Names matter. The title of a book conveys a message of what the book contains. The title of a TV programme can determine whether or not you want to watch it. And Biblical names are full of significance and great meaning. Abram’s name, meaning high or elevated father, was changed to Abraham, meaning father of multitudes, which indeed he became.
Big companies can spend hundreds of thousands on the branding of their products names – knowing that for their products to sell big, the name must be one that communicates exactly what they want it to do to their chosen markets. And if they get it wrong, the losses can be astronomical!
One of my more recent books was called Discover Healing and Freedom – but frankly, it did not sell very well. There was nothing wrong with the contents – a step by step guide to rebuilding the foundations of your life so that you can both receive God’s healing and then continue to live in the blessing of what God has done. Having spent forty years teaching and ministering healing, I had expected that many people would buy the book for, surely, healing was what they were looking for? But I was wrong!
As we were preparing the book for republication, as part of PHP Books, Paul suggested that the title might have been wrong, “You need to add the word YOUR”, he said. So that people don’t read the title as an instruction manual for others to learn from, but as a personal guide through which they can receive the healing they need and are looking for. I suddenly saw the wisdom in what he was saying. So, I rewrote the beginning and the ending of the book and I have just republished it as Discover Your Healing and Freedom.
I passionately believe that one of the major reasons why many people either don’t receive the blessings God has for them, or don’t maintain the healing they thought they had received, is because they are still choosing to live a life which is anchored in this world, rather than live a life that has been transformed by the presence of the living God. This is a vital message that we need to get across. And it is a message that lies at the heart of Discover Healing and Freedom.
Whether or not, with a changed name, the book suddenly sells lots of copies, only time will tell. But of this I am certain, that we need to be much clearer in our focus when communicating the truths of the Gospel to a needy world. The word ‘YOUR’ makes the book personal and relevant. Please pray with me that it will make a difference and that the people who so desperately need the Lord and His healing will discover it, and start that life-transforming walk of faith which changes a seemingly dry book about the healing ministry, into a personal life-map, charting the path from death to life!
Copyright © Peter Horrobin 2025.
Copies of Discover Your Healing and Freedom can be purchased from either www.peterhorrobin.com/books or from Amazon.
Dear Peter, thank you so much for your open communication. I was also impressed by how willing you are to listen when a tip comes from outside.
You also happen to use my name as an example. So, your lines have inspired me to reflect once again on the meaning of names, and you’re right. My name is first and foremost something personal, just as personal healing and deliverance are first and foremost personal and often a speaking of God to the heart.
I’m glad you’re willing to cast the fishing net once again on the other side of the boat.
Greetings, Abraham
Hello,
I am not sure how to decide between “Discover Your Healing and Freedom” and the Journey to Freedom 365.
Can you help me decide what the strengths of each are or who are the books written for?
Thanks Andrew for your question
The answer is not either/or, but both/and! Discover is an introduction to a journey. Journey to Freedom is a day by day guidebook aimed at making disciples (Jesus’ command at the end of Matthew).
Blessings
Peter
Thanks Peter for having the courage to admit your book did not fulfill your sales expectations, and then to heed the counsel and wisdom of another to change the title.
I for one have an intimation to buy it for a Christian brother who is locked up in an auto immune illness, cutting him off from others.
God bless you
Chris Riches.
Dear Peter,
I hope the new title sells better. Personally, I will keep the older one. I hope the course or is it a book ” healing the trauma of war” I pray you will know the specifics of what to include. Much needed in this day and age.
I did respond to your last post but something went wrong. So Pygmalion was a person in need of healing! .
At present I am reading book 5 of “Journey to Freedom”, I am not sure I agree that Judas was only remorseful. If you look in the KJV it quaintly says “he repented himself”. I am considering it.
Love and blessings,
Margaret.