by Deborah H.Perhaps you’ve noticed a trend lately in Christian literature. In addition to publishing full length books, publishers are also coming out with their new “series” books – publishing shorter, easy-to-read booklets designed to help struggling Christians navigate life’s complicated issues.
Day One Publishing, out of London, England, has come out with what they’re calling the “Living in a Fallen World” series. By the end of February, 2012, there will be 22 booklets in this series. Each one is about 60 pages long, with four short chapters plus a conclusion, followed by personal application projects. Each one boldly proclaims the gospel and would be appropriate to give to unbelievers, even though most are geared toward suffering Christians.
Instead of reviewing all 22 books, I thought I might write a short synopsis of my favorites. Since I have written two books in this series, I’ll begin and end with those.
Help! Someone I Love Has Cancer, by Deborah Howard. This is not especially for those who have struggled with cancer for years. It is written for newly diagnosed patients, those who don’t yet understand the lingo and who need a short, clear tutorial on cancer. The first and last chapters provide the theological comfort and perspective people need when they find that someone they love has cancer. But the middle two chapters are very practical and informative, dealing with the questions of what cancer is, how it spreads, what the stages of cancer are, treatment options, and prognosis. It’s hard to walk along this journey with someone you love, but it is my prayer that this little book can help you along the way.
Help! I’m Drowning in Debt, by Dr. John Temple. For those seeking valuable, practical information about money management, this is a terrific little booklet. Dr. Temple is clear and concise in his analysis of why people get into debt and offers practical, measurable solutions on how they can get out of it. I like the way he uses Scripture in this book, utilizing appropriate verses in their proper context to accentuate the principles he proposes. Whether you’re drowning in debt or just want to learn more about sensibly managing your money, you’ll appreciate this one.
Help! Someone I Love Has Been Abused, by Jim Newheiser. This booklet is sensitively written, not only to those who love someone who has been violated, but for the ones who went through the ordeal themselves. He does a masterful job of coming alongside the abused, then spiritually leading them past the hurt, the loss, the sense of guilt and into freedom. His last chapter says it all: “How Victims can become Overcomers.” I found this book very poignant, with a great use of relevant Scriptural principles.
Help! My Marriage Has Grown Cold, by Rick Thomas. A common heartache among Christian people is that sometimes a union that begins with such warmth and intensity of emotion can drift into an uncomfortable relationship becoming increasingly chilly and unsatisfying. It’s not that you don’t love each other, but that your love has grown cold. Again, this helpful booklet uses Scripture beautifully as the author finds you where you are and helps you rediscover the warmth in your marriage, especially if you actually take advantage of the personal application projects.
Help! I Have Breast Cancer, by Brenda Frields. Whereas my cancer book deals in a clinical way with the issues of cancer, Brenda Frields, a breast cancer survivor herself, takes a more personal approach. I found her warmth, sensitivity, practicality, theological soundness, and writing style very appealing. She doesn’t address breast cancer itself as much as the experience of going through the scary, dark times trying to keep Biblical perspectives in mind. She describes what it takes to demonstrate to a watching world how to maintain a godly attitude even when life gets tough.
Help! My Toddler Rules the House, by Paul & Karen Tautges. As parents of ten children, Paul and Karen know what they’re talking about. In our society, we find too many parents, even in Christian homes, allowing the children to rule their households. Yet God did not give this authority to the kids, but to the parents. This book carefully reminds the reader just who the boss is supposed to be, and describes what that leadership looks like in a peaceful, orderly, God-centered household. Very helpful!
Help! My Spouse Has Been Unfaithful, by Mike Summers. This booklet takes an example of an unfaithful wife and the struggles the husband wrestled with in recognizing and then implementing godly responses to this heartbreaking situation. The author, as counselor, uses the Bible as the source of comfort, pointing out Biblical principles that enabled this husband, and by extension the readers, to overcome the pain of this most intimate betrayal. Not every situation will have the same ending, but every situation can benefit from the application of these Biblical pointers.
Help! Someone I Love Has Alzheimer’s, by Deborah Howard and Judy Howe. I’m treating my books as bookends of these favorites. This one deals with the baffling, frustrating, heart-rending topic of helping someone you love through the battleground of Alzheimer’s disease. In clear, understandable language, it teaches about Alzheimer’s and describes the warning signs and the progression of the disease, as well as providing practical, helpful suggestions for managing the care of a dementia patient. With our aging population, we will see more and more of this devastating illness, so I pray this book will be intensely helpful to all.
The other booklets in the series are helpful, as well, some more than others. And, at $3.50 each, they are inexpensive enough to buy multiples to have on hand as a helpful gift when someone you know is going through tough times.
A couple of the booklets aimed at defeating some sin or other seem to leave the idea that the solution to these problems is salvation, and do not provide much help for believers suffering under the bondage of sin. But most of the others are fine booklets.
The only one I cannot recommend is Help! My Baby Has Died, by Reggie Weems. I did not find this helpful and in some ways the comfort it seeks to provide is not Biblical, and the passages used do not support his claims.
I haven’t read the new booklets due for release in February, but of the existing ones, feel free to ask me about any specific ones in which you are interested.
Here is the complete listing of titles:
Help! Someone I Love Has Cancer, by Deborah Howard
Help! My Baby Has Died, by Reggie Weems
Help! My Spouse Has Been Unfaithful, by Mike Summers
Help! I Have Breast Cancer, by Brenda Frields
Help! My Marriage Has Grown Cold, by Rick Thomas
Help! He’s Struggling with Pornography, by Brian Croft
Help! My Toddler Rules the House, by Paul and Karen Tautges
Help! Someone I Love Has Been Abused, by Jim Newheiser
Help! I Can’t Get Motivated, by Adam Embry
Help! I’m a Single Mom, by Carol Trahan
Help! I’m a Slave to Food, by Shannon McCoy
Help! I’m Confused about Dating, by Joel James
Help! I’m Drowning in Debt, by Dr. John Temple
Help! My Teen is Gay, by Ben Marshall
Help! My Teen is Rebellious, by Dave and Judi Coats
Help! She’s Struggling with Pornography, by Rachel Coyle
Help! I Am Depressed, by Carol Trahan
Help! I’m Living with Terminal Illness, by Reggie Weems
Help! I Feel Ashamed, by Sue Nicewander
Help! I Can’t Submit to My Husband, by Glenda Hotton
Help! Someone I Love has Alzheimer’s, by Deborah Howard and Judy Howe
Help! I Can’t Handle All these Trials, by Joel James
Help! I Can’t Forgive, by Jim Newcomer
