Squeezing Good Out of Bad

You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Psalm 30:11-12

As I reflect on 2009, there are many moments of laughter and tears. And many of the tears turned into laughter and praises later. All in all it was an amazing year. I don't know what 2010 has in store for us. I know there will be some moments of sadness and anger, but I also know I can choose how I want to handle those moments.

I just finished reading a book that helped me think hard about how I deal with my down moments in life. James N. Watkins is the author of the book, Squeezing Good Out Of Bad.


The cover has this quote, "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

Watkins takes the sour moments that we have and helps you think about how you can handle them in ten different ways.
When life gives you lemons . . .

10. Don't confuse them with hand grenades (Identify the problem)

9. Check the delivery slip (Determine if it's your problem)

8. Sell them on eBay (Profit from the problem)

7. Paint smiley faces on them (Laugh at the problem)

6. Join a citrus support group (Share your problem)

5. Use as an all-natural, organic astringent (Grow from the problem)

4. Don't shoot the delivery driver (Forgive the problem-maker)

3. Graft to a lime tree for a refreshing, low-calorie soft drink (Take the problem to a higher level)

2. Grow your own orchard (Live a fruitful life despite—or because of—the problem)

1. Give off a refreshing fragrance (Live a lemon-fresh life)

This refreshing book has me reflecting on my 2009 lemon moments in a very different way. It also is preparing me for the lemons that are sure to come in 2010. You can check out more about Squeezing Good Out of Bad here.

Here is a little more about the book.
Sour circumstances left you feeling down? Unemployment, foreclosures, divorce, bankruptcy and cancer don't even begin to peel the skin off all the bad news in our world today. At a time in history when the evening news contains more bad than good, people wonder if sweeter days will ever come. In steps James (Jim) Watkins. With a fresh perspective on life, love and the pursuit of happiness, Watkins serves readers a refreshing cup of encouragement and hope.

Written from his own experiences with cancer, unemployment and other life-puckering crises, Jim prompts readers to look at the cup of suffering with eyes focused on the true thirst quencher--Jesus Christ. Readers will be pleasantly surprised at the balance of readability and deep wisdom offered within the pages of Squeezing Good Out Of Bad. With scripture references, humor-filled lists, and a creative manuscript, Watkins brings the bitterness of hard times and blends it with the sweetness of God's presence. He's been there. His transparency is as refreshing as, you guessed it, a tall, cool glass of lemonade.

NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of Squeezing Good Out Of Bad via Kathy Carlton Willis Communications, gifted to all participants in this blog tour.