Books

Welcome! Grab a cup of over-priced coffee, settle back in a comfortable chair, and pretend you’re browsing my books at Barnes and Nobles. (Put on some New Age music to complete the effect.)

Plus, if you’re not completely satisfied with one of my books or products, I’ll personally buy it back from you regardless of where you purchased it..

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Squeezing Good Out of Bad

(New edition: Hope&Humor Books, October 2022)

Top ten ways to deal with life’s lemons

“A book that will make you laugh, think, and start looking at those sour places of life in a whole new way. I really enjoyed reading it.”
Martha Bolton, writer for Jeff Allen, Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Mark Lowry

“Jim fills each page with thirst-quenching lemon aid! His humility and insight are all the more compelling because he shares the lemons of heartache in his own life. An uplifting and encouraging read!”
Marybeth Hicks, columnist for The Washington Times

“Jim helps us find perspective in those life-puckering situations, find power for coping, and even helps us find purpose in the pucker.”
Rhonda Rhea, author of Amusing Grace and High Heels in High Places—Walking Worthy in Way Cute Shoes and a bunch of others.

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Praise the Lord and Pass the Prozac

(Hope&Humor Books, August 2022)

Hope, help and humor for those dealing with mental health issues and the ones who love them.

I’m joined with my daughter and licensed therapist, Faith A. Watkins, as we combine biblical and behavioral encouragement and practical tips for dealing with depression, anxiety, stress, and many more issues.

Family physician Dawn Lagerkvist, MD, writes, “I loved the book! James’ and Faith’s refreshing words are encouraging, authentic, and most of all, life-giving.”

Popular author and speaker, Twila Belk writes, “Brilliant! Funny! Each honest, relatable, and transparent chapter cuts through the stigmas and lies with a good dose of truth plus plenty of hope and humor. The theologian and therapist team provides readers with thought-provoking, positive, and practical comfort in knowing they are not alone as they battle their unseen enemies.”

Click here to browse and buy, and find a whole bottle of helpful resources!

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If You’re Not Dead, You’re Not Done

(Tyndale House, October 2021)

Seriously, if you woke up this morning, God has a plan and purpose for your day. It’s a fun book with cartoons from renowned cartoonist Jonny Hawkins. Take a sneak peek of its ten characteristics that I believe are essential for being a satisfied, significant, and saintly senior. And it’s the perfect gift for “over the hill” birthdays, retirements, and recovery from hip replacement! Order now at Amazon.

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Intimacy with Christ: Classic Devotions by Brother Lawrence, Francis of Assisi, Teresa of Avila, and More

(Christian Literature Crusade, May 2021)

The writings of Bernard of Clairvaux, Brother Lawrence, Catherine of Siena, Francis de Sales. Francis of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila, and my favorite, Thomas à Kempis modernized in a 60-day devotional book.

Browse Free excerpt of Preface

Buy CLC Publications

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Connecting with Christ

Hope&Humor Books, May 2021)

Act 2:42 reveals format of the first small groups:

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.

This study guide addresses seven ways Christ followers become one with him. It’s comprised of scriptures and devotions from Francis of Assisi, Francis of Sales, John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila and Thomas ‘a Kempis.

Browse
Buy

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God, I Don’t Understand: Unanswered Prayer, Unfulfilled Promises, and Unpunished Evil

(Bold Vision Books, 2019)

“This book is for everyone who’s ever questioned God’s goodness, love, or faithfulness. With his trademark wit and wisdom, James Watkins addresses the hard questions, validates our pain, and offers a shoulder to cry on. This book shines a light on the blackest spaces of our lives and finds the hope that hides in dark.”
Renae Brumbaugh Green, author of Morning Coffee with James.

Read excertps
• Why? Some thoughts on life’s tough questions
• Contents, Introduction

Buy
• Amazon.com
• Barnes & Noble

Free downloadable group study guide
Click here

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Overcoming Fear and Worry

(Our Daily Bread, 2019)

Award-winning author, and recovering worrier, James Watkins explores the practical biblical, and behavioral principles for successfully living without worry. With his seasoned experience and signature humor, Watkins shows us that God wants us to draw on His love, peace, and power to break the worry habit.

Browse
Read the Introduction
Watch interview with Yahweh Sisterhood Book Club

Buy
Amazon
Christian Books

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Imitation of Christ: Classic Devotions in Today’s Language

(Worth Inspired, 2016)

The classic devotional by Thomas à Kempis arranged and organized into 90 devotional readings.

“The Imitation of Christ is one of the great spiritual works of the Church. Six hundred years later, it remains not just a classic, but a road map to the life the Lord wants each of us to live.”
Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan: Archbishop of New York

About the book
• About Thomas à Kempis
• Read an excerpt
• My exclusive interview with Thomas à Kempis

Buy and review: available as ebook, hardcover and leather bound
• Amazon leatherbound
• Barnes & Noble
• Christianbook all formats
• Lifeway all formats

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Jesus: His Life and Lessons

(Xaris, 2013)

This user-friendly book arranges His life in chronological order and His teachings by topics, plus a glossary to make it even easier to explore the gospels. No commentary, no doctrinal statements, just 100% Jesus. A perfect gift for anyone seeking to learn more about Jesus. Buy one for yourself and another for a friend.

