"Overcome anger, reject bitterness, and trust in JESUS who will fight for you."
by Shelley Hundley
A Former Atheist
This book has completely wrecked me.
I picked up this book at our yearly One Thing Regional Conference here in Orlando. I found the book and it was one of the few I didn't already own from the product table (confessions of a book-aholic Mom, much?). The title caught my eye and even though the by-line should have given away that this was NOT a book works-minded (as in, Jesus-- demonstrate your justice in the ministry to the poor, the widow and the orphan) but rather a book totally and completely focused on the attribute of God as the man, Justice.
Once again, this book has completely wrecked me. I just don't even know where to start.
The author of this book spends a good portion of the book sharing her testimony with the reader. She fully writes out the Scripture that declares "... and they overcame him, by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." (see Revelation 12:11) Shelley Hundley has been forgiven much and therefore she loves much! I don't want to ruin it for you (because I'm telling you, you should read this book) but as a sneak peak into it, Shelley grew up in South America as a missionary with her parents meanwhile she experienced traumatic abuse and witnessed violence all around her. As a result of the trauma and abuse, she forsook everything that had to with God and Christianity. She became an atheist surrounded by depression, suicidal thoughts and etc. After experiencing a miraculous salvation, the Lord began to deal with the trauma, anger and unforgiveness in her heart (from the abuse) by revealing the way He works His purposes through pain.
"Without pain, we would remain fascinated by one vanity after another. Pain reveals to us the inadequacy of what we are beholding and unlocks our ache for a greater beauty to fulfill our need. Pain and suffering, therefore, are useful not because they have redemptive or transforming power, but because of what they tear down in our lives and the One to whom they can lead us. Pain directs us to the place where God is waiting, ready to change us."
"Somehow the places of our hearts that are blind to beauty are within the reach of pain."
Out of that understanding, she begins to know God as Judge and receives immense healing and a great measure of faith through it all!
"One day during a time of prayer, the Lord whispered a phrase to me that opened up an entirely new revelation of Jesus. I had no idea at the time, but the truth that the Holy Spirit was about to reveal would bring me more healing than I could have possibly imagined... The words were, 'You need a judge.' "
"I am convinced that this generation needs more faith for personal holiness than for the miraculous demonstration of God's power."
"Without recognizing Jesus Christ as the ultimate Judge, the comfort we offer those withering under the weight of a wicked and perverse world is reduced to offering them a sympathetic pat on the back and the shallow encouragement, 'You will make it through somehow.' "
"When we truly learn to look for the 'day of His appearing,' we will find our hearts steadied in suffering and sharpened in holiness."
And on, and on, and on it goes.
At the end of the book, Shelley leaves us with an encounter she had with the Lord. She, through her testimony, is beckoning us, the readers, to lay it all down and become the friend of Jesus. To sit with Him as a friend and weep and partner with Him through every execution of His heart. I think this bit wrecked me most. I want to be found a faithful friend of the Bridegroom!
"I don't want my heart to be too cold or my mind too cluttered that He can't share His heart with me."
"You think your brokeness can compete with the Son of God's prayers that you would be with Him where He is? Your weakness is nothing in comparison to the desire that burns in God's heart to be known."
Go get this book and get to know God as Judge. It will transform you.
Agape,
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