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Eternity through the Rearview Mirror: How Simple Faith Changes Everything--Seventeen Extraordinary Lives
Seventeen extraordinary lives: Galileo Galilei * J. S. Bach * John Newton * Elizabeth Fry * Sojourner Truth * Abraham Lincoln * Harriet Beecher Stowe * Harriet Tubman * George Washington Carver * Amy Carmichael * Mary McLeod Bethune * Aimee Semple McPherson * Corrie ten Boom * C. S. Lewis * Gladys Aylward * Louie Zamperini * Johnny Cash.
Ever wonder what makes a world changer tick? Pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable; you’re about to have a heart-to-heart with once-ordinary people who discovered the secret to living an extraordinary life. "Eternity through the Rearview Mirror" is a collection of spellbinding, first-person conversations with seventeen historical figures who invite you to experience the transformative power of ordinary faith. Let the evidence speak as these heroes reveal the secret to eternity’s timelessness.
Ever wonder what makes a world changer tick? Pull up a seat and make yourself comfortable; you’re about to have a heart-to-heart with once-ordinary people who discovered the secret to living an extraordinary life. "Eternity through the Rearview Mirror" is a collection of spellbinding, first-person conversations with seventeen historical figures who invite you to experience the transformative power of ordinary faith. Let the evidence speak as these heroes reveal the secret to eternity’s timelessness.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2019
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June 29, 2019
Eternity Through The Rearview Mirror by Annette Hubbell is an inspiring book of seventeen tales of ordinary men and women who lived extraordinary lives for Jesus and changed their worlds. “Have a vision, change the world” said Corrie ten Boom. Where we see injustices we need to stand up and declare that it is wrong.
The book is full of names that I have heard of. Why? Because they fought with faith to right the wrongs. There are many who stood against slavery including Abraham Lincoln. Sojourner Truth felt invisible until her Mama told her “There is a God who hears and sees you.” God sees and hears all and He sees you.
I think one of the saddest quotes was “Don’t you know that reading is for white folks?” by Mary McLeod Bethune. She received no schooling until ages eleven but went on to educate other poor folks.
I am sure we have all heard of C.S. Lewis. His Narnia books are famous. His conversion to Christianity is well known but he wrote many other books. I found this quote powerful and sobering “The safest road to Hell is the gradual one.” We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not stray from His path.
My personal heroine is Corrie ten Boom and her story is included. I find her to be totally inspiring and a wonderful woman of God. It is no surprise to hear that “Barrack twenty eight became known as the crazy place where there is hope.”
Eternity Through The Rearview Mirror is an easy book to dip in and out of. At the end of each chapter are resources listed to help you dig deeper into each of the individual lives.
This book is truly inspiring as we read of ordinary souls who changed the world.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The book is full of names that I have heard of. Why? Because they fought with faith to right the wrongs. There are many who stood against slavery including Abraham Lincoln. Sojourner Truth felt invisible until her Mama told her “There is a God who hears and sees you.” God sees and hears all and He sees you.
I think one of the saddest quotes was “Don’t you know that reading is for white folks?” by Mary McLeod Bethune. She received no schooling until ages eleven but went on to educate other poor folks.
I am sure we have all heard of C.S. Lewis. His Narnia books are famous. His conversion to Christianity is well known but he wrote many other books. I found this quote powerful and sobering “The safest road to Hell is the gradual one.” We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and not stray from His path.
My personal heroine is Corrie ten Boom and her story is included. I find her to be totally inspiring and a wonderful woman of God. It is no surprise to hear that “Barrack twenty eight became known as the crazy place where there is hope.”
Eternity Through The Rearview Mirror is an easy book to dip in and out of. At the end of each chapter are resources listed to help you dig deeper into each of the individual lives.
