SEXUALITY
SEX AND DATING
QUESTIONS YOU WISH YOU HAD ANSWERS TO
By Mindy Meier
218 pp., Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2007, $13.00, paperback.
Brief: This book offers straightforward answers to real questions about sex and dating. Big picture questions like, "What is the purpose of sex?" are addressed, along with specific issues such as, "How far can I go before marriage?" and, "How can I know if the person I'm dating is 'the one'?". Content is accessible in a question and answer format and presented in a practical, friendly, and conversational tone. Includes biblical content and real-life illustrations and examples.
THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT TEEN AND UNPLANNED PREGNANCY
1776 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036. ph: (202) 478-8500. fax: (202) 478-8588 http://www.teenpregnancy.org/
Brief: A good resource for the latest research, statistics, and practice information on sexuality and pregnancy prevention among teens in the U.S. Offers free downloadable fact sheets, tips, and other materials, as well as resources to order by mail.
PURE INTIMACY
RECOVERING THE HEART OF SEXUALITY
Focus on the Family
http://www.pureintimacy.org/
Brief: A Christian resource offering helpful information about sexuality from a biblical perspective. Site includes a section on the "theology of sexuality" from the Bible, and sections on intimacy disorders and addictions, and homosexuality. One time free counseling and referral is available through the site.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS ANATOMICAL CHART
Anatomical Chart Company
20" x 26", Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2004, paper $8.95, laminated $16.95.
Brief: A quick and handy resource, this chart defines sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and briefly explains and labels the effects of STIs on various organs of the body. A useful table cross-references common signs and symptoms with each disease. The chart lists preventive measures to eliminate or reduce the risk of acquiring and transmitting these diseases.
PERSONAL GROWTH
SHED OR YOU'RE DEAD(R)
31 UNCONVENTIONAL STRATEGIES FOR GROWTH & CHANGE
By Kathy B. Dempsey
143 pp., Wilmington, DE: Trey, 2003, $15.95, paperback.
Review: After a personal crisis with a positive HIV diagnosis, ER nurse Kathy Dempsey woke up. She realized God had a purpose for her life and committed to remaking her life and leaving the world a better place. She discovered lizards and the fact that if they don't shed, they die. This became Dempsey's strategy for living life to the fullest.
Shed or You're Dead(R) is an unconventional book about getting rid of our "old skin" of negative habits, thoughts, and unhealthy relationships. Dempsey offers 31 strategies to help us shed, like "hallucinate!!" (visualize the future) and "eat two crickets a day!!" (do what we need to do even though it's not palatable). Through application of "lizard factoids" (i.e., how a lizard protects itself from a predator), Dempsey helps us understand how to develop a personal shedding plan. Her spokesperson "Lenny the Lizard," looking at intimidating problems less threatening.
It's easy to see why Shed or You're Dead(R) received a Writer's Digest Book Award. Dempsey's in-your-face outrageous approach helps us look at serious issues, figuring out what we need to change, and how to go about transformation. A spiral-bound Spiritual Shedding Journal ($15.95) also is available.
See the author's article, "Shed or You're Dead(R)"on page 103 of this issue of JCN.-KSS
THE ESSENTIAL JESUS
100 READINGS THROUGH THE BIBLE'S GREATEST STORY
By Whitney T. Kuniholm
199 pp., Downers Grove: IL, InterVarsity, 2007, $15.00, paperback.
Brief: Most people recognize that Jesus was highly influential and are intrigued by him; but most have not taken a closer look. This book explores who Jesus is and why he is so significant, even life-transforming. Through Old and New Testament readings one discovers why God sent Jesus, what Jesus taught, how he treated people, why he did miracles, the meaning of his death, significance of his resurrection, what the Bible says about his second coming, and more. Kuniholm offers discussion questions for personal or group use, encouraging readers to come to their own conclusion about Jesus.
MISSIONS
HANDBOOK OF MEDICINE IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
SECOND EDITION
By Dennis Palmer and Catherine Wolf
458 pp., Bristol, TN: Christian Medical & Dental Association, 2002, $20.00, paperback.
