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I Still Believe: A Memoir
Newly revised and available in trade paper to coincide with Lionsgate’s film release, I Still Believe shares Jeremy Camp’s journey of finding hope and healing through life’s toughest moments and the songs that came from his journey that have inspired a generation.
When Jeremy Camp lost his beloved wife, Melissa, just months after their wedding, the last thing he wanted to do was sing praise to God. But even as he struggled through unimaginable grief and fought to hold on to his faith, God had other plans: Pick up your guitar. I have something for you to write.
Jeremy obeyed, pouring out his heart, writing about the hope that God was still there, even in his deepest grief. The song he wrote that day, “I Still Believe,” has gone on to inspire millions around the world.
This is the story behind that song and the movie that was inspired by it. It’s an inside look at Jeremy’s life—from his difficult childhood and teenage years to the tragic passing of Melissa and the spiritual journey that followed, which inspired some of his best-loved songs and led him, eventually, to find love again. I Still Believe is a powerful heart-wrenching book about the strength of undying love and the power of faith.
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2011
548 people are currently reading
3981 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Camp
47 books112 followersJeremy Camp, one of the leading artists on the contemporary Christian music scene, has gained a sizable fan following for his passionate, well-crafted rock songs and heartfelt testimonies of faith in spite of life’s obstacles. He is a Grammy Award winner and a two-time American Music Award–nominated artist with a stellar career, having established himself with multiple successful albums, no. 1 songs, Dove Awards, and three ASCAP Songwriter of the Year wins. Jeremy is a key performer at the Extraordinary Women events and is also an ordained minister and a Compassion International artist. He lives in Franklin, Tennessee, with his wife, Adie, their two daughters, and their son.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 483 reviews
December 30, 2020
4 stars
I remember I Still Believe was the last movie I bought movie theater tickets for… it came out in March of 2020. I knew the movie was based on the true story of Jeremy Camp’s life, but I didn’t know there was a memoir that went along with it. The movie is mostly about Jeremy and Melissa’s story, but the book had so much more of his life in it. I enjoyed this inspirational story a lot.
I remember I Still Believe was the last movie I bought movie theater tickets for… it came out in March of 2020. I knew the movie was based on the true story of Jeremy Camp’s life, but I didn’t know there was a memoir that went along with it. The movie is mostly about Jeremy and Melissa’s story, but the book had so much more of his life in it. I enjoyed this inspirational story a lot.
Audio book source: Libby (library)
Story Rating: 4 stars
Narrators: Mark Smeby
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Memoir/Nonfiction
Length: 6 hours and 21 minutes
April 14, 2020
I watched the movie first and I had no idea that the movie was inspired from reality. After finishing watching the movie, I immediately searched for the book and started reading it. Let me say one thing first: the movie doesn’t capture just 30% of the book. And that part is the part of the book is Melissa’s story (how they fall in love etc.). But the book explains so much more: the life before Melissa and after Melissa. I especially liked the part about Adrienne more... Because I felt a strong connection between the characters. But I get it. Melissa’s story was more important, because it tested Jeremy’s trust in God and the power of moving on after loosing someone you deeply loved.
For me... not knowing who Jeremy was before watching the movie, reading the book was a painful experience. I started imagining the dilemmas Jeremy had while going through so much pain and it broke me in some way. But I’m glad he found his way back to the Lord.
I have to admit it was the first book of this kind - religious - that I’ve ever read and I found it really pleasing. I recommend it... especially to those who lost someone they loved. It is a way to learn how to cope with pain and doubts.
For me... not knowing who Jeremy was before watching the movie, reading the book was a painful experience. I started imagining the dilemmas Jeremy had while going through so much pain and it broke me in some way. But I’m glad he found his way back to the Lord.
I have to admit it was the first book of this kind - religious - that I’ve ever read and I found it really pleasing. I recommend it... especially to those who lost someone they loved. It is a way to learn how to cope with pain and doubts.
October 28, 2020
La verdad es que al principio no se me hizo pesado pero a las 100 páginas ya veía a Dios por todas partes. Con esto me refiero a que si no eres cristiano y seguidor del cristianismo pues el libro puede llegar a ser pesado.
La historia me ha gustado, cómo sus padres pasan por una mala situación y al conocer a Dios y abrazar sus alabanzas consiguen mejorar su vida a pesar de ser pobres. Jeremy ha crecido con sus padres en un entorno muy cristiano y en el que Dios guía sus pasos, por lo que su fe se ve reflejada en toda su vida y en todos sus actos.
Se me ha hecho pesado, por el hecho de que Dios es el que marca su vida, hace algo porque Él lo ha decidido, le pasa lo que Él ha decidido.
Sinceramente, no había párrafo donde no se mencionara a Dios... eso ha hecho que al final la lectura fuese más pesada, pero en general me ha gustado ya que su forma de superar la muerte de su esposa es muy bonita.
La historia me ha gustado, cómo sus padres pasan por una mala situación y al conocer a Dios y abrazar sus alabanzas consiguen mejorar su vida a pesar de ser pobres. Jeremy ha crecido con sus padres en un entorno muy cristiano y en el que Dios guía sus pasos, por lo que su fe se ve reflejada en toda su vida y en todos sus actos.
Se me ha hecho pesado, por el hecho de que Dios es el que marca su vida, hace algo porque Él lo ha decidido, le pasa lo que Él ha decidido.
Sinceramente, no había párrafo donde no se mencionara a Dios... eso ha hecho que al final la lectura fuese más pesada, pero en general me ha gustado ya que su forma de superar la muerte de su esposa es muy bonita.
March 20, 2020
Oh my word. What a heart gripping story of how you can go through some of the most painful events in your life and come through it all with God in your life. Jeremy's story of how, even in the hardest days, keeping his faith in God helped him make it when life was filled with sorrow and heartache. This is definitely a must read.
November 25, 2020
I didn't know anything about Jeremy Camp or his family before reading this memoir.
This was a beautiful story ups & downs, after I finished the book I watched the movie. The flim was nicely done, the actors did a great job telling their story.
Really enjoyed this one and I'm happy that their story is known even more through the movie.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ book/movie
This was a beautiful story
This was a beautiful story ups & downs, after I finished the book I watched the movie. The flim was nicely done, the actors did a great job telling their story.
Really enjoyed this one and I'm happy that their story is known even more through the movie.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ book/movie
This was a beautiful story
September 28, 2020
Really good!
March 21, 2019
I still believe ⭐️
I have loved Jeremy Camp since I was little and getting to see him grow up and rebel. Find love and make music, lose love and lose hope. It was beautiful, I wasnt expecting to like it this much.
Jeremy was a wild child growing up. Maybe because his father used to be a drunk he thought that it was alright to drink and party as long as he hid it because he had guilt. He went away to a camp and came back a changed man. Which lead him to his first wife. She had cancer and he had started singing. Another thing was that he didnt care for the guitar he liked football and never wanted to leanr to play. Which is crazy considering how talented he is, good thing he quit such a uselss sport.
Anyway he found his wife and lost her to cancer but the music still came. I really liked seeing how some of his songs came to be and what inspired them (because im nosey like that).
Then we follow his music journey and finding love and making a family all while God was with him.
I have been through different but hard circumstances and I lost faith so seeing him lost the woman he loved so fast and still he sings on about his faith and walking by faith was just beautiful.
I have loved Jeremy Camp since I was little and getting to see him grow up and rebel. Find love and make music, lose love and lose hope. It was beautiful, I wasnt expecting to like it this much.
Jeremy was a wild child growing up. Maybe because his father used to be a drunk he thought that it was alright to drink and party as long as he hid it because he had guilt. He went away to a camp and came back a changed man. Which lead him to his first wife. She had cancer and he had started singing. Another thing was that he didnt care for the guitar he liked football and never wanted to leanr to play. Which is crazy considering how talented he is, good thing he quit such a uselss sport.
Anyway he found his wife and lost her to cancer but the music still came. I really liked seeing how some of his songs came to be and what inspired them (because im nosey like that).
Then we follow his music journey and finding love and making a family all while God was with him.
I have been through different but hard circumstances and I lost faith so seeing him lost the woman he loved so fast and still he sings on about his faith and walking by faith was just beautiful.
April 2, 2021
Aptuveni pirms gada noskatījos filmu ar tādu pat nosaukumu, ka bija balstīta uz Džeremija Kempa dzīves notikumiem, un, kaut tā bija ļoti emcionali spēcīga, jāska, ka salīdznot ar grāmatu filma ir kā aisberga redzamā daļa. Džeremija un Melisas mīlasstāsts ir vien daļa no viņa dzīves, grāmatā mēs iepazīstam viņu krietni pirms un garajos gados pēc (kaut nav jau tāda pēc). Klausījos to tulkotu un ierunātu krieviski un lasītājs veica izcilu darbu, likās, ka to visu stāsts autors pats, caur balsi nododot visas emocijas.
August 8, 2017
I learned a lot about looking to Good during the hard times through Jeremy Camp's book. His struggle with his first wife's death from cancer was especially touching. Definitely a book to re-read over the years.
October 8, 2021
This book as been on my TBR list for awhile. I must say, I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Jeremy’s faith, especially in times of hardship, is beautiful and inspiring. His wife, Adrienne, sounds like an amazing person. If you are looking to increase your faith, this is a great read.
February 9, 2013
I participate in Tyndale's review bloggers. I receive books for free from the publishing house to read and give thorough reviews of the work.
I write my review on my blog in addition to various websites which feature the book in question. Below is an excerpt from my blog review. This book is one to certainly read, absorb and rejoice in. I sincerely recommend!
"Jeremy's music is such that I forget to match his voice with his name.
Let me explain, for this is not a negative statement:
The depth of his voice is so captivating, that a name is not the identifier - the voice becomes the instant recognizable distinction. And now, after reading I Still Believe, I understand a bit more how God displayed that depth and tone in a vocal: God bestowed magnitude in Jeremy's life that would more than mirror the vividness of his voice.
His memoir is one of honesty, detail, frankness and the altitude changes that come from a tumultuous testing of faith over the course of passing years.
The first portion of the book, if I'm honest, felt more sterile and mechanical. I liken it to when the same story is told countless times, a sense of a rehearsed memory-driven telling takes over rather than a conversational tone.
I only discovered this however, because of the last chapters of the book - where warmth, intensity in the moment, freshness and passion seemed more forthcoming. I cannot explain why, but it wasn't until I was finishing the book that I even realized there was a difference within the pages.
I do not intend to insult his writing or pretend to understand the reasons behind why it seemed that way to one reader (my opinion is just that - opinion) who could easily be wrong. If I told a story for twelve years, it might sound rehearsed as well! I only say this in pure objectivity of review a piece of writing.
And now that I've done that, I can move onto that which matters more: the honesty of the pages.
I Still Believe, in its entirety is a portrait worth exploring wholeheartedly. Jeremy's voice is true. No tone change or repetition can take that away. He leads bare-boned. He tells in utter candor. He does not pretend nor placate. His answers of faith are real. He does not say the things he does to impress anyone. They are simply fact, and the genuine nature of the man himself (as evidenced by his songwriting and his free account of intimate details of his life up to this point) is one of authenticity. Fervent love. Unbridled emotion for His Savior, for his family, for those he loves in this world and who are already home in Heaven. This is inarguable. Anyone who reads the 212+ pages will see this for themselves. So I will not flinch if my words are not taken merely on faith..."
Read the rest at http://dailyrefined.blogspot.com/2013...
I write my review on my blog in addition to various websites which feature the book in question. Below is an excerpt from my blog review. This book is one to certainly read, absorb and rejoice in. I sincerely recommend!
"Jeremy's music is such that I forget to match his voice with his name.
Let me explain, for this is not a negative statement:
The depth of his voice is so captivating, that a name is not the identifier - the voice becomes the instant recognizable distinction. And now, after reading I Still Believe, I understand a bit more how God displayed that depth and tone in a vocal: God bestowed magnitude in Jeremy's life that would more than mirror the vividness of his voice.
