Product Description

Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us, mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts, emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #225 in Books
• Published on: 2002-04-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Amazon.com
In order to call themselves good Christians, many people have drawn overly flexible boundaries (unwilling to say no, always accommodating others' needs) or overly rigid boundaries (to the point of being righteous and judgmental). Psychologists and inspirational speakers Cloud and Townsend show readers how to set reasonable boundaries in order to follow the true path of Christianity. This book has become immensely popular, most likely because it makes personal boundaries easier to define and is filled with spiritual purpose. Some cautions: the format can be overly self-helpish for such a complex discussion and the authors at one point imply that judicious spankings may be an acceptable form of setting boundaries with children. However, many Christians will probably find themselves grateful for this biblical context of boundaries. --Gail Hudson

From the Publisher
Since its release in 1992, Boundaries--the definitive book on healthy human relations by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend--has consistently appeared on the best-seller lists. And now its counterpart, the Boundaries video curriculum, has undergone a literal transformation. With its brand new, group-interactive format and components, the Boundaries curriculum gives pastors, counselors, churches, and organizations an enormously effective tool to help people move from desperation to sound relationships and joyous, fruitful living. Everything about this revised Boundaries is new. NEW easy-to-use Leader's Guide that minimizes preparation time. NEW Participant's Guide based on the original Boundaries textbook and workbook. NEW proven, group-interactive format designed to enhance individual participation and group synergy. NEW 120-minute video containing a brief message from Drs. Cloud and Townsend to group leaders, discussion jump-starts by the authors, and vignettes dramatizing topics covered in the nine different sessions. Designed for groups large or small, the Boundaries kit also includes a copy of the best-selling, Gold-Medallion-Award-winning book, Boundaries. This dynamic curriculum will generate maximum interest among church and small-group leaders. The principles and applications covered will make a real difference in relationships of every kind, from marriage, to family, to church, to the workplace, and beyond.

The Boundaries video kit includes: 1 90-minute video (not sold separately) 1 Boundaries Leader's Guide (additional copies sold separately) 1 Boundaries Participant's Guide (additional copies sold separately) 1 copy Boundaries hardcover book (additional copies sold separately) 1 clamshell-style carrying case

From the Back Cover
Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us and under what circumstances -- Mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts and opinions -- Emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and disengage from the harmful, manipulative emotions of others -- Spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own and give us renewed awe for our Creator -- Often, Christians focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. When confronted with their lack of boundaries, they ask: - Can I set limits and still be a loving person? - What are legitimate boundaries? - What if someone is upset or hurt by my boundaries? - How do I answer someone who wants my time, love, energy, or money? - Aren't boundaries selfish? - Why do I feel guilty or afraid when I consider setting boundaries? Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend offer biblically-based answers to these and other tough questions, showing us how to set healthy boundaries with our parents, spouses, children, friends, co-workers, and even ourselves.

Customer Reviews

Let's look to God
Cloud and Townsend are very popular speakers and writers when it comes to Christian audiences and those in the recovery field. I've heard them and read them. But I believe the thrust of this "take control" work does not give enough attention to what God can do.By the Power of God: A Guide To Early A.A. Groups and Forming Similar Groups Today (Why It Worked; A.A. History). Christians, I believe, start with belief in God (Hebrews 11:6). Then they go to the necessity for a new birth which enables them to become children of the living Creator (John 3:1-6). This in turn leads them to Jesus Christ as the Way and the Truth and the Life. And see Romans 10:9.A New Way In: Reaching the Heart of a Child of God in Recovery with His Own, Powerful, Historical Roots.
This was the early A.A. approach when A.A. was a Christian Fellowship and was achieving a documented 75% to 93% success rate.Why Early A.A. Succeeded: The Good Book in Alcoholics Anonymous Yesterday and Today. The formula from the Bible, particularly the Book of James in early A.A.. meant: (1) Controlling your own mind (Romans 12:1-2); (2) Controlling your own tongue (James 3:8-13); and (3) Being a doer of the word, not a hearer only (James 1:21-27). This simply meant that we were to be about our Heavenly Father's business, not just our own.The James Club and the Original A.A. Program's Absolute Essentials.
The point here is not just to quote Scripture. It is to point to the one, true, living Creator who is able to provide the wisdom, strength, guidance, and deliverance that must accompany the human effort to "take control."Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous: His Excellent Training in the Good Book As a Youngster in Vermont.My judgment is that "taking control" means uncertainty if it is not accompanied by looking to God for the road map, the instructions, and the driver education--not to mention the power of God.A New Way Out: New Path - Familiar Road Signs - Our Creator's Guidance.

boundaries
good information. too much bible talk. wish they would stick to the boundaries message and not refer to the passage and verse of the bible..perhaps give bible reference at the end of each cd.

Boundaries a life's must
This book/CD is very informative. It gives reasons for actions taken by people and ways to resolve actions. Good information to pass on to others as well to use in one's own life. I recommend this book/CD to anyone wanting to improve their life, to find peace, to be a better person in today's society.