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The Impressionist: Becoming the Masterpiece You Were Created to Be

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“Dr. Clinton’s novella will encourage, inspire and challenge you to greatness.” —Pat Williams, Orlando Magic senior vice president, Author of Coach Wooden’s Greatest Secret “This book is so compelling that I skipped an NFL playoff game because I could not stop reading. This story will instruct and inspire.” —Michael Lyles M.D., Christian psychiatrist, author and speaker “ The Impressionist causes us to face the truth about ourselves and our desperate need for a Savior.” —Liz Curtis Higgs, New York Times bestselling author of Mine is the Night Middle aged, disappointed and self-loathing, Adam Camp is anything but the picture of a successful man. With his wife threatening to leave him and their son addicted to drugs, Adam teeters on the verge of absolute despair—questioning his own existence and purpose for living. After an explosive argument with his wife, Adam searches for an escape as he sets out on a journey that will dramatically recolor his world. While walking through the city park, Adam is approached by an old painter. The mysterious artist convinces Adam to let him paint his portrait and what happens next is nothing short of a masterpiece. “Combine the insights of Tim Clinton and the storytelling of Max Davis, and what you get is a wonderfully entertaining glimpse into the very soul of human existence.” —Mark Gilroy, bestselling author Cuts Like a Knife and Every Breath You Take “ The Impressionist is one of those rare books that tugs on your heartstrings, unveiling things deep within your soul, things you didn't even know were there. Anticipate it and savor it!” —Larry J. Koenig, Ph.D., Author of Smart Discipline and Mental the Path to Extraordinary Success in Life “Transformation is waiting to be unlocked in these pages!“ —Margaret Feinberg, author of Wonderstruck “…a heart-warming story of hope and redemption.” --Max Lucado, pastor and NY Times bestselling author

179 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2014

451 people are currently reading
832 people want to read

About the author

Tim Clinton

64 books30 followers
Also credited as Timothy Clinton

Tim Clinton, Ed. D. is President of the nearly 50,000-member American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), the largest and most diverse Christian counseling association in the world. He is Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care, and Executive Director of the Center for Counseling and Family Studies at Liberty University. Licensed in Virginia as both a Professional Counselor (LPC) and Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Tim now spends a majority of his time working with Christian leaders and professional athletes. He is recognized as a world leader in faith and mental health issues and has authored 20 books including his latest, Breakthrough: When to Give In, When to Push Back. Most importantly, Tim has been married 31 years to his wife Julie and together they have two children, Megan and Zach.

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5 stars
534 (49%)
4 stars
297 (27%)
3 stars
133 (12%)
2 stars
66 (6%)
1 star
42 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for Bethany Marks.
349 reviews13 followers
May 28, 2016
“And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers” Malachi 3:6 is the gift of The Impressionist.

We all —long— to be fathered. The Impressionist draws the generations together with a grandfather, a father and a son who desperately need strength beyond their own abilities. The gift was layered and different than expected but rich and life changing. It revealed options with the choice given to make.

“See yourself as I (God) see you. Live from your true identity…” Tim Clinton and Max Davis send their fathers’ cry out to awaken the God breathed warrior in all of us; a clarion call to rise and take God’s destiny, not settling for anything less. Do it by depending on God’s strength not our own.

James Edward Porter, Jim Ed to his friends — and everyone is one, has layers of wisdom to give if he is listened to. Luckily Adam Camp is desperate enough to hear and eventually listen. Josh, Adam’s son, is an addict with DIE tattooed on his arm. Watch as Clinton and Davis weave these three men into a tapestry that will leave you vibrant and open — if you choose.

Jim Ed paints Adam a watercolor masterpiece that surprises everyone. Alongside, he also masterfully paints the story of his life with the dark and the light added to create mood; atmosphere for change. Wow! Does Jim Ed ever have a story to tell of forgiveness and where “defining-moment” choices led.

See! Capture the essence of people in your life. Let God’s light change atmospheres in you and those you know and love. Don’t miss —The Impressionist.

I received a complimentary book from the Book Club Network at bookfun.org in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Richard Kuhn.
133 reviews3 followers
January 10, 2015
When I was a young writer and Family Network still existed, I was taken under the wing of an experienced, successful writer whose job was to to basically rip everything I wrote to shreds. It was a tough experience but a very much needed one. The first thing Jason looked for was what he called Basement Christian stuff-automatic reject. Basement Christian Stuff, BCS as we came to identify it, is run of the mill how I got saved with a little story intertwined. BCS is meaningful to the author and just about no one else.

