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Jan Coleman has cut to the core of our wounds with "After the Locusts:Restoring Ruined Dreams, Reclaiming Wasted Years". I anticipated using this book as a companion piece to daily Bible study over several weeks. Instead, I read it in 4 days, absorbing, underlining and taking notes before deciding to share it with a friend. Now, I need to buy several more copies for friends who are hurting in ways that "After the Locusts" helps.

Jan reels us in with real life stories of women experiencing the kinds of hurts and tragedies that are familiar to us all. She reminds us that, with a focus on God's truth and love, we can discover wisdom in our ruined dreams for healthier, more joyful lives. To help us move through our pain and regrets, Jan provides story after story to prove that truly trusting God means believing that His purpose is greater than our loss.

In spite of loss, trust God anyway. In spite of loss, love the Lord anyway. In spite of loss, praise His Majesty anyway. These are pieces of beauty that underscore the message of "After the Locusts". Jan reminds each of us that we are not alone in our sadness, our worry, or our grief. All of us have our sufferings. But God created each one of us lovingly and uniquely and desires that we come to him faithfully. And Jan Coleman gives us practical strategies for achieving just that. However, her strategies are grounded in the truths of Scripture.

It is a joy to have the wisdom of "After the Locusts" on my
heart. Between times of loaning it to friends, the book will be a valuable resource in my library.

As one who has had a life full of locusts (both during and after times), I have to say Jan's book is a wonderful resource.
She has an easy-to-read style that makes it fun to focus on these biblical principles that will get everyone through hard times.
I love Jan's way of speaking to the reader and not down. Her own life story is woven in with other stories and, more importantly, with Bible truths. I especially liked the epilogue. These two pages bring everything together as an easily explained reference.

Thank you, Jan, for your openness and the love of Christ you so generously shared with your readers. I will certainly tell others in our church and my ministry about After the Locusts.

Jan has words of wisdom in this book. Wish I would have read it while I was in the midst of some of my turmoil as I might have made some different choices & saved myself additional heartache. Provides a sense of hope for broken dreams and promises. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has suffered ever so slightly or like in my case again & again & again. I find it very soothing to know I am not the only one who has suffered, it is a form of therapy to relate to others in this way. Would be a great gift for a friend in need.

"Bitter Pills" is the real-life version of "Strong Medicine" by Arthur Hailey. With a very personal beginning resulting from his wife's near death and slow recovery from taking ONE PILL (Floxin), author Fried went on to find whether there were other victims (many), and why the drug was approved in the first place. Interviews in profusion show why the FDA has its problems. Examples are given of the tendency of drug companies to defend their drugs at any cost regardless of evidence. The end of the book contains addresses of many drug companies, organizations to whom to report adverse drug reactions, and a sample form to send to the FDA. Well thought-out advice for patients (or their helpmates) to investigate drugs are given. A number of other good books on the subject are listed.
Fried is to be congratulated for doing a very accurate job with a minimum number of accusations. I did not find a single technical error in the entire book, and I have about 12 years exploratory drug development and teaching about it as a professor of medicinal chemistry.
Even Fried may not have realized how many drugs not discussed in his book shorten life, because they are tested and accepted based on surrogate endpoints for short periods. This may not be so bad for antibiotics that are taken for two weeks, but can be very destructive for drugs intended to be taken for 20-40 years.

Five cheers! Have you ever taken a prescription drug? Has your doctor ever given you free samples and said, "Let's try this; it's new." Fried takes his wife's severe neuropsychiatric reaction to a new antibiotic as the jumping off point for a spell-binding review of the US drug approval process. I have some first-hand knowledge of the process, and found the book to be right on target (with a quibble over his account of his own emergency department visit). The book is especially timely this year, given the recent withdrawals of dexfenfluramine, fenfluramine, mibefradil, and bromfenac from the market,the growing realization of the dangers of troglitazone, and the push to force the FDA to move more quickly on drug approvals. Mr. Fried is to be commended for this stellar piece of work! We all send regards to his wife, Diane.

