Book Reviews
Powerful, poignant, and personal, but universal, February 25, 2008
| By | Jenn Thomas “Eclectic freak” (DFW Area, TX, USA) - |
Annette Stanwick has written a very powerful book, here.
Starting with the murder of her very beloved brother, Soren, Annette brings us on her life-journey to finding peace and the ability to forgive her brother’s murder and move forward in her life from this senseless tragedy.
At the end of each chapter of this incredible story, Mrs. Stanwick has included workbook-like exercises called “Personal Applications” that assist the reader in putting the things Annette learned in each chapter into relevant use in their own lives. There are also scripture quotes and prayers accompanying each chapter.
This book, while written by a Christian woman, and having a somewhat Christian focus, is not just for Christians. Non-Christians, and non-believers will find it to be just as worth reading as Christians will. There are lessons in this book that all of us could do with learning.
Forgiveness is a difficult thing for me, and I have been struggling with it for years. This book leaves me asking myself the question: “Who might I be, if I learned to forgive those who have hurt me and just let go?”
I think I want to find out, now.
Healing Through Forgiveness, March 4, 2008
By John R. Tucker, Jr. “serious reader” (USA)
While attending a recent church service, my pastor asked how many people had audibly heard the voice of God speaking to them. I raised my hand as did several others in the congregation. Annette Stanwick in her book Forgiveness: The Mystery and Miracle also heard God’s voice several times in her journey toward healing from the violent murder of her brother Soren. One night, when God told her that the man who had murdered her brother was deeply wounded, she wanted to reject these words. What about her own excruciating wounds and incredible pain? Her brother, a long-distance trucker from Idaho, didn’t have any enemies; he was deeply loved and respected by his family and friends. It was unthinkable that Soren had been found shot to death outside a produce plant in Richmond, Virginia. His lifeless body was in a pool of blood, wedged between the seats and the sleeper of his rig. Annette believed that only an evil, cruel person could have done such a thing, and yet God described him as being wounded. Furthermore, God told Annette that He loved Soren’s murderer as much as he loved her brother…and as much as he loved her. Though she struggled to accept what God was telling her, Annette had to acknowledge that it was true. Familiar verses from the Bible inundated her mind, and it was only after surrendering to the reality of God’s words that she fell into a peaceful sleep.
This book is an incredible first-person story that is written with total honesty as the author reveals her innermost feelings in regard to giving and receiving forgiveness. Readers will relate to Annette Stanwick as she struggles through the various phases of the grieving process. They will learn that it is permissible to be angry with God because He understands a broken heart. As she tells us about several family tragedies, it is easy to see how the choices made by others can affect those around them. There is a difference between joyous living and simply going on with life. When Annette chose to personally and publicly forgive those involved in the murder of her brother, she found inner peace and a way to honor her brother’s memory by taking the message of forgiveness to others, even interacting with lifers in prisons.
If you are struggling to forgive someone, or you need to seek forgiveness, this is a book that will help you move from the past into a living and giving future. Regardless of the depth of the wounds, the author has the sincere desire to help you with the healing process. At the end of each chapter, in order to make this book more personal to you, Mrs. Stanwick provides three sections entitled: Personal Application, Exploration, and Prayer.
As a husband who held his sobbing and inconsolable wife when she received a telephone call that her only sister had been killed instantly in a head-on collision, I could easily relate to both Annette and her husband Clay. Not only was the young driver speeding, but he had a long history of driving offenses. My wife, a devout Christian, went through many experiences similar to the author. She initially directed her anger toward God and then blamed the young driver for “killing” her sister. She suffered several agonizing months of pain before finally moving forward with her life. If I could have placed this book in her hands, I am convinced that it would have been a great help. Forgiveness: The Mystery and Miracle is definitely a must-read when it comes to healing and finding freedom and peace!
Forgiveness is a Possibility, March 3, 2008
| By | Lionpro “Deborah” (Florida) - |
I had never read any of Annette Stanwick’s work until now. The cover and the title are the reasons I decided to purchase this book and give it a browse. I am so happy that I did!
Death is hard to deal with but losing a loved one to murder takes an irrepareable toll. At least that is what I thought until I read this spiritual message about forgiveness.
The words engulfed me, saddened by the death, and enlightened by the meaning. If you are having a difficult time forgiving then please pick up a copy of “Forgiveness: The Mystery and Miracle”.
Deborah G., FL
Forgiveness, March 2, 2008
| By | Kathy Gudenau (USA) - |
Forgiving is one of the hardest things for people to do. I am finding that out in my life right now. I have made some mistakes in the past and although I have been told by many, they forgive me, deep down inside you can tell they don’t. This book helped me so much in learning to try a different approach to getting there forgiveness. First you must start by forgiving yourself. Only then can you expect forgiveness from others. This book is a must read for everyone, everyone has times in their life when they either have to forgive or be forgiven.
