November 12, 2008

Broken into Beautiful

Written by Carrie

I had never heard of Gwen Smith before I picked up this book. I came across this title and thought it sounded like a message worth exploring. This book is all about how God restores the wounded heart (that's its subtitle) and it is excellently done.

Gwen Smith is incredibly genuine. You know how you can sometimes tell when you are reading a book that the author 'likes the sound of their own voice' and are talking just to talk? Just because they can? Just because they managed to sell the idea of a book to a publisher? Well, that's not Gwen. There was something very real in the way that she shared her own story of brokenness and related various other women's stories that drew me in, as the reader, and encouraged my own soul.

Gwen Smith's story is that she had an abortion in college which she proceeded to keep a secret for the next fifteen years. She had no intention of sharing her story at all because she accepted forgiveness for herself and had experienced God's grace in this particular situation. Although involved in public music ministry she did not feel like she had to share every bit of her past to somehow justify her position in ministry. I do believe I agree with her opinion in saying that it's not necessary to "empty your trashcan" to the general public but it is important to share your story if God asks you to. He asked her to and she has been obedient in doing so, which opens up an entirely different ministry of healing.

In this book she not only shares her story, but the stories of other women and the problems that they have faced in their path. This is not done in a vulgar way at all, but rather exercises a great deal of taste and maturity that I think is quite admirable. Coupled with the fact that she compares each individual woman's story with a story from scripture, this book is quite well done. Smith doesn't leave the answer to life's problems in human hands nor does she rely on human wisdom (or the lack thereof) in facing the sin and dealing with it. Rather she throws her readers in the right direction — before the Throne of Grace.

This book is tasteful, encouraging, compelling and necessary. This book fulfills a need in a sympathetic yet solidly Biblical way for which I am incredibly grateful. After finishing reading the book I hopped on Youtube and watched an interview with Gwen and was left with the same impression of sincerity. She is a beautiful woman and has a beautiful story to share. To learn more about the book or to read an excerpt of it, check out the publisher's, Harvest House website here.

I'd strongly encourage it because I believe you will find yourself blessed in doing so. I know I was.

If you'd like to win a copy of this book, leave a comment and we'll announce one random winner next week (U.S. addresses only).

Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.

Filed under Carrie, Christian, Non-Fiction, Women's Interest by Carrie

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

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149 Comments

Pings on Broken into Beautiful

November 19, 2008

A Life Well Read

Comments on Broken into Beautiful

November 12, 2008

corinne @ 2:20 pm

This looks like a beautiful testimony. I'd love to read it.

stephanie @ 3:39 pm

I'm interested … please enter me!

RebekahC @ 3:39 pm

This sounds like a wonderful book. It's always amazing to see how God works in people's day to day lives. I'd love the opportunity to read Gwen's story. Plus, on a side note, the cover is beautiful.

RebekahC
littleminx@cox.net

Tiffany @ 3:43 pm

I'd love to read this book. What a wonderful testimony that she is sharing her story.

Stephanie @ 5:54 pm

Your description sounds really intriguing. I would love to read this book.

Krista @ 6:24 pm

Thank you for the chance to win this. Sounds like I might get something out of it.

jenna @ 7:01 pm

It looks like a great book, I would love to read it. Sounds like a book that will make you stop and think. Thanks for the giveaway!

southeastcountrywife @ 7:11 pm

I just saw this book the other day and thought it looked interesting so I would love to be entered to win a copy!

Stacy @ 7:52 pm

This sounds like an amazing book. I'd love to read it!

Alicia @ Experiencing Each Moment @ 8:30 pm

Sounds like an amazing woman and a great book. I will read it whether or not I win!

Jayme @ 9:11 pm

i'd love to win this!

amandasue @ 10:28 pm

This sounds like such a good book and a wonderful read for a path of healing. Thanks for entering me.

Amy from Occupation: Mommy @ 10:42 pm

This sounds like a great book!

roberta @ 11:23 pm

This book sounds like a fantastic jouney waiting to be taken by the reader, thanks.

Amy N. @ 11:43 pm

This book sounds really good…please enter me.
Thanks Carrie!

November 13, 2008

Gina Stratos @ 2:10 pm

Sounds like a great book.
gkstratos@yahoo.com

Alicia @ 2:57 pm

My room-mate would enjoy reading this book.

Linda White @ 3:04 pm

sounds like an interesting testimony!

Jenn S. @ 3:05 pm

Sounds like a wonderful book. Would love to read it.

MRS.MOMMYY @ 3:09 pm

looks like a great book..probably a box of tissues kinda of book but I love to read and this sounds great

Elizabeth Y. @ 3:10 pm

My heart is terribly wounded this year. Hard times. Need a book to inspire and help.

