Compiled by James L. Hall, Jr.

March 1998

Those facing life-threatening illnesses suffer many negative emotions, such as anger, despair, fear and loneliness. But surprisingly good things happen, too. Loving support comes from all directions, if we are willing to acknowledge our vulnerability. Importantly, the harsh realizations that we are not "going to get out of here alive" and that our time in this phase of our existence is limited, force a focus on the setting of priorities and enhance our sensitivity to God's still small voice.

The books listed below have been chosen to encourage the search for true healing in the face of life-threatening circumstances. They come from many sources. Although I have read most of them, I have not read them all. I make no endorsement of specific points, beliefs or proposals. I do recommend an examination of one's purpose, meaning, service and receptivity during this stage in life, both as a survival and a healing strategy.

May God bless you and keep you during this most important part of your life journey. And always remember, you are created in the image of a spiritual, not a physical, being. The benefits of that truth are yours to claim!

—James L. Hall, Jr.
 
Allen, Charles L. All Things are Possible Through Prayer. New Jersey: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1958

Anderson, Greg 50 Essential Things to do When the Doctor Says It's Cancer. New York: Penguin Group, 1993

Healing Wisdom, Insight & Inspiration for Anyone Facing Illness. New York: Penguin Group, 1994

The Cancer Conqueror, An Incredible Journey to Wellness. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1996

The Triumphant Patient. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1992 (OP)

The 22 {Non-Negotiable} Laws of Wellness. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995

Babcock, Elise N. When Life Becomes Precious: A Guide for Loved Ones & Friends of Cancer Patients. New York: Bantam Books, 1987

Becton, Randy Everyday Strength: A Cancer Patient's Guide to Spiritual Survival. Ada, MI: Baker Books, 1989

Benson, Herbert, M.D. with Marg Stark Timeless Healing, The Power and Biology of Belief. New York: Scribner, 1996

Benson, Herbert, M.D. and Klipper, Miriam The Relaxation Response. Avon, 1976

Bigley, Christine B., MSN, MDiv, DD A Christian's Guide to Coping and Caring. Kansas City, Missouri: Beacon Hill Press, 1994

Bloch, Annette and Richard Fighting Cancer. Kansas City, Missouri: R.A. Bloch Cancer Foundation, July 1990

Borysenko, Joan Minding the Body, Mending the Mind. Addison Wesley, 1987.

Brussat, Frederic and Mary Ann Spiritual Literacy. New York: Scribner, 1996

Bryant, Barry Cancer and Consciousness. Boston: SIGO Press, 1990 (OP)

Byock, Ira Dying Well: The Prospect for Growth at the End of Life. New York: Riverhead, 1997

Carmody, John How to Handle Trouble: A Guide to Peace of Mind. New York: Doubleday, 1993

Cousins, Norman Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient. W.W. Norton, 1979.

Covey, Stephen R. Daily Reflections for Highly Effective People. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1994

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1989

Csikszentmihalyi, Mihaly Flow, The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1990

Dossey, Larry, M.D. Healing Words, The Power of Prayer and the Practice of Medicine. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1993

Prayer is Good Medicine, How to Reap the Healing Benefits of Prayer. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1996

Dreher, Henry Your Defense Against Cancer. New York: Harper & Row, 1988

Dyer, Wayne W., M.D. Your Sacred Self, Making the Decision to Be Free. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1995

Eddy, Mary Baker Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. Boston: The First Church of Christ, Scientist, 1934

Elliott, Robert E. Dancing with Cancer. Dallas, Texas: Noteman, 1995

Fiore, Neil The Road Back to Health: Coping with the emotional Side of Cancer. Bantam, 1984.

Fox, Emmet Make Your Life Worthwhile. New York: HarperCollins, 1946

Gaynor, Mitchell L., M. D. Healing Essence: A Cancer Doctor's Program for Hope & Recovery. New York: Kodansha America, 1995

Hammerschlag, Carl A., M.D. The Dancing Healers. San Francisco: Harper, 1988

The Theft of the Spirit. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993

Jampolsky, Gerald G., M.D. Love is Letting Go of Fear Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1979

Kushner, Harold When Bad Things Happen to Good People. New York: Avon Books, 1983

Who Needs God? New York: Summit Books, 1989

How Good Do We Have to Be? Canada: Little, Brown & Company, 1996

Lawrence, Roy Christian Healing Rediscovered. Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1980

LeShan, Lawrence You Can Fight for Your Life. M. Evans & Co., 1977

Lewis, C.S. A Grief Observed. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1961

Readings for Meditation and Reflection, ed. Walter Hooper. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992

________ The Business of Heaven, Daily Readings from C.S. Lewis, ed. Walter Hooper. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1984

Millman, Dan The Laws of Spirit: Simple, Powerful Truths for Making Life Work. Tiburon: H. L. Kramer, Inc., 1995

Morra, Marion, and Eve Potts Choices: Alternatives in Cancer Treatment. Avon, 1987

Myss, Caroline, Ph.D. Anatomy of the Spirit. New York: Random House, 1996

Why People Don't Heal and How They Can. New York: Harmony Books, 1997

Ornstein, Robert, Ph.D. and Sobel, David, M.D. The Healing Brain. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1987

Ohrbach, Barbara Milo All Things Are Possible, Pass the Word. New York: Clarkson Potter Publishers, 1995

Peale, Norman Vincent Positive Thinking Every Day. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993

Positive Thinking for a Time Like This. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1975 (OP)

Peck, M. Scott, M.D. Further Along the Road Less Traveled: The Unending Journey Toward Spiritual Growth. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993

The Road Less Traveled & Beyond, Spiritual Growth in an Age of Anxiety. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1997

Pietsch, William V. The Serenity Prayer Book. New York: HarperCollins, 1990

St. Johns, Adela Rogers Affirmative Prayer In Action. New York: New American Library, 1977 (OP)

Schuller, Robert H. If Its's Going to Be It's Up To Me. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1997

Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do! Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1983

Seligman, Linda Promoting a Fighting Spirit: Psychotherapy for Cancer Patients, Survivors and Their Families. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1996

Shealy & Myss The Creation of Health. Walpole, N.H.: Stillpoint, 1988

Shealy, Norman, M.D., Ph.D. Miracles Do Happen. Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995

Sherman, Harold How to Lose Your Fears and Find Your Key to Happiness. Greenwich: Fawcett Publications, Inc., 1956 (OP)

Siegel, Bernie S., M.D. Love, Medicine and Miracles. New York: Harper & Row, Publishers. 1986

Simonton, O. Carl, Stephanie Matthews-Simonton and James Creighton Getting Well Again. Bantam, 1978

Smith, Gregory White and Naifeh, Steven Making Miracles Happen. Canada: Litte, Brown and Company, 1997

Stanley, Charles How to Listen to God. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1985

Weil, Andrew Spontaneous Healing. New York: Fawcett, 1995

Williamson, Marianne Illuminata, A Return to Prayer. New York: The Berkey Publishing Group, 1994

Wimber, John Living with Uncertainty: My Bout with Inoperable Cancer. Anaheim: Vineyard Ministries International, 1996

Wise, Robert L. When There is No Miracle. California: Regal Books, 1981

Yancey, Philip Where is God When it Hurts. Michigan: The Zondervan Corporation, 1977

Zinn-Kabat, Jon, Ph.D. Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body & Mind to Face Stress, Pain & . . .. New York: Dell Publishing Company, 1990

A Fireside/Parkside Meditation Book Body, Mind and Spirit: Daily Inspiration for Healing and Wholeness. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1990 (OP)