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Summary: Knowledge that empowers you to make positive life choices
Review: Drs. Cloud and Townsend have brilliantly struck home with their revelations into the relational dysfunctions which affect a large majority of us. With solid biblical teaching as a reference point and years of practical experience, they show us how false the "doormat" philosopohy is that a large number of christians subject themselves to.If you want God to use your life in healthy relationships which are MORE beneficial to those around you; If you want to serve with a giving heart (instead of a dreary sense of obligation), then I thouroughly recommend BOUNDARIESas the kickstart to a more fulfilled and balanced life. After all, if you can't love and respect yourself, how can you love and respect those around you?
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Summary: "Boundaries" is a roadmap away from Bible based truth.
Review: "Boundaries" is a book filled with ideas and practices that will lead the reader off of the road of true faith and belief in God. It violates the following four essentials of the faith: 1. The deity of God is attacked in "Boundaries": The authors portray God as having needs for relationship, needs for self-protection, and being unstable in His plans, thoughts and actions, such that we are encouraged to "change God's mind" through prayer. 2. The person and work of Jesus Christ is misrepresented; the authors portray Jesus as capable of sin and failure, unsubmissive to His earthly parents and handicapped in His inability to respond in anger to those who 'violated' Him. 3. The Word of God, the Bible, is misquoted and misapplied with incredible frequency, from Genesis to 2:18 to Matthew 18 (most grievously) the authors show a gift for exegetical rather than contextual teaching. This is a trait used by cults, and "Boundaries" has very cultic leanings. 4. The person and work of the Holy Spirit is exempted completely from the text. There is not a single mention in the entire text of living a life according to the direction and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. This is a stunning denial of the full truth of the Gospel of Grace. The authors refer to Galatians 5:22 as listing the "Fruits of Self Control." How can self-control be a fruit of self control? The book boundaries is (at best) heretical in it's approach to interpretation and application of the Bible. Upon closer inspection, it approaches cultic manipulation with deadly proximity. Do not be fooled by the endorsements on the reverse cover; Howard Hendricks and Josh McDowell did not read this book - as Biblical scholars, they could not have read the book and endorsed it as such. Avoid this book if you are seeking to live a life according to the Word of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit. And remember - tell your friends to avoid it like the plague.
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Summary: This book will change your life.
Review: I don't go around saying this about books, but this book really has changed my life. It has changed the way that I see my relationships, and really helped me to understand where my responsibilities end and others' begin. I would heartily recommend it to any Christian (or non-Christian -- but be aware that it is written from a Christian perspective) who has a hard time knowing when to say "no", or who has been used and abused by others.
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Summary: Life changing. Life giving. Life growing.
Review: Whether it's your family, friends, spouse, children, work, yourself, or God, Boundaries will clarify many human mysteries. It will broaden your understanding of yourself and how you relate to others. I highly recommend the companion workbook. It emphasizes points that might have been missed. I've read "Your Perfect Right" and Dale Carnegie's book "How To Win Friends and Influence People." Although these books were helpful, nothing will compare to the impact Boundaries will make with all your relationships.
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Summary: Ever wonder why your life doesn't work no matter what?
Review: This book will help you to identify exactly why. It will help you identify what you are, and are NOT responsible for, and how to not confuse them. This book has brought a new peace to my life such as I have fought all my life for, but never knew. Required reading for my friends. This book also helps the reader to avoid "guilt" messages, and other manipulations of hurtful people who need to have limits set on their harmful behavior. It helps the reader to realize that setting boundaries is not "criticizing" the offender, and how to respond when the offender makes like it is the hurt person who sets limits that does wrong. This book receives my personal, Gold plated, five star recommendation. My highest possible ranking.
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Summary: Now for the dilemma of responsibility!
Review: When to say yes and when to say no - a fundamental christian dilemma. We are always told to turn the other cheek - but some injustice isn't that easy to call. I find this book constructive in my life, but suspect I am giving something away in terms of personal responsibility. This book does tend to become the 'authority' on the book shelf and all too easy to fall back on. A book I find very empowering without giving specific advice, as this book does, is the inspiring "THE Autobiography of Jesus.." by Richard Patton. Althouh I refer often to this clear 'how to' book, I do feel slightly guilty that I didn't come to my own inner understanding of the problem - as is suggested by Patton. Perhaps a varied diet is the best! The Doctors have produced a very needed book and long may they reign.
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Summary: Structured in easy reading format. Able to put to use.
Review: Excellent book. As an adult child wanting to make changes in my life I often need to find resources to help me identify healthier living. This book was easy to read. It helped me see how to have better relationships. Now I know what "my side of the street" really is. How to be loving but not compliant. The format helped me to pin point the areas I need to work on and how to do it. If you're wanting to parent yourself this book will give you all the tools to becoming a healthy adult. It also is helping me to identify areas that I need to take responsibility for.
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Summary: Excellent Study Guide for Boundaries Book
Review: This workbook assists the reader, and the worker, to apply the things learned in the text book into his or her own life. It also includes additional, thought and change provoking thoughts from the authors. Having worked wonderful changes in my life, I strongly recommend this book for those who know there is a problem in life, but can't quite figure out what it is, and are serious about changing those problems effectively and forever. By giving the reader an even deeper understanding of the cause and nature of the problems they are facing than the textbook itself gives, this tool helps the reader apply solutions to the problems. It is an excellent tool because one can not effectively apply a solution if s/he does not yet understand the nature or existence of a problem. Again, an outstanding tool for those who know that their relational and emotional life is out of control, but can't understand or figure out why. This companioin to the Gold Medallion award winning book, "Boundaries", also receives a second gold medal from me. It is a sure five stars plus!
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Summary: Life Saving -- These men have the answer!!
Review: This is one of the BEST books I have ever read. It explained in everyday language how to truly live my life the way God wants me to. I grew up with all of the wrong rules and never knew what to do about it until I read this book. What a BLESSING! I have recommended this book to many friends and they feel the same way I do.. ... Thank you Henry and John.
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Summary: This book may change your life forever!!
Review: This book is what "self-help" books should be! Not only does it clearly define what boundaries are, but it clearly explains how they are developed (or not developed), and how having boundaries (or the lack thereof) affects every area of our lives. If you aren't sure you understand what boundaries are (much less how to have them in your life), this book is for you. If you have been going through life feeling that something is missing, but you can't quite figure out what's wrong, this book may change your life forever! I know it changed mine! It's much more than just learning when to say "yes" and when to say "no". It's about knowing what defines you as individual. While it emphasizes accepting responsibility for yourself -- your thoughts, actions, feelings -- it is by no means a "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" kind of book! It truly is one of the best blends of Christianity and clinical psychology I have ever read!
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