Beyond the Brady Bunch

Beyond the Brady Bunch Hope & Help for Blended Families by Ray & Debbie Alsdorf
I enjoyed this book. I have never experienced the trauma of divorce or the struggles of blending a family but I have had many friends that have been through both.

I wish I had been able to share with them some of the truths brought out in this book.

Blending a family is far more messy and complicated than any television show portrays. Beyond the Brady Bunch is a heart book, not a how-to book. Christians who find themselves in the midst of step family life often feel hopeless and far from God, struggling with grief and unforgiveness. From personal experience, the authors have found that all the how-to steps in the world don’t work if there isn’t first a heart change. Speaking with honesty and vulnerability they share their mistakes and how God dealt with their hearts. The book will help stretch hearts, minds, and homes past the image of “perfect” and another "happily ever after” into the hope of God’s promise to restore, heal, and rebuild.

I really liked what Dr. Gary Smalley had to say about the book . . .

“This book is a treasure chest of encouragement, hope and inspiration for the blended family. It has been said that some families cannot blend, they can only collide. Not true. The Alsdorf family have “collided” well. They are the real deal and a beautiful picture of a fantastic blended family.” -Dr. Gary Smalley

It is indeed a treasure chest of encouragement. The book includes personal stories and stories the Alsdorf collecting from friends and other couples they have met through ministry.

Each chapter includes sound Biblical truth and each topic is discussed and then referenced back to scripture.

Toward the end the Alsdorf's even included a chapter titled From the other side our children speak where they interviewed their children and then included their perspectives.

I found an excerpt of Chapter One here. I would highly recommend this book. Even if you have not experienced divorce or death of a spouse you may know someone who has. This is a great book to give to a friend struggling with blending a family.

I am going to donate my copy to our apartment ministry library. I know that many families can benefit from the sound advice and encouragement found in Beyond the Brady Bunch.

You can purchase online at Amazon and Christian Book (dot)com

And also at Family Christian Book Stores. (click on the bold colored words to go directly to the links).

I received this book to review from B&B Media. Thanks to Karen Davis for offering this book.