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God And The Rubberband Man: Wrecked By Life-Redeemed By Love
Nothing ever came easy for Levi. To most he was just another statistic, and by age seventeen, he had suffered a life–threatening illness, an absent father, the loss of his mother, and staggering betrayals from those he trusted. Homeless and wandering, he longed for something or someone to call his own. Desperate for love, he found acceptance in a street gang. There he rose thru the ranks, to the number two defending the leader.
Levi was hurtling down a road that could only lead to prison or death.
Enter God
Even when he chose all the wrong roads, Levi caught glimpses of God and learned he was not alone. Levi tells his riveting story in a gritty, no–holds barred way that will leave you wondering how he ever could have survived. Only to leave you with the truth that he found along the Life will wreck you, but Love will redeem you.
Levi was hurtling down a road that could only lead to prison or death.
Enter God
Even when he chose all the wrong roads, Levi caught glimpses of God and learned he was not alone. Levi tells his riveting story in a gritty, no–holds barred way that will leave you wondering how he ever could have survived. Only to leave you with the truth that he found along the Life will wreck you, but Love will redeem you.
255 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 17, 2014
"God and The Rubberband Man"is an an autobiography with amazing power. It is written by Levi Gideon Shepherd, and he shares his life story in an easy to read style. Many folks in this world have struggles, that is a given, but this young man has been through more than most people could even imagine, and he has come through as a survivor!!
Shepherd's search for love, peace and acceptance takes him from foster home to foster home. My heart broke for this poor youngster so desperate to just be loved! His extended family let him down, and our "system" let him down. Despite his allegations of being abused and/or misused in the foster homes he was put in, no one in social services took the time, or cared enough, to listen and believe him. The fact that he didn't end up dead, or in prison is an amazing testament to his strong will and perseverance.
"God and The Rubberband Man" takes us from Shepherd's beginnings and into his adulthood. The book does contain a bit of violence, and alcohol and drug use, therefore it would probably be best for older teens to adults. But, it also contains the victory that one can only find with the power of God. Shepherd says he was "wrecked by life, redeemed by love!"
Shepherd's search for love, peace and acceptance takes him from foster home to foster home. My heart broke for this poor youngster so desperate to just be loved! His extended family let him down, and our "system" let him down. Despite his allegations of being abused and/or misused in the foster homes he was put in, no one in social services took the time, or cared enough, to listen and believe him. The fact that he didn't end up dead, or in prison is an amazing testament to his strong will and perseverance.
"God and The Rubberband Man" takes us from Shepherd's beginnings and into his adulthood. The book does contain a bit of violence, and alcohol and drug use, therefore it would probably be best for older teens to adults. But, it also contains the victory that one can only find with the power of God. Shepherd says he was "wrecked by life, redeemed by love!"
February 20, 2015
I am so thankful I was given the opportunity to read this before it hit the bookstores and news stands
March 29, 2015
"The death of my soul is had been a chronicle long in the making, a sad story with seemingly endless encores, each worse than the previous."
This book speaks volumes about pain and suffering, and where God is through it all. It evokes so many indescribable emotions. Often as reading, it brought tears to my eyes and a tightness in my chest. I certainly felt anger! But I also was amazed, at God's goodness, His love, and his relentless pursuit of this man's heart and life.
How could someone so young endure so much? And yet, how many children out there are possibly experiencing the same circumstances in their lives? I am sure many are.
Levi Shepherd begins his story by saying he was the "surprise gift of a one night stand". As a very young boy he suffered from cancer, was molested by the most unexpected people, and lost the people closest to him - his grandmother and mother. Due to extremely sad circumstances, he ends up in the foster care, being transported from place to place according to what the "system" deemed in his best interest. I can't even begin to get started on the hardships he suffered. As he got older, he learned to "deal" with it. Don't we all? We mask our pain and suffering somehow. We stuff it or hide it, because living with it maybe not be a choice.
Levi made some good choices, but he also made bad decision upon bad decision. He chose paths of death and destruction. Walked out on those who really loved him, and turned his back on God multiple times.
"Sometimes, though, God waits until all the pieces are out of our hands - broken beyond our ability to repair them, before he puts his masterpiece together."
But thankfully, even though Levi's life contained unimaginable odds - God had an amazing plan for him. Even as Levi is suffering, God is there! He puts people in his life that share God's love with Him. And although, Levi is afraid to trust anyone - even God (and really who can blame him), God continues over and over, to speak to him and woo him to Himself.
This is by far a book I will be sharing with many!! There are countless people who could benefit from Levi's story. Please read it and share it!