THE IMPRESSIONIST in my view is not exactly BCS, but as close as you can come. I'm being tough on this book for a couple of reasons. First, the co-author is a noted author and actually, I was waiting for his next book to come out; Max Davis. This book is way below his standard. Second, the book's imprint is Destiny Image. A firm that continually markets quality. I'm shocked that this made it past their editorial dept.

There are a couple of positives which is why I gave it 3 stars. First, it's clearly evident that the author is a big David fan. There is some insight into his life here and meaning to some of his Psalms. Second, it does take a strong nerve to quote scriptures in fiction-even the genre of Christian Fiction. It is a practice that is becoming extinct and in my humble opinion, sorely missed.

This book sold me on Tim Clinton as a counselor, not a novelist. I really dislike doing this because I know some of the folk at Destiny Image and have the greatest respect for them, however, maybe you should seek out another one of their fine selection of books. If you must read this one, check it out of the library.
Profile Image for Sherry White-pillars.
1 review
March 19, 2014
This book is really amazing. It has blessed me so much and opened my eyes to see things differently.
81 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2015
Intense

This was so intense. Made myself do soul searching. It ended all to soon. Share God's love in your actions.
9 reviews
July 1, 2018
Message for the weary

This book was a call to a weary. This book made God so understandable in the way He forgives us. Sometimes, we get so caught up in the struggle of just everyday life, that we don’t take the time to listen to what God is saying to us. This book, The Impressionist, is believable and applicable in today’s world. Struggles with faith, distance in our closest relationships, addiction, and the inability to forgive is addressed in a way that, even when in doubt, you know God is at work in our life even when we don’t think He’s there.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants or needs to be touched to the soul.
Profile Image for David Bergsland.
Author 126 books49 followers
May 12, 2018
Though the book contains a lot of truth, it comes across as a bit sparse on reality. I know this will be life-changing for some, and it’s a good word. But it focuses on the desperate needing answers. The answers show a gentle richness.

174 reviews6 followers
June 30, 2018
Great story

I had set my mind that I would not enjoy this book. What a surprise I got, I wanted to read as fast as I could. So much faith in God and love! Just a terrific story!
Profile Image for Marcelle Scott.
32 reviews
June 30, 2018
Good Read.

This story held me captive. I couldn't put it down. It is full of spiritual truths as well as entertaining. Everyone should read this book.
7 reviews
June 28, 2018
Let go... Let God

An inspiring story about fighting evil as a warrior for God, like David. Becoming the person that God means for you to be.
Profile Image for Lanita.
74 reviews3 followers
August 13, 2016
After the first three or four chapters, I felt that I was alternately reading a sermon and then a history of civil rights actions and causes. The Christian message was OK, but I expected more action and less teaching.

I felt the message of the book was that a couple of miraculous interactions were needed for a person to change his ways, with which I disagree.

And there was only resolution in one of the main character's relationships, leaving the other up in the air. Was this to make us want to read a sequel? Not I. The book was short enough that it could have completed the story.

The whole artist idea was interesting, but it was bogged down with the long passages about the artist's life. I kept reading because I bought it with the understanding that it would give couples ideas about resolving their problems. I didn't see that at all. I'm glad others like it and got a lot from it. I didn't, which may be more of a reflection on me than on the book.

And it was poorly edited--punctuation errors, especially.
487 reviews11 followers
September 10, 2014
Great book! The subtitle is Becoming the Masterpiece You Were Created To Be which is very apt! It also has great lessons for improving your marriage.

Adam has just had a huge fight with his wife Paige. They have gotten weary in their marriage and this time they have actually talked about divorce. Adam leaves the house and goes to a park where an old man says he’d like to paint Adam’s portrait. As he paints, Jim Ed challenges Adam to be the man God created him to be. He also tells his own story mostly through flashbacks. Through Jim Ed, Adam realizes his need to change. My disappointment in the story was that the story ended before there was further interaction between Adam and Paige – no happy ending. Instead, although Adam changes, especially evidenced by his relationship with his son, there is no resolution between him and Paige. But, perhaps that is a future sequel? Really good, thought provoking book and I recommend it. I received this book from TBCN in return for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Ron.
Author 2 books170 followers
September 30, 2014
Disappointing.

Two stars is a gift. I almost quit after fifty pages. It got better, but not much.

It reads like a Sunday school attempt to render a counseling transcript as a three-act play. The writing is unrealistic. The punctuation is terrible. The use of script and Italic fonts for many pages impairs readability. The references to painting watercolor indicate neither author paints nor knows much about art history.

