Monday, August 30, 2010

Choosing To SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope

by Mary Beth Chapman with Ellen Vaughn

Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope is written with the kind of honesty and transparency that kept me engaged in this chapter of Mary Beth Chapman’s life. Mary Beth Chapman (along with Ellen Vaughn) tells a story of the Chapman family behind the stage and beyond the music award shows – a family that exudes and truly lives the faith that they profess.


Throughout the course of the book, the lyrics of some of Steve Curtis Chapman’s songs begin each chapter. It’s obvious that they were carefully selected and not merely used as space fillers. I must admit that although Chapman’s work has never been in my personal music collection, he’s gained a new fan simply because of the purity of his lyrics.


Three days after I finished Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope, a family friend died suddenly. The unexpected loss left us shocked for days. Many of the things Mary Beth shared in the book came to the forefront of my mind. Our friend’s death left behind a talented wife and three young children. I know that when the time is right, I will present his wife with a copy of Choosing To SEE.


Mary Beth Chapman may not be a songstress, but she’s shared a story that tucks itself away in your heart like the lyrics of your favorite song.


Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope is available September 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


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Mary Beth Chapman will be speaking at 12 upcoming Women of Faith conferences this year, as well as on the "A Night with the Chapmans" concert tour scheduled for this fall. She is represented by Creative Trust Literary Group located in Nashville, Tennessee.


For the most updated conference and tour dates, for more information on her blogging and how to connect with her over Facebook and Twitter, please visit: http://www.MaryBethChapman.com.