I didn't know about Stephen Fried and "Bitter Pills," much less quinolone antibiotics, until I myself was, like Mr. Fried's wife, "Floxed," just a few weeks ago. I began my search for information on reactions to quinolones after four days of gatifloxacin (brandname Tequin) left me with tingling and weak arms and legs, difficulty swallowing and breathing, visual disturbances, headaches, dizziness, and more. I seriously thought I had a stroke or Guillain Barre syndrome or rapid onset multiple sclerosis, I was so sick.

Let me say that first, Stephen Fried's book is an excellent overview of the circumstances of adverse drug reactions to quinolone antibiotics. And with the increased visibility and use of Cipro, and the ease with which doctors dispense heavy-hitting antibiotics like Levaquin and Tequin, I'm sure I'm not going to be the last person to suffer a reaction and end up being "Floxed" and needing the information and reassurance provided by this book.

But it is also much much more. It's an expose of the pharmaceutical industry's fast and loose way of dealing with drugs, drug safety and the American public. This is not a rant -- it's an impeccably researched and detailed presentation of the intricacies involved in drug approvals and tracking of adverse reactions that exposes the limitations of the system, and the dangers those limitations present to us as patients and consumers.

As a patient advocate and spokesperson for thyroid and autoimmune disease patients, I know all too well the feeling of being held hostage to big pharmaceutical companies at the expense of my health and wellness.

Stephen Fried has finally exposed and explained -- clearly and without rancor -- how the drug industry really works, and his book, including the excellent appendix on how to contact pharmaceutical companies, report adverse reactions, protect yourself against bad drugs, and generally protect yourself as a consumer -- is must-reading for every empowered patient or health consumer.

I highly recommend this book to doctors, patients, and anyone who prescribes or takes prescription drugs.

When one uses the term "sexual addiction," one must hasten to clarify that the term is not used to excuse sexual sin, but to describe a pattern of sexual misbehavior that persists despite a strong desire for purity. Those who are born again desire to do good, but many become ensnared into a pattern of physical, or at least mental, adultery. Sexual addiction is 1) a state of chemical dependency on the chemicals released in the brain during orgasm 2) a state of being bound by demons 3) a habitual, unchosen method of coping with fundamental problems in one's person. This state can be expressed in persistent patterns of: fantasizing about sex with someone besides one's spouse, masturbation, viewing pornography, extramarital sex, or illegal sexual behavior. The problem of sexual addiction, like other addictions, is worthy of study because the Church's typical answer to addiction does not set people free. In fact, a pastor who preaches and counsels people to try harder and to read their Bible, simply prays for them, or attempts to shame them into purity will reinforce the root of the addiction, not pull it out.

Sexual addiction is an out-of-control, ingrained pattern of behavior that is not broken by making promises of abstinence to oneself or by trying harder. Pastor Ted Roberts refers to sexual addiction as a noose because making promises to oneself, or getting prayer for lust to be removed, only makes the guilt stronger, which makes the behavior worse, just as a noose can be tightened by pulling against it. Roberts counsels addicts to seek help so that someone else can cut the noose. The one who cuts the noose is Jesus, but let us be careful not to oversimplify. Because Jesus does not want to remove the humanity inherent in our capacity for intimacy, he does not remove lust. Instead He gives love and forgiveness that heal the root of addiction so that body, soul, and spirit can be aligned under Him. A single person's body must experience three months of chastity, without the flush of chemicals associated with orgasm. His mind must be renewed by learning about how God views him and his problems. His spirit must be washed in the word of God by reading and memorization. The whole person must be healed. Practical, transparent accountability relationships must be established and adhered to, preferably in a small group bible study focussed on sexual addiction. Demonic strongholds must be supernaturally destroyed by spiritual warfare. The reason prayer does not usually solve sexual addiction is because demonic bondage is not the only problem- the other, time-consuming steps listed above must be taken. If we pray for demon influence over a person to be removed, the person can still invite the demon back if he has not learned to stop using sexuality to cope with life.

