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In the forward to her candid, inspirational self-help book "I'm Killing My Sacred Cows" (Xulon Press 2008, $13.99), author Joy Calkins warns that "sacred cows are erroneous beliefs that are held dear to the heart but keep a person in bondage."

Having overcome a spate of health problems through prayer and worship, Calkins says the purpose of her book is "to help the reader identify and kill the sacred cows in life so you can be free."

Speaking from their South Dakota home, Calkins and her husband, co/writer Lance, explained how Joy's iron will and indomitable faith helped her triumph over conditions of blindness and extreme chemical sensitivity.

"I was getting so aggravated," Joy said. "These sacred cows would keep popping up to discourage faith. It's like we were standing in faith, but there were things that were trying to get us to give up our faith. They're so common in Christianity these days that we had to speak up. God wants us to stand strong in our faith. His grace has the power to heal and help bring a person to victory and deliverance."

"I'm Killing My Sacred Cows" is divided into 26 brief, chapters, each describing an individual sacred cow. Cow No. 1 is the "God is able but unwilling cow." Cow 10 is the "victimization" cow, and so on.

Calkins resolves these issues through introspection, Bible immersion and fellowship.

"We have two target audiences for this book," Lance said. "People who are sick yet standing in faith and those who minister to people who are sick. These sacred cows are things we had to overcome. We're not trying to change your beliefs. We're just trying to show you what we've learned."

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2167 or kmoss@DaytonDaily

News.com.