marriage Coaching Covers a Variety of Areas.
These Areas Include:
Breaking the Cycle of Resentment and Anger in a Marital Relationship
Cheating - Infidelity - Adultery
Forgiveness and Overcoming Hurt
Should I Leave my Spouse / Husband / Wife
Conflict Resolution - Mediation in a Marital Relationship
"I Don't Feel Love for My Husband / Wife"
"I Don't Love Him / Her Anymore"
Boredom
Emotional Infidelity
Business ("Busyness")
Ron s recommended resources
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MARRIAGE
This proven Christian Ministry team specializes in Marriage Conferences,
as well as providing Marriage Counseling.
They will be coming to the Metroplex,
but at this time they do not have a 2010 date and place.
Check their website later in the year:
http://www.nationalmarriage.com/conferenceschedule.asp.