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A Cry for Justice
The forgotten face of Jesus as judge and advocate
The daughter of American missionaries, Shelley Hundley was born in Colombia, and grew up on the campus of a seminary that trained leaders to serve in what was one of the most violent nations in the world. After suffering abuse at the hands of a minister in the community, she turns from God, angry and confused that He could allow this to happen.
In A Cry for Justice, Hundley uses her story as a backdrop to show how she found healing from the pain, guilt, and shame of the abuse she endured as a child and how she came to know Jesus in a new way: as a righteous judge who fights for His people and takes upon Himself the burden of our injustices and pain.
The story of Shelley Hundley’s journey from bitter atheist to wholehearted lover of God is unique. Yet what she learned on this journey is relevant to every person who has ever been hurt and has silently wondered, “Who will fight for me? Who can make the wrong things right?”
Discover how Jesus would change your world today.
The daughter of American missionaries, Shelley Hundley was born in Colombia, and grew up on the campus of a seminary that trained leaders to serve in what was one of the most violent nations in the world. After suffering abuse at the hands of a minister in the community, she turns from God, angry and confused that He could allow this to happen.
In A Cry for Justice, Hundley uses her story as a backdrop to show how she found healing from the pain, guilt, and shame of the abuse she endured as a child and how she came to know Jesus in a new way: as a righteous judge who fights for His people and takes upon Himself the burden of our injustices and pain.
The story of Shelley Hundley’s journey from bitter atheist to wholehearted lover of God is unique. Yet what she learned on this journey is relevant to every person who has ever been hurt and has silently wondered, “Who will fight for me? Who can make the wrong things right?”
Discover how Jesus would change your world today.
224 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2011
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291 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 7, 2012
This is a really, really good book. Don't let the 3-star rating fool you. The reason this is 3 stars instead of 4 stars is simply because the first two-thirds of the book is especially good, and the last third isn't so much for me.
The first two-thirds of the book is the testimony of Shelley Hundley. I have heard Shelley's testimony many times in person, and it is a really great one. As a missionary kid in Colombia, Shelley suffered sexual abuse by a pastor. Upon returning stateside, her spiritual life took a nose dive, and by the time she entered college, she was a self-proclaimed atheist. This book tells the story of the power of prayer, the power of God and the power of forgiveness. It is quite moving and deserves at least a 4-star rating.
However, the last third of the book is almost like an entirely different book altogether. This part of the book discusses the reality of God's justice for humanity -- delving into the wrath of God for the unrepentant, etc. It also goes into areas of the downward spiral in America and what she believes is God's judgment on us. I'm not sure what I think about those statements -- not that I disagree, but I simply have no opinion at this point. It's still an interesting topic, but it is not something that I felt went along with the rest of her book. Yes, it was still on topic of justice/judgment, but in a very, very different way. For this reason, I give this book a 3-star rating. I still think it is a very good read, though.
The first two-thirds of the book is the testimony of Shelley Hundley. I have heard Shelley's testimony many times in person, and it is a really great one. As a missionary kid in Colombia, Shelley suffered sexual abuse by a pastor. Upon returning stateside, her spiritual life took a nose dive, and by the time she entered college, she was a self-proclaimed atheist. This book tells the story of the power of prayer, the power of God and the power of forgiveness. It is quite moving and deserves at least a 4-star rating.
However, the last third of the book is almost like an entirely different book altogether. This part of the book discusses the reality of God's justice for humanity -- delving into the wrath of God for the unrepentant, etc. It also goes into areas of the downward spiral in America and what she believes is God's judgment on us. I'm not sure what I think about those statements -- not that I disagree, but I simply have no opinion at this point. It's still an interesting topic, but it is not something that I felt went along with the rest of her book. Yes, it was still on topic of justice/judgment, but in a very, very different way. For this reason, I give this book a 3-star rating. I still think it is a very good read, though.
November 10, 2011
Shelley Hundley is part of the a church in the Kansas City area Ihop, which I have several friends that attend there and are bananas about Jesus. However, I did'nt realize that until I was into the book. I have to say, I went back and forth in this book. Hundley in the beginning of her story shares extreme sexual abuse and her hardness of heart. Which you can understand that it would take much prayer for her to soften her heart and to begin to even know a God that would allow this to happen. It was very intense in many parts. For half of the book, she was very much into the sin that was committed to her after her conversion. She did'nt write about her own repentance and her own sin against God. This bothered me a bit, however, she turned it around and had a great chapter on forgiveness which I think anyone reading that would be blessed. Another caution I had in this book is experience she had. You might call it the experience Gospel. By that I mean in bibical terms. I do not doubt that it happened, however, reading this many people come to the Lord to have a God experience like this, and when it doesn't happen or it is maniuplated, it does not lead to a very good foundation. No matter what our circumstances, God is God, God is mighty to Save. God is all that Hundley claims and more! Hundley claims to have had a vision of Jesus. The message was bibical, however, it might take the focus off the message and on the sensation of Jesus visiting. Reading this book caused me to think of church camp. Everything is good. You feel closer to God, you want change and when you go back home, nothing has changed and your heart is discouraged. I think this can easily happen reading this book. However, if it opens your heart to God and his truth, nothing is impossible with God. Another caution I found not a critism, but a caution. The emphasis was on the holy spirit. I was pleased when she tied the trinity to her conversion. I think it was worth the read and contemplation. God is good.
