Books from the Front Porch
Welcome to my bookshelf!
Over the years, I've learned that life has a way of teaching us lessons worth sharing. Some come through faith, some through hardship, and others through the simple wisdom gathered along the way.
Here you'll find books about recovery, faith, family, and everyday living, along with a little humor from the front porch.
Pull up a chair, browse awhile, and I hope you find something that speaks to you.
Contagious Sobriety
Recovery That Spreads Through a Changed Life
Recovery is more than putting down a drink or walking away from addiction. It's about discovering a new way of living, finding hope, and allowing the changes in your own life to encourage others.
Contagious Sobriety explores the power of faith, personal transformation, and the kind of recovery that reaches beyond ourselves and touches the lives of others.
Rise and Shine — A 365-Day Devotional
Every new morning is a gift from God, another opportunity to grow in faith, find renewed strength, and walk a little closer with Him. Rise and Shine is a 365-day devotional filled with encouragement, biblical wisdom, and practical reflections for everyday living. Written in a warm, down-to-earth style, Gary W. Clardy invites readers to begin each day with gratitude, hope, and a willingness to trust God's guidance. Whether you're facing life's struggles or celebrating its blessings, these daily reflections remind us that God's grace is sufficient, His mercies are new every morning, and there's always a reason to rise and shine.
Stay Willing — One Day at a Time Recovery Devotional
Recovery is a journey of faith, surrender, and learning to take life one day at a time. Stay Willing offers daily encouragement, spiritual reflection, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking freedom from addiction and a closer walk with God. Drawing on the principles of recovery and the power of God's grace, Gary W. Clardy reminds readers that lasting change doesn't require perfection—only a willing heart and the courage to take the next right step. Each day brings a fresh opportunity to grow, heal, and discover that with God's help, we never have to walk the road alone.
A Christian 12-Step Recovery Journey
Recovery is more than breaking free from addiction—it's about discovering a new way of living through faith, honesty, surrender, and God's transforming grace. A Christian 12-Step Recovery Journey brings together the time-tested principles of the Twelve Steps and the spiritual foundation of biblical teaching. Through reflection, personal examination, and practical application, readers are encouraged to confront life's struggles, strengthen their relationship with God, and experience the freedom that comes from lasting change. Whether beginning recovery or continuing a lifelong journey, this book offers encouragement to keep growing, one step and one day at a time.
The Healing Room — Leader's Edition
Healing begins when people come together in an atmosphere of honesty, compassion, faith, and God's grace. The Healing Room — Leader's Edition is a 52-week Christian recovery and spiritual growth guide designed to help teachers, ministry leaders, and small-group facilitators lead meaningful discussions and encourage lasting transformation. With biblical foundations, practical teaching guidance, and thoughtful discussion opportunities, this companion to the Participant Edition helps leaders create a welcoming place where people can share their struggles, discover hope, and grow in their relationship with God. More than a recovery program, The Healing Room is an invitation to experience the power of fellowship, accountability, and God's healing love.
The Healing Room — Participant's Edition
Everyone carries wounds, struggles, and burdens that can seem too heavy to bear alone. The Healing Room — Participant's Edition offers a 52-week journey of Christian recovery, spiritual growth, and personal healing through the transforming power of God's grace. Rooted in biblical principles and the importance of honest fellowship, this study encourages participants to examine their lives, strengthen their faith, and discover freedom from the things that hold them back. Designed for individual reflection or small-group participation, The Healing Room provides a welcoming path toward hope, accountability, renewed purpose, and a closer relationship with God. Healing is a journey, and nobody has to walk it alone.
Mind Your Own Broom — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Some of life's best lessons come with a little laughter and a whole lot of common sense. In Mind Your Own Broom, Gary W. Clardy serves up a helping of down-home humor, practical wisdom, and everyday observations about the trouble we get into when we're too busy sweeping somebody else's porch to take care of our own. With the warmth of an old-fashioned front porch conversation, this book reminds us that life gets a whole lot simpler when we learn to mind our own business, take responsibility for our choices, and leave other folks' messes alone. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a cup of coffee, and enjoy a little wisdom worth remembering.
How Many Calories Did That Thinking Burn? — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Ever spend so much time thinking about something that you wore yourself out without accomplishing a thing? In How Many Calories Did That Thinking Burn?, Gary W. Clardy takes a humorous look at overthinking, worrying, second-guessing, and the everyday foolishness that keeps our minds running in circles. Filled with down-home observations, common sense, and a healthy dose of front porch humor, this book reminds us that sometimes the best solution is to quit wearing out our brains and just do the next right thing. Pull up a chair, relax a spell, and discover that a little laughter might be the best exercise of all.
God's My Boss... Who's Yours? — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Everybody answers to somebody, whether they realize it or not. In God's My Boss... Who's Yours?, Gary W. Clardy blends down-home humor, Christian faith, and a lifetime of practical experience to explore what happens when we stop trying to run the whole show and let God take the lead. With a little front porch storytelling and plenty of common sense, this book invites readers to examine their priorities, loosen their grip on things they can't control, and discover the freedom that comes from trusting the One who really knows what He's doing. It's a lighthearted reminder that life runs a whole lot better when we remember who's in charge. Pull up a chair—there's room for everybody on this porch.