Review: This handbook is for the clinician in a developing country. Written by two physicians, it contains an alphabetical listing of conditions ranging from infectious disease to chronic conditions. The authors take an approach similar to the Merck Manual, outlying the diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment plan for different conditions. The book is a good resource for any healthcare provider wishing to understand various conditions in detail.
The infectious disease section in the first 30 pages, offers a great resource for those traveling or working in tropical areas. For example, there is a detailed description of malaria (15 pages) including symptoms, complications, and treatment. More specifically, the difference between simple, resistant, and severe malaria and factors to consider when treating malaria are addressed. Many other conditions are discussed in equal depth.
Both authors have had experience in overseas missions. Palmer worked at Banso Baptist Hospital in Cameroon and Wolf worked in Haiti at the Hospital of Light. Although the book is very thorough, it is most useful for clinicians who plan to go on overseas ministry trips to an established medical clinic. For the nurse/healthcare worker going on a trip to a remote setting with little resources available, this book is probably not as practical as the text is more useful as a reference book in a hospital/clinic type setting.-Kristene Diggins, MSN, FNP-C Jaars Healthservices, Waxhaw, NC
EVANGELISM
REIMAGINING EVANGELISM
INVITING FRIENDS ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
By Rick Richardson
173 pp., Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2006, $12.00, paperback.
Review: Do you ever feel the work of evangelism is like making a sales pitch and trying to "close the deal?" If so, this book is for you. Richardson helps us rethink the idea of "selling" the gospel, reimagining faith sharing as inviting people on a journey where we develop relationships, listen, and become a part of each other's lives. Rather than being manipulative salespeople, we can see ourselves as travel guides. Richardson likens this way of thinking about evangelism to the journey of Gandalf, Galadriel, Frodo, and Samwise in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Frodo's journey is a spiritual one and his traveling companions assist him as needed.
Richardson develops the idea of evangelism as journey by exploring seven shifts in how we envision evangelism. He suggests moving from activism to collaboration, individualism to community, agenda to friendship, dogma to story, a cliche Jesus to an outside-the-box Jesus; from focus on the afterlife to focus on the good news about God's Kingdom, and from event to journey. Stories illustrate the heart of each chapter and enliven the ideas. Richardson helps readers distinguish differences between the old "sales pitch" evangelism paradigm and a new paradigm of journey, helping us overcome obstacles to sharing our faith. Hands on exercises and questions for each chapter can be used for personal study or group discussions.
Reimagining Evangelism is a captivating and refreshing book about sharing the best thing that's ever happened to us.-KSS
IS RELIGION DANGEROUS?
By Keith Ward
206 pp., Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2006, $16.00, paperback.
Review: Written by foremost British philosopher, Keith Ward, Is Religion Dangerous? asks if religion does more harm than good. Critics suggest that by-products of religion are holy wars, crusades, discrimination, and intolerance, and that religious beliefs are based on "blind faith" and a leap in the dark. Ward answers these challenges and shows that such critics conflate the worst with the best in order to dismiss religion. In reality, without religion the human race would be considerably worse off and have little hope for the future. He begins by exploring what religion is and how religious beliefs have developed over time. While "religion" is hard to define, in this instance Ward means the known world religions existing in the contemporary world. Next, he delves into the relationship of religion and violence in the past and true underlying causes of violence. He asks if religious beliefs are irrational, making a strong connection between faith and reason, and examines the morality of religious beliefs and concludes with a thorough exploration of the good that religion has done in the world. From a worldwide to an individual perspective, Ward demonstrates how religious belief is entirely rational and has done much more good than harm. He argues that differences in religions are not the source of conflict and violence, but our egoism, greed, ignorance, and "irreconcilable differences of opinions in almost every area of human life" (p. 193).
Although this book is not specifically Christian, Ward (who is Christian), references Christian beliefs he discusses from the Bible. The result is a sound representation of biblical Christianity. Ward does the same for other religious beliefs in Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc. While deeply philosophical, Ward writes in a popular, congenial style. If you wonder about how to respond to religious criticism, this book offers sound rationale for the beliefs we hold dear.-KSS