September 30, 2014
Shelley Hundley has quite the life story to tell. And yet this book is about so much more than the journey she has come on so far. It is about so much more than her childhood growing up on the campus of a seminary in the country of Colombia where violence and kidnappings were continual. About so much more than the abuse she suffered. About so much more than her journey from bitter atheist to Christian and lover of God. It is about that journey, yes, but as a backdrop. It is also an opening and an invitation to the journey each one of us can have.
At times this book was tough to read because it was so challenging, and at others times so encouraging that i couldn't get enough of it. I'd recommend it for sure.
At times this book was tough to read because it was so challenging, and at others times so encouraging that i couldn't get enough of it. I'd recommend it for sure.
"He is calling you to come to Him, to believe that your wounds are not incurable, that your weaknesses are no match for His power. ...The issues in our lives can seem so big, but Jesus is saying, 'I have called you to something bigger than those issues in your life.'
He beckons us to find His grace in our weaknesses and calls us to rise above all the little storms... Despite our fumbling anf bumbling, jesus is beckoning us into friendship."
October 12, 2012
This is a solid written version of her personal story, teachings on Jesus as the Judge, and her famous prophetic "Turn Word" from 2002. She does well linking the Judge to forgiveness.
March 4, 2020
The burden author had carried since she was kid makes my mouth shut. It's painful to follow her journey at the same time amazing to see how she overcame her traumatic experience which professional counselors defined as a very unusual and complicated case.
Although I couldn't agree all her theological points, this book motivates me to study about God in the midst of human suffering.
Although I couldn't agree all her theological points, this book motivates me to study about God in the midst of human suffering.
June 17, 2023
Certainly thought-provoking. The book shone a light on many aspects of an honest relationship and connection with Christ. I have questions about some of the author's experiences, but it was definitely inspiring and illuminating to read her story. There was much in this book to challenge my inward thoughts and my own walk with the Lord.
December 15, 2025
Wow, me ayudó a reconstruir pensamientos que tenía volando en el aire, me afirmo y me animo a seguir profundizando en el amor del Padre.
Los temas del perdón, propósito, identidad son de tanta luz en este libro. De los pocos libros que hablan de la justicia de Dios. Además un llorar de principio a fin. Si has pasado por temas de abuso, lo recomiendo muchísimo.
Los temas del perdón, propósito, identidad son de tanta luz en este libro. De los pocos libros que hablan de la justicia de Dios. Además un llorar de principio a fin. Si has pasado por temas de abuso, lo recomiendo muchísimo.
February 20, 2017
Another solid book from a house of prayer author. I enjoyed hearing the story of Shelley's healing from childhood sexual abuse and coming to know Jesus as both a loving Bridegroom and a fearless Judge. Her encounter with the Lord detailed in chapters 11 and 12 give a strong, prophetic directive for the church of Jesus in our nation.
October 3, 2011
A Cry For Justice is the story of Shelley Hundley, a missionary's daughter who turned atheist after suffering sexual abuse at the hands of church leadership. This is one of those books that you have to read a little at a time, because its heavy and takes time to digest. Shelley was not only traumatized mentally and emotionally, the abuse took its toll on her physical body and even years later she developed ailments linked to the abuse. This book was a bit depressing to read, but I had to know how it turned out at the end.
Shelley openly shares how she battled feelings of guilt and rage, and how she found herself falling into a deep depression which led her to attempt suicide. She completely turned her back on God, convinced that everything she had been taught was a lie. Yet a group of radical believers felt led to pray for Shelley and would not give up on her, no matter how she treated them. An amazing story of restoration and redemption, and the power of prayer.
Shelley openly shares how she battled feelings of guilt and rage, and how she found herself falling into a deep depression which led her to attempt suicide. She completely turned her back on God, convinced that everything she had been taught was a lie. Yet a group of radical believers felt led to pray for Shelley and would not give up on her, no matter how she treated them. An amazing story of restoration and redemption, and the power of prayer.
January 27, 2014
The author lost her faith after being abused as a child by a minister serving with her missionary parents in South America. The abuse turned this missionary daughter into a bitter atheist. Then she met Jesus and learned He is the righteous Judge. He will bring justice for her and for everyone who has ever suffered mistreatment and pain. Her remarkably powerful testimony tells of her love for the Bridegroom Who is coming soon, and His love for her and for all of His children. Very moving and filled with Scripture and Biblical truth.
December 24, 2014
Finally finished this book, and it's a treat. It's both a powerful testimony and a practical teaching. But more than anything, it's the appeal of someone who is in love with Jesus and wants you to love Him, too.
Hundley's testimony is pretty intense; I had heard it before, here and there, through IHOP. But what grips me most about this book, besides the core message of Jesus being the Judge and that being good news, is a hunger for deeper friendship and intimacy with God. If a book can do that--if a life can do that--what a success.
Hundley's testimony is pretty intense; I had heard it before, here and there, through IHOP. But what grips me most about this book, besides the core message of Jesus being the Judge and that being good news, is a hunger for deeper friendship and intimacy with God. If a book can do that--if a life can do that--what a success.
October 22, 2012
An excellent first-hand description of God's mercy and love. This book will exhort you to increased trust and faith in the God Who loves you.
August 7, 2012
Gripping story. Shelley Hundley is a strong woman with a wonderful story.
November 4, 2013
Just read this.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews