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God Loves Broken People: And Those Who Pretend They're Not
Readers encounter a new message about God's redemptive plan for their failures and shortcomings. In this powerful book full of deep biblical teaching, Walsh encourages readers with God's truth that he is not done with them yet, that he can and will redeem their failures to create a deeper intimacy with him and accomplish his kingdom purposes.
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
397 people are currently reading
722 people want to read
About the author
Sheila Walsh
248 books588 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Sheila Walsh (05-07-1956) is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.
Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.
Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.
Twitter @SheilaWalsh, facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects
Sheila Walsh (05-07-1956) is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word.
Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.
Sheila co-hosted The 700 Club and her own show Heart to Heart with Sheila Walsh. She is currently completing her Masters in Theology.
Twitter @SheilaWalsh, facebook.com/#!/sheilawalshconnects
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
March 2, 2015
Having decades of ill health (severe chronic pain and a sleep disorder), and all the monetary, familial and friend problems (even church friends disassociated after a short while because, gosh why can't you just get over your illness, and if you really "Believed", God would have answered your prayers) and emotional/depression issues that go along with just trying to get through the day and earn enough to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, I don't believe the author understands true brokenness.
From the beginning, I had problems: a big issue for her was something so little, well I'd love to have so little going on that was stressful in my life. I quote Cherie Hill, another reviewer, because she said it so well:
"Immediately I felt a disconnect from the author who begins Chapter 1 by speaking about brokenness and opening with a personal narrative about her arriving home, her husband calling her to let her know that he will be picking up their son at his best friend's house, and then her going into an all out panic and exploding in anger when her husband and son return home a few hours later after they did not respond to a text and phone call. The author relates this story to clinging to Christ who offers peace in the "fiercest storm."(?) She declares, "I'm not waving; I'm drowning." If this is the author's idea of a broken life . . . or broken situations . . . there is a clear disconnect from those going through TRUE brokenness."
Just not a book that was helpful for me.
From the beginning, I had problems: a big issue for her was something so little, well I'd love to have so little going on that was stressful in my life. I quote Cherie Hill, another reviewer, because she said it so well:
"Immediately I felt a disconnect from the author who begins Chapter 1 by speaking about brokenness and opening with a personal narrative about her arriving home, her husband calling her to let her know that he will be picking up their son at his best friend's house, and then her going into an all out panic and exploding in anger when her husband and son return home a few hours later after they did not respond to a text and phone call. The author relates this story to clinging to Christ who offers peace in the "fiercest storm."(?) She declares, "I'm not waving; I'm drowning." If this is the author's idea of a broken life . . . or broken situations . . . there is a clear disconnect from those going through TRUE brokenness."
Just not a book that was helpful for me.
March 30, 2013
This book (I am reviewing the Kindle version) had all the makings of a powerful read: A GREAT Title, catchy subtitle, and a much needed message in a world that is hurting. The problem is that the content failed to deliver. I was hoping for a message that would inspire, encourage, and lift up my heart. The introduction and following chapters failed to even come close to doing any of those things.
If you are able to make it through the introduction, Chapter 6 is written well and the whole book's message could probably be summed up in that Chapter. I was surprised at the typo in paragraph two. (I've found enormous editing errors in Sheila Walsh's books . . . not sure why) The book opens oddly with a disturbing nightmare that Ms. Walsh has had all her life about being led to an execution chamber and being put to death for a crime she didn't commit. Somehow, she relates brokenness in life to "getting" over nightmares for an intro.(?)
Immediately I felt a disconnect from the author who begins Chapter 1 by speaking about brokenness and opening with a personal narrative about her arriving home, her husband calling her to let her know that he will be picking up their son at his best friend's house, and then her going into an all out panic and exploding in anger when her husband and son return home a few hours later after they did not respond to a text and phone call. The author relates this story to clinging to Christ who offers peace in the "fiercest storm."(?) She declares, "I'm not waving; I'm drowning." If this is the author's idea of a broken life . . . or broken situations . . . there is a clear disconnect from those going through TRUE brokenness.
I was GREATLY OFFENDED by the Chapter titled, "FIERCE LOVE AND HALLOWEEN GRACE." This was a completely INAPPROPRIATE comparison made between God's grace and Halloween!?! The author states,
"I call this kind of grace 'Halloween grace,' because it wears an unanticipated costume. (Halloween Costumes) don't 'necessarily give any clue to the sort of kid on the inside. Grace can be like that too.'"
"But in each case His grace wears a slightly different costume."
I found this comparison appalling. I could go on, but I think I've described enough of the issues of this book. The personal narratives should be completely left out. They add no value and absolutely take from it. Overall, the book was unorganized and the same point was repeated throughout the entire book. There was no resolve and no true connect with the reader. It all felt "broken."
