Connecting: Healing Ourselves and Our Relationships

Crabb introduces this work by claiming he has experienced a shift in thinking. He proposes that more is needed to minister to emotional needs than just psychological training or biblical theology. He asserts that connected relationships are the missing link in touching the hearts and souls of hurting people.Crabb describes three elements of "connecting" with others, and then through the remainder of the book elaborates on each. The first element is a taste of Christ delighting in us. As we display this same kind of delight in the personalities and lifestyles of others, our relationships are transformed. The second element is a diligent search for what is good. Rather than just identifying what is sinful, or trying to fix what is wrong, we discover what God is doing in others lives then affirm it. The third element is an engaging exposure of what is bad or painful. This element must always follow the first two elements, but may not always be necessary. When it is exercised however, it exposes the bad in order to unleash the good.I wholeheartedly endorse Crabb's work here -- the more we as believers can "connect" with other believers in the body of Christ, the stronger and healthier we can become. For the depth of the subjects covered, Crabb does a remarkable job of making his words pleasant to read and his train-of-thought easy to follow. I recommend this book to all persons wanting to discover new strength and healing through connected relationships in Jesus Christ.

I am a college student studying psychology and sociology, and have been searching for a new but different way to help people. Larry Crabb wonderfully articulates how christians must learn to connect to God and other people to really impact there lives. Connecting is the ministry that Christ left for us to follow. Thank you Dr. Crabb for putting into words what I have been thinking for a long time.

I am amazed at the journey that God is starting to stir up, to invite us to a life of genuine authentic relating with one another, and this book insightfully culminates Crabb's journey thus far in learning to share about the essence of how God is at work in our heart, to move into others lives powerfully, to relate in such a way that it calls out the vision that God has already implanted in us when we started the journey by trusting in Christ. Don't settle for the lesser satisfaction of life, defense mechanisms, feeling adequate, living on your own resources, trying to make life work. Move out in faith, into the deeper reality of life and relating!

I received "Connecting" because I accidentally forgot to mail my response card to Corssings Book Club saying "Don't Send"(I thought I mailed it but found it weeks later after I received the book in the mail. That was the first and only time I failed to respond). I now know that God had other plans. "Connecting" was a very exciting book for me to read because the Lord had and has been teaching and showing my husband and I many things that were difficult to share with others because they just didn't seem to understand what we were talking about. God has been opening our eyes and letting us see things that are very difficult to see. We knew that "Connecting" was a confirmation from God that we were moving in His direction. We learned that we needed to "die to self" and be "Christ-conscious" and not self-conscious in order to do what He wants us to do. That's the only way we can allow Jesus in us to be poured out of us and into another person (I could go on and on and on...). Some days I could read a whole chapter and some day I could only read one page but I'd have to read it three times, meditate on it and let it sink in! Sometimes my brain would just be saturated and I would have to put the book down because I couldn't absorb anymore. It took me many months to read this book but I know that was all in God's plan. He was teaching and growing me using "Connecting". He wanted me to learn just so much in a time period. I would find that I would be applying Dr. Crabb's ideas and principles (unconsciously) in my everyday life and from that I realized why God allowed me only to read so much at once.What really touched me was the fact that Dr. Crabb didn't write this book because he thought it would sell or become the #1 top seller. He wrote it because he knew the truth from God and nothing else mattered but doing God's will. I'm so thankful that one of his gifts is writing so that he can share what God's teaching him with everyone. Thank you for sharing and being an example of what obedience means!I've been wondering if Dr. Crabb reads "MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST" by Oswald Chambers. When I began reading "MY UTMOST..." I thought, "He must read this". I started reading it this past Spring and through the Bible and these two books, I know God has been revealing himself and speaking to me. I would like to encourage Dr. Crabb, as he has encouraged us, to keep himself covered with the "armor of God" and not to be discouraged by anything or anyone but to keep focused on our most Awesome and Mighty God and Saviour no matter what! My husband and I have been distributing copies of "Connecting" to our family, our pastors, the Christian Education committe chairperson at our church, the director of a crisis pregancy center, a pastor at Phila. church, missionaries in Austrailia, various people at our church and even to some people who are hurting. The Lord has been bringing people literally to our doorstep to "c

We bought this book in an effort to learn how to overcome or cope with my condition of anxiety. Although therapy has it's place for those with serious conditions, we knew that there had to be a better answer in dealing with my 'condition' than paying a therapist $100/hr. God has truly given us great hope and comfort in the words he has given Dr. Crabb. Dr. Crabb gives practical and achievable instruction to create depth in the relationships we share with those close to us. You will not be disappointed with the content and message of this book. We would be happy to hear from anyone who would like to share their thoughts on this book.