A Book Review: Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind (Raw Faith)

About the Author:
Elizabeth Chalker is still in the furnace of lifes' calamities and fighting the good fight of faith and endurance, keeping her eyes on the prize of heaven. Before serious, physical illness devastated her body, Elizabeth was on the fast track as a successful psychologist and addictions specialist, working with violent juvenile offenders and their families, near completion of her third graduate degree. Her life is a testimony of faith that is steadfast and remains no matter the seemingly dark, unjust, and treacherous circumstances of life. She resides in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Elizabeth continues to minister to those in need and aspires to show God's glory through every breath she takes. 

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About the book:
"This is no ordinary book about personal loss, crisis, physical illness, and shattered ambitions. The message here runs much deeper. What I discovered— being mirrored back to me—were my own responses to life’s disappointments. Somewhere, Elizabeth disappeared and I saw myself struggling with personal issues that needed fixing. Many were issues I did not know were there. At that point, I realized the book had a “surface” message and a deeper, heart message. As you read, allow the book to read you. Let Elizabeth’s cries of the heart and spirit uncover what is sequestered in your own heart. Let Elizabeth’s words lead you on a journey beyond her illness and life tragedies to its conclusion— where you will emerge challenged and even strangely comforted by your own life struggles, knowing that you too can have access to this pure faith, realize the bigger purpose for your life, and “come forth as gold!"  Pastor Charles 

My Review:  Elizabeth's book is powerful and will tear at your heart. She writes with raw, intense, and heart breaking honest emotion. I found myself having to stop and pray. I prayed for Elizabeth's health then thanked God for my own health. After the intense and honest sharing, Elizabeth's calm, hopeful, and compassion shine through. I found this to be an emotional roller coaster of life's ups and downs with Elizabeth's strong and devoted faith in God as her only strength.

"Though I have a limited view and lack severely even beginning to understand His ways; though my circumstances are seemingly pitch black with not even so much as a pin dot of light shining through as a result of the depths of travesty of circumstance; God's promises, His enduring/abiding love, His Word, His sovereignty, His faithfulness and mercy; more unfeigned and constant than the utter-hell-impact of the diseases, and all that goes along with them, affecting every area of my being and my life as a whole." Elizabeth Chalker

It is this type of faith and heart tugging that will keep you reading.

"In the fire I remain. He's here. Even when I do not trust Him, see Him, feel Him, or hear Him. Even when I do not like Him and cannot accept what He allows -- He abides with me still. He is with you in your fire. He is Love, therefore must exude love. Thereto, He does love us, all of us, all of the time. Even when we step out on our own, get ahead of Him, or do what we "feel" is best, He is here still. Like with Abraham, God will keep His promises to us. Moreover, no matter what mistakes we make or how unfaithful to Him we may be, He is faithful still. He has no choice if we are His." Elizabeth Chalker

I commend you Elizabeth. Your courage, willingness, and outlook are inspiring. May others seek the Lord like you and trust Him with all things. I pray this book brought healing to you and to others who before reading this book might have thought they were alone.

To Visit Elizabeth's site:www.helpelizabeth.net (or click on her picture above)

To visit Elizabeth's book website:
www.elizabethchalker.org (or click on the book cover above)

On Twitter: http://twitter.com/@purplebu77terfly

To purchase the book - click on her book jacket photo

To Read other blog reviews of this book: 
WEEK ONE SEPT 10- 14, 2012

Monday, Sept, 10
Written Voices Blog
http://writtenvoicesblog.com/

Monday, Sept 10
Empowered to Prosper
http://www.pauletteharper.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, Sept 11
All That Buzz Reviews
 http://allthebuzzreviews.com

Tuesday, Sept 11
Yvonne Wright Blog
http://www.spicetoeternity.co.uk/guests.html

Wednesday, Sept 12
Thought Provoking Perspective
http://thoughtprovokingperspectives.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, Sept 12
Writers and Authors Blogspot
http://writersandauthors.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, Sept 12
HeartFeltDevotionals
http://heartfeltdevotionals.com/

Friday, Sept 14
Mission Possible Blog
http://www.godmissionpossible.blogspot.com/

Friday,  Sept 14
Authors & Readers Book Corner
Blog: http://www.arbookcorner.com/

WEEK TWO SEPT 17-21,2012 

Monday, Sept 17
Sinde Reading Blogspot
http://sidnereading.blogspot.com

Tuesday, Sept 18
The Literary Lady
http://lwtheauthorshideaway.blogspot.com

Tuesday, Sept 18
 Holly Michaels Writing Straight Blog
http://writingstraight.com/

Wednesday, Sept 19
Fashion Passion Faith
http://fashionpassionfaith.blogspot.com

Wednesday, Sept 19
The Back Road
www.charread09.wordpress

Thursday  Sept 20
Lisa Writes Blog
http://lisabuske.weebly.com/blog.html

Friday, Sept 21
Books for Book Lovers
http://kimpayne.wordpress.com/

Friday, Sept 21
Nita Bee’s Buzzing Web Blog
http://nitabee.com