His memoir is one of honesty, detail, frankness and the altitude changes that come from a tumultuous testing of faith over the course of passing years.
The first portion of the book, if I'm honest, felt more sterile and mechanical. I liken it to when the same story is told countless times, a sense of a rehearsed memory-driven telling takes over rather than a conversational tone.
I only discovered this however, because of the last chapters of the book - where warmth, intensity in the moment, freshness and passion seemed more forthcoming. I cannot explain why, but it wasn't until I was finishing the book that I even realized there was a difference within the pages.
I do not intend to insult his writing or pretend to understand the reasons behind why it seemed that way to one reader (my opinion is just that - opinion) who could easily be wrong. If I told a story for twelve years, it might sound rehearsed as well! I only say this in pure objectivity of review a piece of writing.
And now that I've done that, I can move onto that which matters more: the honesty of the pages.
I Still Believe, in its entirety is a portrait worth exploring wholeheartedly. Jeremy's voice is true. No tone change or repetition can take that away. He leads bare-boned. He tells in utter candor. He does not pretend nor placate. His answers of faith are real. He does not say the things he does to impress anyone. They are simply fact, and the genuine nature of the man himself (as evidenced by his songwriting and his free account of intimate details of his life up to this point) is one of authenticity. Fervent love. Unbridled emotion for His Savior, for his family, for those he loves in this world and who are already home in Heaven. This is inarguable. Anyone who reads the 212+ pages will see this for themselves. So I will not flinch if my words are not taken merely on faith..."
Read the rest at http://dailyrefined.blogspot.com/2013...
February 12, 2013
When I first say Camp’s Memoir I was excited and knew I had to read the book, but as I was reading the book I kept thinking he’s too young to have experienced the kind of pain he has. I knew his songs were written deep from the heart and no matter what I was going through at the time, they never failed to touch me and challenge me into a deeper relationship with God. I knew the book would do no less.
And I was right.
Over the years, I’ve heard bits and pieces of his testimony about loosing his wife to cancer, but I never could have imagined the depth of his experience, both with the pain and God’s healing. For the Camps to share their testimony is humbling. I Still Believe is an amazing, powerful testimony of God’s never ending love, even in the midst of our darkest moments. I don’t want to give too much away because there is a something about reading his testimony that jumps off the pages and reaches deep within that makes you say, “I want to be sold out for Jesus”, but this is a must read.
And I was right.
Over the years, I’ve heard bits and pieces of his testimony about loosing his wife to cancer, but I never could have imagined the depth of his experience, both with the pain and God’s healing. For the Camps to share their testimony is humbling. I Still Believe is an amazing, powerful testimony of God’s never ending love, even in the midst of our darkest moments. I don’t want to give too much away because there is a something about reading his testimony that jumps off the pages and reaches deep within that makes you say, “I want to be sold out for Jesus”, but this is a must read.
October 27, 2020
I recently watched the I Still Believe movie and it has reignited my interest in Jeremy Camp and his music. Before picking this up, I was really struggling with reading anything, but this one broke through. I have to say that I've always had Jeremy Camp on a bit of pedestal - if you know his story you can probably understand why - and it was almost a little shocking to see just how not perfect he is. But that's another great part of this story. It was very realistic and relatable to see that he has had his fair share of doubts and spiritual struggles and needs to continually recommit himself to living out his faith. I'm definitely glad I decided to pick this one up.
June 21, 2011
This book was amazing. It took me 2 hrs to read. I love his music and reading his story brought tears to my eyes.
September 6, 2020
Okay. I may as well just do this review, let everyone think I'm a heartless jerk, and then I can pass this book on to those waiting in the Hold line behind me at my local library.
Let me begin by saying, I heard a Jeremy Camp song for the first time just last year after I came home from being in the hospital for several months and it was truly a goose-bump moment. I could tell his music was anointed.
Secondly, I am well-acquainted with grief having lost all my immediate family members in a very short period of time.
Thirdly, I've been on a waiting list for 12 weeks from my library to get my turn to read this book. So I fully expected to love this book. But while I was waiting for my turn I read the Sample and didn't get much out of it. Then when it FINALLY was my turn, I discovered I was having some trouble getting into it. Curious.
This is the story of Jeremy's brief first marriage that ended when his wife died of cancer. It details this time in his life, his struggle with the grief and confusion, and his decision to continue his walk of faith with Jesus in spite of the fact that he didn't understand what God was doing or why Jesus would let his young, beautiful wife suffer and die. Considering the subject of the story and my own intimate knowledge of grief and how it relates to my faith in Jesus, I expected this to be a gut-wrenching read and was a bit apprehensive to stir those emotions in myself. I needn't have worried. I made almost no emotional connection to this story at all.
I've been trying to figure out why I can't get emotionally invested in Camp's story. We have a lot in common. Including growing up excessively poor. But I believe it comes down to two factors. I just don't connect with his perceptions and sensibilities and ... he's not a very good writer.
It seemed like it was being written by a preteen. So much so that I actually checked the copyright of the book to see how old Jeremy was when he wrote it. It was originally published in 2011 which puts him in his early thirties. I found several examples of his descriptive abilities in one area where he's telling us about he and Melissa declaring their love for each other and deciding to get married while she is quite ill having just undergone chemotherapy.
"She seemed pretty bummed out." ; "Her parents were super-stoked." and, "she thought the proposal would be all glamorous but instead she 'felt all sweaty and gross'" because apparently, she had been able to go outside for a run.
Plus, the part when they are discovering their love for each other in view of the uncertainty of their future together should have been deeply intense but it sounded more like discussing going to the school dance. "Does she like me? He liked her first. I wish I could have taken back that I told her I liked her." This is basically the height of the romantic dialogue you will get. Even the discussions of faith are so filled with Christianese clichés that most nonChristians will have no idea what he's talking about.
But how can that be, Laura-Lee? Jeremy Camp is a very successful Christian song-WRITER!
I have pondered that dilemma too. Let us examine Jeremy Camp's song, "Revive Me" which is based on Psalm 119.
