Messy Journey
Do you have a prodigal, rebel, wanderer , or gone astray child? Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home is here to offer help and hope.
Dear friends,
This book is my heart and soul.
At times it was agonizing to write because it is about struggle. A relationship struggle. A faith and fear wresting match. Messy Journey is personal, And to be honest, I'm a fairly private person yet the content of this book demanded openness and transparency. God moved me forward with the knowledge that this material could help and encourage another family. The stories in Messy Journey are not just mine but many others who bravely shared their lives.Some parents, some prodigals, some former prodigals. My daughter, Courtney, courageously tells her journey as well. Each of these individuals are my heroes. Motivated by the power of love they share their most private thoughts and feelings in order to touch the lives of those reading this book. If you have a prodigal you are not alone.
Messy Journey is for parents walking the difficult road with a wayward child. With rare and raw honesty, author and licensed parent and family educator, Lori Wildenberg, her daughter (Courtney), other parents and prodigals vulnerably share their stories. No matter why you have a prodigal or if you love someone who does this book will bring comfort, help, and encouragement. Practical grace- and truth-filled ways of navigating your relationship with a detoured child who is rejecting faith, dabbling in sin, or wholeheartedly embracing sinful behavior are given. There is hope. After all, their struggle isn't really with you, it's with God.
Messy Journey offers the tools of grace and truth to construct a bridge that offers the prodigal a way back to the family and to God. Nothing holds a parent's heart hostage like a prodigal. This book provides much needed hope, support, and encouragement to the mom or dad who feels alone on what can be a very solitary journey.
Final Thought:
If you have a prodigal or know someone who does, this book will be a blessing. Please connect with me if you would like me (or Courtney and me) to speak to your church group about either general prodigal struggles (Messy Journey) or if you'd prefer a more specific talk regarding homosexuality, faith, and the family (When Belief and Behavior Collide: How to love your LGBT family member or friend with grace and truth ).
With faith, hope, and love,
Additional books (and companion discussion and study guides) for parents by Wildenberg & Danielson can be found over at Amazon.
The 1 Corinthians 13 Parent SERIES:
Raising Little Kids with BIG Love
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This series is endorsed by many authors, speakers, and ministry leaders:
Tricia Goyer, Kendra Smiley, Dr. Scott Turansky,
Dr. Kathy Koch, David and Claudia Arp, Julie Barnhill,
Stephanie Shott, Melinda Means, Kirk Weaver,
Tammy Maltby, Julie Gorman, Michelle Borquez,
Erin MacPherson, Heather Riggleman, Dr. Peter and Heather Larson,
Debbie Taylor Williams, Tim Shoemaker, Pete Larson,
Rev. Mark Stromberg, Chuck Stecker, Joanne Kraft,
Julia Roller, Kathy Howard, Barbara Carlson,
Megan Breedlove, Lindsey Bell, Doug Herman,
Margaret McSweeney, Marlene Bagnull.
Below are national ministry testimonials about the 1st Corinthians 13 Parenting Series.
"Lori and Becky effectively blend scriptural principles and real life examples in The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series. Each page is a mirror that will reflect the reader's parenting strengths and challenges. Parents be encouraged...you are not alone. You will be helped in this invaluable calling. I highly recommend The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series to anyone looking to tweak or implement a spiritually-based parenting plan."
-Kirk Weaver Family Time Training Founder and Executive Director
"This is an excellent book. It has a great idea. It takes a new spin on a common passage and applies it to the family. It's fresh. It's new but it's based in the scriptures. People will love the idea. This is a winner in my opinion."
-Dr. Scott Turnaksy, National Center for Biblical Parenting and author
"In The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series , Lori Wildenberg and Becky Danielson display not only a heart for children, but an insightful passion to help parents consider the primary place of influence they hold in the development and formation of their kids. Throughout the book, the authors highlight key points of learning and offer key questions, as well as suggestions intended to give parents the right tools to raise their children to love, honor, and respect God and others. The book serves as a reminder that God is Love and that parents have the awesome privilege and responsibility to reflect that love to their children. The authors remind us that parenting is a holy calling and not to be taken for granted. Read, reflect, and learn!"
-Mark R. Stromberg, Superintendent Northwest Conference Evangelical Covenant Church of America
"In a time when parents have a tendency to feel inadequate and believe they are just hanging on, The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series is a breath of fresh air. The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series gives us powerful principles, real-life examples and a clear path to success. Not just a book to read, but one to study and let it take you on a journey that will make you a better parent and a better person. Every church should use this resource for small group study for parents of children of all ages."
-Dr. Chuck Stecker, President of A Chosen Generation, author, speaker and ministry leader
" The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series does just what its title suggests. It empowers parents to raise their children with Christ centered values. Lori and Becky have given us a gift of sound and practical advice on bringing up kids from a faith perspective. As a parent of two sons, I appreciated the questions and tips at the end of each chapter that allowed me to develop a parenting plan that fit my family. If you are looking for a parenting book that is based on solid Biblical principles and values, this is it."
-Pete Larson, Executive Director Family Fest Ministries
"The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series is practical, useful, and a very simple read for parents with not-so-simple lives. This book is tantamount to sitting across a table with two wise women discussing family challenges over your favorite coffee."What would you have in your parenting toolkit if you could break the chapter of love (1 Corinthians) into usable segments with practical action ideas? Well...you're holding it! The 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting Series brings love out of ethereal chatter and into your family room. Lori and Becky have taken sage Biblical advice and massaged it into the stiffness all families encounter. Buy it. Read it. Use it. Then for goodness sake, share it."
-Doug Herman, speaker and author of FaithQuake and Come Clean
"This book has fresh ideas and great reminders on parenting kids of all ages and stages. Becky and Lori ask great questions to help you identify your current style of parenting. They also provide Biblical support to try new techniques. This is a powerful resource you will want to use for years to come."
-Peter J. Larson, Ph.D.,psychologist, Pres. of Life Innovations, co-author of PREPARE/ENRICH, Couple Checkup assessment tools and 10 Great Dates to Grow Together Spiritually (co-authored with Heather Larson and David and Claudia Arp)
-Heather Larson, M.A. 10 Great Dates to Grow Together Spiritually (co-authored with Peter Larson and David and Claudia Arp)