God is good! Jerry Seiden wrote "Divine or Distorted?: God As We Understand God" because of the transformation that took place in his own life as a result of working the 12-Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Although he was a pastor of a church, his concept of God as judgmental and angry kept him from progressing through or past Step 3. "Divine or Distorted?..." is a collection of 15 true short stories that illustrate the love and goodness of God. The book represents his struggle to find and trust God. Divine or Distorted? can help anyone with similar struggles. This uplifting work warms the heart and rekindles hope in the God of the Bible.
Jerry has written or compiled and edited more than thirty-five books. Hes worked with some of the nations best known publishers in the area of self-help, recovery, spirituality, and inspiration.
He is the author of Divine or Distorted? God As We Understand God and several other titles. His story "Homeward Bound" appeared in the December 1999 issue of Guideposts Magazine. The story is an abridged and adapted version of his new giftbook "Michael's Stable." He also recently edited The Keystone Faith & Values Family Bible available now from Broadman & Holman. Prior to that he worked with RPI Publishing, Inc. to write and promote two important books on attention deficit disorder (ADD): The 12-StepsA Key to Living with ADD and The 12-StepsA Guide for Adults with ADD.
As a free-lance writer and editor, Jerry has also written for and worked with Glen Abbey Books, Guideposts, National Publishing Company, The Peale Center for Christian Living, and many others. Jerry has written everything from articles, books, and short stories to grants, newsletters, and screenplays.
Books by Jerry on the topics of recovery and spirituality are used in programs all over the nation. He speaks nationally on topics ranging from ADD and learning disabilities to creative writing, small groups, and spirituality. He has been the guest on many radio programs, appeared on local cable, and was interviewed two years ago by Dateline NBC.
Jerry Seiden, an ordained minister and a former chaplain for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, has pastored congregations in Paramount, Ventura, and Costa Mesa, California. He currently pastors Spirit of Hope a fellowship for those too wounded or burned-out to attend a traditional church. Jerry has been an adjunct professor at Southern California College, and has served on the board of several organizations including SET ROOTS, Overcomers Outreach, Recovery Assistants Foundation, and Kids Fun Club.
Since July of 1996, Jerry has hosted a number of conferences and workshops dealing with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and related learning disabilities and addictive behaviors. He has spoken at several national conferences on ADD, 12-Step recovery, and spirituality. He is a frequent radio guest on these topics. Jerry was interviewed by Dateline NBC for their special on ADD. He has appeared on TBN program Our Town, and he appeared several times on the Ken & Don Showa production of Continental Cable.
Jerry is most frequently asked to speak on spirituality as a healing resource for ADD and other recovery related needs. He also addresses community groups, conferences, and retreats on the effectiveness and use of the 12-Steps as a spiritual model for life. He focuses on the daily, practical, spiritual application of the steps, and teaches an easy-to-use method of mood management that he uses to stay "emotionally sober" in the face of life's craziness.
As an adult with ADD, Jerry knows from first-hand experience how the 12-Steps offer spirituality, structure, mood-stability, improved self-esteem, simplicity, and the support of others. Jerry Seiden's understanding of ADD and recovery comes from his own journey, and his message is one of personal experience, strength, and hope.