Consider my affliction and please deliver me
Plead my cause and redeem me
Salvation is not for the wicked
For they don't seek your word
Great are your tender mercies, Lord
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, oh Lord
You give me understanding
According to your word
Great peace for those who seek your face
I long for salvation
My lips shall praise your name
I rejoice in the treasure of your keep
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, oh Lord
Basically, all those words belong to the original writer. King David. Camp has just shuffled them around so that they are in the position to rhyme appropriately for the music he wrote. Which is, I still believe, where Camp's actual talents are. But as a wordsmith, he just doesn't have it. And although I'm sure this time in his life was both heart-breaking and ultimately faith-inspiring, he should have left the telling of the story in prose to someone who has the ability to express and reveal Jeremy's broken heart and the road back to his renewed faith and restored relationship with Jesus. Not everyone is equipped with the ability to write a good book. Jeremy Camp is no exception. Give this book a skip and go listen to one of his songs and prepare to get goose-bumps ... Whenever he starts singing God's words directly from the Bible.
Thanks to all for reading this review (which must have been hard for all you Camp fans!)
Sincerely, Laura-Lee
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 UPDATE: All these weeks later and I can't get this review out of my mind. I feel like I've back-stabbed a family member, as indeed that may be exactly what I've done by criticizing Jeremy so harshly. I was listening to some of his music today and thinking how talented he is as a songwriter and how much he obviously loves his Saviour and felt I needed to say something more. However, as I reread my review of "I Still Believe" I find that I still believe what I said about it and am reluctant to change or delete it.
Let me end this by apologizing to Jeremy (and his fans) if I've hurt anyone's feelings and let you know that even before I read it, I had made a Purchase Suggestion for this book at my local library which they approved. So they added I Still Believe in ebook format to their catalog. Because even if in my opinion it's not my thing, I Still Believe it can be for others.
(Continually trying to speak) The truth with love, Laura-Lee
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," (Philippians 2:3)
Let me begin by saying, I heard a Jeremy Camp song for the first time just last year after I came home from being in the hospital for several months and it was truly a goose-bump moment. I could tell his music was anointed.
Secondly, I am well-acquainted with grief having lost all my immediate family members in a very short period of time.
Thirdly, I've been on a waiting list for 12 weeks from my library to get my turn to read this book. So I fully expected to love this book. But while I was waiting for my turn I read the Sample and didn't get much out of it. Then when it FINALLY was my turn, I discovered I was having some trouble getting into it. Curious.
This is the story of Jeremy's brief first marriage that ended when his wife died of cancer. It details this time in his life, his struggle with the grief and confusion, and his decision to continue his walk of faith with Jesus in spite of the fact that he didn't understand what God was doing or why Jesus would let his young, beautiful wife suffer and die. Considering the subject of the story and my own intimate knowledge of grief and how it relates to my faith in Jesus, I expected this to be a gut-wrenching read and was a bit apprehensive to stir those emotions in myself. I needn't have worried. I made almost no emotional connection to this story at all.
I've been trying to figure out why I can't get emotionally invested in Camp's story. We have a lot in common. Including growing up excessively poor. But I believe it comes down to two factors. I just don't connect with his perceptions and sensibilities and ... he's not a very good writer.
It seemed like it was being written by a preteen. So much so that I actually checked the copyright of the book to see how old Jeremy was when he wrote it. It was originally published in 2011 which puts him in his early thirties. I found several examples of his descriptive abilities in one area where he's telling us about he and Melissa declaring their love for each other and deciding to get married while she is quite ill having just undergone chemotherapy.
"She seemed pretty bummed out." ; "Her parents were super-stoked." and, "she thought the proposal would be all glamorous but instead she 'felt all sweaty and gross'" because apparently, she had been able to go outside for a run.
Plus, the part when they are discovering their love for each other in view of the uncertainty of their future together should have been deeply intense but it sounded more like discussing going to the school dance. "Does she like me? He liked her first. I wish I could have taken back that I told her I liked her." This is basically the height of the romantic dialogue you will get. Even the discussions of faith are so filled with Christianese clichés that most nonChristians will have no idea what he's talking about.
But how can that be, Laura-Lee? Jeremy Camp is a very successful Christian song-WRITER!
I have pondered that dilemma too. Let us examine Jeremy Camp's song, "Revive Me" which is based on Psalm 119.
Consider my affliction and please deliver me
Plead my cause and redeem me
Salvation is not for the wicked
For they don't seek your word
Great are your tender mercies, Lord
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, oh Lord
You give me understanding
According to your word
Great peace for those who seek your face
I long for salvation
My lips shall praise your name
I rejoice in the treasure of your keep
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, that I may seek your word
Revive me, according to your loving-kindness
Revive me, oh Lord
Basically, all those words belong to the original writer. King David. Camp has just shuffled them around so that they are in the position to rhyme appropriately for the music he wrote. Which is, I still believe, where Camp's actual talents are. But as a wordsmith, he just doesn't have it. And although I'm sure this time in his life was both heart-breaking and ultimately faith-inspiring, he should have left the telling of the story in prose to someone who has the ability to express and reveal Jeremy's broken heart and the road back to his renewed faith and restored relationship with Jesus. Not everyone is equipped with the ability to write a good book. Jeremy Camp is no exception. Give this book a skip and go listen to one of his songs and prepare to get goose-bumps ... Whenever he starts singing God's words directly from the Bible.
Thanks to all for reading this review (which must have been hard for all you Camp fans!)
Sincerely, Laura-Lee
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020 UPDATE: All these weeks later and I can't get this review out of my mind. I feel like I've back-stabbed a family member, as indeed that may be exactly what I've done by criticizing Jeremy so harshly. I was listening to some of his music today and thinking how talented he is as a songwriter and how much he obviously loves his Saviour and felt I needed to say something more. However, as I reread my review of "I Still Believe" I find that I still believe what I said about it and am reluctant to change or delete it.
Let me end this by apologizing to Jeremy (and his fans) if I've hurt anyone's feelings and let you know that even before I read it, I had made a Purchase Suggestion for this book at my local library which they approved. So they added I Still Believe in ebook format to their catalog. Because even if in my opinion it's not my thing, I Still Believe it can be for others.
