Archives

As High As The Heavens by Julie S Smith

Jun29

Praise You In The Storm

As High As The Heavens by Julie S Smith is the traumatic account of the rape and recovery into a new ‘normal’ that affected a Christian family. The account is emotionally harrowing.

The family knew God but the victim’s mother struggled to see Him at the time. “How had this happened and why hadn’t He prevented it?” She asked “Where was God in all this?” And she tried to sort it all out in her own strength. “I’d forgotten to factor God into my worries.”

The account is written through the eyes of the mother but there is also a chapter from the victim, her brother and her father. The victim remained strong in her faith. “Despite the trauma… I felt sure God was protecting me.” Her father was strong too. “I don’t think I would have survived had I not had God to cling to.”

Continue reading →

Finding Joy by Ellen Payne

Jun27

Disturbing And Heartbreaking

Finding Joy by Ellen Payne is an autobiography of a survivor of abuse. Abuse that began in childhood but continued into adulthood as Joy believed words spoken over her and labels put on her.

The tongue is a powerful; instrument and can be used to speak life or death over others. We should guard it far more often than we do.

Abuse comes in many forms. When children are abused by their parents, where do they go? Who do they tell? They believe that this is the norm or it is their fault that it is happening.

Much abuse goes undetected. It is only as people open up as adults that the floodgates open and others begin to talk.

Continue reading →

Living In Peace While In Pieces by Michael J Washington

Jun27

Anchored

Living In Peace While In Pieces: A Memoir by Michael J Washington is honest, heartfelt and powerful. It is not written in a linear form but covers various topics throughout the author’s life that crossover.

The secret to peace is God. “My peace comes from my knowledge and trust in God.” Brought up to know God, the author’s times of peace were to be found resting in Him. We need to keep our eyes on God through all that life throws at us. Our peace comes from knowing who we are in Him. We cannot stop problems from happening but we can control our responses to them.

Our peace depends on our outlook, responses and choices. “Peace is yours to own, and nobody can take it from you unless you allow them.” Do not let others dictate your moods. Look to God.

Continue reading →

An Ordinary Life, An Extraordinary Spark: A Memoir By J.A. Richards

Jun18

Nuggets Of Wisdom

An Ordinary Life, Extraordinary Spark: A Memoir by J.A. Richards is a great little book about life and the author’s experiences, responses and what she has learnt along the way. There are “nuggets of wisdom” for us all to take away.

J.A. Richards shows how God turns up in the ordinary and turns it into the extraordinary. “It is in the ordinary… where we can find God.” God is interested in all areas of our lives. He longs to be involved and have a relationship with us all.

Church is important. It is vital to find a church where you feel at home. “How you worship doesn’t matter as much as why you worship.” We worship because we want to and it pleases God. It matters not whether it is formal hymns or lively worship songs. However we choose to worship, we must put God at the centre.

Continue reading →