Soul Food and Living Water

by William Powell, William J. Powell, Yolanda Powell

As God-conscious families, we all struggle to maintain a vibrant faith that will lead to strength and happiness in the midst of declining social values and daily challenges. Marital commitment, child... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802417604
• ISBN13: 9780802417602
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Lift Every Voice
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A cool drink in the desert...

Although prepared specifically for the African-American palate, Christian families of any culture will find sustenance in Soul Food and Living Water. The poignant accounts of the Powells' journey through submission and respect in marriage, raising teens with understanding and maintaining bonds and wisdom from grandparents and ancestors will help all Christian households navigate the rigors of raising a world-changing family against a pulsing, flashing landscape of sin. Single parents also will find practical ways to keep their families dining at God's table--even if all the seats aren't occupied. At almost three hundred pages, Soul Food and Living Water offers enough to keep readers consumed for a long time. Each part of the book-individual spiritual relationships, marital intimacy, parenting and cultural heritage through extended family-could have easily comprised a book of its own. In an attempt to encompass all aspects of family, some subjects are probed more deeply than others, most notably marriage, understanding the influences of hip hop culture on teenagers, creating a home of peace and order and specific suggestions on dealing with family problems. The book is worth buying for these passages alone. The editing team at Moody can be commended for maintaining the voices of the authors as well as many references to African American culture, such as the principles of Kwanzaa and the spiritual significance of cultural gatherings like Friday night fish frys and other get togethers. Focus on the legacy of endurance found in African-American culture will leave the targeted reader uplifted and satisfied. The cover shot and images throughout are positive and appealing as well. --Marilynn Griffith

Christ IS the center of family

This is a biblically based, self-help guide for families. The book is a must-have for families following the teachings of Christ in today's fast-paced world. The Powells offer a fresh outlook, which is rich in heritage and truly anointed in the word of God. Their biblically sound examples and practical applications make it easy to transform your personal relationship with God while expressing love and sharing the word with your family. The authors begin the book focusing on a personal relationship with God. Using biblical principles, the book emphasizes how every aspect of your life is tied to the Bible, even soul food Sunday dinners. The discussion on intimacy in marriages describes personal stories of commitment and provides suggestions on how to keep marriage as a threefold cord. The words are carefully crafted into stories, which present a clear relationship between Christ, husband and wife. Examples on how to enrich your marriage through romantic interludes, husbands leading the family while modeling the principles of Christ, wives modeling submission but still being independent, disciples expressing and sharing God's love to our families. Is it possible for today's African-American family to raise children to be Christ-like? The Powells say YES! They present examples, affirmations, and suggestions on changing from "world view" to "biblical view" without compromising commitments to self, family, church or work. They chip away at America's problem, the breakdown of the family, in a way that will transform the world. Soul Food & Living Water is not just a guidebook for reinventing the African-American family; it provides real-life answers to some of today's most complicated questions. As a Sunday school teacher and avid reader of Christian books on family and marriage, I strongly recommend this book to families, book clubs, Sunday school classes, and church leaders, as it will promote discussion while providing a biblical foundation. The word selection and presentation of ideas are skillfully sewn together to be culturally sensitive and relevant to other cultures. If family is important to you, this book should be part of your library. Reviewed by Monique Bruner for Loose Leaves Book Review

Creating a Strong Family Legacy

Raising a family to follow Christ wholeheartedly is the most important challenge people have in the 21st century. SOUL FOOD AND LIVING WATER effectively uses sound biblical teaching and practical examples to refresh and encourage African-Americans. It addresses the myriad of marriage, parenting and family issues that affect their lives and communities. But its fresh voice and dynamic message ministers to families of all ethnic backgrounds. I've read a lot of books on marriage, parenting and relationships--and this one is definitely a stand-out.