A Far Better Life: Spiritual and Psychological Insights from Jesus' Teaching

The Sermon on the Mount is not supposed to read like a collection of standards that we should be striving to achieve. Listen to the Master's voice. It is not saying, "You should do better!" It is saying, "Let me help you do better." Soft and welcoming, yet compelling, Jesus invites us to make Him our guide. The Sermon on the Mount is where we learn to take our first steps. A Far Better Life opens up The Sermon on the Mount with such clarity that readers can almost hear Jesus delivering it. Staying with everyday language and common sense concepts, Dr. Friesen connects Jesus' central ideas, point by point, with Christian counseling. This is one of those books that will be around for a long time, because it is both an introduction to Christian counseling and a troubleshooting volume for counselors and their clients. Here is Jesus' message: The Father eagerly wants to join you in your living space to provide healing for the wounds that keep you from living a far better life. Jesus' intent is for you to invite the Father into every area of your life, especially into the most difficult moments. He will transform them and that will entirely change the way you live.

A free PDF discussion guide is available for this text from the author's Web site, www.jamesgfriesen.com.

A Far Better Life gives insightful truths which deeply impact the heart of a believer. Instead of taking the superficial path of treating symptoms, James Friesen directs our attention to the reality of God's revealed truth and the transformation that takes place in genuine relationship with the heavenly Father. Through a fresh look at the beatitudes taught by Jesus, we are reminded again that all permanent change takes place from the inside out.
–Henry Malone, President, Vision Life Ministries

Jim Friesen's A Far Better Life transforms the Beatitudes from lofty concepts to an intimate interchange between Lord and listener. It awakens a longing for closeness with the Healer, as well as the possibility that healing is at last within reach. The emphasis on Christian psychology and the healing process itself in the second half of the book is the key to the next vital stage - finding hearts and wounds healed so that this blessed new life that Jesus spoke of can actually be lived, experienced, and enjoyed.
-Pamela Perez

I was impressed to hear Dr. James Friesen in 2003 and 2004 as he taught Dissociative Identity Disorder classes to Prayer-Counselors wanting to learn to help the very wounded. DID counseling can be very complex but Dr. Friesen showed how to help wounded hearts in an easy to understand way. A Far Better Life again shows his simple, yet deep and effective approach that is helpful to beginners as well as to advanced counselors.
–Rita Bennett, Author, You Can Be Emotionally Free and Emotionally Free Seminars

Jim Friesen is a Christian Psychologist and a Life Group leader in Southern California. A licensed minister of the Gospel and a licensed psychologist for thirty-four years, Jim Friesen's passion for God's work flows from every chapter of Jesus, Clear and Simple. His two other best-selling books, Uncovering the Mystery of Multiple Personality Disorder and Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, point to Jim's long-standing interest in integrating psychology and theology. Straight out of seminary in 1979, Jim decided to specialize in the teachings of Jesus, and his diligence in that field led to this summarizing book. Over the years, he also has led many seminars and workshops about Christian Counseling. Jim has been married since 1972, and has two sons and three granddaughters.