“A Journey of Grace” Coming Soon!
Coming Soon!
A Journey of Grace
How could a confrontation outside the doors of a little Memphis church possibly compare with the 1944 invasion of Omaha Beach?
On the surface it would seem the two events were apples and oranges. But when you factor in the flood of emails, the tirade of blogs, the national TV news reports and the sidewalk protests on both sides of the issue – it was tantamount to a full-scale invasion. And everyone who took the field of battle did so as if they were fighting for their own lives.
On June 6, 2005, the anniversary of that historic battle, the two sides of this modern war clashed. Ironically, each side wanted the same thing… but neither side was willing to give an inch.
To reach their common goal they had to find common ground. And the only way to get there was, together on…..
A Journey of Grace
(Click Here if you want to be on our pre-order list)
Three years ago -
During his first year after leaving as the Executive Director for Love In Action, John J. Smid began writing many articles that came as a result of a very special season in prayer and reflection. He found an encouraging way to encapsulate his heart and thoughts onto the computer screen. “I have really enjoyed writing!” John said recently. It became a new way of expressing his heart.
John’s editor and publisher Barton Green said, “I work with a lot of writers, but I think you spend more time writing than any of them!“
As John wrote about some of the most significant tools for relationships he saw a collection that he believed the world needed to know about.
“In the beginning, I called this series of teachings “Tributaries of Grace”. I taught an eight week series through a church fellowship using the chapters I had written. The responses were very encouraging,” John says of the beginning of this book. “I had heard from many of the participants that I should write a book on these topics.” John had several day-long meetings with a good friend, Todd Posey, about the development of Grace Rivers Ministry and the Tributaries of Grace.
In these meetings Todd and John realized there was a very special message that needed to be told. They looked at a series of nine core values that lay at the foundation of Grace Rivers Ministry. It was clear that they could be put into a specific order to create a way through the challenges that can occur in close relationships. These core values were first developed for a conference format. They have been taught many times in that venue. Later, John developed them into this new book called “A Journey of Grace”.
Have you felt heartsick over a relationship recently? Beginning with Honesty and ending in Honor, this book will help any relationship find its way to a better foundation. We all encounter challenges with those around us, especially those that are close to us. Sometimes those challenges become threatening to the future of the relationship. A Journey of Grace helps us to build better foundations, but also helps to restore those that have become cracked, or even fallen.
“I have been working with a publisher for a little over a year now and the book is soon to become a reality! I Can’t wait!”
Reflections From the Heart of a Woman
Alongside John, Susan K. DeRaad wrote reflections from her own life experience with her family.
Each chapter includes “Reflections From the Heart of a Woman”. This series of vulnerable writings reveals how these tools helped Sue’s marriage and their family to find miraculous restoration.
Sue wrote:
“I was very familiar with the tools in A Journey of Grace because of how much they had meant to me in my own journey. When my husband and I faced separation due to his infidelity, our entire family put these tools to work and we found miraculous changes to occur. Our marriage is restored to a better place than ever! Our two children and their families live close together in a small rural community and are finding amazing opportunities to continue to use these nine core values not only in ongoing restoration, but in everyday life.”
“John asked me to write some blogs on how these tools worked in my life. After writing some of my own reflections, we saw that this book needed to have some thoughts from a woman’s heart on life and relationships with family. As I was writing, I saw the vulnerable revelation of God’s heart for me, my husband, and my family.”
“I do not know where I would be today if it weren’t for “A Journey of Grace” in my own life.”
Morgan Jon Fox
June 6th, 2005 a major protest occurred at a ministry that John was leading called “Love In Action”. The protests were organized by Morgan Jon Fox, a local Memphis film producer. The protests created an international stir which would have naturally created a field of animosity to sort out. Morgan developed a documentary called “This is What Love In Action Looks Like” that chronicles the two week protest event. Due to their conflicting positions that drove a wedge between John and Morgan, it was clear that these two were virtual enemies. Amazingly, John and Morgan developed a respectful friendship and realized that it was because of the application of the nine core values in A Journey of Grace!
John asked Morgan to write his thoughts on the book. This excerpt from what Morgan wrote gives some insights as to how Morgan saw these tools work in his relationship with John.
“Over time as me and John began to meet more and more we had long conversations about what was going on in our lives. We both shared deeply personal things about our families and friends. We didn’t debate, or argue about our differences. What this allowed was a chance for two people to find out they had plenty in common without dwelling on what made them opposites. It created a mutual respect that would lay the foundation for growth and trust. It opened the door for something I never could have seen coming…a friendship.”
Morgan Jon Fox, Love In Action Protestor; Filmmaker – Sawed Off Productions
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Comments about the book:
One of the highest challenges of the Christian life is contained in Jesus’ commandment: “love your neighbor as yourself.” In The Journey of Grace, John and Susan describe some of the most difficult relationships of their lives, and how they have found principles to move through the difficulties into authentic and fulfilling relationships. I love books that are forged in the fiery trials of real life experience-and this book certainly fits that description.
Bob Davies, Director Emeritus, Exodus International
About 20 minutes into the potentially conflicting conversation with our son, I took a deep breath and decided to exercise what we have just learned from A Journey of Grace. We experienced a new starting point of trust building as we invested real feelings, maybe for the first time. We are incredibly thankful for this inspired material. We have so far to go, but now with strengthened hope.
Gene and Ded
ee Street
John, you have an amazing and beautiful insight into the human psyche. You have taken a real life experience to help others. This is a wonderful example of how simple God’s forgiving love is. As a woman, I especially connected with Susan DeRaad as she walked me through her trials as a wife. I have experienced many of the same challenges and appreciated reading her heart through this book.
Peggi Willis, business owner, wife, mom, and grandmother.
