Ever wonder what makes friendships last through the seasons of life? Join Heidi today as she talks with Durenda about the blessings and struggles that mark every lasting friendship.

Friendship: Iron Sharpening Iron by June Hunt

“Make new friends but keep the old; one is silver and the other gold.” Perhaps you remember singing that song as a child. Friendships are indeed valuable, but sadly, some friendships are toxic. This 96-page Friendship book is packed with advice on friendship, including how to be a good friend, how to make new friends, how to spot the warning signs of unhealthy relationships (including codependency), and more.

Friendships for Grown-ups: What I Learned and Missed Along the Way by Lisa Whelchel

Do you long for a true friend?

“Isn’t that what we all want? To be seen, in all our glory, for better or worse, the good, the bad, and the ugly and still be embraced?”

If only such friendships were easy to find. And keep. For Lisa Whelchel and millions of others, friendship is a challenge. The vulnerability, trust, balance, grace, and time required to develop and maintain strong friendships do not come easily.

Keep it Shut by Karen Ehman

Keep It Shutby Karen Ehman explores how to better control your tongue, knowing what to say and how to say it, and realizing when it is best to say nothing at all.

From Bible times to modern times women have struggled with their words. What to say and how to say it. What not to say. When it is best to remain silent. And what to do when you’ve said something you wish you could now take back. In this book a woman whose mouth has gotten her into loads of trouble shares the hows (and how-not-tos) of dealing with the tongue.

Beyond just a “how not to gossip” book, this book explores what the Bible says about the many ways we are to use our words and the times when we are to remain silent. Karen will cover using our speech to interact with friends, co-workers, family, and strangers as well as in the many places we use our words in private, in public, online, and in prayer. Even the words we say silently to ourselves. She will address unsolicited opinion-slinging, speaking the truth in love, not saying words just to people-please, and dealing with our verbal anger.

Christian women struggle with their mouths. Even though we know that Scripture has much to say about how we are—and are not—to use our words, this is still an immense issue, causing heartache and strain not only in family relationships, but also in friendships, work, and church settings.