Isaiah 45:3
Has your life struggles skewed your perspective and caused you to have
a "Stained Glass Heart"?
Reading this may help the prism shine more brightly through you!
Book description from the publisher: “Much like stained glass, life’s broken pieces become the prism through which God’s grace shines most brightly and beautifully. “Life is no doubt full of difficulties, but it is also filled with promise and possibility,” says best-selling author and WOF speaker Patsy Clairmont. In Stained Glass Hearts Clairmont guides readers to view the difficult experiences of life through the lens of God’s grace. Using art as a theme, and likening people to stained glass windows, she shares that it’s when we’re surrounded by darkness that His healing light shines most brightly within us. Encouraging women to step back and see life from this new perspective, Patsy offers help and hope for the dark places of life. Along with character studies of women in Scripture, and modern-day, relatable stories, each chapter includes: Chalice-memorable quotes Mosaic-recommended music Spires-scriptures and readings Litany-sample prayers“ |
In "Stained Glass Hearts" Patsy Clairmont helps to remind us through stories and personal illustrations how God takes the broken pieces of our shattered hopes and dreams and makes them into a beautiful mosaic – like a stained glass window! Sometimes that's exactly how I feel like a shattered 'stained glass heart' so as Patsy related stories to us, I was encouraged and comforted as she incorporated her warm sense of humor at just the right time, yet equally was able to be serious and deep in the places without light... that need God's light to shine through to heal and brighten our brokenness. I love how throughout this book, as in two others by Patsy, she is able to intertwine the spiritual concepts of Light and Redemption beautifully.
Reading "Stained Glass Hearts" was very timely for me, because Patsy reveals her 'heart etched in by loss' from a more solemn side. But she incorporated the arts: like music and art works, nature's display of God's glory as we dig with her into Scripture and enhance our faith. That is just what she does! Here is the first quote in which Patsy captured my heart:
"Just as light does, redemption brings hope. Really, it’s hard to separate the two, for wherever redemption is, the light of revelation abounds. And when light pierces the darkness, it’s with the proclamation of God’s redeeming love. Redemption is the rescue of humanity from sin by a sacrificial Savior, the restoration of the human heart, the reclamation of our dignity, and the revival of our purpose." ~ Patsy Clairmont
Patsy even takes the time to explain why she chose "Stained Glass Hearts" although you may clearly see the usefulness with brokenness, it goes so much deeper. She inspires us as she writes and releases her story until 'light touches the dark'. Since each of our stories like hers, are artistically designed; broken, sanded and soldered, because naturally we "didn't fit the redemptive pattern without holy repairs" and need to allow the light to transform us into another one of God's Masterpieces.
As Patsy walks as through chapters from our "achy breaky hearts", enlarging them, reflecting our hearts condition, to singing... stained glass poetry, prayer, books, puzzles, nature, garden, Rock of Ages to the final chapter of Redemption, we can see our lives have gone through some ongoing repair and protection with many lessons learned, etching on the windows of our hearts, a story highlighted with all the Spirit was able to do as He guides, leads, transforms and empowers us with intention, peace, love and JOY! That's just what I read and needed to hear.
As Patsy wants to be like the stately church in her hometown, to own her corner well, including the history laden bruises, with cathedral confidence colored with the Risen Christ... the Good Shepherd and the soon coming King, and she breathtakingly sings and proclaims "He's Alive!",
I, too, am in a place where I gratefully can join her... and I pray that any part of my heart that is stained or shattered, now is transformed as His light not only shines but is reflected in full color to break through and help others with "Stained Glass Hearts"... to behold Christ in their lives and see that Jesus Christ is alive!
I give Patsy Clairmont 4 stars for "Stained Glass Hearts" and recommend this book not just for the broken hearted but for the strong hearted that need to reach out to others or open their individual perspective. It's also has excellent resource ideas from Patsy's Art Gallery at the end of each chapter.
| Disclosure of material connection: I received this book free from the publisher Thomas P. Nelson through the BookSneeze.com book review blogger's program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 |
Such a wonderful review sister, bless you.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great review, Peggy. I have heard Patsy Clairmont speak - she is utter delight. Very funny, and yet she speaks such truth.
ReplyDeleteMy brother-in-law used to work with stained glass. He was quite talented. The thing that impressed me was that each piece of glass had to be cut and shaped *JUST SO* in order to fit properly into the whole finished product. Sometimes there were broken pieces along the way. But, in the end, the stained glass worked together and something breathtakingly beautiful was created.
A great analogy for God's work in our lives and our hearts.
GOD BLESS!