(Continually trying to speak) The truth with love, Laura-Lee
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," (Philippians 2:3)
Read
February 8, 2025I didn’t know the back story but I love Adie Camp so it was cool to read a little bit of their love story!
July 2, 2020
La mia Melissa non c’era più, e io mi domandavo anche dov’era Dio. Volevo aggrapparmi a lui, ma nella mia disperazione non sapevo neanche cosa pensare. Ci provavo, ma non sapevo da dove cominciare. Le deboli preghiere che riuscivo a innalzare al cielo sembravano smarrirsi nella nebbia che mi inghiottiva.
Mi ascolti sul serio?
Ti importa davvero di ciascuno di noi?
Ci sei?
Prendi la chitarra.
Ho voluto aspettare a recensire questo libro, perché prima volevo vedere la sua trasposizione cinematografica (che trovate in questo periodo su Amazon Prime).
E devo dire che, per quanto il film renda indubbiamente molto meglio i protagonisti rispetto alla realtà (ma, del resto, era facile, utilizzando volti affascinanti e comunque noti al pubblico giovanile come KJ Apa e Britt Robertson), si è perso molto del messaggio di speranza e - sì - anche degli ideali sottesi al messaggio espresso da Camp.
Inutile girarci intorno, Camp è un autore specializzato in musica cristiana (niente a che fare con gli inni di chiesa, le sue sono canzoni contemporanee, spesso ballate struggenti, in cui lancia messaggi positivi d'amore e d'amicizia e di luminosità, in antitesi con il rock "maledetto" per cui se il cantante non è strafatto e non ha il codazzo di groupie al seguito non spacca...).
La sua è stata una famiglia particolare, con due genitori problematici che si sono saputi ricostruire, con un fratellino disabile, con pochi soldi, ma tanta unione e affetto a legarli.
Jeremy si porta dietro questi semi e anche la sua storia con Melissa è in questo senso esemplare: entrambi si incontrano in un campus che raccoglie giovani da ogni parte del paese e uniti dagli stessi propositi. Il loro è un amore istantaneo, tanto veloce nello scoppiare quanto tenace nel permanere, neanche dopo che lei gli rivela d'essere ammalata e molto grave.
Jeremy avrebbe potuto voltare le spalle a un amore da ventenne, dimenticare e passare al semestre successivo, e se diventa grande, se matura e compie scelte degne di un uomo con molta più esperienza sulle spalle, è perchè Melissa gli infonde questo coraggio: lei gli chiede di starle vicino, ma poi di andare avanti, di trovare il proprio posto.
Ecco, le bellissime parole che gli rivolge Melissa e che mi avevano fatto apprezzare il romanzo, le frasi pronunciate dalla moglie che Jeremy ricorda sono quasi sempre stravolte nel doppiaggio italiano (lo dico in quanto ho guardato il film con i sottotitoli inglese e si poteva vedere di continuo come i concetti venissero edulcorati e banalizzati).
Un esempio: lei lo porta a vedere un planetario e gli confida che da quando era una bambina ha sempre chiesto a Dio di rivelarle il suo progetto, lei è convinta che ci sia, e anche quando sta per andarsene la sua fede la sostiene, perché, nonostante tutto, nell'impronta che ha lasciato sulle vite del marito, della sorella, dei genitori e degli amici, vede la realizzazione del "suo" Progetto: una piccola impronta, ma indelebile nel cuore di chi ha avuto l'onore di viverle a fianco.
Ebbene, nel film l'Assoluto diventa l'universo (!), una sorta di natura panteista, per cui alla fine risulta un po' ridicolo che Melissa si affidi alla forza dell'universo e a non Dio (solo per non dire a spettatori materialisti che anche chi ha fede ha diritto di poterlo dire ad alta voce).
Forse ho parlato più del film, e non del libro. Non volevo farlo. Il libro merita.
La storia è nota, sul finale la lacrima scende (se non siete fatti di pietra) e se pensate che è una storia vera vi commuoverete ancora di più, finalmente per la realtà e non per la vuota retorica di qualche scrittore abituato ai melodrammi.
Uno stile semplice, ma toccante.
Mi ascolti sul serio?
Ti importa davvero di ciascuno di noi?
Ci sei?
Prendi la chitarra.
Ho voluto aspettare a recensire questo libro, perché prima volevo vedere la sua trasposizione cinematografica (che trovate in questo periodo su Amazon Prime).
E devo dire che, per quanto il film renda indubbiamente molto meglio i protagonisti rispetto alla realtà (ma, del resto, era facile, utilizzando volti affascinanti e comunque noti al pubblico giovanile come KJ Apa e Britt Robertson), si è perso molto del messaggio di speranza e - sì - anche degli ideali sottesi al messaggio espresso da Camp.
Inutile girarci intorno, Camp è un autore specializzato in musica cristiana (niente a che fare con gli inni di chiesa, le sue sono canzoni contemporanee, spesso ballate struggenti, in cui lancia messaggi positivi d'amore e d'amicizia e di luminosità, in antitesi con il rock "maledetto" per cui se il cantante non è strafatto e non ha il codazzo di groupie al seguito non spacca...).
La sua è stata una famiglia particolare, con due genitori problematici che si sono saputi ricostruire, con un fratellino disabile, con pochi soldi, ma tanta unione e affetto a legarli.
Jeremy si porta dietro questi semi e anche la sua storia con Melissa è in questo senso esemplare: entrambi si incontrano in un campus che raccoglie giovani da ogni parte del paese e uniti dagli stessi propositi. Il loro è un amore istantaneo, tanto veloce nello scoppiare quanto tenace nel permanere, neanche dopo che lei gli rivela d'essere ammalata e molto grave.
Jeremy avrebbe potuto voltare le spalle a un amore da ventenne, dimenticare e passare al semestre successivo, e se diventa grande, se matura e compie scelte degne di un uomo con molta più esperienza sulle spalle, è perchè Melissa gli infonde questo coraggio: lei gli chiede di starle vicino, ma poi di andare avanti, di trovare il proprio posto.
