Tag Archive | Philippa Cleall

Grace For The Broken by Philippa Cleall

Jul26

God At The Centre

Grace For The Broken by Philippa Cleall is a powerful contemporary Christian novel that I just could not put down.

It is beautifully and sympathetically written whilst dealing with the difficult topics of domestic abuse and judgment; counter balanced by restoration and the goodness of God.

Domestic abuse is not just punches thrown. It is voices raised and words that tear down. We meet characters who have been broken by the very men who were supposed to love them. We witness lives being rebuilt with love and support.

We also meet the men who have been the abusers, who have to learn to repent and to make better choices in the future. “Accountability says: I did this. And now I choose to do and be something else.”

In order to rebuild relationships, trust must be earnt. It starts with baby steps. “God’s grace is free. Trust… is earned.” God’s grace covers us all.

We learn that “our calling is grace, not judgment.” Our job is to extend grace and to reach out in love. It is God’s job to judge.

God never sleeps. “Remember, God is never away on holidays.” God is always just a prayer away.

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Restoring Hope by Philippa Cleall

Jan2

Heaven Is Watching

Restoring Hope by Philippa Cleall is a powerful contemporary Christian novel about love, forgiveness, redemption and new beginnings. It is a beautiful story that warmed my heart and soul.

The setting is Wombat Valley in New South Wales. It is a charming small town where the leading lady flees to after years of domestic abuse. It is where her grandmother lived and where she feels safe to start again. “The dream she’d built from sorrow.” Our dreams are important; they give us a hope for the future.

A café is opened as she follows in her grandmother’s footsteps. It is a place of community. She was “building more than a café.” It is a place where the lost, the hurting and the vulnerable feel drawn to, and feel safe.

The grace that is received, is passed on to others. Words of encouragement that are planted into hearts, bud and blossom.

We meet characters who live out their faith. “She doesn’t push faith on others… she lives it.” People are drawn to those whose lives point to Jesus. They are not just hearers of the Word; they are doers of the Word too.

There is a group of women who have all suffered from domestic abuse. They learn about the power of forgiveness – what it is, and what it is not. They also learn that trust once gone, is not easily restored. It needs to be earnt.

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