Roberts describes the "addictive mind set" as being unrenewed in the areas of self-esteem, believing one is unlovable and alone, and searching for sexual highs. He describes the "sexual lifestyle" as a cycle of: fantasy, followed by a ritual of behavior, followed by an attempt to muster more will power to avoid another sin, later followed by more shame and guilt, leading to more fantasy. Pastor Roberts' successful deliverance ministry has shown empirically that this noose is only cut by doing the opposite of what people expect: by removing the shame. This is accomplished by accepting Christ's forgiveness, by gaining pride that the Christian addict cares enough to confront his own behavior, by putting faith in the work that Christ is doing in His bride to make her without spot or wrinkle. Roberts describes the "addictive cloak" as the isolation resulting from denial, delusion, and blame. Accountability relationships remove the addictive cloak. Roberts describes the root of addiction as family dysfunction (especially lack of a healthy, strong, relationship between child and father), personal trauma (notably sexual abuse), and exposure to an addicting society.

I hope it is clear that this approach to deliverance is not a modern fad. One hundred years ago, what Roberts calls "cutting the noose," Hudson Taylor's daughter called "Hudson Taylor's spiritual secret."

One of my seminary counseling teachers wanted to make Pure Desire required reading during the Fall 2001 semester, but had read it too late to include it in our class reading list. Her strong recommendation of this book made me want to read it ASAP, and I managed to fit it in between my regular course reading. It was definitely worth the free time I had to sacrifice in order to read it. Suffice to say, Pure Desire is one of the best books on healing sexual addiction that I've ever read. I can say that because I've been able to personally investigate the book's background and apply its truths to my own life, since I live very close to Ted Roberts' church in Gresham, Oregon.

In addition to reading the book, I attended Dr. Roberts' three-day Pure Desire Seminar, which is intended for pastors who want to start a ministry for sexual addicts in their own churches. During the seminar, I (and others) directly questioned Dr. Roberts and his staff about their methods, theology, etc. Their answers backed up what I read in the book, and my interaction with them showed me their genuine desire to see people healed from the bondage of sexual addiction. Finally, I visited one of their For Men Only (FMO) sexual addiction healing groups as part of my seminary internship, and I found it so helpful for my own struggles that I have stayed with it for almost nine months and counting.

Basically, I have found the methods and ideas presented in the book to actually work in real life. For example, one of the main healing strategies Dr. Roberts advocates is to become part of a small group where men can "confess [their] trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that [they] may be healed (James 4:7)." I have seen a number of men go through the FMO group I attend, and there seem to be two types. First, there are the ones who know they have a problem (usually because they have gotten into trouble due to their addiction), but are not really ready to deal with it. These men tend to stay for awhile, and then leave the group to go back to their addiction. Second, there are the ones who have truly hit bottom and are willing to persevere on the long road to healing. It is these men who are honest with their struggles, and therefore they avoid such traps as rationalizing and compartmentalizing their addiction. Sure, we all take turns with discouragement and despair, and lapses do occur. But when others are there to lovingly bear the burden and provide accountability, it helps us get through the valley and go back up the mountainside. Of all the small groups I've been in over the years, this one has by far been the best for my own personal healing. Therefore, I can vouch firsthand for Dr. Roberts' exhortation to avoid the trap of isolation (which makes it easy to act out) by becoming part of a healthy group situation.

I believe that the central theme of Pure Desire is the restoration of healthy, loving, and holy relationships with God, self, and others. Sexual addiction is a symptom of a deeper relational problem. It is a sinful solution to a real desire for intimacy on the part of the addict. Pure Desire presents a way out of this trap that works if you really want to follow it. No, its not easy or quick, because true healing in this area takes time. And to be honest, it can be difficult to find help for this issue due to the closed-minded attitude of some churches toward sexual issues and problems. But it is possible, because I have found Christians willing to help, and over time I have observed healing gradually taking place in myself and others. If you are struggling with sexual addiction, you need to read this book (and others like it) and get help. You can pay now by owing up to your problem and getting on the road to healing, or you can pay later with your marriage, your reputation, or even your life. It's up to you, man.

I am so pleased to recommend this book. You are well advised to purchase a copy. Throughout the book, Ted Roberts DOES talk about sexual temptations and sin. For this, I was very grateful, as I needed a resource to help me with my counselling, that was comprehensive, Biblical, and practical. However, best of all, this book is for people who have "have repented innumerable times and tried with everything they have to follow Christ," and "have tried to remedy the situation by being more determined and spiritual, but it didn't work," (p. 26,27). Sound familiar?