Foreword by Mary DeMuth

Browse
• Introduction
• Life: The story of his birth
• Life: The story of his death and resurrection
• Lessons: On love
• About the translation, World English Bible

Buy
• Paper back $14.99
• Ebook $4.95

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Writing with Banana Peels

(Xaris, 2011)

Principles, Practices, and Pratfalls of Writing Humor

“A milk-out-the-nose funny book for both writers and readers”
Rhonda Rhea, author of Amusing Grace and The Purse-uit of Holiness.

I had so much fun teaching “Writing Humor” at Taylor University, that I compiled all my notes (and some of my funniest columns) into a book!

Browse
• Table of contents, endorsements
• Read an excerpt

Buy
• Paperback $14.95
• Barnes & Noble Paperback

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Communicate to Change Lives

(Wesleyan Publishing House, 2007)

“I laughed, I gulped, and I learned as I read Jim’s book. As a writer, speaker, and teacher of writing, Jim knows what he is talking about. Best of all, he knows how to put the teaching at a level that we can easily grasp and apply. Here’s the book that will help you to change lives.”
Roger Palms, Writer, teacher, speaker, former editor of Billy Graham’s Decision Magazine

Browse
• Book outline
• Read an excerpt: Using Psychological Appeals

Sponsor a Communicate to Change Lives seminar
Click for details on using it as training and/or fund-raiser for your organization.

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Christian Book Distributors
• Buy an older version, The Persuasive Person

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Writers on Writing

(Wesleyan Publishing House, 2005)

Top Christian Authors Share Their Secrets for Getting Published

“Here’s a terrific smorgasbord about different aspects of the writing business. Whether you want to write magazine articles, devotionals, fiction or nonfiction, humor or screenplays, you will gain a taste of what it takes from someone who practices this particular discipline.”
Terry Whalin, best-selling author

Browse
• Seven habits of the purpose-driven writer

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Christian Book Distributors
• Wesleyan Publishing House Paperback eBook

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The Why Files: Are There Really Ghosts?

(Concordia Publishing House, 2000)

Questions about angels, the supernatural, and the “Psychic Friends Network”

". . . a must read for every student and adult who works with them."
Richard Wynn, former president of Youth for Christ

Browse
• Are demons, exorcisms real?
• Healing: faith or fake?
• Vampires and werewolves are real!

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

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The Why Files: Is There Really Life After Death?

(Concordia Publishing House, 2000)

Questions about school shootings, grief, and coming back as a gerbil

"It fields questions from real kids and answers these questions in realistic and compassionate ways . . . realistic and infused with wit and humor."
Lurlene McDaniel, best-selling author on death issues for teens

Winner of a Campus Life "Book of the Year" award

Browse
• Dealing with death and grief
• I just want to die [on suicide]

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Death & Beyond (An earlier edition)

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The Why Files: When Can I Start Dating?

(Concordia Publishing House, 2000)

Questions about love, sex, and a cure for zits (2000)

"Here it is—the absolute truth about sex. If you have some questions you’re afraid to ask, or if you’re carrying around myths instead of facts, this book is for you!"
Susie Shellenberger, Brio magazine

"Helpful . . . straightforward,"
Campus Life magazine.

Browse
• Breaking habits before they break you
• Can I become a virgin again?
• Children who marry their parents: the psychology of courtship
• The hidden habit: masturbation

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Sex Is Not a Four-Letter Word (An earlier edition)
• The Teen Sex Survival Manual (An even earlier edition)

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Characters: Comedies and Dramas

(Lillenas, 1993)

Humorous and witty . . . edifies the Body and glorifies God in an entertaining way.
Creator magazine

Browse
• Six of our favorite scripts online

Buy
• Get five of our favorites online for a donation
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

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Should a Christian Wear Purple Sweat Socks?

(Wesleyan Publishing House, 1987)

How to decide what’s right and wrong for you

"Reading this book will give you principles right from the Bible to help you make a decision. I loved the book! I think you will too!
Keith Drury, author and professor at Indiana Wesleyan University

Browse
• God’s will is not lost, for those trying to “find” it

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

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Devotional Pursuits: Trivia and Truth

(Beacon Hill, 1986)

James Watkins has taken several hundred bits of trivia and related them to timeless truth from God’s Word in this unique devotional book. You will learn about self-worth from dwarf throwing. The secret to Christian living through the real story of vampires and learn about God’s peace from The Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. And you will find real help in the categories of love, self-worth, emotional ups and downs, spiritual growth, the future, relationships, and more.

Yikes, I can’t believe my very first book from 1986 is still available online! (It’s based on my column that ran for six year in the In Touch teen magazine.)

Buy
• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble

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But wait! There’s more.

You can get a list of books to which I’ve contributed. (Sorry, no Ginsu carving knives!)