Ecco, le bellissime parole che gli rivolge Melissa e che mi avevano fatto apprezzare il romanzo, le frasi pronunciate dalla moglie che Jeremy ricorda sono quasi sempre stravolte nel doppiaggio italiano (lo dico in quanto ho guardato il film con i sottotitoli inglese e si poteva vedere di continuo come i concetti venissero edulcorati e banalizzati).
Un esempio: lei lo porta a vedere un planetario e gli confida che da quando era una bambina ha sempre chiesto a Dio di rivelarle il suo progetto, lei è convinta che ci sia, e anche quando sta per andarsene la sua fede la sostiene, perché, nonostante tutto, nell'impronta che ha lasciato sulle vite del marito, della sorella, dei genitori e degli amici, vede la realizzazione del "suo" Progetto: una piccola impronta, ma indelebile nel cuore di chi ha avuto l'onore di viverle a fianco.
Ebbene, nel film l'Assoluto diventa l'universo (!), una sorta di natura panteista, per cui alla fine risulta un po' ridicolo che Melissa si affidi alla forza dell'universo e a non Dio (solo per non dire a spettatori materialisti che anche chi ha fede ha diritto di poterlo dire ad alta voce).
Forse ho parlato più del film, e non del libro. Non volevo farlo. Il libro merita.
La storia è nota, sul finale la lacrima scende (se non siete fatti di pietra) e se pensate che è una storia vera vi commuoverete ancora di più, finalmente per la realtà e non per la vuota retorica di qualche scrittore abituato ai melodrammi.
Uno stile semplice, ma toccante.
March 12, 2013
I started listening to Jeremy Camp’s music probably around the mid-2000s and my top three favorites of his are This Man, Restored, and Walk by Faith. When I first heard his music, I liked it – especially those three favorite songs – but I wouldn’t have necessarily called him my favorite artist. I am definitely not claiming to be a music critic, but I often thought that Camp’s music lacked…something.
That changed when I saw him in concert with Casting Crowns in 2007. Now, my husband and I don’t often go to music concerts. We love music, we both play instruments, but we just don’t have the time or money to attend that many concerts. When we found out that Casting Crowns was going to be coming to Indiana, we decided to splurge and take the time to go see our favorite Christian band in concert. The fact that Jeremy Camp would be there, too, was a bonus.
At the concert, we really enjoyed Casting Crowns, but we were truly blown away by Jeremy Camp. His songs came alive when he was on stage, and he was so real. (It was also neat to see his emotion at being back in Indiana - this was soon after he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee). I think that is what doesn’t come through very well when you hear his songs on the radio – the emotion, the depth of faith, and the realness.
OK, so after that tangent about music, I will turn my focus to the book. Since I have seen Camp in concert, I somewhat knew the story of his first wife, Melissa, and what he went through during her illness and after her death. I Still Believe is a more complete story of Jeremy’s life growing up, the journey he and Melissa went through, and the paths his life has taken since. I’m pretty sure this is an updated version of a book by this same name that was released a few years ago.
Read my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
That changed when I saw him in concert with Casting Crowns in 2007. Now, my husband and I don’t often go to music concerts. We love music, we both play instruments, but we just don’t have the time or money to attend that many concerts. When we found out that Casting Crowns was going to be coming to Indiana, we decided to splurge and take the time to go see our favorite Christian band in concert. The fact that Jeremy Camp would be there, too, was a bonus.
At the concert, we really enjoyed Casting Crowns, but we were truly blown away by Jeremy Camp. His songs came alive when he was on stage, and he was so real. (It was also neat to see his emotion at being back in Indiana - this was soon after he had moved to Nashville, Tennessee). I think that is what doesn’t come through very well when you hear his songs on the radio – the emotion, the depth of faith, and the realness.
OK, so after that tangent about music, I will turn my focus to the book. Since I have seen Camp in concert, I somewhat knew the story of his first wife, Melissa, and what he went through during her illness and after her death. I Still Believe is a more complete story of Jeremy’s life growing up, the journey he and Melissa went through, and the paths his life has taken since. I’m pretty sure this is an updated version of a book by this same name that was released a few years ago.
Read my complete review here: http://shoopettesbookreviews.blogspot...
September 18, 2020
Hace unos meses se estrenó en Amazon Prime Video la película con el mismo título, protagonizada por K.J. Apa y Britt Robertson, y no tardó mucho en mi lista de seguimiento sin ser vista. Hasta ese momento desconocía de la existencia de la película, y mucho menos de que se tratase de una historia basada en hechos reales. La película narra una historia similar a otras del género del romance adolescente donde una enfermedad incurable amenaza con romper la felicidad de la pareja, pero lo que diferenciaba a esta película de otras tantas con trama similar, era que partía de hechos reales, de las vivencias de Jeremy Camp, un cantante y compositor estadounidense de rock alternativo y música cristiana contemporánea.
No soy una persona muy religiosa, pero ver la película me dio ganas de leer la novela. No estaba al tanto de la historia del autor y de todo lo que había ocurrido con su primera esposa, que es la parte que se desarrolla en la película, y me intrigó conocer de primera mano su relato. [...]
Seguir leyendo en: https://eraseunlibro.blogspot.com/202...
No soy una persona muy religiosa, pero ver la película me dio ganas de leer la novela. No estaba al tanto de la historia del autor y de todo lo que había ocurrido con su primera esposa, que es la parte que se desarrolla en la película, y me intrigó conocer de primera mano su relato. [...]
Seguir leyendo en: https://eraseunlibro.blogspot.com/202...
June 9, 2016
Given to me as a gift by a friend, I've had this sitting on my shelf for a while. Non-fiction about the death of a spouse isn't something I'm going to rush to read. But I like Camp's music, and I was curious about the origins of some of his biggest hits. This book recounts Camp's troubled teen years, the death of his first wife to ovarian cancer when they'd been married less than a year, and his rising success as a Christian musician and finding love again (now married with 3 children). It isn't a book to enjoy as much as ponder, and I find myself listening to his songs in a different way. However, I found something missing...a depth or detail issue on some events or the timeline...that kept me from rating it higher.