This book is truly inspiring as we read of ordinary souls who changed the world.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
July 30, 2019
Each of the seventeen chapters highlights the lives of once ordinary men
and women who became Christian historical figures. The author
brilliantly weaves little known biographical facts with a wonderful
first person narrative point of view. It is as if fascinating people
from history are talking to us directly-and telling us of their
failures, successes, doubts, concerns and past mistakes, along with
their triumphs.
As an avid music lover, the first chapter I eagerly dove into was Johann
Sebastian Bach. From the outset, we learn that Bach was driven by his
desire to always glorify God. He clearly stated, "the aim and final end
of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the
refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true
music but a diabolical bawling and twanging."
I never knew that Bach could sing soprano and alto tones simultaneously,
that he was married twice and had 20 children, twelve of which lived
beyond infancy. Bach moved often throughout his life, either to pursue
opportunity or to flee unfavorable circumstances. He states that he
could be overbearing, and as he saw it, others, and especially his
employers, caused most of the problems. At one point, he asked to be
released from a Duke's employ, to take a better position elsewhere. He
was so sure he would be released that he accepted an advance in salary
and moving expenses from the new employer, only to have the Duke refuse
to release him from his obligations there. Bach exploded in anger and
the Duke had him jailed for nearly four weeks.
Bach tells how he felt somewhat like the apostle Paul, who did not
suffer fools gladly. However, personal glory was not important to him.
He saw himself as God's servant and created music to glorify Him.
His life however was filled with disappointments. Losing so many
children was a constant source of sorrow, and in regards to his work,
his skill at playing the organ was appreciated far more than his
compositions, giving him constant consternation. So little did some
people think of his music that after he died, his written music was used
to wrap fish and garbage, and many manuscripts were lost forever!
But more important to him than music was his faith. He saw himself as a
theologian with a keyboard. Scriptures were his inspiration, especially
the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He immersed himself
in the scriptures, writing in the margins, inserting missing words, and
correcting errors.
Although his health was good, when his eyesight started to fail, he had
two operations, and was never the same again. His eyesight was restored
for ten days before he died, but only for a few hours. Through it all,
Bach persevered and composed some of the worlds greatest musical
masterpieces: Toccata in D Minor, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and the
masterful work of St. Matthew's Passion, among thousands of other works
which are still being performed today.
The life of Corrie ten Boom is another example of faith over fear in
this inspiring volume. Ms. ten Boom grew up in a devoutly religious
family in the Netherlands. During World War II, she and her family hid
over 800 Jews in a secret room to protect them from arrest by Nazi
authorities. Betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen, the entire family was
imprisoned. A Nazi officer offered freedom to Corrie's father if he
would stop what he was doing. Her father courageously stated, "If I go
home today, tomorrow I will open my door to anyone who knocks for
help...it would be an honor to give my life for God's ancient people."
He died in prison ten days later at the age of eighty four.
Corrie and her sister Betsie were separated for three months while
Corrie was held in solitary confinement because she was ill with a
hacking cough. Once reunited, they found themselves in the most inhumane
conditions imaginable. They were packed into a train like cattle, where
they rode for three days, arriving at the women's death camp of
Ravensbruck. The first two nights were spent outside on the ground being
pummeled by a pouring rain from violent thunderstorms. Then, they were
marched into a barracks meant to hold 400, but 1400 were eventually
crammed in. As newcomers, they were forced to remove their clothing and
parade naked in front of the guards to ensure they had no contraband on
them. Corrie was panicked wondering how the small Bible she had in a
pouch hanging down her back was going to be handled. Her sister, even
more nervous, felt a sudden need to use the toilet and the guards let
them both go. There was a bench where the small pouch was hidden. Upon
receiving flimsy prison garb, Corrie once again donned the pouch with
its precious Bible. But when they found themselves being checked and
frisked for contraband, Corrie uttered a silent prayer," Lord make your
angels untransparent." She thought the request a strange one, but the
guards acted as if she was not even there. They did not see or touch her
at all. They endured unspeakable living conditions: extreme brutality,
bedbugs, fleas, rats, roaches and lice. The bugs were so bad, the guards
would never set foot past the barracks doorway. This caused her sister
Betsie to exclaim, "the bugs are a blessing." Every night, the sisters
would secretly read from the small Bible, while women translated the
passages into other languages the women could understand, including
German, French, Polish, Russian, and Czech.