This book was made available to me through The Book Club Network in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to review it positively and all opinions are my own.
This book speaks volumes about pain and suffering, and where God is through it all. It evokes so many indescribable emotions. Often as reading, it brought tears to my eyes and a tightness in my chest. I certainly felt anger! But I also was amazed, at God's goodness, His love, and his relentless pursuit of this man's heart and life.
How could someone so young endure so much? And yet, how many children out there are possibly experiencing the same circumstances in their lives? I am sure many are.
Levi Shepherd begins his story by saying he was the "surprise gift of a one night stand". As a very young boy he suffered from cancer, was molested by the most unexpected people, and lost the people closest to him - his grandmother and mother. Due to extremely sad circumstances, he ends up in the foster care, being transported from place to place according to what the "system" deemed in his best interest. I can't even begin to get started on the hardships he suffered. As he got older, he learned to "deal" with it. Don't we all? We mask our pain and suffering somehow. We stuff it or hide it, because living with it maybe not be a choice.
Levi made some good choices, but he also made bad decision upon bad decision. He chose paths of death and destruction. Walked out on those who really loved him, and turned his back on God multiple times.
"Sometimes, though, God waits until all the pieces are out of our hands - broken beyond our ability to repair them, before he puts his masterpiece together."
But thankfully, even though Levi's life contained unimaginable odds - God had an amazing plan for him. Even as Levi is suffering, God is there! He puts people in his life that share God's love with Him. And although, Levi is afraid to trust anyone - even God (and really who can blame him), God continues over and over, to speak to him and woo him to Himself.
This is by far a book I will be sharing with many!! There are countless people who could benefit from Levi's story. Please read it and share it!
This book was made available to me through The Book Club Network in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to review it positively and all opinions are my own.
January 26, 2015
I just read a terrific book, God and the Rubberband Man by Levi Gideon Shepherd. I worked in the foster care/adoption field for five years so I could totally relate when he was describing the horrific condition of his childhood. My heart bled for Levi after the death of his mother - someone who did her best to instill a love of Jesus into Levi from an early age despite her own problems and trials. I found myself wanting to have Levi come live with me so that he didn’t have to deal with the trauma he faced on a daily basis.
From my experience with foster/adoptive children, those that are resilient are the ones who survive. Levi was a survivor. I admired the way he worked hard on the goals he set before him. I ached with hurt over the tragedies that kept assaulting him from all sides and I cried tears of joy for the people God allowed to breathe life into Levi throughout his childhood and young adulthood.
This book, although hard to read about his suffering at times, was not a “hard luck” story - it was a story about redemption and how when God’s hand is on us, He never lets us go. He stays with us and keeps calling us back to Him until we listen. It’s a story that brings hope. It’s a story that makes me realize my prayers for those in my life who don’t have a relationship with my Heavenly Father are heard in Heaven and remembered. It’s a story that reminds me that God never gives up. We may face problems and pain but God is right there in the middle, only allowing the pain and trials to a certain degree, stopping complete destruction. Sometimes the choices we make or how we react to trials helps determine how long we stay trapped in the vicious cycle, God is right there in the midst of the pain, wiping away our tears and loving us, calling us to come back to Him or to stay close.
I would recommend this book to people who aren’t afraid to read about the “ugly in life,” not for the gory details but to hear the underlying love story of how God redeems even the ugly details of our lives and makes beautiful portraits from the mess. We all have “ugly” in our lives - and God can take each story and make it beautiful.
I received this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
From my experience with foster/adoptive children, those that are resilient are the ones who survive. Levi was a survivor. I admired the way he worked hard on the goals he set before him. I ached with hurt over the tragedies that kept assaulting him from all sides and I cried tears of joy for the people God allowed to breathe life into Levi throughout his childhood and young adulthood.
This book, although hard to read about his suffering at times, was not a “hard luck” story - it was a story about redemption and how when God’s hand is on us, He never lets us go. He stays with us and keeps calling us back to Him until we listen. It’s a story that brings hope. It’s a story that makes me realize my prayers for those in my life who don’t have a relationship with my Heavenly Father are heard in Heaven and remembered. It’s a story that reminds me that God never gives up. We may face problems and pain but God is right there in the middle, only allowing the pain and trials to a certain degree, stopping complete destruction. Sometimes the choices we make or how we react to trials helps determine how long we stay trapped in the vicious cycle, God is right there in the midst of the pain, wiping away our tears and loving us, calling us to come back to Him or to stay close.