A challenging read, but well worth it!, March 2, 2008
| By | Meg Britton “Mordhena” (Australia) - |
Forgiveness is probably the most difficult of all concepts for anyone, whether Christian or not, to grasp and to enact in our every day lives.
In this book, Annette Stanwick takes a practical, understandable and sympathetic approach to help her readers to understand exactly what forgiveness is, and why it is important to grieve our losses or hurts, work through them and then let them go, along with letting the person or people responsible for our pain go as well.
Each chapter has a section at the end, designed to help the reader work through and apply the concepts taught within the chapter.
I found this book a challenging read, but it is a book I have no hesitation in recommending to others, whether you’re a Christian or not.
A Must Read, February 29, 2008
| By | Heather Shockney (Greensboro, PA USA) |
Forgiveness: The Mystery and Miracle is a must read for anyone who has ever been hurt in anyway. We all struggle with the ability to forgive someone when they do something wrong or hurtful to us. This book helps you to see the steps needed to be able to let go of your anger and sadness and forgive. Annette Stanwick shares the sad story of the murder of her brother. She explains what it was like to deal with that tragic event in her life. The workbook questions found in the book are a great way to reflect on events in our life. I lost my dad at a very young age and have had a hard time forgiving myself for not telling him goodbye that day before he left for work. I was in such a hurry to get ready for school. This book has helped me let go of those feelings and forgive myself.
Forgiveness Review, February 28, 2008
| By | Veronica Lewis - |
What I love about this book is that it doesn’t read like a typical self-help or Christian teaching. You want to turn each page. You can’t wait to find out what will happen next as the author goes through her journey through grief and forgiveness. You find that as you are learning to forgive, how to handle anger, how to LIVE, basically because everyone is going to go through some of the issues and trials presented in this book — as you turn the pages you realize this book is extremely well-written. I love to read. I love to learn. I’m a busy mom who works from home and have a one year old granddaughter running around most of the time. I don’t have a lot of time. So when I really decide to read and finish a book, it’s a GOOD book. It’s the kind of book that keeps you reading even at night when you are tired and know you should go to sleep but it’s like, let me just read one more paragraph. Everyone has to learn to forgive or drown in bitterness. This book is worth your time. It gives you the tools to help you to forgive and to heal. The lessons, the examples, the prayers, the exercises all work together to form a wonderful piece of literature.
Truly Inspirational, February 28, 2008
| By | L. Webster (Arizona) |
It is unfortunate, but sorrow, grief, and pain will enter all of our lives to some degree. Getting through the anger and sense of loss in order to be able to come out on the other side not only whole again, but as better people — able to truly forgive is what life in Christ is about. In this book, Annette Stanwyk takes you through her journey after her brother is murdered. Only with the help of her faith in a loving God — one who loves us so much that He created us with free wills — even to murder and do harm — is she able to get through it. It is very inspiring and she allows the reader to view her both at her worst and best. Well written and very inspiring. Definitely 5 stars.
Learn how to forgive and live life to the fullest!, February 27, 2008
| By | Juliel Boehlke “julz49221″ (Adrian, MI) - |
Forgiveness is often a hard word to live up to. In this remarkable book by Annette Stanwick, she not only shares her own life experiences, but allows you to almost “feel” and become a part of the book itself, with the additional worksheets and questions that she allows you to ask yourself. This is the first step in personal recovery and healing and one step closer to leading a more healthy and fulfilling life. A must read for all of us who need to put the past behind us and forgive but not forget!
Spiritually uplifting! A wonderful addition to any personal library., February 26, 2008
| By | Shawneepaints (Texarkana, TX) |
The cover of this book is perfect. It invites a feeling of peace, which goes hand-in-hand with the author’s objective. Annette Stanwick’s personal struggles and overcome-hurdles bring about a sense of closeness as the reader becomes enthralled with the story. The Explorations invoke personal examination to help the reader make positive steps towards recovery from bitterness that not forgiving brings. The prayers help a person see how to pray over the process of forgiveness, which is a hard step in itself for many who struggle to become free of the bindings within. The book is captivating, provides needed insight, and promotes a bonding with the Lord.
All glory goes to God!, February 26, 2008
| By | Cheryl H. - |
Forgiveness is the miracle that releases the chains of bitterness, allowing us to experience freedom and peace at last. If that is not the truth then nothing is. It is amazing that I came across this book at such a time in my life. I know it is by the grace of the Lord that this happened. Having faced a death recently and also battling with forgiveness in more than one way, including forgiveness to myself this book is amazing. I feel like I want to do lunch with Annette!