In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart: Hope for the Hurting

Comforting.

Ruth Graham, the beloved child of Dr. and Mrs. Billy Graham, describes life on scary ledges as a lamb who needs her Shepherd's rescue, time and again. For her, what could go wrong, did go wrong. Christians aren't immune from life going terribly wrong. She answers the question - When life knocks us flat; when we choose unwisely - when we can't rise above the pain - when self-pity is easier than forgiveness - what hope do we have?In her new book, In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart: Hope for the Hurting, Ruth Graham, encourages those in a dark valley, and those helping someone else walk through dark valleys. If tempted to say, "Well, how can she know my pain?" a reader will learn the answer through her struggles, which were - and are - not much different from yours and mine. The struggles include enduring both people's sins against us, and the sins we commit. Ruth candidly and gently exposed the lies that put her on a lonely, dangerous ledge - or that temporarily kept her from running home to the Father who waits.As she develops the events that rocked her, she also what she learned: first, suggestions for those who care for wandering lambs, prodigals, or their older brothers; second a checklist of reminders for living through the painful time; third, tips for care-givers, and finally, precious Scripture memory verses. The combining of these helps clarify and fortify hope for the hurting hearts.Pain, shame and pride led Ruth Graham onto shaky ledges, and her three precious children also found themselves stranded and hurting on ledges of their own. Yet the great Shepherd of the flock came - every time - and led them to safety.The strength of this book is her candor, her transparency while she confesses her heartaches and failures, from her husband's adultery to their tragic divorce, unplanned pregnancies, depression, eating disorders and coldness of heart. Yet, though it all, Ruth Graham magnifies God's unshakeable love which rescued and restored, repeatedly, while she has been learning who she is in Christ.

I’m glad to get some direction for some of the issues I’ve been facing! Instead of floundering around in the mess, I have some clear things to consider and dig into and it’s greatly encouraging and helpful. Thanks for writing this book. Don’t listen to the negative reviews.

Thank you, Ruth. It's always good to hear that families of preachers, even good solid, notable Christian leaders, don't turn out perfect without their struggles. We're all human and vulnerable to the same things; it just helps having Christ to rightly deal with those issues and recover and be healthy. Our churches ARE full of broken folks - brokenhearted, wounded and damaged emotionally - and yet little is done to effectively minister to these deeply felt needs. We are taught by example to act like good Christians, who shouldn't have any problems - but that is ridiculously unrealistic! It's time, in the Church, that we faced the challenging but realistic truths about what it means to be a Christian in this world - with all it's struggles, temptations, and ill effects on our hearts and minds. Jesus was the Healer of the Brokenhearted: He wasn't just about salvation as a concept of "pie in the sky, by and by". "Abundant life" doesn't start in heaven, but is available now, once we are "in Christ". This book helps us move into that direction of realization and the need that exists for real, Jesus-led ministry that brings healing grace to wounded hearts.

I saw my own family in this book. It helped me understand and emphasize my own situations. Clearly shows mistakes/decisions made and how they affect everyone in your family. Cuts to the heart so much I found I was talking/confessing and praising God throughout. I cried...and felt that FINALLY someone knew! Such a relief!! Heartbreaking moments that affect you forever. She was writing about ME! I am so grateful for this book. I'm not alone. I'm not the only one. And I do not have to keep punishing myself, or others, for my imperfect life. Praise God!!

I have not completed this book yet but I have to say I can't wait to get home to read it in the evenings. I am not a "religious" person. I got burned out on "religion" when I was young because of the church I went to. They judged everyone and still do. When I heard about this book, I decided to buy it because I heard the story of her getting pregnant as a teenager. I wanted to see a religious person love unconditionally. Within the first few pages, she explains she was scared to go home but all her daddy did was hold his arms out to hug her. Makes me want to buy copies and send them all to some of the people who went to church with my parents.It is very enlightening to someone like me who has only been around religion vs. Christians.

Would not recommend. Totally not what I expected. Title is misleading

I really enjoyed this book--it's not just a "Christian self-help" book, but a reexamination of Christian faith and practices as well, taken from Graham's own life experiences. She's been broken and made errors of judgment, failed and failed again, but each time, as she illustrates in the book, God has used that experience to teach her important life lessons and reshape her faith. It's been hard going, painful and sorrowful, but each experience HAS led to a good result, in time.I like that she's not afraid to admit her failures as a Christian; it's a refreshing point of view, and one that I think we all need to remind ourselves of from time to time. We get so caught up in being "pious" and "religious," and when mistakes inevitably come, they shatter us because we feel like God won't love us anymore. Graham proves in this book that no matter what we do, God will never stop loving us, which is one of the most important truths of Christianity.

Highly recommend - a real page turner with lots to process and digest

This book has increased my faith. It is a very good book

Very good

excellent condition and wrth a read if you have ever attended or are attending church to see how you and others feel being there.

This book is amazing,it taught me a lot thank you