I would recommend this book to people who aren’t afraid to read about the “ugly in life,” not for the gory details but to hear the underlying love story of how God redeems even the ugly details of our lives and makes beautiful portraits from the mess. We all have “ugly” in our lives - and God can take each story and make it beautiful.
I received this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest review.
December 21, 2014
“Sometimes, though, God waits until all the pieces are out of our hands-broken beyond our ability to repair them, before he puts his masterpiece together.”
God and the Rubberband Man is absolutely heartbreaking. The amount of pain Levi Gideon Shepherd has endured, the rejection, the heartache, - it is mind blowing. Levi holds nothing back in telling his story. It is shocking how those who should have loved and protected him when he was a young, innocent child let him down. His first experience in Sunday school turned into child abuse. The social system failed him. His family rejected him. Levi endured more in his young life than most do in an entire lifetime. I was completely stunned as I read his story.
How can one person possible endure all of this and not be completely destroyed? All he ever wanted was love and acceptance. This book is completely riveting. If anyone has the right to be angry, bitter and even revengeful, it is Levi. Yet, here is a man who shares how even in the worst of times, he caught glimpses of God along the way. And to quote him he states, "While some call his forbearance "long suffering," I know it only as one thing-Love!"
I am in awe of Levi after reading his story. In spite of all he has been through, he still is able to say, “Trust that God will work all things for your good”. What an inspiration! God and The Rubberband Man is a powerful book that is sure to change the lives of those who take the time to read it. Thank you Levi Shepherd for having the courage to share your story. I received this book in exchange for my honest review
God and the Rubberband Man is absolutely heartbreaking. The amount of pain Levi Gideon Shepherd has endured, the rejection, the heartache, - it is mind blowing. Levi holds nothing back in telling his story. It is shocking how those who should have loved and protected him when he was a young, innocent child let him down. His first experience in Sunday school turned into child abuse. The social system failed him. His family rejected him. Levi endured more in his young life than most do in an entire lifetime. I was completely stunned as I read his story.
How can one person possible endure all of this and not be completely destroyed? All he ever wanted was love and acceptance. This book is completely riveting. If anyone has the right to be angry, bitter and even revengeful, it is Levi. Yet, here is a man who shares how even in the worst of times, he caught glimpses of God along the way. And to quote him he states, "While some call his forbearance "long suffering," I know it only as one thing-Love!"
I am in awe of Levi after reading his story. In spite of all he has been through, he still is able to say, “Trust that God will work all things for your good”. What an inspiration! God and The Rubberband Man is a powerful book that is sure to change the lives of those who take the time to read it. Thank you Levi Shepherd for having the courage to share your story. I received this book in exchange for my honest review
January 31, 2015
God and the Rubberband Man is an autobiographical account of a young boy. It is an amazing account of an awful life. It is hard to imagine the myriad of brutal, cruelties of life this young man had to endure. From cancer and the fledgling use of chemotherapy in children, from abusive treatment, physical, sexual and psychological, by adults in his life, from the loss of a caring mom at an early age and the rejection of a father throughout his life, to the loss of a dream of being an Army Ranger, Levi Shepherd struggled to know who he was and often struggled even to live.
As readers sift through the rejection, abuse and heartache of this lonely, unloved child, we see a blessed string of hope throughout. God is aware; God is at work; God is calling Levi. Levi is reminded that "only in the midst of life's storms can we find God's peace". As this child bounces from one struggle to the next, God places in Levi's path a few people who give aid, advice and affirmation that enables Levi to continue on. This is a remarkable book of God's work behind the scenes in our lives, always calling us to Him, through the midst of the storms and even when we openly reject Him. Levi finally succumbed to the wooing of His Heavenly Father and has written a powerful, inspirational book.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. I have posted reviews on Amazon, Bookfun.org and GoodReads.
As readers sift through the rejection, abuse and heartache of this lonely, unloved child, we see a blessed string of hope throughout. God is aware; God is at work; God is calling Levi. Levi is reminded that "only in the midst of life's storms can we find God's peace". As this child bounces from one struggle to the next, God places in Levi's path a few people who give aid, advice and affirmation that enables Levi to continue on. This is a remarkable book of God's work behind the scenes in our lives, always calling us to Him, through the midst of the storms and even when we openly reject Him. Levi finally succumbed to the wooing of His Heavenly Father and has written a powerful, inspirational book.
I received a copy of this book through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. I have posted reviews on Amazon, Bookfun.org and GoodReads.
December 9, 2014
God and the Rubberband Man is the actual testimony of God’s grace and love focusing on Levi Gideon Shepherd. Levi suffers a traumatic childhood, including surviving cancer as a very young child. He spends his childhood through adolescence angry with God for everything he is going through. It’s never fun to read about difficult times that children face. However, even though Levi lives such a dysfunctional childhood, God’s love is always present, Levi just doesn't always know it.
The hardest part of this book is reading the story of a young boy who only wants to be loved and valued. It’s really not very much to ask, but it is sometimes difficult to deliver from a society that really devalues the sanctity of human life. Oh, and don’t get me started on Social Services and the Foster care system. This young man was failed at practically every level, yet not at God’s level. Though we live in a fallen world, God never leaves us nor forsakes us. Levi’s story is just such a testimony. His story should inspire us to care more, work hard to make a positive difference in every child’s life, and to pray. This book should also serve as an inspiration to others who have been dealt what is deemed as an unfair hand in life. With God, all things are possible.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
The hardest part of this book is reading the story of a young boy who only wants to be loved and valued. It’s really not very much to ask, but it is sometimes difficult to deliver from a society that really devalues the sanctity of human life. Oh, and don’t get me started on Social Services and the Foster care system. This young man was failed at practically every level, yet not at God’s level. Though we live in a fallen world, God never leaves us nor forsakes us. Levi’s story is just such a testimony. His story should inspire us to care more, work hard to make a positive difference in every child’s life, and to pray. This book should also serve as an inspiration to others who have been dealt what is deemed as an unfair hand in life. With God, all things are possible.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
January 15, 2015
Wow! As I read the book my thoughts were can’t this guy just get a break? One bad thing after another kept happening to him, almost from the day he was born! He began as the “surprise gift of a one night stand.” He then, as the forward said, “…had a lot to overcome: poverty; sexual abuse by a church member; cancer; an absent father; a mom who died young; the foster care system; gang culture; drug abuse; emotional isolation; a failed parachute deployment on an army training jump; and the list goes on.” And it does go on and on and on! As I read I kept hoping that at some point things would get better for Levi but it seemed that just when things couldn’t get worse, they unbelievably did. However, though his life, Levi kept getting glimpses of God’s love and finally at the end he totally surrenders to God and acknowledges God’s presence every step of the way.
What a story! I cannot fathom the pain the author has been through. I’m glad he has found the love of the Father and wish he told more about the more recent side of his life. This book has given me a renewed desire to help the least of these and I highly recommend it. I received this book from bookfun.org in return for my honest opinion.
What a story! I cannot fathom the pain the author has been through. I’m glad he has found the love of the Father and wish he told more about the more recent side of his life. This book has given me a renewed desire to help the least of these and I highly recommend it. I received this book from bookfun.org in return for my honest opinion.
January 11, 2015
God and the Rubberband Man is a powerful story of how Levi was molested, battled cancer, lost his mother to a brain aneurysm, checked into a psychiatric hospital, became a warden of the state, through foster care and through social service agencies. He blames God for everything he goes through and who couldn't blame him? The God he saw as a child and young adult, was not the loving God that was taught in church as his Sunday school teacher was doing other things behind close doors. A child gets a distorted view of God's love.
This book was hard for me to read as it hits close to home for many of the children I work with every day. It also made me continue to realize the reason why I work in the system that I do, which is to help children, give them a voice and protect them from these types of situations. Unfortunately, our world isn't perfect, but our God is! He can work every situation together for good, even in the most horrendous of circumstances. This book is clearly not your feel good book, but God's love can redeem you when life wrecks you.
This book was hard for me to read as it hits close to home for many of the children I work with every day. It also made me continue to realize the reason why I work in the system that I do, which is to help children, give them a voice and protect them from these types of situations. Unfortunately, our world isn't perfect, but our God is! He can work every situation together for good, even in the most horrendous of circumstances. This book is clearly not your feel good book, but God's love can redeem you when life wrecks you.
February 21, 2015
This book is all about redemption! With a young child diagnosed with cancer, having a troubled and insecure home life, losing a mother, getting caught up in a gang where he stepped up in leadership, God made himself known to a young child with a promise. God reminds Levi of his promise over and over again and eventually pulls Levi unto Himself. This is a testimony to God’s faithfulness to those He calls to follow Him. This is an amazing book where Levi shares his life story. There is so much sadness in that he never really had a role model after his mother died. It seemed like everywhere he turned was a bad situation. A good read for anyone!
July 12, 2015
God and the Rubberband Man is an awesome account of one man's journey through a life of pain to finding God in the end of it all. What he has endured is amazing- childhood cancer, abuse, lose of a parent. It describes his encounters in the foster care system. It demonstrates that God's love is ever present even in the worst of times to help us through.
I received this book from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received this book from the Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews