PERMISSION TO SPEAK FREELY by Anne Jackson - Book Review

What is the one thing you feel you can't say in the church? Anne Jackson posted this simple question on her blog in a moment of curiosity. The question struck a nerve. Hundreds of people from around the world responded; everyone had something to say.
Bouyed by this overwhelming reaction and her own life experience, Anne decided to dive deeper into what provoked such a profound response. (From back cover)

I must say that this book was not what I had expected to read. I thought Anne would have compiled a nice, neat list of responses, some of which many people could relate to their personal experience. Instead, I found it to be a profoundly written,deeply personal unveiling of Anne's own heart. Anne tells her life story with humour and honesty. Her writings challenge readers to take off their masks and be real and honest. The conclusion is that it is okay to be human in church.

The book's subtitle, Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace includes such topics as "Ghosts in Cathedrals", "Finding Sanctuary", and "A Precarious Path to Freedom. The book contains many of the statements Anne received in reply to her original question, along with photographs and poetry.

This is a book that makes the reader think seriously about the issues of brokenness, hope, wholeness and healing. Through it all, God's amazing grace is clearly seen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Anne is an author, speaker, and activist. A contributing writer to various blogs and magazines, she is also the author of Mad Church Disease:Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic. Anne is a cyclist who rides for the Ride:Well Tour, a cross-country cyclying tour raising awareness and funds for Blood:Water Mission. An advocate for Compassion International, Anne and her husband live near Nashville.

Anne may be contacted through Facebook (Facebook.com/FlowerDust). Follow her on Twitter @FlowerDust, and through her blog, FlowerDust.net. Her book site iswww.permissiontospeakfreely.com

"Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available now at your favourite bookseller."