Monday, September 06, 2010

Choosing To See, by Mary Beth Chapman {Giveaway}

Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hopeimage

(GIVEAWAY DETAILS AT BOTTOM OF POST)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

MY REVIEW:

Grab a box of tissues before you even crack open the cover of this book! You will need them from the first page to the last as you glimpse the heart of Mary Beth Chapman and the journey of tragedy she and the Chapman family have traveled.

Choosing To See is a raw look at the grief and pain of loosing a child in such a tragic way. It is also the honest look at the life and testimony of God's grace in Mary Beth's life as well as the family as a whole. I appreciated how honest she was with her readers. Most likely she will face some criticism for some of what she shares due to her openness, but I praise her for showing us that life is not perfect and that it's not of ourselves, but only of God's strength, mercy, and grace that our lives amount to anything. When I set this book down I felt like I knew Mary Beth as a friend rather than like I just had an inside look at the life of a celebrity.

The end of the book is a pouring out of posts from her blog since the accident. For the distanced reader it's a lot to wade through, but I must say that I am glad she was real. She didn't try to tie pretty bow and make it seem like a fairy-tale ending. Mary Beth instead shares how God meets us where we are even in the depth of grief.

For someone who wants to know more about the Chapmans, the life of Maria, or dealing with the death of a child, I would recommend you read this book. No matter why you read it you will end it with a large dose of encouragement. It's the story of winter moments in life and how spring does come again...

BOOK OVERVIEW:

From the beginning, Mary Beth Chapman's life was not how she planned. All she wanted was a calm, peaceful life of stability and control. Instead, God gave her an award-winning singer/songwriter husband, crazy schedules, and a houseful of creatively rambunctious children. Most difficult of all, God's plans for her also included tragedy.

In Choosing to SEE, Mary Beth unveils her struggle to allow God to write the story of her life, both the happy chapters and the tragic ones. And as the story unfolds, she's been forced to wrestle with some of life's biggest questions: Where is God when things fall apart? Why does God allow terrible things to happen? How can I survive hard times?

No matter where you find yourself in your own life story, you will treasure the way Mary Beth shows that even in the hard times, there is hope if you choose to SEE.


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Available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. This book was provided for review courtesy of Revell.

 

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GIVEAWAY!

I am giving away 1 copy of this book.
Leave a comment on this post to be entered into the drawing.
A winner will be chosen on September 12, 2010.
Please click here to see entry rules.

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13 comments:

  1. Hey Mandy! Sounds like a very interesting and inspirational book. Hope you guys have a great Labor Day!

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  2. I heard an interview with Mary Beth on Haven today and what to read the book! She griped my heart from the beginning of the interview. What an inspiration she is. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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  3. I have read reviews of the book and it sounds great! I would love to win - thanks for the chance!

    Sheri

    hspruitt [at] juno [dot] com

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  4. I just saw that book in a magazine the other day and thought I'd like to read it. Thanks for the opportunity to win it!

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  5. Hi, Mandy. I keep seeing your name pop up on goodreads, so I thought I'd check out your blog. I'm a new follower and I like that you review Christian nonfiction, which I don't see as many reviews for.

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  6. Hey Mandy,
    I saw this at arrowhead and wanted to get it but didn't. I am glad you read it and liked it. This makes me want to read it even more!
    Jody C.

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  7. My heart goes out to them. I admire her courage and strength.

    Holly Schwartz
    hollyanna66@gmail.com

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  8. The Chapman's story just touches the deepest part of my heart. To see how they've stuck together and clung to their faith through all of this is inspiring. I've wanted to read this book since I heard about it, so thanks for the opportunity to do so!

    I hope you're doing well! :)

    kami@mybeautifulday.net

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  9. I want to read this book too. Can I be honest and say that I tend to fear reading books about loss like this, though. Kind of like "if I read about Job, i'll be tested the same way" fear...didnt say it was rational...since when have I ever claimed to think rationally??? Haha but seriously, I saw someone elese speak highly of this book and I think I may take a chance and read it...

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  10. I would like to read this book. The Chapman family has had to heal. Words can't express the pain they have went through. I feel for them. But God can still use them in their hurting even, if we don't always understand it. I saw this new story on a number of different channels, one was Larry King Live he was very tough of the questions he asked the Chapman's. Now I am glad she is trying to help other people who are going through pain too. God Bless them!

    My email is coolandrew123@gmail.com

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  11. I would like to read this book too! I really appreciate your reviews and I have gotten other books you recommended on paperback swap. My email address is mrsbumba@stny.rr.com Thanks!! Lisa

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  12. i would love to read mary beth's story...what a godly woman she is.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  13. Congrats to Lisa (comment #11) who won this book!

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