Elizabeth Esther has a story that needs to be heard. In the name of Jesus, some preachers and their followers have hurt people with their legalism and authoritarianism. How do those who were raised without grace find their way to the truth? To a God who loves them with an everlasting love and made a way, by his grace, for them to be forgiven and victorious?
Elizabeth Esther bravely shares her years growing up as a granddaughter of George Geftakys, leader of The Assembly. I cried over her experiences at church camp, because they were so bleak compared to my own warm experiences--experiences that brought me closer to Jesus and never left me afraid.
She and her husband, after much research and anguish, left the assembly and spent years recovering from their abuse. How it must grieve the Holy Spirit to see people so traumatized that opening a Bible or going into any church building gives them a panic attack! Fortunately, she and her family were able to find the real love of Jesus after Elizabeth had premature babies in the NICU. In her anguish, she remembered that Mary, like her, had to watch her child suffer. When Elizabeth was afraid of Jesus, she says He sent His mother to bring her back to him.
I cried over the pain of the children and wives abused in the name of a twisted interpretation of Holy Scripture. I rejoiced over their escape and recovery. I am burdened for those still in bondage to modern Pharisees who substitute their rules for the grace of God. You can read chapter one here.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for this review."
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