January 26, 2021
This tear-jerking autobiography encourages, inspires, and reminds us that God is with us during our heartbreak, and he can use our brokenness to help others.
March 28, 2024
What a lovely testimony! Being about the same age as the author, I kinda "grew up" with his story in the background of Christian music, and so I knew the vague details of his story, but this gets into the nitty-gritty depth of emotion and solid rock of faith. What an encouraging story. Now I need to go watch the movie!
January 27, 2021
'I Still Believe' is about love and loss, despair and hope. Trust. So much more than a story of young love. It is about healing and finding the Father. Faithfully at His side. Right there. 💕
September 2, 2016
Music has long been a vital part of my life. I was just telling my girls earlier today that at one time you could ask me for the artist or title of any song on Christian radio and I could probably tell you. For some I might even be able to tell you what album the song is on and sometimes even which side of cassette. I owned around 500 cassettes at one time.
Since I’ve been an adult and busy with life and all being a Momma entails, I don’t have time to listen like I once did. Also, I’ll admit it’s just noise pollution to me. Sometimes Momma needs quiet. Mr. FullCup though is different. He lives Christian music, he plays it frequently. Of course he does, it’s his job as the music dictator…errr director and Program Director of our local Christian radio station.
In his job he is very familiar with Jeremy Camp’s music. He knows Jeremy is not the son of Steve, which I thought when I first heard his name. Since I am not as into the Christian music scene anymore, I wasn’t all that familiar with Jeremy’s music, much less so his story.
He wrote a book for people like me. It is entitled I still Believe, A Memoir. I find it a little funny that a man younger than I am is writing a memoir. But I am so thankful he did! His story is one of sin, failure, and a great big God. It’s the story of gain, of loss, of great gain. It’s a story of Grace, redemption and forgiveness. He very easily could have called the book, “Grace Restored”.
If you’ve ever wondered about the story behind some of Jeremy Camp’s songs, get this book. He shares the circumstances surrounding some of his songs. All of the them were written after a time of great interaction with the Savior.
Jeremy Camp is more than a great voice, more than a pretty face. He is a child of God. His greatest desire is not for wealth and fame of Jeremy Camp but of God. He desires to be used and he is greatly used.
If you want to be challenged in your walk with Jesus, read this book. If you want to see if God can take something painful and use it for Him and His glory, read this book.
But before you rush out to buy it, you might want to check to see if it has released yet! Release date is February 2013. Or just check this out, www.jeremycamp.com/IStillBelieve.
I received a free copy of the book I Still Believe, A memoir by Jeremy Camp for free from the publisher, Tyndale House, for the purpose of review.
Since I’ve been an adult and busy with life and all being a Momma entails, I don’t have time to listen like I once did. Also, I’ll admit it’s just noise pollution to me. Sometimes Momma needs quiet. Mr. FullCup though is different. He lives Christian music, he plays it frequently. Of course he does, it’s his job as the music dictator…errr director and Program Director of our local Christian radio station.
In his job he is very familiar with Jeremy Camp’s music. He knows Jeremy is not the son of Steve, which I thought when I first heard his name. Since I am not as into the Christian music scene anymore, I wasn’t all that familiar with Jeremy’s music, much less so his story.
He wrote a book for people like me. It is entitled I still Believe, A Memoir. I find it a little funny that a man younger than I am is writing a memoir. But I am so thankful he did! His story is one of sin, failure, and a great big God. It’s the story of gain, of loss, of great gain. It’s a story of Grace, redemption and forgiveness. He very easily could have called the book, “Grace Restored”.
If you’ve ever wondered about the story behind some of Jeremy Camp’s songs, get this book. He shares the circumstances surrounding some of his songs. All of the them were written after a time of great interaction with the Savior.
Jeremy Camp is more than a great voice, more than a pretty face. He is a child of God. His greatest desire is not for wealth and fame of Jeremy Camp but of God. He desires to be used and he is greatly used.
If you want to be challenged in your walk with Jesus, read this book. If you want to see if God can take something painful and use it for Him and His glory, read this book.
But before you rush out to buy it, you might want to check to see if it has released yet! Release date is February 2013. Or just check this out, www.jeremycamp.com/IStillBelieve.
I received a free copy of the book I Still Believe, A memoir by Jeremy Camp for free from the publisher, Tyndale House, for the purpose of review.
February 2, 2013
Christian music artist and worship leader, Jeremy Camp shares his story of faith, love, lost, and healing.
As a young man, in his 20’s he has been through many trials in life. He was raised as a Christian, from a highly spiritually home of a pastor’s son. As a youth, he participated in missions and church outreaches.
After losing his young wife to cancer, he shares his struggles with faith, and God in this full testimony of his life. Now married again, he has grown much beyond his years, starting a family, continuing to share his testimony and minister and worship through his music.
My thoughts on this book: Overall, this was too preachy and religious for my particular tastes. Camp does have a testimony to share, and has been used by God in order to share and help others. But I found the reading a bit repetitive, and at times a bit boring. It became a long read of 212 pages, and could have been better titled, “I Still Believe, a testimony in full detail”.
I received this book from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.
As a young man, in his 20’s he has been through many trials in life. He was raised as a Christian, from a highly spiritually home of a pastor’s son. As a youth, he participated in missions and church outreaches.
After losing his young wife to cancer, he shares his struggles with faith, and God in this full testimony of his life. Now married again, he has grown much beyond his years, starting a family, continuing to share his testimony and minister and worship through his music.
My thoughts on this book: Overall, this was too preachy and religious for my particular tastes. Camp does have a testimony to share, and has been used by God in order to share and help others. But I found the reading a bit repetitive, and at times a bit boring. It became a long read of 212 pages, and could have been better titled, “I Still Believe, a testimony in full detail”.
I received this book from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 28, 2020
Loved this book about Jeremy Camp and the true story of his inspiring but tragically short marriage which has inspired the March 2020 Erwin brothers movie of the same name! I haven’t seen the movie yet but this book is a wonderful tie over until I do see it!
