rosearch.....thank you so much for this post. I did not know that the Graham's even had a daughter. It sounds like a great book and I like that it is based on scripture.

As I read the synopisis of the book, I could not help but think about how this family had to struggle with things that we also have to struggle with. Their son became an alcoholic but later repented and is following in the footsteps of his father.

She wrote another book, Just Give Me Jesus. very good.

I am going to look for that book. It reiterates what our minister said about everyone, yes everyone, in their lives on earth will walk through valleys of happiness and sadness in their lives. But we need to remember to cling to God in all of it, even thanking him for the lows.

This sounds like a great book for me to get for myself today when I venture out into....THE MALL again. I love to shop but it is hard at this time of the year.

Thank you the book suggestion. The title speaks volumes of truth. She is an excellent writer. I have read other books of hers. She wrote one with her dear mother, also. God bless you.

May be too late to put it on my book wish list, but will try to find a copy to read. I love the title of the book..."In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart." That pretty much sums up the state of most people's lives. We all have our crosses to bear..and those here have to endure estrangement.
Thanks for telling us about it.
Maddie

Norske....I agree with what your pastor said because it is absolute truth! We all, Christian and non-Christian fall into the valleys of despair and then find ourselves sitting on the mountaintops as well at some point in our lives. In life there are both crosses to bear and joy filled days to shout about. God rains on the saved and the unsaved. Unfortunately, far too many Christians have been fed the 'health and wealth' gospel so much that they are completely shattered when the storms come rolling in (yep, myself included here!).

It's like you see on the news almost every day when a tragedy occurs of many different sorts like massacres, and kidnapped children and other news occurrences worthy of interviewing local people and the in-shock interviewee say; "how can this happen in my town?"

Yes, it can happen in my town and your town. Estrangement CAN happen to the saved and the unsaved family! One of the biggest problems with the Christian churches today is that they are not preparing their member for when times of trouble befall their parishioners. They are too afraid of offending them. It's the Joel Olsteen message of "God loves you and wants what is best for you" gospel. And yes there is truth to that but it is more to it than just that message.

I watched a recent Joel Olsteen message that all in all was pretty good, but when he said; "pray for that estranged child and God will give it to you because he wants you to be HAPPY!" I sat back and said; "Wow, and if God does not answer that prayer with a YES, then what happens to that persons' faith?"

( Sorry for the ranting! Ice storm kept me off the Internet for 24 hours so I'm wound up <:-)

So true. The Name It and Claim It message make a sick person feel
as if their faith was too small or their prayers unheard. So untrue. It is not about what the believer does it is about the power of God and His will. We are still given the privilege and the command to pray without ceasing. God's perfect will be done.

Many of the ministers of faith on TV are similar to Joel Osteen and are very pray for it and it will happen.

Our minister is very real - telling us there are peaks and valleys and in the valleys stay true to God because he is there with you; remember to never give up hope but God's timing and our timing are not always the same, etc. I appreciate his truth.