Review of Beauty From Ashes

[Caroline Anne Richmond]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Beauty From Ashes" by Kristen Paris.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Beauty From Ashes by Kristen Paris is an adult Christian book. Readers with a strong Christian faith who wish to strengthen their connection to God will find the author's reflections insightful and uplifting.

The author recollects the first time she rode the second-oldest wooden roller coaster in Belmont Park, San Diego. Finally, being old enough to experience the giant ride, the author felt excitement and trepidation. After reaching the summit of the tracks, a vista of spectacular views unfolded, followed by ups, downs, sharp edges, and jolts. This early memory is a metaphor for life’s roller coaster, and the author writes about her glimpses of god throughout life’s imperfections. In 2013, a fire consumed the author's family home. They lost nearly all their material possessions and had to grow into the newness of life with a free heart from earthly things. The family already had what they needed as they knew God was the most present and permanent aspect of every scene of life. The author reflects on her busy family life and times of turmoil and explains how her relationship with God spiritually nourishes her and offers the most lavish and extraordinary gifts.

The author's faith is steadfast and strong, but she acknowledges her failures and distance in her relationship with God. The author focuses on learning from mistakes and emphasises that God is forgiving and kind and that it is never too late to work on your faith. I enjoyed this perspective of religion as the focus is on salvation rather than punishment. All too often busy lives and hard times interfere with faith and this book offers guidance on living as God intended, without judgment and eternal consequences. I loved the advice on how to re-frame turmoil into a renewal. Life will always include setbacks and sadness, but the author states we must trust God.

I particularly enjoyed reading about the different stages of the author's life. Many readers will resonate with the life of a busy wife and mother, sometimes feeling undervalued. Finding joy in everyday tasks is essential. I enjoyed the reminder to enjoy simple activities and find beauty in the unlikeliest places. The author has a great way of highlighting hidden blessings and finding meaning in our everyday lives. I especially liked the abundance of metaphors used to express thoughts, such as a cactus storing nourishment for times of drought. As humans, we should nourish ourselves physically and spiritually every day. We don’t want to spend extended periods in desolate conditions, dependent on stored nourishment that may or may not last.

The author's writing style is intelligent and engaging. The flow of the writing is fantastic and a pleasure to consume. The style is welcoming with guidance and scripture equally measured with sentimental and personal stories. The book includes many extracts of Bible verses, each matched well to express meaning and validation to the reflections. Each chapter also concludes with a personal prayer from the author, which is heartfelt and appropriate.

The book is professionally edited well. I enjoyed the author’s journey of turning negative experiences into positive ones. She presents her faith as a blessing and offers sound advice to strengthen the reader's faith and harness a closer connection with God. The metaphors are fantastic and entertaining. I found nothing to dislike about this book, so I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

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Beauty From Ashes
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Shaniz Tobiaz]

The book seems to contain a lot of themes , including religion, and am glad it was well edited, this a must read for me

[Pearl Flourish]

Finding beauty and renewal in life’s struggles is a powerful message. The mix of personal stories, faith, and practical wisdom makes it sound like an inspiring and comforting read.

[George Bastem]

The idea of finding beauty and renewal in life's hardest moments is inspiring. The mix of personal stories, faith, and wisdom sounds both heartfelt and uplifting.