* The thought of encouraging someone who is hurting seems easy. So why don t we do it? Lisa Copen's practical, well thought-out book gives us easy ways to do what God has called each of us to do. Once you start reading you ll think That is great, why didn't I think of it? Get ready to step into the gap and minister!
Ken Chambers, Director of Church Relations, Joni and Friends
* Beyond Casseroles is a loving instruction manual for both the giver and the receiver the lessons of caring and love abound and the messages of hope, acceptance, love and healing are a balm for the soul. Having spare copies to share of this must-have book is one of my strategies for helping those trying to cope with chronic illness. Rest assured, I'm keeping one for me and my family to share!
Nancy Derby, RN, BSN, MSEd, VP, Executive Board of Directors, National Fibromyalgia Association
* From the simple suggestion (Offer to read to her) to the serious warning (If you can t accommodate her joyfully, don t help at all), this book is full of practical tips for being a friend for the long haul. A must-have for all church libraries.
Vonda Skelton, author of Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe
--various
* I wish pastors would keep the first book on their desk to hand to people that need to know how to help a chronically ill friend. It would smooth the pathway for continued friendships or even new friendships. It is so difficult to know how to help someone with a chronic condition.
Beyond Casseroles suggests over 500 ways to help and encourage someone with a chronic illness, whether they be your coworker, a friend at church, or a family member.
The suggestions in this book are short and practical. It will help anyone who knows someone with a chronic illness. --* I wish pastors would keep the first book on their desk to hand to people that need to know how to help a chronically ill friend. It would smooth the pathway for continued friendships or even new friendships. It is so difficult to know how to help someone with a chronic condition. Beyond Casseroles suggests over 500 ways to help and encourage someone with a chronic illness, whether they be your coworker, a friend at church, or a family member.
The suggestions in this book are short and practical. It will help anyone who knows someone with a chronic illness. --Diana Pederson, Bella Online's Christian Literature Editor --.
* At 4.25 x 7 inches, this is what I'd call a "pocket" book. It's small enough to put in your pocket or purse, but it's brimming with top-notch ways to encourage people whether they have chronic headaches, Migraine disease, or another chronic illness. What a great idea for a book! How many of us have been stumped when trying to think of ways to encourage someone with a chronic illness? Especially if you're also dealing with a chronic illness, it can be difficult to be imaginative and original. Ms. Copen says, "Most of us want to express our concern when we see someone hurting; however, words seem so hollow. Rather than offering trite bits of encouragement that don't express our compassion, we have been known to procrastinate. Maybe we drop by her house with a casserole, but before we know it, weeks have passed and then months. We really do care but now we feel embarrassed that we didn't visit sooner or that we didn't call." Sound familiar? It did to me too. Thankfully, Copen follows up by actually offering us those 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend. In addition to helping us come up with ideas, this book would be wonderful for someone who doesn't understand your illness as it has wonderful, common-sense ideas for spending time with someone with a chronic illness. "Beyond Casseroles" is clever, helpful, fun, and uplifting. You can use it to get ideas yourself, to give someone else a glimpse at what living with a chronic illness can be like, or as a gift. It could also give someone who has a chronic illness some ideas for keeping themselves more cheerful. All in all, an excellent little package. --Terri Robert at Help for Headaches
As a pastor's wife with five chronic illnesses I wholeheartedly recommend Copen's book from the dual perspectives of ministry and one who lives with pain and illness everyday. Ministry to the chronically ill has sorely been overlooked by our churches. This book needs to be in every pastor's study and every church library. If you would like to learn how to minister to a friend or how your church can touch the life of someone who is truly in need of God's love, this book should be #1 on your to-read list! It's full of practical ways you can put feet on your prayers on an ongoing basis. --Donna Toxey, Opelika, AL
Lisa Copen is the founder of
Rest Ministries, Inc., a Christian organization that serves people who live with chronic illness or pain. She is the editor of
HopeKeepers Magazineand author of various books on chronic illness, including,
"Mosaic Moments: Devotionals for the Chronically Ill"; and
"Why Can't I Make People Understand? Discovering the validation those with chronic illness seek and why." She's lived with rheumatoid arthritis since 1993 and resides in San Diego with her husband and son.
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