Healing Stones by Stephen Arterburn & Nancy Rue
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
Stephen Arterburn is the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries—the nation’s largest faith-based broadcast, counseling and treatment ministry—and is the host of the nationally syndicated “New Life Live!” daily radio...
By 1996 Nancy was a full-time writer. The Christian Heritage Series made that possible. She was writing those books from the early 1990's until 2000.
And then a new opportunity came along--the Lily series. If she ever doubted that she was going to make it as a writer, man, that little red-head put those fears to rest! And, of course, Sophie followed Lily, with some teen and grown-up books in between -- plus the non-fiction books designed just for you.
Nancy and her husband live in Tennessee now, overlooking a beautiful lake, lots of sycamore trees, and the rocky Tennessee hills. They have a bright yellow power boat named BANANA SPLIT which you can find us on no matter what the weather. Marijean and her husband live nearby with my three grand-dogs and three grand-cats (and two grand-snakes . . .)
ABOUT THE BOOK
With one flash of a camera, Demi's private life becomes public news. She doesn't know it yet, but her healing has just begun.
Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.
Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.
Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.
An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.
Stephen Arterburn is the founder and chairman of New Life Ministries—the nation’s largest faith-based broadcast, counseling and treatment ministry—and is the host of the nationally syndicated “New Life Live!” daily radio...
By 1996 Nancy was a full-time writer. The Christian Heritage Series made that possible. She was writing those books from the early 1990's until 2000.And then a new opportunity came along--the Lily series. If she ever doubted that she was going to make it as a writer, man, that little red-head put those fears to rest! And, of course, Sophie followed Lily, with some teen and grown-up books in between -- plus the non-fiction books designed just for you.
Nancy and her husband live in Tennessee now, overlooking a beautiful lake, lots of sycamore trees, and the rocky Tennessee hills. They have a bright yellow power boat named BANANA SPLIT which you can find us on no matter what the weather. Marijean and her husband live nearby with my three grand-dogs and three grand-cats (and two grand-snakes . . .)
ABOUT THE BOOK
With one flash of a camera, Demi's private life becomes public news. She doesn't know it yet, but her healing has just begun.Christian college professor Demitria Costanas had vowed to end her affair with a colleague. But she gives into temptation one last time...and a lurking photographer captures her weakness for all to see. Quite literally, she's the woman caught in adultery. And almost everyone--herself included--has a stone to throw.
Enter Sullivan Crisp, a decidedly unorthodox psychologist with his own baggage. He's well-known for his quirky sense of humor and incorporation of "game show" theology into his counseling sessions. And yet there's something more he offers...hope for a fresh start.
Reluctantly the two of them begin an uplifting, uneven journey filled with healing and grace. By turns funny and touching, this story explores the ways humans hurt each other and deceive themselves. And it shows the endlessly creative means God uses to turn stones of accusation and shame into works of beauty that lead us onto the path of healing.
An auspicious debut for a candid yet tender series about pain, healing, and God's invitation for second chances.
My Review:
This was a wonderfully moving story about rising up out of pain. It was about forgiveness...giving it, receiving it, seeking it, and allowing oneself to experience it. The writing was tender and strong and grabbed my heart and brought me to the places the characters were experiencing. It was about casting stones, like the Pharasees in the Bible sought to do and how Jesus called them out with "he who is without sin can cast the first stone."
There are so many layers to this book that I don't even know where to begin. First there is the family of Demi and Richard and their children, Christopher and Jayne. 9/11 took so much away from them--they lost an uncle/Rich's brother and, for all purposes, lost the father they knew as Rich pulled inside himself to deal with the pain. And while Rich's alienation of his family does not excuse it, it is the catalyst that propels Demi to seek comfort and love from another man. The authors take this huge issue and handle it with just the right amount of understanding combined with the recognition that it was indeed wrong from a married woman to have an affair. I so appreciated that they captured that balance so well and helped the reader care for Demi enough to not give up on her for making the mistake. Not like her own son does. The book has a gentle way--through other characters that I came to love like Sullivan Crisp especially and Mickey and Ethan--of reminding Demi (and the reader) that we are all sinners who have made mistakes and are forgiven in Jesus' blood.
The layer of Christopher and his righteous indignation at Demi is also a powerful aspect of the book. I wanted to yell at him myself and keep him away from the rest of the family that he is determined to turn against Demi.
The conversations between Demi's therapist, Sullivan Crisp, and Demi were the most powerful parts of the book. I love Sullivan Crisp and his way of reading his patient and pulling and pushing them to the path of healing. I was gripped by the stories of his own pain and need for healing and forgiveness as well. I am glad to know that there will be more books with him in them. The authors descriptions of the interactions between Demi and Sully were beautiful and powerful. Almost like being in therapy myself! :)
I also loved Mickey and Porphyria and their unique ways of helping their friends find healing. Having non-judgemental people who will listen, let you cry, and not let you get away with hurting yourself is a beautiful thing. Churches should be filled with this kind of grace and love. How much healing would their be if we could all find people like Mickey who nourished Demi by meeting physical needs of food and job while at the same time hearing her mistakes with no judgement or stone-throwing.
There have been some amazing books I've read already this year and this one is right up there at the top. I have a family member who had an affair and I weep for the way the church he attended handled it--by forcing him out. How much different his feelings for Jesus would be if they had come along side him and offered him grace and forgiveness instead.
I give this book my biggest sunny day rating! An amazing story! Get your own copy at: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0849918901
