 Communicating grace   Squeezing Good Out of Bad James N. Watkins XarisCom 2009 Trade size (6x9) 112 pages ISBN: 978-0-578-01006-9 Life is filled with lemons! So here are top ten ways to squeeze the good out of those life-puckering situations. And James Watkins is a great guide since he's felt the squeeze of cancer, unemployment, family crises and chronic nose hair. Join him on the journey with hope and humor. Reviews Here's what bloggers and print reviewers are saying Jim Watkins has cooked up a wonderful mix of conventional wisdom, humor, and faith to help us all through the tough times they keep warning us about on the news. Remember, the old saying, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?" Jim confirms that wisdom and suggests ten other things you can do when lemons are your lot in life. My personal favorite is: "When life gives you lemons, sell them on Ebay." Watkins is a writer, editor, conference speaker, pastor, and general threat to society (by his own admission). His writing always makes me laugh out loud, and that, in itself, was one of the reasons I purchased the book. Jim has had loads of lemons delivered to his doorstep in the form of cancer, job loss, and financial difficulties. However, he has squeezed plenty of good things out of those experiences, and he shares it all with us in this funny, yet helpful, new book.
What do you do when life deals you lemons? James Watkins, columnist (and friend of Gospel.com) has a new book out that asks just that: Squeezing Good Out of Bad. The new book focuses on practical strategies for dealing with the trials and setbacks we encounter in everyday life. James has put a full chapter from the book online; it challenges us to rethink pain—and to consider that God can work through pain and tragedy to bring about good in our lives, even though it's hard to see that in the midst of our suffering. There's also a Yahoo group where you can discuss Squeezing Good Out of Bad with James and other readers.
Inspirational author Jim Watkins on 'Squeezing Good out of Bad,' also encourages unemployed Christian author James N. Watkins has this incredible way of taking wit and using it to diffuse the pain and severity of struggles such as discouragement, unemployment, serious illness (such as cancer), clinical depression, prodigal children, and a host of other difficulties, which he refers to as "lemons" throughout his book. Squeezing Good out of Bad offers 10 chapters of strategies (starting with chapter 10 so that the reader has a sense of accomplishment before ever even starting the book) for helping people to cope with life's lemons, or in some cases, life's truckload of lemons. The names of a few chapters that are sure to bring the medicine of humor to stressed out or broken hearts include: • When life gives you lemons, don't confuse them with hand grenades—identify the problem. • When life gives you lemons, check the delivery slip—determine if it's your problem • When life gives you lemons, sell them on eBay—profit from the problem • When life gives you lemons, paint smiley faces on them—laugh at the problem A few reasons why Watkins' book is so insightful, sensitive, and flat out funny are because he has first hand experience with being squeezed by cancer, the insanity and instability of the publishing industry, several surgeries, being a successful and even unsuccessful writer and conference speaker, being a magazine editor, clinical depression, the pastorate (and every pastor knows that the pastorate can be full of some of its own unique lemons), instructor at a university, unemployment, and, by God's grace, has figured out how to squeeze some good out of it all. With unemployment being the highest that it's been in over 2 decades, he is especially interested in being a blessing to those who could really benefit right now. He is offering a free copy of his book to those who are unemployed. Although, those who are employed can still purchase an electronic copy or hard copy of the book . . . which could potentially encourage Watkins. To either purchase or request a free copy, please visit: Squeezing Good out of Bad James Watkins also has a website which offers excellent free resources for dealing with difficulties such as discouragement, depression, suicidal feelings and other struggles, or you may visit his home page at www.jameswatkins.com Elizabeth Delaney, Indianapolis Examiner
My current favorite book: Full of humorous wisdom, helpful encouragement and hope from the Word. Jim Watkins is an award-winning author and inspirational/humorous speaker who captures your attention, then sets your spirit free from despair. Am I mixing metaphors? Oh, well. Just get the book and you'll agree!
"When life gives you lemons—don't confuse them with hand grenades." With that opening point, author James Watkins reveals his unique take on—well, everything in life. In his new book from XarisCom, he turns his humor and his heart to the subject of: James Watkins brings both empathy and experience to the pages. He's known the squeeze of cancer, unemployment, family crises and "chronic nose hair." With humor stirred in like a refreshing portion of lemon zest, Watkins tackles tough subjects and leaves his readers grate-ful (sorry for the pun) for his insights. James N. Watkins is a friend and colleague, and an award-winning author of fifteen books and over two thousand articles including a column each issue for Rev. magazine. He serves as an editor with Wesleyan Publishing House and instructor at Taylor University, as well as popular conference speaker. His most important roles, however, are as child of God, husband, dad, and "papaw." Read more than you'd ever want to know at: www.jameswatkins.com/bio.htm.
James Watkins has as his purpose for writing this book the same one that Peter stated as his in l Peter 5:12b NLT "My purpose for writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens." Let that sink in! It doesn't get any better than that. James does an excellent job of fulfilling that purpose. His book is a wonderful source of encouragement for making your way through life-puckering problems. I laughed and cried my way through this splendid little book of encouragement. I found it hard to put down and I think you will have the same problem. This is a book you won't want to part with but you will want to buy one for each of your friends.
Throughout the book the author will encourage you to stop and ponder on your lemons, give plenty of examples of lemons stories, help you to see the bright side of your dark days and bring a smile in your face while you read. At the end of each chapters, a small section called Some Things to Think About will help you to redirect your ways of seeing things concerning your problem at hand. And funny enough it will help you to get perspective as well.
Issa Lussier |
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