Betsie taught Corrie, and the other women, many things about
forgiveness, and how the one thing their torturers wanted to take from
them, but couldn't, was God's love. They began to look out for each
other, making life a bit more civilized, and leaving no one alone. That
barracks became known as the "crazy place, where there is hope."
Ravensbruck saw nearly one hundred thousand women led to their death,
including Betsie. Somehow Betsie knew her sister Corrie would survive.
With her last breath, Betsie extracted a promise from Corrie that she
would tell the world of the healing power of forgiving another, a power
that is possible when one leans on God.
Due to a clerical error, a miracle occurred and Corrie was released from
prison. For decades she lived out of a suitcase, traveling to sixty four
countries with her and her sister's message of reconciliation and
forgiveness. She also wrote many books, and died on her birthday at the
age of ninety-one.
These are just two examples of the remarkable stories in this amazing
and well written and researched book. I do not believe I have ever read
a more compelling, meaningful, and inspiring book of biographies in my life.
The other men and women highlighted in this book are: Galileo Galilei,
John Newton, Elizabeth Fry, Sojourner Truth, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Amy Wilson
Carmichael, Mary McLeod Bethune, Aimee Semple McPherson, C.S. Lewis,
Gladys May Alward, Louie Zamperini, and Johnny Cash.
While some are more widely known than others, all have a story to tell,
a story where they all share a unique and common thread: they all
publicly acknowledged God as the source of their success and
accomplishments.
At the end of each narrative, Ms. Hubbell includes several relevant and
meaningful Bible verses. There are footnotes for additional research,
reference and study.
The final chapter of the book is entitled, " Your Name Here." We the
readers are encouraged to consider what would happen if we totally
trusted God and honored His Divine appointments. Just as we have looked
in the rear view mirror to see God's hand in the lives of these
seventeen world changers, we too can look back and see how God has
prepared us for the unique work that lies ahead in each of our lives. If
we have a passion and capacity to love God and to love others, God will
do the rest.
Annette Hubbell has provided us with a gift -- a gift of feeling like we
are having a direct conversation with these seventeen remarkable men and
women who changed the world by living out their faith. The true and
lasting gift is that whether we positively influence one person, or the
whole world, for good, we too can and should make a difference. These
stories can inspire and motivate us, and remind us that with God,
anything is possible!
This refreshing new book by a very gifted author should be in the home
of people of all faiths, or of no faith at all. It will be enjoyed by
youth and adults alike. There is so very much to be learned and
enlightened by. The poignant and stirring stories of how faith led these
remarkable individuals past seemingly insurmountable odds, and how faith
transformed them, with all their quirks and weaknesses, to become
instruments in the hand of God to accomplish great things in their time,
is not to be forgotten. I eagerly look forward to reading another book
by this creative author.
and women who became Christian historical figures. The author
brilliantly weaves little known biographical facts with a wonderful
first person narrative point of view. It is as if fascinating people
from history are talking to us directly-and telling us of their
failures, successes, doubts, concerns and past mistakes, along with
their triumphs.
As an avid music lover, the first chapter I eagerly dove into was Johann
Sebastian Bach. From the outset, we learn that Bach was driven by his
desire to always glorify God. He clearly stated, "the aim and final end
of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the
refreshment of the soul. If heed is not paid to this, it is not true
music but a diabolical bawling and twanging."