***** I will note to the author AND the publisher that there is a reference to the yellow bracelet band put out by Lance Armstrong that states, "Just Do it!" The band has never said this, the bands are engraved ONLY with, "LIVESTRONG." (trademarked)
I would HIGHLY recommend Sheila Walsh's book: "The Shelter of God's Promises"
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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."
If you are able to make it through the introduction, Chapter 6 is written well and the whole book's message could probably be summed up in that Chapter. I was surprised at the typo in paragraph two. (I've found enormous editing errors in Sheila Walsh's books . . . not sure why) The book opens oddly with a disturbing nightmare that Ms. Walsh has had all her life about being led to an execution chamber and being put to death for a crime she didn't commit. Somehow, she relates brokenness in life to "getting" over nightmares for an intro.(?)
Immediately I felt a disconnect from the author who begins Chapter 1 by speaking about brokenness and opening with a personal narrative about her arriving home, her husband calling her to let her know that he will be picking up their son at his best friend's house, and then her going into an all out panic and exploding in anger when her husband and son return home a few hours later after they did not respond to a text and phone call. The author relates this story to clinging to Christ who offers peace in the "fiercest storm."(?) She declares, "I'm not waving; I'm drowning." If this is the author's idea of a broken life . . . or broken situations . . . there is a clear disconnect from those going through TRUE brokenness.
I was GREATLY OFFENDED by the Chapter titled, "FIERCE LOVE AND HALLOWEEN GRACE." This was a completely INAPPROPRIATE comparison made between God's grace and Halloween!?! The author states,
"I call this kind of grace 'Halloween grace,' because it wears an unanticipated costume. (Halloween Costumes) don't 'necessarily give any clue to the sort of kid on the inside. Grace can be like that too.'"
"But in each case His grace wears a slightly different costume."
I found this comparison appalling. I could go on, but I think I've described enough of the issues of this book. The personal narratives should be completely left out. They add no value and absolutely take from it. Overall, the book was unorganized and the same point was repeated throughout the entire book. There was no resolve and no true connect with the reader. It all felt "broken."
***** I will note to the author AND the publisher that there is a reference to the yellow bracelet band put out by Lance Armstrong that states, "Just Do it!" The band has never said this, the bands are engraved ONLY with, "LIVESTRONG." (trademarked)
I would HIGHLY recommend Sheila Walsh's book: "The Shelter of God's Promises"
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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."
August 2, 2012
The title of this book sums it up pretty well. “God Loves Broken People (and those who pretend they’re not)”. This message is clear throughout. The reader is given several examples of what it means to be broken, and then scripture that shows us that God is still there during those times. This is not a self-help book explaining how to remove the hardships from our life, but rather a book meant to explain why hard times are okay and actually scriptural.
This book reads almost like a personal journal with a little more organization to it. You can tell the topic of grace within suffering is a personal matter for Mrs. Walsh. While there were some points I didn’t completely agree with, I was inspired by the words and the thought behind them. I found the amount of scripture in this book refreshing, as too often Christian writers don’t use enough. The personal stories from Mrs. Walsh of pain and heartbreak remind us that we all suffer in different ways. She reminds us that we are always loved, which is a point sometimes hard to remember. This book is not for someone who wants an easy fix to what they have suffered, but if you are looking for Biblical truth in your suffering you will find that here as long as you are willing to accept suffering as a part of life. I would definitely recommend this book to others. There is an odd comfort in her reminder that pain can bring us closer to God’s love.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”
This book reads almost like a personal journal with a little more organization to it. You can tell the topic of grace within suffering is a personal matter for Mrs. Walsh. While there were some points I didn’t completely agree with, I was inspired by the words and the thought behind them. I found the amount of scripture in this book refreshing, as too often Christian writers don’t use enough. The personal stories from Mrs. Walsh of pain and heartbreak remind us that we all suffer in different ways. She reminds us that we are always loved, which is a point sometimes hard to remember. This book is not for someone who wants an easy fix to what they have suffered, but if you are looking for Biblical truth in your suffering you will find that here as long as you are willing to accept suffering as a part of life. I would definitely recommend this book to others. There is an odd comfort in her reminder that pain can bring us closer to God’s love.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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.”
December 18, 2014
As human we are all broken in some way. And God loves each of us in and through our brokenness. The author, herself, has experienced the pain of being broken and has used her experiences to share how her brokenness brought her closer to God and allowed her to help others in their time of darkness.
My Bible study group picked this book out for one of our studies, since the book comes with discussion questions in the back. I was not impressed. We couldn't connect with the author and her presentation of the material felt stiff and unrelatable. She was so vague about her depression issues that even I, who suffers from depression, didn't feel a connection. She makes assumptions about hte reader in both the book and the questions that aren't always true. The questions in the back were often closed and didn't really leave room for open discussion or other differences of opinion. But the last few chapters really picked up and I enjoyed them. I thought the author was able to connect better and was able to pull some thought provoking issues into the material. I'm not sure how an author can write a book that is so bad for two-thirds of the book and then end on such a strong note. The discussion questions never got better, but we were able to talk about what we'd read and take it from there. Because of this, I can't really recommend the book to anyone. But since it ended on a good note, I would be open to trying another book by this author.
