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Broken into Beautiful

November 12, 2008 by Carrie

I had never heard of Gwen Smith before I picked up this book. I came across this title and thought it sounded like a message worth exploring. This book is all about how God restores the wounded heart (that’s its subtitle) and it is excellently done.

Gwen Smith is incredibly genuine. You know how you can sometimes tell when you are reading a book that the author ‘likes the sound of their own voice’ and are talking just to talk? Just because they can? Just because they managed to sell the idea of a book to a publisher? Well, that’s not Gwen. There was something very real in the way that she shared her own story of brokenness and related various other women’s stories that drew me in, as the reader, and encouraged my own soul.

Gwen Smith’s story is that she had an abortion in college which she proceeded to keep a secret for the next fifteen years. She had no intention of sharing her story at all because she accepted forgiveness for herself and had experienced God’s grace in this particular situation. Although involved in public music ministry she did not feel like she had to share every bit of her past to somehow justify her position in ministry. I do believe I agree with her opinion in saying that it’s not necessary to “empty your trashcan” to the general public but it is important to share your story if God asks you to. He asked her to and she has been obedient in doing so, which opens up an entirely different ministry of healing.

In this book she not only shares her story, but the stories of other women and the problems that they have faced in their path. This is not done in a vulgar way at all, but rather exercises a great deal of taste and maturity that I think is quite admirable. Coupled with the fact that she compares each individual woman’s story with a story from scripture, this book is quite well done. Smith doesn’t leave the answer to life’s problems in human hands nor does she rely on human wisdom (or the lack thereof) in facing the sin and dealing with it. Rather she throws her readers in the right direction — before the Throne of Grace.

This book is tasteful, encouraging, compelling and necessary. This book fulfills a need in a sympathetic yet solidly Biblical way for which I am incredibly grateful. After finishing reading the book I hopped on Youtube and watched an interview with Gwen and was left with the same impression of sincerity. She is a beautiful woman and has a beautiful story to share. To learn more about the book or to read an excerpt of it, check out the publisher’s, Harvest House website here.

I’d strongly encourage it because I believe you will find yourself blessed in doing so. I know I was.

If you’d like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment and we’ll announce one random winner next week (U.S. addresses only).

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.

Filed Under: Carrie, Christian, Non-Fiction, Women's Interest

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Comments

  1. Carissa says

    November 17, 2008 at 3:35 pm

    Sounds great!

  2. Pamela Hansen says

    November 17, 2008 at 4:05 pm

    I would love this book for my brother

  3. Ed Nemmers says

    November 17, 2008 at 6:08 pm

    Sweet niblets!

  4. Linda Howard says

    November 17, 2008 at 6:40 pm

    I would love to win this book; please enter me. Thanks!

  5. Shauna Owens says

    November 17, 2008 at 7:46 pm

    This looks like a great book and something I would love to read!

  6. Carla Pullum says

    November 17, 2008 at 9:12 pm

    Wow I would love to read this book!

  7. Leslie says

    November 17, 2008 at 9:55 pm

    Would love to give this a read.

  8. William Wright Jr says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:05 pm

    Thanks for the chance to win! 🙂

  9. gina snow says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:06 pm

    i want to win

  10. Dolores Olsen says

    November 17, 2008 at 10:36 pm

    I have heard of her and would like very much to read her book.

  11. tina hartley says

    November 17, 2008 at 11:12 pm

    I want to win

  12. Chrysa says

    November 17, 2008 at 11:27 pm

    Looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!

  13. Linda Russell says

    November 18, 2008 at 12:04 am

    I could definitely use this book and relate, in my own way. Thanks for the chance to win.

  14. Karrie says

    November 18, 2008 at 12:36 am

    sounds great

  15. Joy Venters says

    November 18, 2008 at 12:54 am

    would like to read this

  16. Peggy Gorman says

    November 18, 2008 at 1:39 am

    Sounds wonderful , would love to read

  17. Jeanine Price says

    November 18, 2008 at 3:12 am

    Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

  18. jennifer gersch says

    November 18, 2008 at 5:49 am

    thanks

  19. Ruthann Rhodes says

    November 18, 2008 at 7:29 am

    Sounds amazing, thanks

  20. Kris says

    November 18, 2008 at 10:28 am

    Sounds like a wonderful read! Please enter me…thank you!

