Author and professor Daniel Bagby's latest book, Beyond The Myths: The Journey To Adulthood, addresses some of the unique challenges confronting today's emerging young adult. Exploring that gray area between adolescence and adulthood, the book identifies their unique struggles in regard to personal identity, sexuality, intimacy, vocation, personal choice, and spiritual definition. The book further explores pastoral care options for ?would-be adults? as they experience the challenges of confusing options, unclear identities, dysfunctional family messages, vocational choices, and spiritual winters on their way to full adulthood.

How can caregivers help families facing a crisis? What can friends say and do to assist church members who turn to them for guidance under stress? What are the first steps compassionate people can take to respond to individuals and families during a traumatic event? This addition to the Smyth & Helwys Help series is a collection of short, helpful responses to different crises, designed as a "first steps" guide for ministers and caregivers in a congregation. It assumes biblical principles and values for believers rendering first care. Resources for appropriate referral are mentioned at the end of each topic, and further reading is suggested for more extensive care. In each case we assume that the emergency caregiver is not an expert on the issue, but one who can direct hurting people to proper sources of care, coping, and help. Topics covered include abortion, abuse, death and dying, guilt and shame, gender issues, hospitalization, imprisonment, birth defects, infertility, job loss, mental illness, panic-anxiety, rape, stress, and suicide. Suggestions are also made about how to listen attentively, how to use prayer and scripture in caregiving, and how to set realistic boundaries in ministry.

Caregivers face an ongoing challenge in dealing with the difficult emotions of those we care for and nurture. When it comes to anger, despair, guilt, or sorrow, what are the best ways to respond? What does it mean if a person we are caring for feels anxious, fearful, frustrated or stressed? If we notice apathy, aggression, shame or suspicion, what can we do to try and understand what a person is feeling as we work to help them? In Healing Our Hurts, Daniel Bagby identifies and explains all the dynamics at play in these complex emotions. Offering practical biblical insights to these feelings, he interprets faith-based responses to separate overly religious piety from true, natural human emotion. This book helps us learn how to deal with life's difficult emotions in a redemptive and responsible way.