Rating: 3 stars because his writing style was too rushed, sporadic and contemporarily unintelligent
Recommend: for everyone who loves CCM stars and real life stories of faith and love
Warning: none, but be prepared to ugly cry!
😭 😢
Read: 7/25-28/2020
Rating: 3 stars because his writing style was too rushed, sporadic and contemporarily unintelligent
Recommend: for everyone who loves CCM stars and real life stories of faith and love
Warning: none, but be prepared to ugly cry!
😭 😢
Read: 7/25-28/2020
August 1, 2011
My husband and I are huge fans of his music and his story is amazing. I cried during this book.
December 14, 2021
If you didn’t see the movie, it’s likely you at least saw the trailers for the 2020 faith-based love story I Still Believe starring Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland, The Longest Ride) and KJ Apa (Riverdale). Based on the true story of Christian singer/songwriter Jeremy Camp’s marriage to his first wife Melissa and her fight with cancer, it’s a deeply heartwarming film and an absolute tear-jerker (Mind you, I watched it while in my first trimester of pregnancy. I was bawling over everything).
After I saw the film, I learned Camp also had a memoir by the same name. So, I put it on my To-Reads list and waited for it to come available at my library for several months. I looked forward to a deeper dive into his testimony and his story. There were many things I enjoyed about the memoir, but I also have to be honest and admit it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Because I had seen the film – which did an excellent job in terms of accuracy and a faithful adaptation – Camp’s story wasn’t new to me. Going into the book, I was expecting to read a more-fleshed out version with more details and information on everything that happened; I mean, it’s no secret movies often have to leave things out in order to get them to the big screen. But I felt like Camp just covered a lot of the same material at even more of a surface-level. And without the emotional display that viewers had the privilege to see onscreen, it all felt a little bit dull. There were a handful of things Camp discussed that weren’t in the movie (his parents’ marriage, his childhood, his second marriage to Adrienne, and the growth of his career), but the only thing that really stuck out to me/moved me was how he navigated dating/marrying Adrienne after losing Melissa. The actual story of him and Melissa seemed a lot more glossed over than I thought it’d be. I also didn’t particularly feel like the book was that well-written, which makes sense as Camp is a musician by trade, not an author.
All that to say, it was still a good book – not too long and an extremely powerful testimony of faith and God working through trials and suffering. Camp, while not super deep, is still honest and raw with the things he struggled through. He talks about how losing Melissa developed fears in him that he wrestled with for years. He also talks about his own spiritual growth and opportunities God used to do some pretty incredible things.
For subject matter, I give the book four stars. For just plain quality and style of writing, I’d probably give it 3. It is a moving, encouraging story that I recommend people read, but it just wasn’t quite as impactful as I thought it might be for me personally. Maybe it would have been more so if I hadn’t seen the movie?
www.theliteratureladies.com
After I saw the film, I learned Camp also had a memoir by the same name. So, I put it on my To-Reads list and waited for it to come available at my library for several months. I looked forward to a deeper dive into his testimony and his story. There were many things I enjoyed about the memoir, but I also have to be honest and admit it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Because I had seen the film – which did an excellent job in terms of accuracy and a faithful adaptation – Camp’s story wasn’t new to me. Going into the book, I was expecting to read a more-fleshed out version with more details and information on everything that happened; I mean, it’s no secret movies often have to leave things out in order to get them to the big screen. But I felt like Camp just covered a lot of the same material at even more of a surface-level. And without the emotional display that viewers had the privilege to see onscreen, it all felt a little bit dull. There were a handful of things Camp discussed that weren’t in the movie (his parents’ marriage, his childhood, his second marriage to Adrienne, and the growth of his career), but the only thing that really stuck out to me/moved me was how he navigated dating/marrying Adrienne after losing Melissa. The actual story of him and Melissa seemed a lot more glossed over than I thought it’d be. I also didn’t particularly feel like the book was that well-written, which makes sense as Camp is a musician by trade, not an author.
All that to say, it was still a good book – not too long and an extremely powerful testimony of faith and God working through trials and suffering. Camp, while not super deep, is still honest and raw with the things he struggled through. He talks about how losing Melissa developed fears in him that he wrestled with for years. He also talks about his own spiritual growth and opportunities God used to do some pretty incredible things.
For subject matter, I give the book four stars. For just plain quality and style of writing, I’d probably give it 3. It is a moving, encouraging story that I recommend people read, but it just wasn’t quite as impactful as I thought it might be for me personally. Maybe it would have been more so if I hadn’t seen the movie?
www.theliteratureladies.com
October 3, 2020
La verdad es que leer este libro ha sido toda una lección de la vida, quizás esté muy centrado en sus creencias religiosas, porque obviamente ha sido su refugio y salvación, pero a mí esto me ha dado un poco igual, porque al final el mensaje del libro es que cuando te enfrentas a ciertas situaciones de la vida, no puedes venirte abajo, tienes que poner todo tu empeño y centrarte en lo que te hace feliz para salir adelante.
Me ha gustado mucho leer su historia y ahora estoy deseando ver la película para ver qué tal lo han plasmado todo. El libro es cortito, tiene 248 páginas y la verdad es que se lee muy rápido porque es tan sentimental que es muy fácil empatizar con lo que vivió Jeremy. Además, en él nos deja unas cuantas letras de sus canciones que son preciosas y os van a emocionar. La reseña completa la tenéis en el blog.
Me ha gustado mucho leer su historia y ahora estoy deseando ver la película para ver qué tal lo han plasmado todo. El libro es cortito, tiene 248 páginas y la verdad es que se lee muy rápido porque es tan sentimental que es muy fácil empatizar con lo que vivió Jeremy. Además, en él nos deja unas cuantas letras de sus canciones que son preciosas y os van a emocionar. La reseña completa la tenéis en el blog.
March 17, 2021
This book was absolutely incredible!! God is absolutely amazing!! Jeremy has such a good story. This book encouraged me so much! I appreciated his open honesty about what he went through and how God helped him through it. Adrienne is such an incredible woman too. she supports Jeremy through everything. Wow! What an amazing book!!
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