Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls [Hardcover]

Gary Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 27, 2004

An exploration of the spiritual dynamics of parenting. Many books have been written about how to parent a child effectively, how to become a better parent, and how effective parenting produces better kids. But Sacred Parenting---the new book by Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage---delves into an entirely different reality: how parenting affects the parent. It explores the spiritual dynamics of parenting, and why caring for children is such an effective discipline in shaping our souls and forming the character of Christ within us. Thomas doesn't tell parents how to handle a chronically sick or rebellious child, but he does help parents find spiritual meaning behind the almost heroic care such children require. Because Sacred Parenting is not a 'how to' book, it openly admits the difficulties, struggles, and failures that often accompany parenting. And it goes on to show how God uses those trying and discouraging times to build up the parents who experience them. Parents of all children will be encouraged by the examples of how other men and women have successfully handled the challenges and occasional defeats of parenting, and will be inspired by stories that reaffirm the spiritual value of being a parent.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

An exploration of the spiritual dynamics of parenting

Many books have been written about how to parent a child effectively, how to become a better parent, and how effective parenting produces better kids. But Sacred Parenting—the new book by Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Marriage—delves into an entirely different reality: how parenting affects the parent. It explores the spiritual dynamics of parenting, and why caring for children is such an effective discipline in shaping our souls and forming the character of Christ within us. Thomas doesn’t tell parents how to handle a chronically sick or rebellious child, but he does help parents find spiritual meaning behind the almost heroic care such children require.

Because Sacred Parenting is not a "how to" book, it openly admits the difficulties, struggles, and failures that often accompany parenting. And it goes on to show how God uses those trying and discouraging times to build up the parents who experience them. Parents of all children will be encouraged by the examples of how other men and women have successfully handled the challenges and occasional defeats of parenting, and will be inspired by stories that reaffirm the spiritual value of being a parent.

About the Author

Gary Thomas is a writer in residence at Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, and an adjunct faculty member teaching on spiritual formation at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of several books, including Sacred Marriage, Sacred Pathways, Pure Pleasure, Sacred Parenting, and the Gold Medallion Award-winning Authentic Faith. SPANISH BIO: Gary Thomas esta cambiando la manera en que los cristianos miren la union y la crianza de los hijos. Este reconocido autor ensena en Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon. Sus libros y su ministerio enfatizan la formacion espiritual y en como podemos integrar la Escritura, la historia de la iglesia y la sabiduria probada de las obras clasicas cristianas para transformar nuestra experiencia moderna. El ministerio como conferencista de Gary, lo ha llevado por todos los Estados Unidos y por diferentes paises. Tambien ha participado en numerosos programas de television y radio nacionales, incluyendo 'Enfoque a la familia' y 'La vida de la familia hoy'. el, su esposa y sus hijos residen en Bellingham, Washington.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (January 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310247349
• ISBN-13: 978-0310247340
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #579,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Thomas is a bestselling author and international speaker whose ministry brings people closer to Christ and closer to others. He unites the study of Scripture, church history, and the Christian classics to foster spiritual growth and deeper relationships. Gary's unique message will help you:

* Embrace the unique way that you interact with God.
* Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse.
* Build a closer, grace-based family.
* Enjoy God with a new sense of freedom and delight.

Find out more at: www.GaryThomas.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sacred Parenting Lifts Our Eyes, March 10, 2005

By 

Robyn Kindlund (Bellingham, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls (Hardcover)

As a parent, it's common to get stuck in the mundane, the trivial, and the completely earthbound. Sacred Parenting lifts us above that plane for a little while and helps us to see "the other side of the tapestry," to glimpse what God may be doing in us and our children through the everyday, both good and not-so-good. Exploring parental guilt and anger, encouraging joy in parenting, and especially helping us see the work the Father has already done in us are some of the hallmarks of this book. Somehow Gary Thomas manages to walk the tightrope between practical and theoretical, neither wallowing in the "how-to's" so typical of parenting books nor neglecting the sidewalk-level realities of how hard this job can be. He plants hope, ironically, by admitting that parenting is hard and that kids don't always "turn out right," but that we know without doubt that God is teaching us unique lessons through it that we would otherwise never learn.

39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Reading for Every Christian Parent, July 6, 2005

By 

R. A. Williams (Naples, FL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls (Paperback)

For years my wife and I had debated whether or not we should have a child. My wife just didn't have that strong emotional drive some women have to procreate. My desire to have a child would come and go. Finally, when my desire to have a child came again, we prayerfully decided to go for it. The pregnancy was filled with painful and expensive complications, which was followed by severe postpartum depression. I felt terrible guilt for asking my wife to do this. My daughter is a year old now. She's perfect. God couldn't have made a more beautiful child. But parenting is a lot tougher than I'd imagined and I was fighting the notion that I'd made a mistake. After the first frustrating, sleep deprived year, I felt that I was clearly not cut out to be a parent. However, Sacred Parenting changed my mind. It showed me there every single parenting experience, whether good or bad, was a gift from God that would shape my soul for eternity. He also pointed out all the simple pleasures that awaited me in the future. Thanks for showing me the light, Gary. You are wise beyond your years.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So that's why it's so hard!, May 19, 2005

By 

Stephen T. Wynkoop "hawkenstein" (Wray, CO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls (Paperback)

If you are looking for a how to book this is not it. If you are looking at what God does in our lives in shaping us spiritually through parenting then this is the book for you.