Connecting

I just finished this one today. It took me about three weeks to get through it. Part of that is because I was lazy about finishing it, but it also got a little bogged down in the middle and was rough to trudge through.

Don't get me wrong, it's a great follow-up to "Inside Out". Once again, Dr. Crabb has got a pretty good and original idea that everyday believers in small, connected groups can have the same effect as trained, professional counselors. That's a pretty big admission from a man who has made his living in the counseling profession.

What he envisions is much more than a small group that we think of in a church setting. Crabb admits that the idea probably fails if the group is larger than three or four.

This one was really good for me where I am now. It was especially good at giving me practical ideas about how to better relate to and care for the close friends I have right now and prepare for the daunting task of caring for a family in the future.

All in all, it's a good read with a great idea. A little wordy and maybe a little long. However, the last four chapters of the book are probably the best I've read at providing biblical and practical advice for difficult relational situations. It's definitely worth your time.