Books like this are why Christian Fiction has such a bad name. This wasn’t fiction, it’s a sophomoric dramatization of a sermon. Even more distressing are the endorsements inside and out of other authors and therapists assuring the reader this is a wonderful book.

Don’t waste your time or money.
Profile Image for Virginia Winfield.
2,915 reviews14 followers
January 2, 2015
This book really makes you think. Is the artist a regular human or is he an angel in disguise. It is really left up for you to decide. I am glad I got to read this story. This is one you need Kleenex for. I received this book from bookfun.org for a fair and honest opinion.
Profile Image for Nancy A Heaps.
Author 4 books2 followers
November 29, 2015
Wow

I'd like to thank the author for writing this book and especially thank Yahweh for having me read it at this time. Yahweh continues to use triangulation to get my attention and to teach me. I truly am in awe of Him. Thank You Jesus.
Profile Image for Grace.
355 reviews11 followers
August 12, 2018
This was a free book so I gave it a try. (sigh) It carried many of the pitfalls of Christian Fiction. Resolution came, for some of the story, way too quickly. An important part was not resolved at all. The story I wanted to hear, and kept me reading until the end, never got any closure. I wanted to see how Adam resolved his dissolving marriage with Paige and how he worked through his rocky relationship with his son, Josh. The former never was treated beyond some counseling to him, and the latter happened way too quickly.

Clinton is a experienced counselor so it would have been interesting to see Adam walk through the steps of creating a safe place for his wife and re-igniting the flame of their love. It would have been insightful also, if he had showed how you work through a relationship with a teen who has tuned you out.

I thought that since the authors had such an great combination, one a leading counselor, and the other a successful novelist, it would have everything going for it. But it was not particularly satisfying.

Theologically I had a few problems. First Jesus appears in sort of a dream to Adam, and says that His spirit was within Adam. However he had not repented, never asked for forgiveness, and had not offered himself to God in any way. Yes, Adam felt remorseful for his old life but that is different than admitting your willful rebellion against God. We saw his carnal side clearly as he spoke harshly and offensively to his wife and son. Then the quickness with which he lied to and shunned a fellow church member, Eric, aren't things Jesus glosses over. Eventually Adam responds to Jesus by giving himself to Jesus, but even that is a bit strange. Adam says to Jesus, "I want to be more like you. Make me more like Jim Ed." Hmm. Those don't seem to be in the same categories. And in this short discussion he has with Jesus he has the presence of mind to ask some questions of Jesus that don't seem pertinent. I would think he had a few more pressing questions, "How do I win my wife back?" or "Show me how to reach my son!".

Ironically there is a trailer for the book. Yes, a video for a book. Now that looked interesting. But if they made a movie out of it they would have to bring some resolution with Paige, no movie could end well without that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Linda.
2,174 reviews
February 2, 2019
I couldn't possibly give this less than a five-star rating: it was completely sweet and uplifting, full of spiritual, moral, and Biblical truths necessary for living in today's world.

At some time or other, we have all met people like Adam Camp: discouraged, disillusioned, ready to chuck it all and start over somewhere else (some of us may have even been like Adam). But one morning, when he is at his lowest, Adam meets a stranger who asks to paint his portrait, and that chance (?) encounter changes his life ....

Editing errors: 1. clinched / clenched ; 2. laying / lying ; 3. try and / try to ; 4. pallet / palette ; 5. starts / start ; 6. white's / whites ; 7. Fredrick Douglas / Frederick Douglass ; 8. welcomed / welcome ; 9. he / her ; 10. friend's / friends' ; 11. affect / effect ; 12. Bear's / Bears' ; 13. War III / World War III ; 14. woke / wake ; 15. he / him ; 16. Christina / Christina's.