My Bible study group picked this book out for one of our studies, since the book comes with discussion questions in the back. I was not impressed. We couldn't connect with the author and her presentation of the material felt stiff and unrelatable. She was so vague about her depression issues that even I, who suffers from depression, didn't feel a connection. She makes assumptions about hte reader in both the book and the questions that aren't always true. The questions in the back were often closed and didn't really leave room for open discussion or other differences of opinion. But the last few chapters really picked up and I enjoyed them. I thought the author was able to connect better and was able to pull some thought provoking issues into the material. I'm not sure how an author can write a book that is so bad for two-thirds of the book and then end on such a strong note. The discussion questions never got better, but we were able to talk about what we'd read and take it from there. Because of this, I can't really recommend the book to anyone. But since it ended on a good note, I would be open to trying another book by this author.
April 11, 2012
I got the book from Booksneeze in ebook format. Here goes the review:
Things I Like about the book:
- I like that the author seems to be a book lover herself. The book is peppered with stories, insights and excerpts from other books she's read.
- I like the fact that she has pointed out numerous situations that a lot of people, Christian or not, are able to empathize i.e. questions about children suffering, tough times that happen in a Christian's life, especially the ones that seem to come one after another.
- I like the fact that she gave another adjective to God's love, instead of the cliche word people used to refer to it - "unconditional". She referred to it as fierce. She wrote: God's love for us is not merely "unconditional", but wild, windy, even howling. It demands everything. It stops at nothing. In a word, it is fierce."
What I did not like:
- I know I mentioned that there are a lot of excerpts from other books, stories here and there, but towards the end I feel that there's just too much that it is rather easy to sometimes go back to the author's main point for that chapter.
- The long chapters, make it hard for me to break down my reading time. I sometimes feel that there's just too much thoughts or points squeezed into one chapter.
- I started to lose it when she made reference to a catholic icon, not because I am guilty of the same bigotry some hard core catholic casts on Christians, but because I start to see the said icon as a fraud. Having found out her depression (yes, I know we all go through that sometimes, even people from the old testament like David) that went on for a long time, based on her penned thoughts. Yes I know that makes her human as well, to be going through the same feelings we all do at times in our walk with God, but somehow it doesn't seem right for me. Pardon me for my inability to capture my thoughts in words, but there's just something there that I could not put my finger on.
Other than that, I think the book is okay.
Things I Like about the book:
- I like that the author seems to be a book lover herself. The book is peppered with stories, insights and excerpts from other books she's read.
- I like the fact that she has pointed out numerous situations that a lot of people, Christian or not, are able to empathize i.e. questions about children suffering, tough times that happen in a Christian's life, especially the ones that seem to come one after another.
- I like the fact that she gave another adjective to God's love, instead of the cliche word people used to refer to it - "unconditional". She referred to it as fierce. She wrote: God's love for us is not merely "unconditional", but wild, windy, even howling. It demands everything. It stops at nothing. In a word, it is fierce."
What I did not like:
- I know I mentioned that there are a lot of excerpts from other books, stories here and there, but towards the end I feel that there's just too much that it is rather easy to sometimes go back to the author's main point for that chapter.
- The long chapters, make it hard for me to break down my reading time. I sometimes feel that there's just too much thoughts or points squeezed into one chapter.
- I started to lose it when she made reference to a catholic icon, not because I am guilty of the same bigotry some hard core catholic casts on Christians, but because I start to see the said icon as a fraud. Having found out her depression (yes, I know we all go through that sometimes, even people from the old testament like David) that went on for a long time, based on her penned thoughts. Yes I know that makes her human as well, to be going through the same feelings we all do at times in our walk with God, but somehow it doesn't seem right for me. Pardon me for my inability to capture my thoughts in words, but there's just something there that I could not put my finger on.
Other than that, I think the book is okay.
May 19, 2012
God Loves Broken People
Sheila Walsh
In God Loves Broken People, Sheila Walsh brings a message of hope to all of us. Because at one time or another, all of us have been broken and in need of that message.
From the introduction, titled “It’s Okay Not to be Okay” to chapters such as “I’m Not Waving, I’m Drowning,” “Fierce Love and Halloween Grace” and “Only the Wounded Can Serve” we are bombarded with the fact of God’s boundless, extravagant love for us and we are comforted with reminders of His grace and mercy.
From the back cover: “…Sheila Walsh shows how personal brokenness can open doors of intimacy with Jesus Christ that might never open in any other way. It’s not that God loves broken people more than those who imagine themselves to be whole—it’s simply that they know they are loved. They dare to believe it…and through such trust, a new wholeness emerges from yesterday’s broken pieces.”
This book is an excellent resource for pastors and counselors and should hold a prominent place on their bookshelves. More importantly, it is a must-read for the broken. Its message of healing will bring comfort and hope.