Belinda Shaw @ 4:09 pm

This book sounds like a great inspirational read!

Shannon Baas @ 5:12 pm

Looks like a good book.

susan varney @ 5:45 pm

looking forward to winning

Kym Ellis @ 7:22 pm

This looks like a great book – please enter me.

christopher h @ 8:07 pm

sounds like an interesting read

Lauralee Hensley @ 8:11 pm

I'd like to win to both read the book and share it with others who may need it.

Rebecca Snodgrass @ 8:22 pm

Please enter me to win.

Desmond @ 8:49 pm

Count me in!

Elizabeth N. @ 9:46 pm

The title alone is enough to make we want to read this book! Sounds like an amazing read!

Jack Palmer @ 9:49 pm

Thank you for this giveaway I hope it helps someone who is broken hearted learn to trust again.

Michael Capp @ 10:15 pm

I'd love to win!

Rachel F @ 10:22 pm

This book sound like it could be an inspiration. I have a similar story and have been struggling with my past for awhile. I would love to read it and get some insight on her story and triumph. Please Enter Me!

CHARLINE S @ 10:35 pm

Sounds like a great book.

Susan Smith @ 11:13 pm

Please enter me

Aimee @ 11:17 pm

Cannot tell you how much I could use this right now. Thank you for the chance.

November 14, 2008

Robert A. Piacquad @ 12:23 am

I hope I win the book.

Milissa @ 12:25 am

It is amazing to see God's hands at work in peoples lives. I would love a copy of this book.

Paula Yanik @ 12:27 am

I would love to read this book.

jean Miller @ 12:44 am

Wow! My choir did this song recently! Beautiful solo part.

Annette Dover @ 1:03 am

I would love the chance to win this book. It sounds very inspiring and we all can use that!

Karen @ 1:26 am

Please enter me – I've had 2 abortions, and even though they were many years ago, and they were due to physicians' lack of informing me that medication I was taking for seizures would interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills, I still struggle with the decision I made and if God can forgive me. thank you.

NikeGyrlz @ 1:30 am

I have gone through something similar over 10 yrs ago and I'm still struggling each day with it. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book.

C. Clemens @ 1:56 am

entered, thanks for chance to win.

Carol Lawrence @ 5:01 am

Sounds like a good read,hope I win.

Pamela Callahan @ 7:12 am

Sounds wonderful – I would love to read this!

Susan C @ 8:53 am

I have a friend who could really use a copy of this book right now!

Heather B @ 9:07 am

sounds great please count me in

katweb @ 10:23 am

I think this book could really help me, sounds great

katweb @ 10:24 am

This sound like a great book like I said above, but I typed my wrong email!

Roger @ 10:26 am

Sounds like a very good and useful read.

Jacquelyn Cannon @ 11:00 am

Sounds like a great book. I am interested in reading anything relating to God, please count me in.

jan koontz @ 11:42 am

my bff could use this book

Kirby McCauley @ 12:35 pm

I could really use this book ♥

Anita Yancey @ 3:33 pm

Sounds like a really good book. Would love to read it.

Daniel M @ 4:40 pm

looks good add me please

Terri D @ 4:43 pm

What a wonderful read this would be. Count me in!

Valerie Mitchell @ 5:30 pm

The book sounds great – would like to read it!

Christina @ 8:19 pm

Please enter me, thanks!

Joyce Moore @ 9:14 pm

I would be interested in reading this book. God does amazing things. As a Christian we have to ask for a lot of forgiveness.

Jill Miller @ 9:42 pm

I would really love to win this book.

Deidre @ 10:33 pm

I would love to read her story.

Deidre

November 15, 2008

David Bertolo @ 2:10 am

Looks like an interesting read. Please sign me up for your contest.

nancy @ 9:38 am

Looks like an interesting novel, please count me in

djp @ 12:49 pm

i need a good read for night

Jennifer hedden @ 3:43 pm

enter me

Valerie Mabrey @ 5:58 pm

count me in thanks

Carol Drury @ 6:04 pm

love to win and thanks for offering the opportunity!!!

Catherine copeland @ 7:24 pm

my personal experience with God is that he is always there for me. I'd love to read this book

designhermomma @ 7:50 pm

sounds like a fantastic book. I have a strong faith and would love to read this. thanks for a great review….

Zoey @ 9:09 pm

Sounds like a sad but touching story. Hope I win it.

Maja @ 9:13 pm

love it

jesy @ 9:55 pm

GREAT !!!

November 16, 2008

Jennelle Henderson @ 1:58 am

I'd love to read this book. Thank you for the giveaway.

Terra Heck @ 4:56 am

I'd like to read this book.

tami judd @ 3:02 pm

I am in the same boat as the author, can't wait to read it.

