WHY THE BOOK RUN TO JESUS?

This book was born of my struggles. I was very young when I realized that things were not quite right with me. As time passed I realized how limited I was in confidence and the ability to do things. I began crying out to the Lord when I was 16 to help me. Victories were far and few between but they came. God has been gracious to me sending people and information at key points in my life to keep on growing in Him.

For years I read voraciously underlining in various colors for memory sake. I took notes on sermons live, on tape or televised. I found that it helped me to reduce a Bible verse or a concept to the shortest phrase. When Jesus said in Matthew28:20, “Surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age,” became, “I will be with you always”. I would write those few words large on binder paper. The notes and encouraging phrases began to fill binders.

The active ingredient in the book is a friend, Christina. I have taught and counseled her for years. Christina has schizophrenia. The disorder magnifies every challenge life throws at her yet she has hung on to God. As we began to talk my notes and phrases began to pop out of my mouth. Because of her disorder it was difficult to remember the God given jewels. To help Christina I put some binders together using Bible verses and quotes that have helped me. They became a resource for her as they have been for me. I am grateful for Christina and all the hours we have spent talking about her challenges and the God who has the answers.

I know there have been many books for the adult survivors of abuse. There have been many other books for those who had to deal with loss at any point in their life. The challenge remains to help those stuck in the consequences. Another book is not necessary because other books are not useful but because many of us need to hear the same message from different perspectives. This book is for those who do not heal, who cannot return to a positive perspective on life, or have never known a positive hopeful view of life.

I believe that the Bible holds all the principles needed to move away from painful isolation and through the process of healing to wholeness in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What confuses some is that counseling principles seem to become a part of books such as this. The God given principles from the Bible are not lessened by such resources. The counseling community has created helpful language in dealing with human feelings related to trauma. I may use some Biblical passages in such way that may not be familiar to the reader. When I was studying for my Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology, the information brought a lot of enlightenment to me. As I took my notes home and read them I prayed over them as the Lord applied one concept after another to my life. I trust you will see the validity as illustrations and applications take shape.

I am concerned that there is now a large segment in the Body of Christ that are not learning what is obvious and do not receive what is readily available in God’s Word and the activities of the world wide Body of Christ.

I am hoping that what I have learned and experienced will help other Bruised Reeds become more dynamic in their growth and mission for Jesus Christ. For me Running to Jesus is taking responsibility for myself. No more blaming others. No more being dependent on others. No more procrastinating. In Jesus I can lift my head up and be accountable. I can look upon the beginning of a new day liking myself and knowing that Jesus Christ is my partner in everything I do.