Sheila Walsh
In God Loves Broken People, Sheila Walsh brings a message of hope to all of us. Because at one time or another, all of us have been broken and in need of that message.
From the introduction, titled “It’s Okay Not to be Okay” to chapters such as “I’m Not Waving, I’m Drowning,” “Fierce Love and Halloween Grace” and “Only the Wounded Can Serve” we are bombarded with the fact of God’s boundless, extravagant love for us and we are comforted with reminders of His grace and mercy.
From the back cover: “…Sheila Walsh shows how personal brokenness can open doors of intimacy with Jesus Christ that might never open in any other way. It’s not that God loves broken people more than those who imagine themselves to be whole—it’s simply that they know they are loved. They dare to believe it…and through such trust, a new wholeness emerges from yesterday’s broken pieces.”
This book is an excellent resource for pastors and counselors and should hold a prominent place on their bookshelves. More importantly, it is a must-read for the broken. Its message of healing will bring comfort and hope.
June 19, 2015
God Loves Broken People by Sheila Walsh is a greatly encouraging book full of hope. Regardless of the extent of your brokenness or even your lack of it, this book speaks to the needs of many weary, disillusioned and wounded people.
Sheila makes the comment that if could only write one book in her life, this would be the one. This is because her passion is to see broken people find healing and wholeness in Christ. That's not to say that all their problems will be solved but rather they will find strength and courage to live fulfilling lives.
Sheila addresses a number of issues that cause brokenness. Some self-inflicted, some inflicted by others, some simply the result of living in a broken world. She illustrates her points with illustrations from the Bible, other people's stories and her own personal stories which I enjoyed the most.
Sheila writes in an easy to read, down to earth style and by the end of the book she has convinced the reader of the value of brokenness in revealing God's love. Not that you look forward to difficulties but rather you so firmly believe that a good God loves you that whatever comes your way must have a good purpose behind it.
A great read.
Sheila makes the comment that if could only write one book in her life, this would be the one. This is because her passion is to see broken people find healing and wholeness in Christ. That's not to say that all their problems will be solved but rather they will find strength and courage to live fulfilling lives.
Sheila addresses a number of issues that cause brokenness. Some self-inflicted, some inflicted by others, some simply the result of living in a broken world. She illustrates her points with illustrations from the Bible, other people's stories and her own personal stories which I enjoyed the most.
Sheila writes in an easy to read, down to earth style and by the end of the book she has convinced the reader of the value of brokenness in revealing God's love. Not that you look forward to difficulties but rather you so firmly believe that a good God loves you that whatever comes your way must have a good purpose behind it.
A great read.
March 6, 2018
Absolutely loved this book. And reading it has significantly added to my To Read list, as there are SO MANY good book suggestions throughout! I found the stories in this book to be inspiring, and the overall message to be greatly comforting.
There is a bible study at the end of the book that I did not take part in, because those things are not really my style, but that is an added bonus for people who like that sort of thing.
*there were some annoying editing errors throughout the book (I read the Kindle version) like a sentence that started repeating itself halfway through, but that is worth overlooking for the great content!
There is a bible study at the end of the book that I did not take part in, because those things are not really my style, but that is an added bonus for people who like that sort of thing.
*there were some annoying editing errors throughout the book (I read the Kindle version) like a sentence that started repeating itself halfway through, but that is worth overlooking for the great content!
March 4, 2019
Such a blessing to me a bummer lamb
Sheila touches my heart each time to places words to page. I was blessed by the reminder that i don't have to be perfect to be used of Christ as a matter of fact. He can use me best when I am weak for He is made strong.
Sheila touches my heart each time to places words to page. I was blessed by the reminder that i don't have to be perfect to be used of Christ as a matter of fact. He can use me best when I am weak for He is made strong.
January 9, 2018
C.S. Lewis once wrote, "“You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you." No one wants the gift of pain and tragedy, yet that's often what God allows in our lives.
With tremendous grace and quite a bit of transparency, Sheila Walsh shares what all of us need to hear, even if we find it uncomfortable or unwanted: "Brokenness is a gift." Then she spends the rest of the book walking its readers through the painful process of coming to grips with that truth and dealing with people who say things that hurt more than help.
Reading this book felt like I was sitting with a cherished mentor on the couch, as she gently folded me in her arms and whispered timeless truths from the Bible. Sheila teaches with great love and care, not wanting to inflict further pain but wanting us to see the beauty that the Great Physician has for us, even though tragedy forever mars us.
With tremendous grace and quite a bit of transparency, Sheila Walsh shares what all of us need to hear, even if we find it uncomfortable or unwanted: "Brokenness is a gift." Then she spends the rest of the book walking its readers through the painful process of coming to grips with that truth and dealing with people who say things that hurt more than help.
