Emma's Journal [Paperback]

Edward K. Rowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 21, 2003

“When it’s time for me to go, I just want to know that my life made a difference, Lord…”
–Emma Estes’s journal, January 1

During her long and rich life, Emma Estes had a powerful impact on the lives of countless people–from the neighborhood’s latchkey kids to the community of elderly women who all consider themselves her “best friend.” It seems the only people Emma could not reach were those in her own family.

After Emma’s death, however, something strange happens: her personal “Living on Purpose” journal mysteriously disappears. As the search for it unfolds, Emma’s life continues to have a dramatic, unexpected, and miraculously healing influence on those she loves most–as well as those she has never met–including her henpecked son Stuart; her tormented daughter, Judy; her emotionally fragile granddaughter, Ashley; and brokenhearted widower Ben Shoffner and his young daughter, Sunshine.

A story of hope, inspiration, and real-life encouragement, Emma’s Journal offers comforting assurance that a life lived in faith truly can make a difference.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stereotyped characters and a didactic tone mar this well-intentioned evangelical novel by Rowell, a pastor, writer and public speaker. The usual suspects are all here: the well-manicured, social-climbing villainess; her henpecked husband; his sainted mother; the kind but broken-down widower. Rowell employs the well-worn plot device of using a tangible object in this case, an old journal as a window into the past and a vehicle for the characters' redemption. Despite the predictable characters and plot, the novel's inspiring message of "living on purpose" will be well-received by CBA readers who have enjoyed similar injunctions by nonfiction authors like Rick Warren.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

?When it?s time for me to go, I just want to know that my life made a difference, Lord??
?Emma Estes?s journal, January 1

During her long and rich life, Emma Estes had a powerful impact on the lives of countless people?from the neighborhood?s latchkey kids to the community of elderly women who all consider themselves her ?best friend.? It seems the only people Emma could not reach were those in her own family.

After Emma?s death, however, something strange happens: her personal ?Living on Purpose? journal mysteriously disappears. As the search for it unfolds, Emma?s life continues to have a dramatic, unexpected, and miraculously healing influence on those she loves most?as well as those she has never met?including her henpecked son Stuart; her tormented daughter, Judy; her emotionally fragile granddaughter, Ashley; and brokenhearted widower Ben Shoffner and his young daughter, Sunshine.

A story of hope, inspiration, and real-life encouragement, Emma?s Journal offers comforting assurance that a life lived in faith truly can make a difference.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (October 21, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578567246
• ISBN-13: 978-1578567249
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.3 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,011,374 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome book!, December 25, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Emma's Journal (Paperback)

Don't let Publisher's Weekly fool you- this book is well-written and the characters are perfectly depicted for the purpose of the book. Emma's Journal is inspiring and touching.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Emma's Journal will touch your heart!, January 29, 2004

By 

Mark L. Clark "marcusclarkus" (Mooresville, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Emma's Journal (Paperback)

I like to read, but a book has to really hold my interest or I won't finish it. Maybe one in ten books I start get read cover to cover. I started reading Emma's Journal on a prop plane ride back from Greensboro NC last night and I was late for work this morning because I had to finish it. The characters are well developed and I found myself reading one chapter after another to find the conclusion. The author has a way of drawing you right into the story. Anyone that reads this book will probably re-evaluate and maybe reorder their priorities in life. Rowell gives you some new ways to look at "living on purpose" and you may find you self wanting to make some of the life changes that Emma made. Please keep writing, Ed Rowell, it just may be your purpose!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED this book!, July 10, 2006

By 

Woolbee - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emma's Journal (Paperback)

I don't know if I have ever been moved to write an author about a book before. This book - I did. I loved the story and how there is a whole lot more to the story than "just a read." If you are paying attention - it has the potential to change your life. I ordered 10 copies for our small group to read and do as a book study for the summer. Living with purpose - FINALLY someone has put what I have been attempting to live for a long time into a well written story that you can actually see yourself living out. It affirms the fact that every life has significance and that you CAN make a difference in the world around you.

Well done!