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VELVET AND STEEL
A Practical Guide for Christian Fathers and Grandfathers
John K. Ream
Paper, $13.95
160 pages, 6" × 9"
ISBN 0-89390-408-2
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John Ream got a wake-up call a few years ago. His family was in trouble,
and he was part of the problem. Over-invested in work, he wasn’t
home much. He made a new commitment to Christ and set out to become a
good father, with striking results. Ream turned what he learned into the
Effective Fathers Seminars — and now he’s sharing those
insights in book form. Ream explains what it means to be a man in this day
and age — and how men can strengthen their families by compassion
(velvet) with moral backbone (steel). He tells men how to get back in the
game, assess their current family situation, begin a prayer partnership with
their wives and step through the landmines of fatherhood, from raising
babies to enjoying grandchildren. With Velvet and Steel, men can
discover how putting their faith first can pay great dividends for themselves
and their families.
Reviews
“Velvet and Steel is a superb book on the noble, challenging
and rewarding art of fathering and grandfathering. Written by someone who
has been there, it is fascinating to read. Sharing high spiritual values, it is
relevant, personal and candid.”
— Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy, emeritus, Archdiocese of
Miami
“John Ream’s book is a stirring witness to the positive effects
men can have on their children’s lives. It is also a loving testimony to
how husbands and wives can serve as full partners in marriage and family
life.”
— H. Richard McCord, associate director, United States Catholic
Conference Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women and Youth
“Velvet and Steel develops solid fathering principles that are
illustrated with real-life stories that convey a sense of wisdom and
practicality reminiscent of Jesus’ parables. This book is a valuable
resource for small sharing groups of Christian fathers or for individual
study.”
— David R. Schmidt, director, Office of Marriage and Family
Ministry, Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio
“Perfect parenting isn’t the goal of John Ream’s
practical program for Christian fathers. Rather, this remarkable, doable book
is about making conscious decisions to place your role as father or
grandfather at the top of your priority list.”
— Paula Hagen, OSB, and Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett, co-authors of
the Ministry of Mothers Sharing (MOMS) program/series
“John Ream’s biblical insights combined with real-life family
experiences provide the motivation we need to be challenged to greater
family living.”
— Rooney H. Travis, senior pastor, First Baptist Church, Ellisville,
Mo.
“Appropriately titled, Velvet and Steel fills a need in the
church to assist fathers and grandfathers in reclaiming their place as
spiritual guides of their children. Sometimes gentle and soft, like velvet, and
other times quite direct, like steel, John Ream tells it like it is.”
— Fr. Ricardo Castellanos, pastor, San Isidro Catholic Church,
Pompano Beach, Fla.
About the Author
John K. Ream, a former Marine and a retired bank president, began leading
“Effective Fathers Seminars” in the early 1980s and continues
to do so. Now a grandfather, he lives in Florida with his wife, Rita.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. The Crisis
2. Velvet and Steel (and Other Worthy Traits)
3. Not Me but Thee
4. Relationships: Me and Thee
5. It’s 10 PM—Do You Know Where Your Children Are?
6. It’s a Team Effort
7. Center Stage
8. It’s the Law (Setting Standards)
9. Training: Let’s Do It Together
10. Looking Ahead
11. Creating a Sense of Destiny
12. There Comes a Time ...
13. Cover Them with Love
14. Don’t Try It Alone
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