Book details

Other books

Other people who viewed this bought
Showing items 1 to 10 of 10

 

Full description | Reviews | Bibliographic data
Showing 1 to 2 of 2 results

Reviews for Permission to Speak Freely

Write a review

  • A Gift...5

    susanne phaneuf It all started with a simple question posted on her blog. "What is one thing you feel you can't say in the church?" And with this one question, Anne Jackson not only opened up a floodgate of responses from around the world, but also had the beginning of what would become Permission To Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace.

    It's no secret that I read a lot of books, but the truth is that there are very few that I don't want to end, and even fewer of those fall in the non-fiction category, but this is definitely one of those precious few.

    With snapshots of her own story woven throughout the book, Ms. Jackson takes her readers, like friends, into her life, giving us the benefit of lessons she's learned. From the far too prevalent role that fear plays when we walk through the doors of a church, to the power of confession, to facing down the shame that so many of us carry alone, Anne's voice rings out loudly the truth that none of us is as alone as we may feel we are. My favorite chapter, would have to be 'The Gift of Going Second', something so simple and yet so powerful, it amazed me, and filled me with new resolve.

    The book itself is a thing of beauty. Filled with artistic answers to Anne's original question, some of the confessions are heartbreaking, while others left me with no other words than a whispered, 'me too'.

    Permission To Speak Freely is, in my estimation, a must-read. Whether you've spent the majority of the Sundays in your life in a pew, or if you've never actually sat in one, the clear message of grace is one that we all need.

    Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller. by susanne phaneuf

  • A book with Hope ...5

    Peter LIM Permission to speak freely is Anne Jackson's narrative about her own life of brokeness and wrestling with rejection and addiction. Her rejection of the Christian faith after experiencing and witnessing the way church politics destroyed her father's life. Her wanderings in the "wilderness" of addiction and substance abuse.  Her restoration and return to the heavenly Father.  

    To be honest it's not what I expected. I thought the book will be a bunch of theoretical (read boring) essays addressing issue the church (universal) has to face and talk about but isn't doing so. Instead, What it is is a series of narrative essays taking us through the author's life andher experience with taboos in Conservative Christian Church life in America. However, it is not only America but around the world both East and West. 

    The book was well designed crafted and chapters punctuated with poems and prose that fit the theme of the chapter. It made the reading interesting and easier.

    I have never finished a book so quickly in such a long time. There was no rush to submit the review,  what motivated me to read so intently was the subject matter. It was a breath of fresh air, as Anne spoke freely about her broken life and her struggles. Something close to my heart now. Anne addresses a very serious issue in the church today. That is: The Christian church ought to be a community of grace, safe place where it's members can share freely, the broken and the beautiful in their lives.
    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." by Peter LIM

Write a review
Showing 1 to 2 of 2 results