Healing Together by Anne Marie Miller

Trauma is a powerful thing. It can be suppressed and repressed and change a person’s behavior in unimaginable ways. There are tragedies and horrors in the underbelly of society and church that we cannot even wrap our minds around. Anne has written an incredible work to equip us as to how to begin caring for those who have been abused and assaulted. We can be trauma informed. We can stop blaming women for their dress or location or any other means by which we write off these terrible offenses. This is why people do not come forward. Those of us who should be clothed in compassion are heaping shame on others. Otherwise, we end up like the people writing adult Anne and telling her she should have known better. She was a child at the time of her offense. Her abuser was an adult pastor. He was more than 10 years her senior. Clothes yourself in compassion, my friends.

Healing Together: A Guide to Supporting Sexual Abuse Survivors by Anne Marie Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been following Anne’s writing for over a decade. I have been on several of her launch teams and I can unwaveringly say that she has a voice we need to listen to. This book is no exception. She has given the church a gift.

In the first section we learn about trauma and hear about her own trauma. She has had quite a bit of pain turning in her abuser. Well-meaning Christian women basically called her a tramp and said she should have known better...even though she was a child and her abuser was an adult. It is no wonder that people do not come forward after trauma. The people who should offer healing heap them with shame.

The second section of the book is a fantastic resource to anyone who is in trauma care or looking to help someone who has been abused. So often, we look like a deer in the headlights when this sort of thing happens. We are completely unequipped. Anne has clearly laid out scientific and emotional data and strategies for us. The research and thoughtful care she has put into this book is easily seen. Even though I have been helping people navigate trauma for many years, I found some powerful reminders here. I am reminded of my own needs as I address others needs.

Thank you for your powerful work, Anne. It leaves us without excuse in helping those around us.


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Y’all. Please read Anne’s book Healing Together: A Guide to Supporting Sexual Abuse Survivors. I’ve Ben helping her launch her books for over a decade and have long loved her written voice, but this. This is a word we all need. As I have listened to all the talk around sex scandals at Baylor or seeing beloved worship leader Jeff Berry arrested, I have been stopped in my tracks. We, the supposed compassionate Christians, might just be the problem. The estimates of children abused in the church in the past century is over one million. Know the red flags. Know how to respond. Prepare yourself do that you are ready instead of I’ll-equipped. {link in bio}

 This book was graciously provided by Zondervan Publishing and Anne Marie Miller for review.  

Crescendo by Allen Cheney

Crescendo: The Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town by Allen Cheney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book appealed to me because it looked soulful, creative, and deep. I did not know anything about the story beforehand. First, I'll tell you that this was a well-crafted story. Being able to tell history in such a powerful way is a gift. Allen Cheney is a gifted story teller. Second, this is a story that will make you gasp and bring you to tears. I do not want to share any spoilers, but I want you to experience this man's story.

You can read the info about the book to see that this is a book that tells the story of a man that was a musical genius. He had risen to the top of his game as a producer when he came face to face with a mental breakdown brought on by the trauma of his childhood. That caused him to wrestle with some huge decisions in his life. You can see how that all played out in the subtitle. He changed the lives of countless people with his passion, gifting, and by sharing his healing.

The words in these pages shone like a bright light in my heart. Our healed hurt is the richest of gifts when we share it with others. It was a good reminder for me. I am grateful to have read it.

Some favorite quotes:

"When someone we know starts to forget they have something to offer, it's our job to remind them."

"It's about the light you shine for others, not the light that shines on you."


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*This book was graciously provided by the publisher for review.

Jesus in Me by Anne Graham Lotz

Jesus in Me: Experiencing the Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion by Anne Graham Lotz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I remember the first time I heard Anne speak over a decade ago. As she was talking, I had this palpable overwhelming sense of the peace of God. I loved her clear and powerful way of conveying the rich love of God. This book is much the same. I could curl up in it. I have read and reread portions to simply feel the beauty of the character of the Holy Spirit. Reading his names and attributes have brought calm, joy, and resolve to my spirit.

In the last few years, Anne has lost her father, her husband, and gone through breast cancer. This book is her journey to experiencing the Holy Spirit as a constant companion. Her personal, vulnerable stories touch the heart. Seeing that Billy Graham's daughter is traversing difficult paths helps me to see that I am not alone on this journey of life.

When I opened the book, I stared at the dedication page for quite some time. It wasn't a big long list of thanks to those who helped her like most books. It simply said, "to the lonely." That got to me. Even when we are surrounded by people, we often feel lonely in our problems, perceived defects, and trauma. Anne had experienced it herself and is sharing how God himself became her best friend. We always get farther when we walk with others than when we walk alone. I know this book will speak deeply to you. I hope you read it.


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Congratulations to @annegrahamlotz on her new book #Jesusinme It is a beautiful work on the constant companionship of the Holy Spirit. The opening dedication to the lonely spoke deeply to my heart. {Link in bio.} Thank you for you words, Anne. #Jesusinmebook #launchday #books #annegrahamlotz #waterbrookmultnomah #book #readingtuesday #📚 #tothelonely

A post shared by Steph Cherry (@heystephcherry) on Oct 1, 2019 at 10:46am PDT