Say What You Mean (And Mean What You Say) — Front Porch Wisdom Series
There's a lot to be said for plain talk, honest intentions, and keeping your word. In Say What You Mean (And Mean What You Say), Gary W. Clardy shares a little down-home wisdom about communication, integrity, and the trouble we create when our words and actions don't line up. With front porch humor, everyday observations, and lessons learned from a lifetime of dealing with people, this book reminds us that honesty doesn't have to be harsh, kindness doesn't require pretending, and a person's word ought to mean something. Pull up a chair and enjoy a little common sense about speaking clearly, listening carefully, and living like you mean what you say.
Don't Sleep Under the Bird Cage — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Some lessons in life are learned through experience, while others are better learned by watching what happens to somebody else! In Don't Sleep Under the Bird Cage, Gary W. Clardy serves up another helping of down-home humor, practical wisdom, and common sense about the choices we make and the consequences we sometimes overlook. With the easygoing spirit of a front porch conversation, this book reminds us that trouble often comes with plenty of warning signs—we just have to pay attention. Filled with laughter, everyday observations, and lessons worth remembering, it's a friendly reminder to use the good sense God gave us and avoid standing where life's little surprises are likely to land. Pull up a chair, but be careful where you sit!
Quit Stirring the Pot — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Life has enough trouble without somebody constantly stirring up another batch! In Quit Stirring the Pot, Gary W. Clardy serves up a generous helping of down-home humor, practical wisdom, and common sense about the unnecessary drama we create when we meddle, gossip, hold grudges, or just can't leave well enough alone. With the warmth of a front porch conversation and the perspective of a lifetime of lessons learned, this book reminds us that peace often begins when we put down the spoon, mind our own business, and let things settle. Pull up a chair, enjoy a little laughter, and remember—sometimes the smartest thing you can do is quit stirring the pot!
Don't Get Hit by a Train — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Some troubles in life sneak up on us, while others come roaring down the tracks with the whistle blowing! In Don't Get Hit by a Train, Gary W. Clardy shares a humorous collection of down-home wisdom, practical observations, and life lessons about recognizing the obvious before it runs us over. With a little common sense, a healthy dose of laughter, and the perspective of someone who's seen a few trains coming, this book reminds us that wisdom isn't always about knowing what to do—sometimes it's simply knowing when to get out of the way. Pull up a chair, enjoy the stories, and remember: when you see a train coming, don't stand on the tracks arguing about the timetable!
Don't Miss the Obvious — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Sometimes life's greatest lessons are hiding in plain sight. In Don't Miss the Obvious, Gary W. Clardy shares a collection of down-home wisdom, gentle humor, and practical observations about the simple truths we often overlook while searching for complicated answers. Drawing on everyday experiences and a lifetime of lessons learned, this book reminds us that common sense isn't always common, and wisdom often begins with paying attention to what's right in front of us. With the easygoing warmth of a front porch conversation, Gary encourages readers to slow down, look around, and appreciate the lessons life has been trying to teach us all along. Pull up a chair—you might discover that the answer you've been searching for was there the whole time.
Not My Beez Wax (You Handle Yours) — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Everybody's got a little business to tend to, but some folks seem determined to take care of everybody else's first! In Not My Beez Wax (You Handle Yours), Gary W. Clardy serves up another helping of down-home humor, practical wisdom, and good old-fashioned common sense about knowing when to get involved and when to leave well enough alone. Through lighthearted observations and lessons learned from everyday life, Gary reminds readers that peace often comes from recognizing what belongs to us, what belongs to somebody else, and what we ought to leave in God's hands. Pull up a chair, enjoy a good laugh, and remember—life gets a whole lot sweeter when we tend to our own beez wax!
Just Do the Next Right Thing — Front Porch Wisdom Series
Life can get mighty complicated when we try to figure out everything at once. In Just Do the Next Right Thing, Gary W. Clardy shares a lifetime of down-home wisdom, practical encouragement, and gentle humor about facing life's challenges one decision at a time. Whether we're dealing with uncertainty, disappointment, difficult choices, or simply trying to make sense of another ordinary day, the answer is often simpler than we think. We don't have to see the whole road ahead or have every problem figured out. Sometimes all God asks is that we take the next step in faith, do what's right in front of us, and trust Him with the rest. Pull up a chair, take a load off, and remember—you don't have to do everything today. Just do the next right thing.
The Adventures of Honey, B, and Mi — Sleepy Town
Come along on a delightful adventure with Mi, a curious little girl, and her two special friends, B the little brown bear and Honey the busy little bee! In Sleepy Town, imagination, friendship, and the simple wonders of childhood come together in a beautifully illustrated story designed to bring smiles to young readers and the grown-ups who love them. Filled with gentle humor, warmth, and colorful farmyard charm, this heartwarming tale celebrates the joy of friendship and the magic found in everyday adventures. Perfect for sharing at story time or snuggling up together before bedtime, Sleepy Town invites children into a world where even the smallest moments can become wonderful memories.
The Adventures of Honey, B, and Mi — Moving Day
Moving to a new home can be a big adventure, especially when you're little and everything around you is changing! In Moving Day, Mi and her lovable friends, B the little brown bear and Honey the busy little bee, discover that saying goodbye to familiar places can be difficult, but new beginnings bring wonderful possibilities. Through colorful illustrations, gentle storytelling, and the warmth of friendship, this delightful children's book explores the excitement, uncertainty, and joy of starting somewhere new. Perfect for young readers and families experiencing changes of their own, Moving Day reminds us that home isn't just a place—it's where love, friendship, and happy memories grow.