I read Beauty by the Book. It was a very inspirational book. So much so that I am buying copies for my friends to read. Nancy Stafford explains through scripture, prayer and her own life experiences; how we should see ourselves the way that God sees us. Each chapter in this book gives inspiration about how beautiful we really are. I believe that every woman should read this book.

I am not a Christian, but I found much to identify with as a woman in Beauty by the Book. This is a must-read for women of all faiths -- for any and all women who ever asked: Am I pretty enough? Am I smart enough? Am I good enough? Nancy Stafford shows us that the answer is a resounding YES once we learn to look beyond the exterior face and body the world sees, and focus on the inner beauty that lies within each and every one of us.

I heard Nancy speak on Focus on the Family and I immediately identified with her. I have struggled for many years with many of the same issues that Nancy discusses with such honesty in this book. I've come to realize that I'm not alone and that these types of struggles can be overcome. I appreciate Nancy's honesty and transparency about her own struggles. I still have a long way to go, but this book has given me hope that there IS light at the end of the tunnel. This book is for any woman who has ever struggled with these types of issues. This book touched me deeply and I cried many times as I read. A life changing and powerful book.

This book was recommended by a doctor at my company (insurance, no less!). I have just started reading it, but especially appreciate how various alternative approaches are grouped together under specific illnesses/problems. Very helpful in trying to decide which way to go. Complete with "next steps" in pursuing the approach of your choice. Looking forward to deeper study in connection with my own and my family's general health and chronic conditions. Worth the bucks. The book you should start with in researching holistic and alternative medicines.

Packed with tons of useful information, this book seems to have something on everything. Everyone I have shown the book to has marveled at its content, and the way it presents all the information in an unbiased manner.

This book deals with information which can be hard to acquire. The contemporary medical establishment is well entrenched in its ways, but we all "know" there are other therapies and cures out there, but where do we find out about them? This book is the answer!

"Alternative Medicine" does not endeavor to go into full detail about any of the therapies and treatments presented. Rather, it provides a valuable starting point at which to begin your serach for information on how to cure yourself or a loved one.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who needs a comprehensive reference volume for medical maladies and their cures.

This has to be one of the most useful books on alternative medicine ever published, and now it's been completely updated and revised in 2002. Instead of getting just one doctor's perspective, you get the experiences of over 400 physicians. Whether you want to learn more about acupuncture, applied kinesiology, and other therapies or need to look up the treatments for a particular health problem, this is the book to go to first. Highly recommended!

It may be impossible to write a survival book that is accurate and authoritative on all environments and all areas of the world, and this is something to keep in mind when purchasing a general survival book, especially a condensed one like the Gem Survival Guide. For the most part, it's quite good and gives excellent information on outdoors survival in most temperate climates. HOWEVER, one place the book does fall down is in areas like jungle and desert survival. There is little specialized information for those environments, ESPECIALLY important topics like navigation, first aid, water collection, and animal/plant information, and what there is can be dangerously vague. For those interested in jungle or desert survival I would definitely recommend other specialized books like Adventure Travel in the Third World by Jeff Randall or The Ultimate Desert Handbook by Mark Johnson, which do a much, much better job at covering those areas.

With store shelves overloaded by "SAS" books it's unfortunate that this little, uh, Gem can be lost in that crowd. The original format was more like a coffee table book, but for practical purposes this chunky, compact edition is not only the most convenient of those available, it is also arguably the best on the market.
The manual itself is comprehensive, clearly written and with clear (if sometimes limited) illustrations, including a useful colour section; and here the colour is used for more than mere decoration as it provides essential additional information in identifying plants and animals. There is no philosophical description here, little room for the romance of the wild or the ethics of surviving. Instead, "Lofty" Wiseman's guide is a direct parcel of solid information aimed solely at keeping you alive in the worst of situations. Campers and outdoorsmen will find some interesting and useful sections here, but it requires a degree of knowledge and experience to sift them from those which simply must not be used outside of an emergency. This is a fascinating book to dip into, and doubtless most purchasers treat it as such, but it is also an exceptionally effective, reliable and well-crafted source of possibly vital information.

