From Publishers Weekly
By turns memoir, Bible study and self-help book, Graham's platform as the daughter of beloved evangelist Billy Graham gives her the credentials to spin this competent tale of brokenness. But she offers more than a famous lineage: "I am qualified to write this book because I am flawed," she writes. She shares her struggles parenting three children through out-of-wedlock pregnancies, drug use and bulimia; her battle with depression and flirtation with suicide, and her disappointment over her two divorces. "I know what it's like to sit in the pew with a broken heart," says Graham. It's her vulnerability in the memoir portions that lend credence to the fairly basic application items at the end of the chapters. (Advice to those experiencing suffering: "seek godly counsel" and "maintain your daily devotional times with God.") Graham finds solace for the brokenhearted through scripture, looking at the lives of Jeremiah, Elijah and other biblical examples. Unlike many inspirational books of this ilk, there's no fairytale ending. Graham admits she is in the midst of a third faltering marriage, but says she's grateful God accepts her as she is—"hurting, wounded, broken." In true Graham fashion, the book concludes with an altar call. Weary Christians disappointed with the way their lives have turned out should find this a heartening read. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Offers help and hope to those who wonder if they have out-sinned Gods grace or if their life circumstances have set them aside from being used by God, with practical help to every believer and church leader who sits side by side each Sunday with the broken and hurting.

From the Back Cover
"If in these pages you see your own life’s experience mirrored in our daughter’s, may you, too, find a personal relationship with the same heavenly Father who continues to be her strength, comfort, and joy." —From the foreword by Billy Graham When life’s rosy dreams dissolve into thorny realities that pierce our hearts, that’s when God shows that he specializes in restoration. In this frank, deeply reflective audio book, Ruth Graham, daughter of Billy Graham, lays open the agonizing struggles of a far-from-perfect life—and in so doing, she reveals the perfections of a God who deeply loves hurting, fallible people. In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart searches the Scriptures for help, hope, and guidance to deal with life’s blows and our own failures. It reveals that no matter where we are in our journey, God has a use for us and will never turn us away. It also shows how we can offer practical, loving support to the broken hearts that sit in pews all around us every Sunday.

About the Author
Ruth Graham, third child of Ruth and Billy Graham, is an experienced conference speaker and Bible teacher known for her honesty and authenticity as she shares her sometimes painful journey of faith. Author of First Steps in the Bible (Word 1980) and numerous magazine articles, Ruth has also appeared on television and radio programs. She has three children, and three grandchildren, and lives in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Offers help and hope to those who wonder if they have out-sinned God's grace or if their life circumstances have set them aside from being used by God, and practical help to every believer and church leader who sits side by side each Sunday with the broken and hurting.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly