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.

Sistergirl Devotions: Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job

Sistergirl Devotions changed my definition of “on the job.” Carol Mackey has written a straight-forward, faith-filled devotion for all working women – whether you’re behind a corporate desk, clocking into someone else’s business, or closing deals on your living room couch as a sistah-preneur. After leaving the corporate arena nearly four years ago, I didn’t immediately think about the work-related encounters and situations that would test my faith. I was about to be doing my own thing. I would call all of the shots, right? Wrong!


Mackey’s personal stories are relatable and she’s not shy about revealing her areas of spiritual growth. It was refreshing to read devotions that not only dealt with faith on the job, but keeping Jesus in the mix of family as well – especially when outside duties call.

Christians realize the importance of the words we speak – death and life are in the power of the tongue.(Proverbs 18:21). Mackey ends each devotional with a simple but powerful confession to set you on track for the day.

Sistergirl Devotions: Keeping Jesus in the Mix on the Job won’t be shoved onto my overflowing bookshelf, never to be thought of again. It will be one of the Biblical resources that I refer to often and this year’s gift to family and friends working the nine-to-five or burning the midnight oil.

** Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.