Praise for Chemicals and Christians: Compassion and Caution

Martha McLaughlin has filled a much-needed niche in the literary world with her book, Chemicals and Christians: Compassion and Caution. This incredible resource is packed with practical information, helpful strategies, and numerous websites for both the novice and those experienced in dealing with chemical sensitivities. My husband has been suffering with chemical illness for over twenty-five years, and I heartily applaud her vision for encouraging churches and individuals to “see the unintended effects of products we use and to see the almost invisible and largely unreached people group of the chemically sensitive.” Church boards everywhere should have at least one leader read this and be versed in helping their churches make safer decisions for their congregations.

Throughout the book, Martha gives the reader a first-hand look into the lives of tens, if not hundreds of people affected by chemical sensitivities. She expertly weaves together their heart-wrenching but very real stories with practical action tips for the chemically ill, as well as for churches and individuals who are not yet affected. Her years of experience and connection with the chemical illness community, along with thorough research, show through on every page (including an appendix full of documentation and numerous resources). Look for spiritual as well as physical helps and insights, and an emphasis on being proactive while also offering help for those who already suffer.

Merry Marinello
Author of Invisible Illness, Visible God

In this thought-provoking book, Martha does a fantastic job bringing to light and explaining the issue of chemical sensitivity. She gives practical tips for consumers on how they can be proactive in preventing health challenges related to toxic chemical exposures. Additionally, this book serves as a great resource for churches, educating them on how they can provide a "safer" environment for their congregations. Both ministry leaders and lay people will benefit greatly from this book.

Janine Ridings
Founder/Director of Aroma of Christ Ministry
Author of Comfort in the Storm
http://aromaofchrist.com/

Chemicals and Christians is the most comprehensive book on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity that I have ever found. This book covers everything from physical aspects to emotional and relationship concerns to spiritual encouragement. Martha has done a tremendous amount of research, and each chapter has a long list of footnotes. Every chapter also includes numerous, very helpful “Take Care” tips and great discussion questions. The resource section at the end contains over one hundred resources/links!

Martha shares the stark truth without pulling any punches but also with a grace that leaves one feeling encouraged. The book deals with many serious topics, but I came away optimistic for change, validated in my experiences, and comforted that I am not “the only one.”

For those with MCS, Martha includes many ideas on how to cope and thrive despite the almost insurmountable odds. For those supporting someone with MCS, she helps the reader see what it feels like to have MCS. She shares many quotes from people who have been through this. For those who have barely heard of MCS, Martha helps explain what MCS is and why everyone in our world should care about it. Chemicals affect everyone, not just those with MCS.

Dr. Grace Ziem’s lovely foreword in the book gives excellent perspective on the premise of the book, not to mention a physician’s “weight” to what Martha has written. Do yourself and your fellow human beings a favor and read this book!

Christa Upton
Author of MCS: Banished from the Human Race and Building a House for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Mold-Resistant, Low-Tox Home
http://www.blackhillspicturebooks.com/

"Out of sight, out of mind," for many of us, might be an appropriate description of chemicals that induce illness. Such compounds are typically invisible and ignored by most, yet they permeate countless items in our contemporary world. The possibility that everyday products might make people sick is an uncomfortable topic that many people would prefer to leave out of sight, out of mind. Individuals trying to avoid the substances that make them sick often need to isolate themselves from their surrounding chemical-laden communities, so they too become out of sight, out of mind. Martha McLaughlin, in her book Chemicals and Christians urges the Christian family of faith to open our eyes to see and take action to care about the people with chemical sensitivities whom we have excluded from our fellowship by our lack of awareness, casual indifference, and impoverished hospitality.

Bringing the invisible into both sight and mind, Chemicals and Christians guides readers through the disturbing stages commonly experienced by persons who find their lives devastated by health problems that they eventually trace to exposure to synthetic chemicals. Such chemicals, pervasive in our modern world, are as common as fragrances and fabric softeners. Those most affected by chemical illness may regain a level of health by avoiding social situations fraught with chemical hazards. Yet the cost is severe isolation, including exclusion from their faith communities. Christian congregations would do well to examine how our practices are unintentionally barring persons with chemically induced illness from entering and participating. Not an easy book to read, Chemicals and Christians nevertheless offers an important call to faith communities to repent of toxic and inhospitable habits, so that vulnerable people whom Christ loves might find safety and hospitality in our midst and we all might find wholeness.

Christine Guth
Retired Program Director, Anabaptist Disabilities Network

Chemicals and Christians confirms what I have already learned from living with an MCS afflicted wife. We couldn’t understand what was happening to her health until we began connecting her symptoms to her exposure to one chemical after another. Our eyes have been opened to so many unnecessary chemicals that have become a part of life today.

Martha McLaughlin highlights many of these “unnecessary” chemicals, chemicals we can do without if we would only open our eyes to the danger they are to our good health. She has done a remarkable job of assimilating stories of individuals and their families living with MCS. Some will read this book and “learn” while others will read it and “scoff” until it is too late for them and they join the ranks of MCS sufferers. Thank you, Martha, for this exposure of the danger of “chemical overload” to our bodies and our good health. God Bless You!

Rev. Marcus Kuehn

In Chemicals and Christians Martha McLaughlin effectively makes the case that everyone, both the still-healthy and the sick, should be concerned about exposures to chemicals and learn how to protect themselves. At least 11% of the population suffers from diagnosed multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), and many more are not diagnosed or have chemically-caused illnesses that are not recognized as MCS. Government regulations are woefully inadequate for protection, labels can be misleading, and the medical profession commonly misdiagnoses MCS and can do more harm than good. The incidence of MCS has been rising. Therefore, we all need the information in this book to restore or preserve our health.

For those already sick, she tells how to sift through our environments, discover what products and materials in our homes, churches, workplaces and schools are causing symptoms, and how to avoid toxic exposures. She also discusses making wise decisions about potential treatments; how to resolve problems with finding safe food, clothing, and shelter; emotional, relational and spiritual needs; and the grief-anger issues experienced with MCS. Especially helpful and unique to this book are the sections on relationships with others, a balanced Biblical perspective on healing, and the rediscovery of gratitude, purpose, and that God is all we need. An extensive resources section is included to aid those with MCS in finding products, services, and sources of support and information they need.

Martha speaks from years of personal experience and much research in both medical sources and the Bible. Every Christian with MCS or who has a family member or friend with MCS needs this book. Every church needs it to effectively minister to chemically sensitive members of the body of Christ.

Nicolette Dumke
Author of Healing Basics and The Low Dose Immunotherapy Handbook
http://healingbasics.life