  21. claire says

    November 18, 2008 at 11:47 am

    I believe I was lead to the contest to learn about this wonderful sounding book. Thank you!

  22. Veronica Garrett says

    November 18, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful book. Hope I win.

  23. kathy pease says

    November 18, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY 🙂

  24. Gianna says

    November 18, 2008 at 12:54 pm

    Please enter me 🙂

  25. Donna Wilde says

    November 18, 2008 at 2:13 pm

    This like a book I need to read!

  26. Cheryl F. says

    November 18, 2008 at 2:17 pm

    I’d love to read this 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  27. Karen F says

    November 18, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    I would like to give this book to my friend. She lost her mother, and her best friend and mother in law to cancer this year. This might help her.

  28. Shirley S says

    November 18, 2008 at 2:57 pm

    This is just what I need right now in my life. Other christians’ testimonies are always an inspiration to me.

  29. Melissa B. says

    November 18, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    Sounds like a good book. I know exactly who I’d give it to.

  30. Timothy Sternberg says

    November 18, 2008 at 3:07 pm

    This looks like a beautiful testimony.

  31. Francine Anchondo says

    November 18, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds like a good read.

  32. Esther says

    November 18, 2008 at 3:51 pm

    This book sounds wonderful! Thanks!

  33. Brandy says

    November 18, 2008 at 5:16 pm

    This book sounds great! I am trying to teach my 2 and 3 year olds about god and that he will forgive everyone if they ask forgiveness and repent. God teaches us everyday to accept and apprectiate everyone in their own way. God Bless You!

  34. Karen says

    November 18, 2008 at 7:03 pm

    I know I could use this book in my life. Please enter me. Thanks

  35. Sandra - Illinois says

    November 18, 2008 at 7:19 pm

    This sounds like an inspirational and wonderful book. I am always looking for new spiritual and testimonal books. Thanks! [email protected]

  36. Lily Kwan says

    November 18, 2008 at 7:51 pm

    Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!

  37. Beverly Metcalf says

    November 18, 2008 at 7:59 pm

    Sounds like a really good book. Thanks for having the contest!

  38. Janet says

    November 18, 2008 at 8:10 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds like a great read.

  39. Adrian Lamont says

    November 18, 2008 at 8:18 pm

    Sounds like a good read,Count me in.

  40. Elizabeth M. says

    November 18, 2008 at 8:28 pm

    It sounds like a blessing.

  41. Jill Lund says

    November 18, 2008 at 8:38 pm

    Gwen Smith sympathetic yet solidly biblical message rings true.

  42. Nicole says

    November 18, 2008 at 9:19 pm

    That sounds like a really inspiring read. I’d love to win a copy.

  43. Terra says

    November 18, 2008 at 9:46 pm

    I would def. like to read this! Thanks!

  44. kerri r says

    November 18, 2008 at 11:14 pm

    this really looks interesting would love to read it

  45. Tamara Lovewell says

    November 18, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    If I win this I will give it to my mother, this would be a great book for her!

  46. Charlene Kuser says

    November 18, 2008 at 11:35 pm

    This book sounds very inspirational.Please enter
    me and thanks.I need a renewal of my soul

  47. kathy yohanna says

    November 19, 2008 at 2:41 am

    This sounds like a great book. Please enter me.

  48. Donna K says

    November 19, 2008 at 11:34 pm

    Count me in please.

« Older Comments

Trackbacks

  1. A Life Well Read says:
    November 19, 2008 at 2:00 pm

    […] back tomorrow for a special DVD giveaway as well! The winner of Broken into Beautiful is #20 Mrs. Mommyy. With all of the heartfelt comments, I wished we could have given away 20 more, […]

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