Books

Bible

For closest translation from original Hebrew/Greek to English, Team Blessing likes:

• New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition – (NRSV-CE)
• Revised Standard Version -Catholic Edition –  Study Bible (limited notes)
• Ignatius Catholic Study Bible – as of 3/1/16 the New Testament is published and some of the OT books are published individually (Commentary and notes by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch)

Bible Study

Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture Series (books) – to go deep, this is the easiest read for really pulling it apart verse by verse and understanding the history. Fascinating connections! You get to know the people in the Bible, their relationship with God and what that means for you. Deep and yet practical.

Unlocking the Mystery of the Bible – Jeff Cavins 8 Week DVDand book study –  finding our story in the Bible – fascinating!

The Bible Timeline: The Story of Salvation  by Jeff Cavins 23 week DVD/book study – more in depth.   also see  http://biblestudyforcatholics.com/

N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study –  individual book study for each book of the Bible – interesting background and study questions; applies discussion to current issues and personal experiences

Prayer & Devotion

Magnificat – monthly “magazine” –  Great guide for prayer any time of the day –  morning, daily mass readings, and evening – short reflections on topics throughout – lots in here!

Oremus (Let Us Pray) – (DVD Series with workbook) Fr. MarkToups teaches about prayer in a comical and practical way. He says it like it is and gets to the heart of prayer and of you,.

The One Year Yellow Ribbon  – Brenda Pace and Carol McGlothlin – good daily devotions for families with military members or if you just want to pray for our military troops!

Jesus Calling – Sarah Young;  A daily meditation written from the voice of Jesus with scripture references

Give Us This Day – monthly “magazine” with reflections and daily mass readings

More Than A Carpenter  – Josh McDowell “Why is it that you can talk about God and nobody gets upset, but as soon as you mention Jesus, people often want to stop the conversation? “

The Laughter of God –  Miriam Pollard O.C.S.O. (Cistercian Nuns, MA)  Fresh, approachable, and sensible. What a relief.  “Our task is not to manufacture it but to surrender to the prayer we already possess, to get out of it’s way….”, Sr. Miriam.

Letters From an Understanding Friend – Isaias Powers personalizes the Jesus relationship through letters to you from Jesus written on the way to Jerusalem. Perfect for the forty days of Lent.

One Thousand Gifts – Ann Voskamp -a dare to live fully right where you are.

Discipleship – Conversion

In His Steps – Charles M. Sheldon:  This novel is the origin of “what would Jesus do” – WWJD. It was written in 1896 and is as relevant today as it was then. It is the most published book second to the Bible. People in a church take on the challenge to live and make all decisions according to what Jesus would do for one year. Quite a story and an easy read.

Rome Sweet Home – Scott and Kimberly Hahn

Surprised by Truth – Patrick Madrid

Deathbed Conversions – Karen Edmisten

Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist -Brant Pitre

Dating

The ABC’s of Choosing a Good Husband – Stephen Wood

The ABC’s of Choosing a Good Wife – Stephen Wood

Marriage

The Power of a Praying Wife – Stormie Omartain

The Power of a Praying Husband – Stormie Omartain

Parenting

The Power of a Praying Parent – Stormie Omartain

Motherhood A Spiritual Journey – Ellyn Sanna

Return: How to draw your Children back to Church – Brandon Vogt

Pregnancy/Abortion

unPlanned – Abby Johnson with Cindy Lambert   “The dramatic true story of a former Planned Parenthood leader’s eye-opening journey across the life line”

Addiction

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (main text for AA) –  Bill W. and Sam Schumaker

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions – supplemental text for AA by Bill W.

As Bill Sees It – Bill W.

Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous – Basic Text

Narcotics Anonymous – Basic Text

Out of the Shadows: Understanding Sexual Addiction – Patrick Carnes

In the Shadows of the Net: Breaking Free of Compulsive Online Behavior  – Patrick Carnes

Sexual Anorexia: Overcoming Sexual Self-Hatred – Patrick Carnes

A Gentle Path Through the Twelve Steps: A Classic Guide for All People in the Process of Recovery – Patrick Carnes

Abuse

Violent Voices: 12 Steps to Freedom From Emotional and Verbal Abuse – Kay Porterfield (this book helped Mary Kay get free. Enough said.)

Grace Like Rain: Experiencing the Downpour of God’s Transforming Grace – Diana Kriesel;  A fantastic retelling of a path through sexual abuse and what grace can do to restore anything

Mental Health

I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me; Understanding Borderline Personality Disorder – Hal Straus and Jay Kreisman

Stop Walking on Eggshells – Paul Mason (How Borderline Personality Disorder affects loved ones)