I never knew that Bach could sing soprano and alto tones simultaneously,
that he was married twice and had 20 children, twelve of which lived
beyond infancy. Bach moved often throughout his life, either to pursue
opportunity or to flee unfavorable circumstances. He states that he
could be overbearing, and as he saw it, others, and especially his
employers, caused most of the problems. At one point, he asked to be
released from a Duke's employ, to take a better position elsewhere. He
was so sure he would be released that he accepted an advance in salary
and moving expenses from the new employer, only to have the Duke refuse
to release him from his obligations there. Bach exploded in anger and
the Duke had him jailed for nearly four weeks.
Bach tells how he felt somewhat like the apostle Paul, who did not
suffer fools gladly. However, personal glory was not important to him.
He saw himself as God's servant and created music to glorify Him.
His life however was filled with disappointments. Losing so many
children was a constant source of sorrow, and in regards to his work,
his skill at playing the organ was appreciated far more than his
compositions, giving him constant consternation. So little did some
people think of his music that after he died, his written music was used
to wrap fish and garbage, and many manuscripts were lost forever!
But more important to him than music was his faith. He saw himself as a
theologian with a keyboard. Scriptures were his inspiration, especially
the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. He immersed himself
in the scriptures, writing in the margins, inserting missing words, and
correcting errors.
Although his health was good, when his eyesight started to fail, he had
two operations, and was never the same again. His eyesight was restored
for ten days before he died, but only for a few hours. Through it all,
Bach persevered and composed some of the worlds greatest musical
masterpieces: Toccata in D Minor, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and the
masterful work of St. Matthew's Passion, among thousands of other works
which are still being performed today.
The life of Corrie ten Boom is another example of faith over fear in
this inspiring volume. Ms. ten Boom grew up in a devoutly religious
family in the Netherlands. During World War II, she and her family hid
over 800 Jews in a secret room to protect them from arrest by Nazi
authorities. Betrayed by a fellow Dutch citizen, the entire family was
imprisoned. A Nazi officer offered freedom to Corrie's father if he
would stop what he was doing. Her father courageously stated, "If I go
home today, tomorrow I will open my door to anyone who knocks for
help...it would be an honor to give my life for God's ancient people."
He died in prison ten days later at the age of eighty four.
Corrie and her sister Betsie were separated for three months while
Corrie was held in solitary confinement because she was ill with a
hacking cough. Once reunited, they found themselves in the most inhumane
conditions imaginable. They were packed into a train like cattle, where
they rode for three days, arriving at the women's death camp of
Ravensbruck. The first two nights were spent outside on the ground being
pummeled by a pouring rain from violent thunderstorms. Then, they were
marched into a barracks meant to hold 400, but 1400 were eventually
crammed in. As newcomers, they were forced to remove their clothing and
parade naked in front of the guards to ensure they had no contraband on
them. Corrie was panicked wondering how the small Bible she had in a
pouch hanging down her back was going to be handled. Her sister, even
more nervous, felt a sudden need to use the toilet and the guards let
them both go. There was a bench where the small pouch was hidden. Upon
receiving flimsy prison garb, Corrie once again donned the pouch with
its precious Bible. But when they found themselves being checked and
frisked for contraband, Corrie uttered a silent prayer," Lord make your
angels untransparent." She thought the request a strange one, but the
guards acted as if she was not even there. They did not see or touch her
at all. They endured unspeakable living conditions: extreme brutality,
bedbugs, fleas, rats, roaches and lice. The bugs were so bad, the guards
would never set foot past the barracks doorway. This caused her sister
Betsie to exclaim, "the bugs are a blessing." Every night, the sisters
would secretly read from the small Bible, while women translated the
passages into other languages the women could understand, including
German, French, Polish, Russian, and Czech.
Betsie taught Corrie, and the other women, many things about
forgiveness, and how the one thing their torturers wanted to take from
them, but couldn't, was God's love. They began to look out for each
other, making life a bit more civilized, and leaving no one alone. That
barracks became known as the "crazy place, where there is hope."
Ravensbruck saw nearly one hundred thousand women led to their death,
including Betsie. Somehow Betsie knew her sister Corrie would survive.
