Our featured Booklet this week is Mark Shaw’s Hope and Help for Gambling, Focus Publishing, Bemidji, MN, 2007.

Mark, as a part of a team of biblical counselors in Birmingham, AL, decided to write short helpful booklets to provide a starting point for those they were counseling at a local church. This entire series was birthed from Dr. Howard Eyrich’s desire to offer the hope of the Lord Jesus Christ and the practical help from the Word of God to all those they came across in their counseling ministry. On the edge of each cover of these beautiful booklets reads the following tagline:

“Transforming by Truth, Encouraging by Love.”

[What a great focus for biblical counseling in general.]

I really like the cover photography as well… the image of walking out of darkness, toward the more well-lit path… toward the Light of the World Who is Christ. Thanks to Melanie Schmidt for sharing her gift for the cover art.

This booklet series can be used for homework assignments very easily. As just one booklet in the immensely practical “Hope and Help” booklet series, this power-packed, biblically based booklet will help those struggling with gambling and the biblical counselors who come alongside them as well. While Mark strategically points readers to the only Eternal Hope we have in the Lord Jesus, he also wisely provides great practical help:

  • He describes five different heart motives of the gambler
  • Six steps to a practical plan of action for change
  • Time, Talents, and Treasure are discussed in a fresh, eye-opening way
  • All in light of seeking the glory of God in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31) from a biblical perspective.

Those who struggle with gambling, as well as biblical counselors who help them, will gain “Hope and Help” from the biblical approach to dealing with the heart issues of gambling in this little booklet. After all, God is all about transforming the heart by speaking the truth in love (Rom. 12:1-2, Eph 4:15).

Consider also purchasing the booklet Understanding Temptation: The War Within Your Heart for more in depth study of the temptations of our flesh.

For bulk quantities, call Focus Publishing directly at 1-800-913-6287. It’s also available on Amazon and other online providers.

~Mary (Mark’s wife for this life)