Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Book Review and Giveaway!

Miracle for Jen by Linda Barrick

ABOUT THE BOOK:

On the night of November 5, 2006, the Barrick family was driving home from church when their van was struck by a drunk driver. Fifteen-year-old Jen suffered multiple skull fractures and severe brain trauma and was not expected to survive the night. But against all odds, she did. As she lingered in a coma, doctors warned that if Jen ever woke up, she would be cursing and screaming in confusion due to her brain injuries. Instead, after five weeks she opened her eyes and began praying and praising God. Jen didn’t remember her middle name, recognize her parents, or recall that she had a little brother—but she remembered Jesus and every word to every praise song and scripture she had hidden in her heart before the accident. As any loving mother would, Jen’s mother Linda wanted God to heal Jen—make her like she was before. Normal. But a loving God had something else in mind—instead of making her normal, God is making Jennifer—and the whole Barrick family—extraordinary, miraculous. Miracle for Jen is the remarkable true story of a family who overcame tragedy and learned to trust God's plan for their lives in a whole new way.

MY REVIEW:

I don't know if I have enough space here to tell you how incredibly amazing this book is! It is truly life-changing and you will come away from it having a whole different outlook on your life and your relationship with the Lord.

I first heard about Jen Barrick when I was watching a "Joni and Friends" tv program (Joni Eareckson Tada also does the foreword in this book).  There are always amazing stories of faith on Joni Eareckson Tada's show, but this one has never left my mind.  The journey that this family has been on and the injuries that they have endured would put most of us in bed with a blanket over our head, however, they have faced this with incredible faith and love for the Lord - especially Jen.

Jen was an active, athletic young woman who had her life changed completely in a matter of seconds when her family was hit by a drunk driver.  Jen's injuries were life-threatening and the brain injury she sustained was massive.  However, this sweet girl has faced each and every challenge with her eyes on Jesus, knowing that He has a plan for her life.  It certainly made me look at my own injuries different and how the Lord can use us even when we are broken, if we will just allow him to.

There were so many times as I was reading this book that I was sobbing because of Jen's total love for the Lord and her surrender to Him in all things.  Her walk with the Lord is so true and it makes me want to grow closer to the Lord in my own relationship with Him.  There are snippets from Jen's journals from before the accident and she had asked the Lord so many times to use her and He has certainly answered that prayer in so many ways.  He is using her in such great ways because of her injuries.

I was stunned at the fact that while Jen was still trying to "wake up" after the car accident, she would pray and praise the Lord in a normal voice - even though while awake, she could barely be understood or put two words together.  She never cursed, as so many head-injury patients do, and she was a light to those around her.  How many  nurses, doctors, patients, and others did she touch during this time?

There are so many quotes in the book that struck to the very heart of me.  Jen has the wisdom that only God could give her and she generously shares it.  Here are some of my favorite quotes from Jen:

"I have to forgive because I want God to forgive me.  I don't want to limit what God wants to do in and through me."

"The Lord doesn't waste trials.  He has a plan and purpose for everything."

"When I'm singing and praising my Savior, nothing else matters because I feel His presence.  I feel close to Him."

"If He doesn't heal me completely, its because He has something far greater for me to do."

There are many, many more that touched my heart, gave me hope, and made me realize that the Lord works through us in every situation - if we let him!    You have to realize that many of these profound things were said while she still couldn't do many of the basic things we all take for granted, yet, the Lord was speaking through her to encourage and be a light to others!

I also liked that the book shared the struggles and faith of the Barrick family.  Written by Jen's Mom, she shares her own struggles with what happeend to Jen and her hard time in forgiving the man who hit them.  I love that Linda is real and shares her heart so fully in the book.

This book is something I'm going to read again and again.  It is one of the best books I have ever read and I am encouraging everyone I know to read this book.  It is simply wonderful and life-changing!!

*************
This book was provided to me by Tyndale for my honest review. 

GIVEAWAY:

Tyndale has graciously allowed me to give away a certifictate for a copy of this magnificent book to one of my readers.  Here's what you need to do to enter to win:

Please remember to leave a separate comment on this post for everything you do! Please don't tell me in one comment that you did 3 or 4 things - this makes it too difficult to get all the enteries in properly.  Thank you! 

1.  Leave a comment on this post telling me you would like to win this book.

For addition entries you can do the following:

1.  Become a follower of my blog for 1 entry.  Leave a seperate comment saying you're a follower

2.  Share this giveaway on Twitter.  Use @moreofhimblog in your tweet and leave me a seperate comment telling me you did.

3.  Share this giveaway on Facebook.  Leave me a seperate comment telling me you did.

4.  "Like" More of Him Blog on Facebook.  Leave me a comment telling me you liked my blog for another entry.

5.  Share this giveaway on your own blog.  Leave me a seperate comment, sharing the link to your post, for another entry.

I will pick a winner, using random number finder on Thursday, April 12, 2012.

God bless you - Julie

6 comments:

  1. This book sounds amazing, would truly love to win this. As someone who has recently suffered a stroke, and is still experiencing brain swelling, and a 100% blocked artery in my brain, Wow. This review was awesome. I am a follower of your blog, and have like you on facebook.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have liked your blog on facebook.

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