With her last breath, Betsie extracted a promise from Corrie that she
would tell the world of the healing power of forgiving another, a power
that is possible when one leans on God.
Due to a clerical error, a miracle occurred and Corrie was released from
prison. For decades she lived out of a suitcase, traveling to sixty four
countries with her and her sister's message of reconciliation and
forgiveness. She also wrote many books, and died on her birthday at the
age of ninety-one.
These are just two examples of the remarkable stories in this amazing
and well written and researched book. I do not believe I have ever read
a more compelling, meaningful, and inspiring book of biographies in my life.
The other men and women highlighted in this book are: Galileo Galilei,
John Newton, Elizabeth Fry, Sojourner Truth, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet
Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, Amy Wilson
Carmichael, Mary McLeod Bethune, Aimee Semple McPherson, C.S. Lewis,
Gladys May Alward, Louie Zamperini, and Johnny Cash.
While some are more widely known than others, all have a story to tell,
a story where they all share a unique and common thread: they all
publicly acknowledged God as the source of their success and
accomplishments.
At the end of each narrative, Ms. Hubbell includes several relevant and
meaningful Bible verses. There are footnotes for additional research,
reference and study.
The final chapter of the book is entitled, " Your Name Here." We the
readers are encouraged to consider what would happen if we totally
trusted God and honored His Divine appointments. Just as we have looked
in the rear view mirror to see God's hand in the lives of these
seventeen world changers, we too can look back and see how God has
prepared us for the unique work that lies ahead in each of our lives. If
we have a passion and capacity to love God and to love others, God will
do the rest.
Annette Hubbell has provided us with a gift -- a gift of feeling like we
are having a direct conversation with these seventeen remarkable men and
women who changed the world by living out their faith. The true and
lasting gift is that whether we positively influence one person, or the
whole world, for good, we too can and should make a difference. These
stories can inspire and motivate us, and remind us that with God,
anything is possible!
This refreshing new book by a very gifted author should be in the home
of people of all faiths, or of no faith at all. It will be enjoyed by
youth and adults alike. There is so very much to be learned and
enlightened by. The poignant and stirring stories of how faith led these
remarkable individuals past seemingly insurmountable odds, and how faith
transformed them, with all their quirks and weaknesses, to become
instruments in the hand of God to accomplish great things in their time,
is not to be forgotten. I eagerly look forward to reading another book
by this creative author.
April 15, 2019
What does it take to be a world changer? Author Annette Hubbell gives us seventeen chapters each one on a different historical figure, from Galileo Galilei to Johnny Cash, with his or her own unique story to tell. Some of them, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, John Newton, Abraham Lincoln, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Corrie ten Boom, and C. S. Lewis, are quite famous, while others, like Elizabeth Fry, Amy Carmichael, Mary McLeod Bethune, Gladys Aylward, and Louis Zamperini, are less well known. What binds them all together is a strong faith in God. The lives of these once-ordinary people who discovered the secret to living an extraordinary life are told in heart-to-heart, first-person conversations which illustrate how we can experience the transformative power of ordinary faith. There is an eighteenth chapter, “Your Name Here,” which is a call to action.
These heroes are not presented as paragons of perfection. Like all of us, they made their share of mistakes during their lifetimes. Various readers will not always agree with every decision which they reached and/or every action which they took. For example, many believers may have some strong doctrinal, and perhaps even moral, differences with the teachings and lifestyle of Aimee Semple McPherson. At the same time, the book shows how these simple men and women with all their quirks and weaknesses could be used by God through both their struggles and successes to accomplish good things in their generation. Hubbell’s first book, A Spoonful of Grace: Mealtime blessings in Bite-Sized Pieces, was recently awarded the 2018 Illumination Award, given for exemplary Christian writing, in the family/parenting division.