Reading this book felt like I was sitting with a cherished mentor on the couch, as she gently folded me in her arms and whispered timeless truths from the Bible. Sheila teaches with great love and care, not wanting to inflict further pain but wanting us to see the beauty that the Great Physician has for us, even though tragedy forever mars us.
June 30, 2023
I found this book to be as incredibly helpful as it's title suggests!!
If you are human you have experienced brokenness, loss, shame, guilt, and/or loss or you are pretending. This volume is one of the best volumes I have found in not only dealing with one's brokenness and shame and furthermore it does so effectively by finding the means to move through one's brokenness onward to a meaningful life by God's grace and help alone! This is the one book (besides the Bible itself) that I intend to return to again and again when I have fallen or encounter any of life's challenges that make me wonder how I can move on ... how to navigate through the valley of the shadow of death. I give this book my highest recommendation!!
If you are human you have experienced brokenness, loss, shame, guilt, and/or loss or you are pretending. This volume is one of the best volumes I have found in not only dealing with one's brokenness and shame and furthermore it does so effectively by finding the means to move through one's brokenness onward to a meaningful life by God's grace and help alone! This is the one book (besides the Bible itself) that I intend to return to again and again when I have fallen or encounter any of life's challenges that make me wonder how I can move on ... how to navigate through the valley of the shadow of death. I give this book my highest recommendation!!
February 6, 2018
A Book for Hurting People
This is a very sensitively written book. The author really has a heart for other people and their sufferings. However, she also writes as if Christians have a moratorium on suffering. The difference between Christians and non-Christians as far as suffering goes is that Christians have Jesus, who has suffered himself, to go through it with them. In Matthew 5 verse 45 it says " . . . He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. "
This is a very sensitively written book. The author really has a heart for other people and their sufferings. However, she also writes as if Christians have a moratorium on suffering. The difference between Christians and non-Christians as far as suffering goes is that Christians have Jesus, who has suffered himself, to go through it with them. In Matthew 5 verse 45 it says " . . . He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. "
June 29, 2017
I'd give this one a 3.5. There were a few things I didn't agree with however there were other things that were really powerful and helpful. Nit picking here but gee I hated the font, how small and light it was stopped the book from being enjoyable to read (I'm obviously getting old lol). I'd certainly recommend this book to others to read, I'm sure many people would find it helpful and encouraging.
August 15, 2017
This book helped me understand the love of the Father in a way and at a depth that had never understood it before. I highly recommend this book to anyone who struggles with accepting grace and forgiveness.
February 4, 2018
Love this book! She is so gifted in her writing and because she herself has struggled she makes you feel like your not alone in your struggle. Brings so much hope to the hurting!! God uses our broken! Great book!
February 10, 2018
Sheila's raw honesty is refreshing and her commitment to help broken people is inspiring.
Sheila Walsh is one of my favorite authors and I aspire to follow in her footsteps. This was a very good read. Keep up the good work Shiela.😊
Sheila Walsh is one of my favorite authors and I aspire to follow in her footsteps. This was a very good read. Keep up the good work Shiela.😊
October 22, 2018
Wow
I have never felt so emotionally connected to a book in my life. I truly felt as if it was written just for me. I found it to be incredibly inspiring and have already recommended it to a few of my friends.
I have never felt so emotionally connected to a book in my life. I truly felt as if it was written just for me. I found it to be incredibly inspiring and have already recommended it to a few of my friends.
September 7, 2021
Meaningful truth was shared, the author has a big understanding of God’s redemptive grace.
“Brokenness is a gift. Only sheep who know that they are broken—and yet loved—can learn to trust not in themselves but in the wisdom and strength and mercy and grace of the Good Shepherd.”
“Brokenness is a gift. Only sheep who know that they are broken—and yet loved—can learn to trust not in themselves but in the wisdom and strength and mercy and grace of the Good Shepherd.”
February 2, 2018
Great book, restores ones faith in God
I loved this book for she shared about God loving and being with the broken people. I needed to be reminded of that.
I loved this book for she shared about God loving and being with the broken people. I needed to be reminded of that.
November 9, 2018
Great
Good read!!! A little slower than I like, but still a good read and a good reminder that god loves us.
Good read!!! A little slower than I like, but still a good read and a good reminder that god loves us.
September 19, 2019
Excellent! I highly recommend the audiobook read by the author. Sheila reads with such passion! It feels like she is sitting at the table talking directly to you.
January 19, 2020
Wonderful all of her books are awesome but this one and it's okay not to be okay are the best.
January 20, 2020
This was a refreshing book for me.
April 15, 2021
Exceptionally great.
March 21, 2012
Review of God Loves Broken People (And those Who Pretend They're Not) by Sheila Walsh
I highly recommend this book to any one who is struggling with pain and discouragement in their lives (and who among us isn't?). Sheila Walsh uses real-life stories from her own experiences and that of others to reach out to the broken among us. She uses examples of great people, even Mother Teresa and her own personal struggles with God and His love. She points out that Mother Teresa had faith AND doubt. I once had a Presbyterian pastor tell me that without doubt, there is no faith.
I love these lines in the book: "Nothing that happens surprises God, so trust Him in the midst of your pain. God loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love. God will be with you always, and whatever you have to face, He will go through it with you.
Do you believe those things? If you do, then STAND there. Stand on the Rock. Stand, when your knees buckle and your tears fall like rain. Stand when everything else gives way. You can do that, I know, because Jesus Himself continues to stand with you. Forever."
Wow, those are powerful words. As I ponder how we will make it with my husband having lost his job as the business folded and went bankrupt (and he had just lost a job he been with for 33 1/2 years to the company going bankrupt), and I have had to go on disability and retire from the teaching job I loved and felt called to by God. I ponder my purpose and this book gives me some hope. I also love that this book has a bonus Bible study to accompany the book. God suffered and died for me. He loves me. He loves me in my brokenness. He loves me just as I am.
A few other lines of Sheila's touched me: "What if brokenness is a divine gift, a mystery we can fully understand and truly appreciate only in eternity? what if our deepest wounds are the very places through which God's mercy flows to others? What if instead of trying to fix ourselves, we present ourselves---broken and flawed though we are--to be used as He sees fit, for his glory and our good?"
Those lines remind me of the song, Blessings, by Laura Story: "What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're real?"
Do read this book if you are also seeking answers to questions. Read this book if you want to know God is real and that He loves you. Read this book if you want to experience God's love in a new way. Embrace Your brokenness. God is the Good Shepherd and He does love the bummer lambs and the black sheep. Read the book to hear the story.
About the author:
Sheila Walsh is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word. Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSneezeThomas Nelson Publishing for my honest review on my blog.
I highly recommend this book to any one who is struggling with pain and discouragement in their lives (and who among us isn't?). Sheila Walsh uses real-life stories from her own experiences and that of others to reach out to the broken among us. She uses examples of great people, even Mother Teresa and her own personal struggles with God and His love. She points out that Mother Teresa had faith AND doubt. I once had a Presbyterian pastor tell me that without doubt, there is no faith.
I love these lines in the book: "Nothing that happens surprises God, so trust Him in the midst of your pain. God loves you, and nothing can separate you from His love. God will be with you always, and whatever you have to face, He will go through it with you.
Do you believe those things? If you do, then STAND there. Stand on the Rock. Stand, when your knees buckle and your tears fall like rain. Stand when everything else gives way. You can do that, I know, because Jesus Himself continues to stand with you. Forever."
Wow, those are powerful words. As I ponder how we will make it with my husband having lost his job as the business folded and went bankrupt (and he had just lost a job he been with for 33 1/2 years to the company going bankrupt), and I have had to go on disability and retire from the teaching job I loved and felt called to by God. I ponder my purpose and this book gives me some hope. I also love that this book has a bonus Bible study to accompany the book. God suffered and died for me. He loves me. He loves me in my brokenness. He loves me just as I am.
A few other lines of Sheila's touched me: "What if brokenness is a divine gift, a mystery we can fully understand and truly appreciate only in eternity? what if our deepest wounds are the very places through which God's mercy flows to others? What if instead of trying to fix ourselves, we present ourselves---broken and flawed though we are--to be used as He sees fit, for his glory and our good?"
Those lines remind me of the song, Blessings, by Laura Story: "What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if your healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're real?"
Do read this book if you are also seeking answers to questions. Read this book if you want to know God is real and that He loves you. Read this book if you want to experience God's love in a new way. Embrace Your brokenness. God is the Good Shepherd and He does love the bummer lambs and the black sheep. Read the book to hear the story.
About the author:
Sheila Walsh is a powerful communicator, Bible teacher, and best-selling author with more than 4 million books sold. A featured speaker with Women of Faith®, Sheila has reached more than 3.5 million women by artistically combining honesty, vulnerability, and humor with God's Word. Author of the best-selling memoir Honestly and the Gold Medallion nominee for The Heartache No One Sees, Sheila's most recent release, The Shelter of God's Promises, has also been turned into a DVD curriculum and in-depth Bible study. The Gigi, God's Little Princess book and video series has won the National Retailer's Choice Award twice and is the most popular Christian brand for young girls in the United States.
I received a free copy of this book from BookSneezeThomas Nelson Publishing for my honest review on my blog.
May 8, 2012
In God Loves Broken People, Shelia Walsh enforced the concept of dealing with your feelings of being broken. There are many ways to handle your wounds from your past. Shelia encouraged readers to believe and study what the Bible declares over your difficult circumstances. She described her own feelings about hurts in life and not understanding why bad things happen. She wrote this book to reveal her own struggles with her broken pieces. Jesus is always there to assist us when we are going through our hurts and our pains.
