Treasured Friends: Finding and Keeping True Friendships [Hardcover]

Ann Hibbard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1997

We long for deep, intimate friendships with others. But how do we find--and keep--true friends? With warmth and honesty, Ann Hibbard explores our need for authentic friends--friends who will listen to us and encourage us, yet hold us accountable.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 206 pages
• Publisher: Baker Pub Group (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801011507
• ISBN-13: 978-0801011504
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,008,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ready for some REAL & TRUE friendships?, July 21, 2001

By 

Kristen (St. Paul, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treasured Friends: Finding and Keeping True Friendships (Paperback)

I know I'm not the only female to realize that friendships with other females are invaluable, but so hard to find. I'm one of those ladies who have found it much easier and less dissapointing to befriend guys over gals. I have other female friends, but very few go deep and intimate because of my lack of trust. I have wanted that one special best female friend all my life. One whom I can truly be myself and still be accepted. She is someone who is honest and can survive any conflict because we care about eachother and the friendship. She won't desert me or betray me.

True friends are very hard to find. The reason why? --It's not easy to be a true friend, and in order to find a true friend, you must be one first. I always thought I had all the qualities and met all the expectations of a true friend, but this book has really helped me see the light! I may have all the best intentions, but I can be very critical and judgmental of friends if I disagree with them, and that has been a huge barrier for me. This not only applies to friends, but also to sisters, mothers, daughters, and yes..even with our relationships to fathers, brothers, boyfriends, husbands.

When we have that one (or maybe more) true female friend(s) it permeates into all other relationships with relatives, other friends, boyfriends, husbands, co-workers..etc. This book has really helped me to learn how to be a better friend to the friends I have now. It's not always easy, but the easiest route for goals in life aren't so long lasting and deep (as far as relationships at least)

God truly created us to be in fellowship with Him and with one another. It's no wonder when we are punished we are sent to be alone in our rooms, grounded (away from friends), and the worst is solitary confinement. There are times to be alone, but this can only truly be enjoyed and full-filling when it's a CHOICE to be alone and we have that balance of relationships/friendships to make our alone times good.

You do not have to read the chapters in order. The first few are good to start with, but it's okay to skip around, depending where you are in your friendships arena. The book is written from a Christian, Bible abiding perspective with very practical examples that many (Christian or not) can relate to. This book really helped me see how to appreciate friendships when they aren't always going so smoothly by looking to how Jesus was a true and real friend to people who really needed it and desired it. It's so easy to get frusterated or to fear differences between others, especially when they get close to us. When I look to Jesus I'm reminded of this forgotten truth... -he loves us and accepts us unconditionally. He does not want us to live destructive lives which lack healthy TRUE friendships, therefore he gives us his example of how to live, (Thank You Jesus!)

Just buy this book and read it at your own pace. You will see a change for the better in your friendships (new and/or old) if you're pursuing change for the better. Remember, many of the best friendships/relationships in life require patience -and they are worth waiting for. True frienships take time! But it will pay off. I am sure of this, I'm still seeking that one but I'm confident it's coming, can see it already. For I trust the man who's the world's best friend ever...Jesus.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book!, July 12, 2003

By 

Denise Dix (Albany, GA. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treasured Friends: Finding and Keeping True Friendships (Paperback)

This book was very enjoyable to read. It shares great ideas for forming lasting friendships and enriching current friendships. The book also explains why it is very important to nurture our friendships and how we can do that. Real life examples are given. I just loved the book. I gave it to a good friend of mine when I finished reading it, because I enjoyed it so much and I think she will too.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely and Insightful, July 5, 2005

By 

Sarah Luciani (Phoenix, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Treasured Friends: Finding and Keeping True Friendships (Paperback)

Treasured Friends by Ann Hibbard is one of the best books I have ever read on friendship. It is a Christian based book, and is a book written for women, but I feel no matter what your spiritual beliefs are, you can gain something valuable from this book.

Not only are there lovely and personal stories about friendship, but there are insightful lessons on how to find friends, and how to keep them. The most helpful part of the book for me were the chapters on Dissapointments and Transformations. Having gone through a loss of a life long friend, and after reading many books on friendship, I never really found the right words about the loss and moving on. In reading this book and reading about other women's experience with such losses, I was finally able to put the pieces together and forgive myself and my friend.

So many books focus on romantic relationships and their losses, and so few capture the importance of friendship and the devestation and hurt their losses can bring. This book was a true comfort.

A Treasure that I will read again.