For Eternity Through the Rearview Mirror, the author really must have had to do a lot of in-depth research to let the story-teller’s colloquialisms and “voice” come through. There are a few common euphemisms (“Lordy” and “darn,” for example). However, each chapter includes direct quotations (in italics) from the person’s own words, as well as pointers to URL’s for museums, documents, and other sources so that one can dig deeper as wanted. Also, in the back of the book there are extensive footnotes to document everything. Readers will not only make the acquaintance of individuals who were previously unknown to them and discover new information about more familiar characters, but also gain valuable insights into what motivated these folks and how their faith was important to their journeys.
These heroes are not presented as paragons of perfection. Like all of us, they made their share of mistakes during their lifetimes. Various readers will not always agree with every decision which they reached and/or every action which they took. For example, many believers may have some strong doctrinal, and perhaps even moral, differences with the teachings and lifestyle of Aimee Semple McPherson. At the same time, the book shows how these simple men and women with all their quirks and weaknesses could be used by God through both their struggles and successes to accomplish good things in their generation. Hubbell’s first book, A Spoonful of Grace: Mealtime blessings in Bite-Sized Pieces, was recently awarded the 2018 Illumination Award, given for exemplary Christian writing, in the family/parenting division.
For Eternity Through the Rearview Mirror, the author really must have had to do a lot of in-depth research to let the story-teller’s colloquialisms and “voice” come through. There are a few common euphemisms (“Lordy” and “darn,” for example). However, each chapter includes direct quotations (in italics) from the person’s own words, as well as pointers to URL’s for museums, documents, and other sources so that one can dig deeper as wanted. Also, in the back of the book there are extensive footnotes to document everything. Readers will not only make the acquaintance of individuals who were previously unknown to them and discover new information about more familiar characters, but also gain valuable insights into what motivated these folks and how their faith was important to their journeys.
October 16, 2019
This is a unique and creative collection! Hubbell tells the stories of 17 different historical figures as though from their own perspective -- hindsight meets first-person perspective.
I enjoyed choosing my own reading order, initially starting at the beginning (Galileo and Bach), then moving around as desired. Once I saw Louis Zamperini, I had to go right to his story! I read "Unbroken" earlier this year and absolutely loved it; having read that definitely lent depth to this ~4K-word story, as naturally not everything could be included.
The inclusion of direct quotes from each featured person was smart, neatly delineated in italics.
The book is a great way to learn more about historical figures you may not be familiar with; recap what you already know; and/or spur you on to additional reading.
Cleverly brought together, and an encouragement to me in my own faith!
I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed choosing my own reading order, initially starting at the beginning (Galileo and Bach), then moving around as desired. Once I saw Louis Zamperini, I had to go right to his story! I read "Unbroken" earlier this year and absolutely loved it; having read that definitely lent depth to this ~4K-word story, as naturally not everything could be included.
The inclusion of direct quotes from each featured person was smart, neatly delineated in italics.
The book is a great way to learn more about historical figures you may not be familiar with; recap what you already know; and/or spur you on to additional reading.
Cleverly brought together, and an encouragement to me in my own faith!
I received a copy of the book from the author. All opinions are my own.
July 26, 2019
Incredibly inspiring and well-written summaries of 17 amazing lives and how their faith and perseverance impacted the imprint they left on the world. Some figures are quite familiar, others less so, but their incredible life journeys will leave you contemplating your own, and perhaps listening to Bach or Johnny Cash for the first time!
February 2, 2020
Seventeen extraordinary lives down through time. Told in first person and each one kept me engaged. If you are trying to broaden your reading genre, and shy away from biography, this would be a great book to pick up. There are great end-notes as well as resources for additional reading and travel suggestions.
Totally enjoyed each one!
Totally enjoyed each one!
July 12, 2019
I had to skip over quite a few biographies in this book.... the religious language and scripture quotes just became too much for me. - They way the author tells the stories seemed biased, 'speaking for them' instead of sticking to their life stories objectively.
April 6, 2021
Very good book. Enjoyed reading about all these interesting people.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews