In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart: Hope for the Hurting

By Ruth Graham

Book Overview

Ruth Graham - daughter of beloved evangelist Billy Graham - offers a guide for those who are hurting or those who love them. She illustrates through personal stories and Scripture how nothing can keep you from experiencing the fullness of God's grace. Run with Ruth to the arms of the God you can trust, the Father God who embraces, sustains, and redeems your brokenness.

Ruth Graham has discovered through bitter personal experience that God does his great work in the ruins of our lives. As Ruth's life descended through divorce, depression, and shame; as she bore heartrending parental struggles; and as she faltered trying to make wise choices in the wake of bad ones, she discovered the unending embrace of a faithful, forgiving, and grace-filled God.

This book surpasses the testimony of her fascinating story as she brings sharp new insight from the Word of God for all who fear their actions may be beyond forgiveness or their broken circumstances may keep them from being used by God ever again. Through the words of Jeremiah - the weeping prophet - Ruth reveals the God who makes wasted places come to life. You'll explore the parable of the Prodigal Son as never before as Ruth discloses her own likeness to each character:

The indignant older brother, struggling to understand God's grace toward her husband's infidelityThe prodigal, wading through the deep shame and painful circumstances of her own actionsThe father, running to embrace her children in the midst of bulimia, drug abuse, and unplanned pregnancy

Ruth includes practical steps in every chapter anyone can take to offer care, support, and hope to the broken people they encounter in their lives and in the pews beside them every Sunday.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0310290791
• ISBN13: 9780310290797
• Release Date: October 2008
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Hope for the Hurting is for everyone

Mrs. Graham did a wonderful job writing her testimony that, if read, will help so many hurting people, young and old. Her vulnerablity was evident in her life story. I could relate to Ruth regarding her daughter's unplanned pregnancy; how she and God handled it was heartwarming. Being the daughter of a prominent evangelist made it more humbling than most to admit the tragic divorce in her life. Mrs. Graham gave proof that "God loves us and turns bad things around to glorify him. Mrs. Entzminger, Oakton, VA

What makes us think we are immune to hurt?

I started the audio book yesterday and could not stop listening. This audio book shares Ruth's heart. If Billy Graham's daughter can go through such trials, what makes us think we are immune to the hurt the world gives us.

Help/Hope for PKs

OK - I grew up, as Ruth did, as a PK. Although my dad certainly was not Billy Graham, in our small WV community, he was close to it. I grew up knowing, as Ruth shared, that my choices reflect on my father's ministry. While there were MANY times that kept me out of trouble, there were others where I failed. I appreciated Ruth's candor and ability to get through to me that no matter who our earthly father is, our Heavenly Father will pick us up, dust us off, and give us hope for a better tomorrow. I've highlighted my copy and written all kinds of stuff. It was truely helpful - I have recommended it to many already.

judgemental people

After reading some of the reviews for Ruth Graham's book I can understand why Christians don't open up about the struggles,sins and problems in their lives. None of us are without sin and never will be. No one is perfect! It took courage to tell her story and the comments in some of the reviews verify why she kept slient all those years. Ms. Graham states at the beginning of her book that she followed her own path and would have to face the consequences. I thank her for letting others know that whatever choices we make in our lives, whatever struggles we face that we are not alone. God is a loving God and He is with us always. The scriptures and the sections "For the One Who Cares" are very insightful,uplifting and encouraging. Comment to the reviewers. Yes, God will bring other Christians into our lives but He will not make them treat us Godly. The Godly person we marry has a choice/free will to how they treat us. The Godly person we marry could turn to abuse, be unfaithful, be into pornography or a number of other things that could cause the marriage to end which we can not control. People need to walk in love and compassion instead of judging the lives of others.

Healing

I found healing for my heart in every page of this book. My situations are different, but the healing is the same. I felt more peace with God after I read this book. Ruth's story is very honest and real. I think it shows that we all struggle, stumble and fall, but God is there. He is working even when we don't know it or feel it.