The SAS survival guide, is, one of the best survival guides I have ever read in my life. As a Boy Scout, I should know. It packs loads of information into a small, compact book. I would recommend it for anyone who likes the outdoors and wants to learn more about nature.

As busy as women's lives are, we often put two very important things on the back burner - praying and doing something to keep ourselves physically fit. In "PrayerWalk" the author shows us how we can combine these two and not just make time for God, but make meeting with Him in prayer a daily priority in our lives. McHenry walks us through her own and others' experiences, presenting a lot of great ideas for taking the concept of prayerwalking and making it ours. She encourages us not to just follow a cookie cutter recipe for fitness and prayer time, but to seek God and His design for those areas of our lives.

This inspiring book would be a wonderful addition to your personal collection or a great gift to a friend or a church library. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND it for anyone wishing to strengthen their walk with the Lord while strengthening their bodies.

This book is amazing! Every Christian woman who wants a more vibrant prayer life and a healthier body should read this book!

The first thing that impressed me when I started reading PrayerWalk was that the author was very honest and made herself very vulnerable in telling about how she was feeling about herself and about life before she started prayerwalking. That really helped me to identify with her. She wasn't one of those women who have their act together in every area of their lives.

And for those of you who think that the weather in your area isn't conducive to walking outside, you can read about the weather conditions in Janet's northern California mountain valley community. The temperatures there are below freezing from September through April!

For those of you who don't think you have time to prayerwalk, consider that the author has a full-time job as a high-school English teacher as well as her responsibilities of being wife and mother. Janet walks at 5am every weekday, and it's usually dark.

She's had some interesting encounters - from a mountain lion to drug dealers. Janet had planned on praying for her own spiritual growth and for her family members and friends. As she walked, she expanded her prayer list to include many others in the town in which she lives - she prays for businesses she walks by, government buildings and what goes on inside, and so much more. I found this both humbling and exciting to see how God can lead you when you embark on this new endeavor of prayerwalking!

I read this book in 24 hours. After I read the first 70 pages or so, I put the book down, grabbed my jacket and went for a 30 minute PrayerWalk! Using the author's formula, I figured that my target heart rate is between 85 and 129. I enjoy contemporary Christian music, so I took my DiscMan along and the words of the music helped me form my prayers. Does anyone else do this?

Please check out my reviews of other Christian books and music!

In Prayerwalk, Janet offers encouragement, inspiration, Biblical support, and productive fitness helps to challenge anyone's health and prayer life. Janet doesn't have to persuade you to change your spiritual disciplines--her example gently but convincingly nudges you in the right direction. She covers it all: the necessary spiritual, physical, and mental tips for growing deeper in this vital exercise and privilege of prayer.

I am the proud father of the first girl born into my family in over two hundred years. With 13 males alive in my immediate family I had ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE on how to raise a daughter. What do I do with someone I can't wrestle with, or take to football games, or teach how to use power tools? This book was wonderful to me because it gave me the insight and confidence to become a great "Daddy" to my little girl. It highlights the differences and similarities between sons and daughters and gave me the knowledge to raise a wonderful and trusting girl. Thank You Robert! For giving all us first time Fathers of little girls not only a clue, but a workable plan as well.

As I move through my journey of raising my daughter this book came at a wonderful time. The author knew the joys of raising two daughters and provided many, many pieces of practical advice on loving, providing guidance, and establishing a warm, safe and structured environment in which to raise one's daughter.

I look forward to sharing the book with others lucky enough to be the father of a daughter (or two).

This book has the nice manly theme of "building a daughter" and uses building analogies frequently. It starts out by admitting that for most all of us, we can honestly say, "I'd rather start a project than finish it." But in the project of building a well rounded daughter, we must keep up our work and finish well. Seven main areas are covered: Protection, Conversation, Affection, Discipline, Laughter, Faith, and Conduct. There are many stories from the author's experience of raising two girls, which are sometimes instructive. Each chapter ends with a "builder's checklist" that summarizes the main points, which is good for later review.

On a few occasions the principles seemed a bit simplistic, but then again, this is a book written to men, and we can be quite dense sometimes when it comes to relating to women, even (or perhaps especially) the "little women" that are in the life of a father. Due to the broad nature of the books scope, some topics are only covered very briefly, which is understandable.