Missing from text: to, of, a, the. Also, sometimes, when there were supposed to be numbers (like 911 or 100 degrees), strange characters that don't appear on regular keyboards would be in the text instead of the digits 0-9 (but not always).
307 reviews1 follower
July 1, 2018
I love this book and will read it again and again. If you wonder why the title is The Impressionist PLEASE go to the dictionary and read about impressionism. (someone did ask a question about it) You will have a more beautiful understanding of the story. The author knew what he was writing about because he has all the credentials for the emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of human beings and what they go through. I see why the wife had problems. I fit her agenda too!!!! The son had his problems also but you need to read this book to find out what the Impressionist did for the father and son. It is definitely a stand alone read BUT I think there might be another book sometime???????????????
I even took notes from some of the pages so that I could look back at certain pages and re-read again and again and yell YES!!!!!!!! I will read this book again and hope my husband will too. (yeah, right!)
I more than highly recommend this book. I would have given it ten stars if possible!!!
Profile Image for Sheryl Robert.
227 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2018
this is a great story. I understand some do not think it is all that great,but for a new Christian, it is a wonderfully written story about life. Many families struggle with problems such as written in this book,the way it is written is for us to see that not only are we at fault,but there are ways out of the issues if only you have faith in GOD and all that he can do to help you from a bad situation. Change is good. The Impressionist is an older black gentleman who loves to paint,he rarely paints portraits,but he has an insight into the people's souls and he loves talking about David from the Bible.
please take the time to delve into this story,you won't be disappointed.
599 reviews5 followers
October 18, 2018
An awesome, well written, true to life book!

I cried because my husband died 2 months ago of cancer, & he had been my soulmate for 29 years. I could empathize with John Ed. I hated that the ending wasn't as complete as I would have liked, but it gave me hope for Adam & Josh. Everything that Jim Ed said, I totally agreed with, as I have always known that God's always been there for me, unlike the other characters in this book. This book would be inspiring for those struggling with marriage & kids. I highly recommend it!
30 reviews
August 5, 2020
Thought provoking and inspiring ♥️

This is a very relatable book, to me. It is realistic, interesting, and has wonderful dialogue. I personally learn best through story telling, so this book really spoke to me. I would recommend it to anyone from preteens on up. I’ve stopped purchasing books in recent years due to a lack of adequate storage. However, this book is worthy of my personal library. ☺️📚 I may just need to purchase a hard copy.
570 reviews3 followers
September 16, 2017
Remarkable story.

This is a true message of how we live our lives. The life God gave each of us. The choices we make and the path we follow. The only true path is throne God has for us. This is a story worth reading more than once. It will make you think if you are not afraid to do so.
69 reviews
May 2, 2018
Adam, who is in his worst moment meets Jim Ed who shows Adam who he is meant to be in Christ. Through forgiveness, God’s Word, God’s love, all things are possible. Jim Ed shares with Adam the gifts that God Blessed Him with. I would recommend this book to everyone who is searching, doubting, hoping.
22 reviews
June 30, 2018
Light from darkness

This book was worth my time reading it. It addresses common problems everyone faces: self worth, depression, dysfunctional marriage and family. The main character struggles with his failures and regrets. He wants change but has no idea how to begin.

The book ends with answers, healing and hope.
12 reviews
July 3, 2018
Renewed My Desire To Always Walk in Faith

No one goes through life without challenges. This story is about one man's challenges and how an encounter with someone can be encouraging and life changing.
Each one of us has the ability to give our testimony and help our fellow human being out when things appear hopeless.
Profile Image for Sharon Broaster.
148 reviews
August 17, 2018
Spiritually uplifting

Was intrigued by the foreword,then I got i to the story. This could be at a point I. All out lives . The Impressionist is thought provoking , and encouraging. I would love to be a Jim Ed for someone and I take need for myself the message given to Adam. Did not matter that I'm female and this is from a male point of view
27 reviews
July 29, 2020
An good story for portraying biblical concepts....

Jesus clearly knew how to teach using real life examples. His parables are still relevant to listeners in our present culture. That style of teaching and illustrating principles seems to work well in this book. I recommend this book for those interested in Christian reading.
Profile Image for Anne Brown.
3 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2022
The Heart of the Matter

This book was a real blessing. I identified with every word. Not inly blessed me but actually helped me. I would occasionally stop and begin to pray when it touched parts of my life’s journey and the emotions that flowed along with it. Grateful to Tim Clinton for allowing God to use him in this writing. Everyone should read this!
Profile Image for Lecy Beth.
1,834 reviews13 followers
March 19, 2022
I'm laughing as I write this review because I actually picked this book up from a challenge to choose a book based solely on its cover. I was expecting a novel about a painter. That is not at all what I got. It is basically a faith-based self-help book, encouraging you to embrace the wonderful life that God intended. While it wasn't what I thought I was getting into, I did think it was good.
3 reviews
December 9, 2018
Hope in Christ

This book was a quick yet deep book about hope in Christ when we have no hope or even energy. It was well written, interesting and challenging to allow God to work in us and through us with hope and strength from Him.
24 reviews1 follower
June 27, 2018
Wow! Fantastic book

Great reading. Gods people are attacksed by the evil one. He can really control and influence our decisions and how we behave in situations if we don't stay in the word.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews

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