Beyond Desolate - Softcover

Schultz, Tammy; Estabrook, Hannah

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0884692795 ISBN 13: 9780884692799

Publisher: BMH Books, 2012

Synopsis

Once upon a time in a faraway land, a long, long, time ago, a beautiful girl lived in a royal palace. And as many daughters of kings do, she waited for the day when her Prince Charming would arrive on the scene, recognize her beauty, and fall in love with her. Prince Charming never came. She didn’t live happily ever after. Something devastating happened. Her brother raped her. Her brother. Like an unannounced tornado that touches down before unsuspecting city-dwellers have a chance to take cover, sexual abuse blindsides victims in its wake. Against the backdrop of torment, Jesus, a fellow-sufferer, speakes into our anguish and paves the road toward a life beyond desolate. Beyond Desolate proclaims hope into a world not absent of ache, but a world where He bleeds with us and brings us a new song.

About this title

About the Author:

Tammy Schultz is department chair and professor of counseling at the Graduate School in Counseling and Interpersonal Relations at Grace College, Winona Lake, Ind. She has taught and counseled in the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Schultz joined the Grace College faculty in 1995. She earned a certificate from Winnipeg Bible College, a B.A. from the University of Winnipeg, a M.A. in counseling from Winnipeg Theological Seminary, a M.A. in counseling from the University of North Dakota, and a Ph.D. from Indiana State University. Hannah Estabrook, M.A., received a master’s degree in counseling from Grace College in 2007. Since then she has utilized her skills in community mental health, home-based therapy, and pastoral counseling. She is the co-founder of AVAH! Ministries, an organization that provides seminars for women on a variety of topics such as body image, sexuality, prayer, and friendship. She is passionate about her work counseling survivors of sexual abuse and sex-trafficking. She currently lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Brian.

Review:

We human beings tend not to see the ugly because it hurts. It’s disturbing. And it calls you to do something. But nothing is hidden from the eyes of the sovereign and tender hearted God. He is brave to talk about Tamar and her sad story in His Holy Book, as we call it here in Turkey. Beyond Desolate invites us to see the ugly, to undersetand the sadness, and to rejoice in the redeeming work of the Lord while it equips us to be a part of the solution. (Cigdem Ozbek, pastor, Ankara Foursquare Church)

My heart soared as I read Beyond Desolate.

It is not a workbook, but it is a sure guide to survivors.

It is not a psalter, but it continually praises God.

It is not a commentary, but it opens the Scripture.

It is not a biography, but it is life stories of two Christ followers in formation.

It is not a wisdom book, but the quotes sparkle like gems.

It is not a romance novel, but it is the story of love.

What is Beyond Desolate? It is one of the most well-balanced books I have read on abuse. It hits just the right level by avoiding the equal and opposite dangers of psychobabble and over spiritualization. It unblinkingly faces the horror of abuse and unashamedly insists that our great Father can exchange the desolation of abuse for a life of beauty.

(Charles D. Dolph, Ph.D., Cedarville University)

Beyond Desolate is a brilliant interplay between the way it is and the way it ought to be. The authors have not spared the reader the gruesome details. These stories will break your heart, stir your passion for justice and maybe even reprimand your complacency as a leader in the church. The bigger story that is masterfully weaved throughout will draw your heart and your mind to the core truth of everyone’s story, the truth that each of us will need to wrestle through to get beyond desolate and that is: He was there. Tammy and Hannah have masterfully weaved an incredible testimony of theirs and others’ stories of abuse and survival from around the globe, yet it is really the story of the all-consuming love of God. I will be recommending this book to pastors, counselors and leaders in the church. It ought to be required reading for church board members, school teachers and anyone else who works with children. (Rod Buxton, D.Min., chair, department of counseling, Providence Theological Seminary, Otterburne, MB, Canada)

To read Beyond Desolate is to get a taste of the all-consuming fire of God. The authors invite its readers to nuzzle into our Savior’s warmth, a soothing balm that envelops all who enter into the embrace of His inscrutable peace. This same peace permeates the pages of Beyond Desolate, and so allows its readers to experience the healing salve of His Spirit who groans on our behalf in ultrasonic tones. Tammy and Hannah have ripped the lock off of Pandora’s Box of helplessness that imprisons the oppressed, the abused, the hopeless, giving voice to the silenced, liberating the songbird from its cage so that it may be free sing the Master’s melody once more. (Sarah Campbell, therapist, Nicaraguan Resource Network Leader)

If you work with hurting people, this book is for you – it is a must-read. The authors share deep insights that will help you care for those that are suffering. Each chapter is full of wise, theological, psychological, personal knowledge, and rich examples that will help you in your practice and ministry. (Jamie D. Aten, Ph.D., director, Humanitarian Disaster Institute, Wheaton College)

Beyond Desolate tackles a very tough and very present issue in the world today, and it does so in a way that gives hope to those that have experienced abuse of any form. It speaks directly to anyone who might be too scared or too scarred to find their own voice anymore. This book will be one that I use as a reference and would also recommend to anyone who feels hopeless. (Melissa Brock, Superchick)

About this edition

• Publisher: BMH Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0884692795
• ISBN 13: 9780884692799
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 351