This is of course written from a Christian perspective, and although the only Scripture is in last chapter, the principles of the book are based on many biblical principles. The discussion questions at the end are quite brief, but could be interesting if you could actually get a group of dads together to discuss them. The book is a quick read and very practical, just what Dad's need. If all dads in our society tried to apply these principles, our culture would be radically different.

Stu Weber's writing indicates that he is a man - a true man - a man like God intended man to be. I always knew in my heart what I am looking for in a partner. However, after reading Tender Warrior I can actually put words to those thoughts having the confidence that what I am writing is not a 'hairy fairy' thing but qualities based on God's own character. I have come out of this reading experience with a better assurance that I will be able to more quickly realize if I should invest in a particular friendship with the view that this person could be my partner for life. I recommend this book to every woman, married or single. Thanks Stu for your openess, honesty and desire to impart to others.

If you really want to know how to be a real man, read this book. Weber goes right to the biblical principles of how Jesus Christ set the mold for us to follow. The book outlines the roles a man must play during his life's walk and how those roles are intermingled with one another. How a real man is one who is a devoted father, husband, and friend. One who depends on Jesus Christ, the greatest man of all, for his counseling. You want to know what macho is, read the book! I'm using it right now for my men's ministry in my church and I can't keep them on the shelf. It's an awesome book to use for a Men's Sunday School or for a Men's class Thursday nights. Great job Stu!

This book has been a very inspirational tool and a guiding light for how I strive to live as a man of Christ. Drawn from the Word, Stu Weber writes about manhood. Not the manhood under attack today on TV and in the media, but the real Godly truth. He proves and speaks of the responsibility given to man by God, and all the roles that we play while upon the earth. You will have goosebumps from cover to cover and in the end, you will challenge yourself to be the man you know you are meant to be. Tender Warrior will become a cornerstone in you Christian library.

While this guide has good, scientifically and Biblically-valid things to say about evolution, it is tainted by scientifically and Biblically unsound teaching about geology and the age of the earth.

Young Earthism is an "ism" that makes schisms! The Prebyterian Church in America (PCA) - arguably the most conservative fundamentalist denomination in America outside of a few "King James Onlyist" pseudo-Baptist groups - recently released a report noting that Young Earth theory has no scientific support and that Biblical support for the position is ruefully lacking. The Chicago Council on Biblical Inerrancy - a gathering of Christian leaders from all over the world - concluded that young earthism is not warranted by the Biblical text. Young Earth societies like the Institute for Creation Research stand outside of the orthodox stream of evangelical Christianity (in addition to young earthism, they promote numerology, a form of Christianized astrology called "the gospel in the stars," and many other silly ideas) and should be ignored.

Fortunately, there are scientifically and Biblically sound alternatives. Check out anything from Reasons to Believe, or a great booklet by a couple of guys named Bruce and Stan. ("Bruce and Stan's Guide to Creation," or something to that effect.) Ignore anything with a young earth bent. If you're getting Young Earthism, you aren't getting Scripture.

In his calm and simple manner, Gary Parker lays out a well-written overview of the evidence for creation. He intersperses the examination of the scientific evidence for creation with brief anecdotes about how he gradually gave up his own belief in evolution. Parker outlines the complexities of life that are unsatisfactorily explained (if at all) by evolutionary theory. Evidence from molecular biology, gross anatomy, genetics, mutation and selection, fossils, and geology are compared from an both evolutionary and creation standpoint. An important feature of this book for new readers to the creation/evolution controversy is the discussion of scientific data that creationists and evolutionists agree upon, yet how certain explanations differ. His non-aggresive approach will even allow skeptics to give fair consideration to the evidence without feeling attacked. Parker also shows important contradictions among evolutionists that witness to the weakening of some long-held theories. This book is a great introductory read!

After reviewing and reading a number of books on creation vs. evolution, I chose this one as a "textbook" for a class on the subject. The book is short and easy-to-read. Parker writes clearly, succinctly, and convincingly. If you ever thought that science had all the facts, and creationists had all the faith, you may discover the roles are reversed!