I am Second:Real Stories. Changing Lives. by By Dave Sterrett and Doug Bender, Forward by Colt McCoy is an inspirational new book containing short stories of real people who turned to faith in God to overcome issues such as addiction, terminal illness, injuries, crime, poverty and other challenges. These short stories tell the true details of people who overcame the odds through faith in God and prevailed spiritually. This inspiring book has a story that many readers can relate to: poverty, crime, greed, addictions, terminal cancer and depression. These stories depict true suffering and true struggles and how ordinary people overcame through faith in Jesus which is available to all who believe. For example, the story of a young woman who survived a shark attack and an amputation is featured. Rather than give up, she persevered through faith and continued with her desire to surf. Another woman faced terminal cancer. Although there are no guarentees of a permanent cure, she is in remission, yet is prepared for the day when the cancer returns with full force. Another man, a minister of a church faught with concealing his addiction to pornography and another couple faced the after affects of an affair. A single mother had to overcome poverty, and had to suffer the pain of watching her son go hungry. Yet, these people faced their crisis and temptations with faith. And through the struggle found peace in faith.
With this book is a full color insert featuring artistically posed photographs of the people whose stories are features as well as dramatic black and whote photos. With each story, is a picture of the subject individual. In many cases there is minimal effort to disguise the personal characteristic features, rather than conceal, they are highlighted. For example, no attempt is made to conceal the wrinkled, stump of the young woman's amputated arm in the pohotographs, and in another, each and every tatoo of a man's covered body is visible. Some of the individuals are presented in a pensive, reflexive posture- as a tribute to the pain and tough choices they have faced. Others are depicted with proud and triumphant smiles and postures as a testament to what they have overcome. There is great attention to the photography art included in the book- which will serve to make the book more appealing to modern readers. After each story, is a link where the reader can find more inspirational stories. The links allow the reader to interact with the stories over the internet. Also, the message of salvation is not neglected in this book. Any reader who finishes this book- cover to cover will get the good news of the gospel. In a world full of selfish ambition, competion, and the divination of the self, this book teaches that we are truly second, to God who is first- and in that fact we may rejoice and find peace. As a blogger for booksneeze, I recieved this book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of writing this review.
I wanted to say thanks for sharing I am Second with your audience and for reviewing my book. I also wanted to let you know that I have another book coming out December 9 called Live Second: 365 Ways to Make Jesus First. The book contains 365 daily readings and prayers meant to inspire people to consider what life might look like if Jesus were First. I am organizing a Week-of-Second Blogging Campaign for bloggers like yourself who are fans of I am Second. Please email at launch@iamsecond.com if you are interested in receiving a copy of the book and joining in the campaign.
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