Encouraging Hands, Encouraging Hearts: How to Be a Good Friend

This is one great book. Though, I turned all the pages yellow with my highlighter. I also printed out the free online study guide that is mentioned in the back of the book. Now I can go through the book with my friends. I can't wait!

We love this book on friendship and are currently using it in our bible study.

My friend and I were on a mission to find a book on friendship, which is the focus of our upcoming women's retreat. We found Linda's book, not by accident, but by 'divine appointment.' As it turns out, when my friend started reading Encouraing Hands/Hearts, she was so enthusiastic that both my sister had to get copies and read it too. The book spoke to each of us in different ways. We are definitely going to suggest this book as recommended reading at our upcoming retreat.

I was first attracted by the cover of Encouraging Hands, Encouraging Hearts. But when I started reading it, I found it was full of practical helps, meaningful anecdotes, and even some humor. Most helpful chapters were "Earnest Prayer" and "Relief for Grief," because I recently lost a close friend from cancer. I'm still missing her a lot. This book makes a lovely gift. I recommend it for women's study groups, too. It's "reader friendly" and the kind of book I like to savor before I go to bed. Because of it, I've been more motivated the next morning to phone a friend who is going through a rough time. And Linda Shepherd's messages are helping me be more of a carrier of God's love--and make a difference.

I've always considered myself a good friend, but through reading this book I've learned so much more about what it takes to be an encourager, a good listener, and a true friend. The author's analogies paint beautiful pictures that get her points across perfectly. I thought I would take my time reading this book but I couldn't put it down. A wonderful book on the subject of friendship.