42 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Full of hope and grace to encourage your brokenness, February 16, 2005
Being a long time fan of Sandi's who was eager to read the book, I have since read it twice. It is the heart of a dear woman who has failed in her marriage, in her relationship with God, and with her fans yet found herself broken at the foot of the cross ready to do whatever it took to find forgiveness and restitution for her poor choices. It is not a book of excuses or justification but a heart-felt story of hope and forgiveness and grace that is available to all of us. Sandi shares about her beginnings in the music industry and a little of her first marriage. She shares about the difficult years when she strayed from God and subsequently found her self divorced from her first husband, the subject of talk in the public eye for the affair she was in, and the damage it did on her family, her career, and ultimately her relationship with God. But the story does not end there. She continues and shares how she found herself back to God and the steps she took with her church and pastor to restore her relationship with God, her family, her church and her career. For anyone finding themself ever broken on their back row, you find comfort, encouragement, and hope as Sandi shares her private journey to restoration.
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
God DOES give us second chances., September 25, 2005
Something like ten years ago a talented and popular recording artist made a confession that rocked the Christian world, destroyed a marriage and nearly ruined a career.
Christian recording artist Sandi Patty, at the time known as Sandi Patti, a spelling error of her last name that stayed with her for several years, was at the peak of her career: Grammy Award winner, recipient of multiple Dove Awards, even the Female Vocalist of the Year in 1984, frequent guest on the Johnny Carson show, a guest at the White House, wife and mother of four, the world was Sandi's oyster.
But behind the scenes, in her private life, everything was falling apart and she seemed incapable of stopping it, and through it all she made some very bad choices. An extra-marital affair and then lying to cover it up just about drove her over the edge. When she comes face-to-face with God and realizes that she has to set things straight, she begins a long and painful journey to Grace and Forgiveness.
If' you're looking for titillating details and salacious tidbits, you'll be disappointed. You won't find them here. Instead you'll read an honest and soul-baring account written by a woman redeemed. You'll read of a life ridden with guilt, hurt, anger and fear, told openly yet private things are kept where they belong - private.
If you know Sandi's story, perhaps you can appreciate what it took for her to write this book. She holds back nothing, blames no one but herself for the poor choices she made. What happened in her life has forever scarred her career and her family. But God does forgive, and Sandi's story as presented here proves that our God is a God of second chances.
Broken on the Back Row, A Journey through Grace and Forgiveness with a forward by Max Lucado, is a very personal yet open book of confession, forgiveness and redemption.
Peggy Phifer ©2005
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21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
God's mercy IS new every morning!, December 22, 2005
Even before I bought and read this book, I couldn't believe some of the harsh, bitter, judgemental and un-forgiving reviews that are posted about it. I presume that these reviewers are Christians like myself, so that makes it even more appalling. This is the story of a beautiful and very talented singer( who happens to be a Christian) and the good, bad and ugly of her life. Sandi gives us enough info about her choices and mistakes but avoids being a "tell-all" book full of lurid details. She takes full responsibility for her actions as well as the consequences she and her family must now live with. It is clear that she has dealt with these issues in the proper Biblical way, but she has also moved on with her life. Through God's mercy and grace, she now has a blessed marriage, beautiful children, as successful a career as ever, and a wonderfully happy life! We should be rejoicing with her and praising God for His favor, not condemning her!! The Bible says that Jesus will leave the other sheep in the fold and go after the one that strayed away, and that's exactly what this whole book is about. It should give any Christian hope beyond description! If Jesus can see fit to forgive and restore us, who are we to not do the same with each other? I am so sorry to see the intolerance and criticism rampant in the Christian community. It's just not right. So praise God for His mercy and enjoy a good read!
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