Susan Ledet @ 4:12 pm

This sounds like a good book. Thanks for the nice giveaway.

Christina E @ 4:39 pm

This looks intersteading

Denise @ 5:08 pm

I'd love to win!

Paulie @ 6:41 pm

I know just the person I could give this too – to the point and necessary.

claudette flanigan @ 6:47 pm

I just love the premise of this book! I know I would enjoy reading it!

Sheila @ 7:08 pm

This sounds like a very interesting and good book! I would like to win it very much! Please enter me in the sweepstakes!

Tonya Froemel @ 7:46 pm

very cool count me in please

November 17, 2008

Hesper Fry @ 12:17 am

Sounds great!

chastidy vernengo @ 12:50 am

Sounds great!
chazvgo(at)gmail(dot)com

Elizabeth M. @ 5:31 am

Sounds just wonderful.

Cassandra Shuff @ 7:50 am

i would love to read this

Sheri @ 8:21 am

This looks like a good one! Thanks!

Marion B @ 8:21 am

Sounds like a good book to read!

Lisa Fosses @ 9:19 am

sounds like a book I would love to read

jennefer sweitzer @ 9:33 am

sounds great, I would love to read it.

Erma Hurtt @ 9:35 am

I would love to win this. Thanks!

Angie P @ 10:10 am

Thank you ~ this sounds like an intersting read.

Carrie Baird @ 10:15 am

This sounds like just the book I need right now. I would also like to share it with someone else. Thanks for the contest!

Kelly F @ 11:20 am

This looks interesting. You made it sound like a book that I need to read and I might just check it out at my library.

Jodi @ 1:52 pm

Sounds like a great book, thanks for the chance.

Jennifer Barr @ 2:25 pm

would love to win

sam @ 2:55 pm

This sounds like an amazing book. I'd love to read it!

vicky @ 3:23 pm

This would be a book that I would enjoy reading very much. I know how god has changed me and it amazes me every day. thanks

Laura G @ 3:25 pm

sounds like a great read! thanks

Carissa @ 3:35 pm

Sounds great!

Pamela Hansen @ 4:05 pm

I would love this book for my brother

Ed Nemmers @ 6:08 pm

Sweet niblets!

Linda Howard @ 6:40 pm

I would love to win this book; please enter me. Thanks!

Shauna Owens @ 7:46 pm

This looks like a great book and something I would love to read!

Carla Pullum @ 9:12 pm

Wow I would love to read this book!

Leslie @ 9:55 pm

Would love to give this a read.

William Wright Jr @ 10:05 pm

Thanks for the chance to win!

gina snow @ 10:06 pm

i want to win

Dolores Olsen @ 10:36 pm

I have heard of her and would like very much to read her book.

tina hartley @ 11:12 pm

I want to win

Chrysa @ 11:27 pm

Looks like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway!

November 18, 2008

Linda Russell @ 12:04 am

I could definitely use this book and relate, in my own way. Thanks for the chance to win.

Karrie @ 12:36 am

sounds great

Joy Venters @ 12:54 am

would like to read this

Peggy Gorman @ 1:39 am

Sounds wonderful , would love to read

Jeanine Price @ 3:12 am

Nice prize! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

jennifer gersch @ 5:49 am

thanks

Ruthann Rhodes @ 7:29 am

Sounds amazing, thanks

Kris @ 10:28 am

Sounds like a wonderful read! Please enter me…thank you!

claire @ 11:47 am

I believe I was lead to the contest to learn about this wonderful sounding book. Thank you!

Veronica Garrett @ 12:11 pm

Sounds like a wonderful book. Hope I win.

kathy pease @ 12:20 pm

PLEASE COUNT ME IN ON THIS AWESOME GIVEAWAY

Gianna @ 12:54 pm

Please enter me

Donna Wilde @ 2:13 pm

This like a book I need to read!

Cheryl F. @ 2:17 pm

I'd love to read this *Thanks* for the giveaway!

Karen F @ 2:18 pm

I would like to give this book to my friend. She lost her mother, and her best friend and mother in law to cancer this year. This might help her.

Shirley S @ 2:57 pm

This is just what I need right now in my life. Other christians' testimonies are always an inspiration to me.

Melissa B. @ 2:59 pm

Sounds like a good book. I know exactly who I'd give it to.

Timothy Sternberg @ 3:07 pm

This looks like a beautiful testimony.

Francine Anchondo @ 3:08 pm

Thanks for the giveaway. Sounds like a good read.

Esther @ 3:51 pm

This book sounds wonderful! Thanks!

Brandy @ 5:16 pm

This book sounds great! I am trying to teach my 2 and 3 year olds about god and that he will forgive everyone if they ask forgiveness and repent. God teaches us everyday to accept and apprectiate everyone in their own way. God Bless You!