One of my favorite examples that Shelia shared in her book was how her husband had an extreme fear of water. The fear was passed down from his very own father. His father got robbed in a grocery store and they beat him and nailed him to a whiskey barrel. The fear of living his life and the pain he endured consumed his father. One day his father was watching the news broadcast. There was a breaking headline of the day telling about a boat drowning accident. He warned his son to never get in the water on a boat because he would drown. Shelia’s husband as an adult made a choice to start reading and speaking the word of God to overcome his fears. He decided that he didn’t want to pass down this generational fear of the unknown to his son. Now father and son go fishing together on the boat trusting that God will protect them. This story spoke volumes for me! The lesson is to believe the truth of God’s prevailing and life altering word. Fear and spoken negative words over our lives can be transformed with God’s healing and changing power.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling and feeling like they are the only one going through difficult times in their life. If you’re feeling broken and beat down by life then this book will offer you hope that God is still on the throne controlling all things. Asking the why things happen in our lives seem to be a common thing we have all done. It’s comforting to know that we aren’t alone in our struggles and heartbreaks. Our Savior is ready and willing to lead us broken and all until we make it to the other side. Even when we do make it home he will still be there but only then will we be completely whole. This book will reveal the truth to you about how much God still desperately loves you especially through your broken pieces!
“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”
One of my favorite examples that Shelia shared in her book was how her husband had an extreme fear of water. The fear was passed down from his very own father. His father got robbed in a grocery store and they beat him and nailed him to a whiskey barrel. The fear of living his life and the pain he endured consumed his father. One day his father was watching the news broadcast. There was a breaking headline of the day telling about a boat drowning accident. He warned his son to never get in the water on a boat because he would drown. Shelia’s husband as an adult made a choice to start reading and speaking the word of God to overcome his fears. He decided that he didn’t want to pass down this generational fear of the unknown to his son. Now father and son go fishing together on the boat trusting that God will protect them. This story spoke volumes for me! The lesson is to believe the truth of God’s prevailing and life altering word. Fear and spoken negative words over our lives can be transformed with God’s healing and changing power.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is struggling and feeling like they are the only one going through difficult times in their life. If you’re feeling broken and beat down by life then this book will offer you hope that God is still on the throne controlling all things. Asking the why things happen in our lives seem to be a common thing we have all done. It’s comforting to know that we aren’t alone in our struggles and heartbreaks. Our Savior is ready and willing to lead us broken and all until we make it to the other side. Even when we do make it home he will still be there but only then will we be completely whole. This book will reveal the truth to you about how much God still desperately loves you especially through your broken pieces!
“I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.”
June 22, 2015
GOD LOVES BROKEN PEOPLE
by Sheila Walsh
God loves us, broken people, who open up our battered hearts to allow God to heal our personal sorrows and heartaches. When our carefully created glass houses crash down, we slowly start to carve a brand new world beyond the safe haven of those demolished walls. We are broken lambs, who limp after our Shepherd. We do not know where He goes but we want to go with Him. Our personal brokenness opens up the way to the heart of God. We broken people know that God loves us, a heart knowledge that we dare to believe, and through such blind trust, a whole new awareness emerges from the shattered ruins of yesterday's broken pieces. The Shepherd loves us. We have no hope and no meaning in life apart from Him. We are not alone, we have never been alone, and we will never be alone. Our divine Shepherd is with us. He has always been there except that we will never know it unless and until we welcome Him into our hearts. The dark little fingerprints in our lives leave not-so-easily-brushed-away smudges that only the Savior can wipe away clean from our slates. Let us bring the scarred, broken pieces of our lives to God and allow Him to do for us what only He can do. He can stitch together the torn fragments of our shattered lives into the most beautiful tapestry. God loves us with a selfless, undying passion. He has committed Himself and His supernatural, omnipotent power to getting us safely home to heaven to be with Him forever. To God be all the glory.
by Sheila Walsh
God loves us, broken people, who open up our battered hearts to allow God to heal our personal sorrows and heartaches. When our carefully created glass houses crash down, we slowly start to carve a brand new world beyond the safe haven of those demolished walls. We are broken lambs, who limp after our Shepherd. We do not know where He goes but we want to go with Him. Our personal brokenness opens up the way to the heart of God. We broken people know that God loves us, a heart knowledge that we dare to believe, and through such blind trust, a whole new awareness emerges from the shattered ruins of yesterday's broken pieces. The Shepherd loves us. We have no hope and no meaning in life apart from Him. We are not alone, we have never been alone, and we will never be alone. Our divine Shepherd is with us. He has always been there except that we will never know it unless and until we welcome Him into our hearts. The dark little fingerprints in our lives leave not-so-easily-brushed-away smudges that only the Savior can wipe away clean from our slates. Let us bring the scarred, broken pieces of our lives to God and allow Him to do for us what only He can do. He can stitch together the torn fragments of our shattered lives into the most beautiful tapestry. God loves us with a selfless, undying passion. He has committed Himself and His supernatural, omnipotent power to getting us safely home to heaven to be with Him forever. To God be all the glory.
April 3, 2016
Sheila Walsh reinterates that noone that walks the face of the this Earth, does so unscathed. A concept that I have tried to share with my daughters while they were growing up. The glory of it all lies between the pages of her new book GOD LOVES BROKEN PEOPLE because the Lord offers us an alternative way to dealing with pain. Oft times, human beings our deaf to God's words because they are too busy with their fulfilled lives. It's unfortunate that most of us have to reach bottom before we look up to him. It is at our lowest times that, when our hearts are broken we seek out his solace and in so doing learn the greatest secrets to Faith, Hope and His Love. Sheila Walsh makes herself vulnerable by sharing her private struggles and ultimate intimacy with God in this amazing book. If most Christians are honest, they too, have similar experiences. I know that I, also, drew my closest to God when tragedy and loss struck my family. Many things we experience in life are really blessings in disguise and with God, we can make something positive out of the negative. All humans experience pain although different times and seasons than our own what is important is how we deal with these circumstances. GOD LOVES BROKEN PEOPLE will be an inspirational source for many and offers everyone a hope to hold on during their most difficult hours. I highly recommend this splendid resource and feel priviledged that I was able to obtain a copy of this book from Book Sneeze in exchange for my honest review.
October 1, 2012
I just finished reading Sheila Walsh's, God Loves Broken People courtesy of BookSneeze and really enjoyed it. Walsh, has walked through difficult times and many experiences that have led to brokenness. His healing, and a mindset full of God's Word as truth have allowed her brokenness to be used for His glory...and a reminder to others that we all experience suffering and brokenness. Walsh gives a truth-filled reminder of purpose in the brokenness and honest look at a restoration process that makes it possible to be useful again for His purposes. She reminds the reader that brokenness is a human trait, many of the heroes of the faith from Biblical times through contemporaries have battled their own times of brokenness. Walsh is very open about her own challenges and the truth of how God has healed and restored her. Her vulnerability gives the reader hope and an example of how God can restore and use a broken person for His greater glory after brokenness. The process of suffering moves and changes us from what we've decided we were to who God has created us to be...and He is still at work, Phil 1:6!
Suffering is guaranteed in this life. God guarantees to be with us through the suffering. Sheila Walsh reminds us that God will restore, establish, strengthen and settle us.
Her wonderful thought, may it encourage you as you seek after Christ as His beloved and broken person.
"To be broken is to follow in Christ’s footsteps. But to embrace it is to follow His heart."
Suffering is guaranteed in this life. God guarantees to be with us through the suffering. Sheila Walsh reminds us that God will restore, establish, strengthen and settle us.
Her wonderful thought, may it encourage you as you seek after Christ as His beloved and broken person.
"To be broken is to follow in Christ’s footsteps. But to embrace it is to follow His heart."
January 5, 2013
When I received this book a few months ago from the Booksneeze program, it started out as a hard read. Basically I think it was me and not the book. I've read so many books on hurt, broken people and the numerous suggestions to accomplish successful healing. This weekend a terrible storm came by and took out my power, phone and cable. I was a captive audience. Again I opened the book and in minutes was hooked.
Throughout the pages I was comforted by glimpses of the lives of the author, Sheila Walsh, and some of her favorite people. I found myself highlighting new favorite ideas and phrases. Sheila Walsh is a wonderful author, transparent and familiar with her subject matter.
From the story of the bummer lamb to the three-minute play by Thornton Wilder entitled "The Angel That Troubled The Waters", I savored the messages, sometimes imagining it spoken with Sheila's soft Scottish brogue. I found myself jumping on Facebook and sharing some insights with my family and friends. "Being broken changes the way we see each other. Those who understand that we all limp make better traveling companions" and "Faith does not live here, but Jesus does" were two that really kept me giving until I reluctantly finished the book. In the back of the book is a bible study that was interesting and thought provoking. It made me dig deeper into the subject and God's Word. I ended up giving the book another star for the bible study.
Booksneeze provided me with this book for my honest opinion.
Throughout the pages I was comforted by glimpses of the lives of the author, Sheila Walsh, and some of her favorite people. I found myself highlighting new favorite ideas and phrases. Sheila Walsh is a wonderful author, transparent and familiar with her subject matter.
From the story of the bummer lamb to the three-minute play by Thornton Wilder entitled "The Angel That Troubled The Waters", I savored the messages, sometimes imagining it spoken with Sheila's soft Scottish brogue. I found myself jumping on Facebook and sharing some insights with my family and friends. "Being broken changes the way we see each other. Those who understand that we all limp make better traveling companions" and "Faith does not live here, but Jesus does" were two that really kept me giving until I reluctantly finished the book. In the back of the book is a bible study that was interesting and thought provoking. It made me dig deeper into the subject and God's Word. I ended up giving the book another star for the bible study.
Booksneeze provided me with this book for my honest opinion.
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