Customer Reviews

Healing Life's Deepest Hurts: Let the Light of Christ Dispel the Darkness in Your Soul

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1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am a board certified psychiatrist with 15 years of clinical experience. In my assessment, Theophostic ministry supplies principles and tools for emotional healing that are more effective than anything else I am aware of. This book is an excellent, realitively short, readable introduction to Theophostic ministry.

The man who warned us with "DANGER" in the other review is totally misinformed to say that Theophostic Ministry has to do with "secrecy." The word "secret" is only used when it is being exposed and not hidden. Apparently he has not read the book or taken the training. Theophostic MInistry is about "shouting it from the housetops," openness, tranparentcy, confession and finding the truth in our lie-based thinking. This book is an introduction to what TPM is and not a training manual. If you have already taken the basic training then this book is a GREAT review and upgrade from the other materials. All the other training was published in 1999 so this is Dr. Smith's latest thinking. I found that it was very updated and helpful. I found no "heresy" only a refreshing approach to finding freedom from the lies we believe. I recommend that not only you read this book but read the 300 plus web sites that endorse this ministry. If you want to you can also read the 3-5 other sites that are negative but only after you have read the primary sources of information so that you can see their true agenda.

Not only has the theophostic tool done wonders in my life, I have used it for 4 1/2 years in ministering to abuse victims. I am constantly humbled by the work I see the Lord doing in these people's lives. I don't know where the one reviewer got the idea that there is danger. The greatest danger is in not believing that Jesus can heal those hurting places. Everything in Dr. Smith's work and teaching is backed up by scripture and affirmed by multitudes of personal testimonies. I have personally attending 5 of Dr. Smith's training sessions at varying levels. There has never been an insistance on "secrecy". Only confidentiality and respect for those precious people who allow their hurts to be revealed in front of a group of strangers seeking training. This book particularly does a good job of clearing up some misconceptions about this ministry tool. When we allow the Lord to work, He can and does do miracles in people's lives. And He so graciously blesses us by allowing us to "come along and watch".

After expending so many years and so much energy trying to "fix" myself and other people to no avail, Dr. Ed Smith's insights--gained out of his own desparation--have been a true GOD send. Through receiving healing myself and now participating in
a local Theophostic ministry, I continue to be blessed and amazed as I get to watch JESUS destroy the work the devil has done in peoples' lives (I John 3:8b).

This introductory book is a very helpful way to understand what Theo(GOD)phostic(light)is all about--and what it's not about. I found all the first-hand examples--of how bringing GOD's truth into old wounds solves current relational problems--to be
especially enlightening. How interesting that Dr. Smith no longer does marriage counseling in his practice. Once each partner receives Theophostic healing, the presenting problems become managable or disappear completely.

Truthfully folks, this is what we've all probably been looking for--a way to deal with all the "stuff" of life that robs us of the peace we long for. It really does work for anyone willing to see the LIGHT.

As a licensed clinical counselor in private practice in Rockford, Illinois, I specialize in Christian Counseling. I have been applying Theophostic Ministry prinicples in my practice since 2001. In most cases, I have seen amazing (I don't use that word very often), yes, amazing results in very brief periods of time. Theophostic is highly consistent with my current counseling approach that is based on an integration of the sound scientific principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy with the principles of heart-healing described in the Bible, especially the Davidic psalms (see scottlownsdale.com for description of my counseling approach). In this book, Dr. Ed Smith does an outstanding job in making Theophostic Ministry clear and theologically sound. I highly recommend it to my colleagues, and pastors who have questions on Theophostic Ministry. This book, however, is no substitute for receiving Theophostic ministry, or for getting the necessary training.

I am amazed at what God is doing in the lives of those who experience Theophostic Ministry and who truly desire to be free of painful, emotional bondages in their lives. I have personally been set free from situations that used to cause great emotional pain, but now when those same situations arise I can react calmly and responsibly because the pain has been removed. Of course this tool is not the only one that the Holy Spirit uses, but it is among the most effective with permanent results.

Those who have spoken against this book and ministry obviously do so without experience. When your life and the lives of your family are changed forever, you can do nothing except give praise to God for Theophostic Ministry. Even if you think you've got it all together you owe it to yourself to discover what freedom really feels like.

In addition to reading this book, I also attended a 4-day seminar with Dr. Ed Smith in February of 2003. I had previously read his works on Theophostics and viewed his video information on the subject. I then applied it to my life and have had several healings in which the Lord took me to hurts that have bound me all my life and He spoke truth to me which set me free of the pain. My pain stemmed from rejection from my mother in the womb and had continued on all my life. I was also able to confront my 90 year old mother in regard to her actions toward me and we have found peace in our relationship. God is good and Dr. Smith's teaching I have found to be in my estimation from the Lord Himself.

This method teaches us to totally depend on the Holy Spirit to reveal things to us and not on ourselves or man. I thank God for it and highly recommend this book. I have given many of these books away to my friends.

I am a Pastor and handle a lot of counseling, I read this book several months ago and have found it enlightening, challnenging and truly a life transforming. The topic of inner healing does have its critics but this is one of the great text on the topic. I have also completed the Basic Theophostic Training and have begun using the principles it teaches. It has been truly helpful in my ministry. Healing lifes deepest hurts is one of main text I give my clients to read.

It is written well, Dr Smith is very conversational in his style and does not give a complete overview of the Theophostic Prayer Ministry process it is designed to be a introductory book any one wishing to receive ministry should seek a counselor, minister or lay counselor trained in theophostic.

If you are a Pastor curious about what Ed Smith is teaching in this form of inner healing I strongly recommend you read this text first. Then if you want to learn more order the Theophostic Basic training. Other text that I have found that are also helpful are written by Francis MacNutt, John Sandford and David Seamands.

I have read this book and I have personally witnessed this process bring true and permanent freedom to the emotional pain in many people's lives. Dr. Ed Smith explains how we are bound by the lies that we believe. He also gives a resource to persue freedom for ourselves and our loved ones.

Those who criticize Theophostic Ministry to discredit it have helped Theophostic Prayer Ministry to continue to develop. However, those same critics do not understand, nor do they embrace what God is doing in freeing people from emotional woundedness. This book does not fit into anyone's neat little theological box, but then, neither does God. I have used this ministry since 1997 and have seen God work in people's lives in marvelous ways. This book represents truth about what happens in Theophostic Ministry. It is accurate and well written. It celebrates one of the ways that God works to help people. The EFC church mentioned in another review has misrepresented TPM, as has the reviewer who calls it "divination." Read the book for yourself, and take the training for yourself. Don't take the critic's word for it, nor mine. Read the book and let God confirm in your heart what He will confirm.

Grateful to Ed and Sharon Smith and the training they have given,

Don Davidson, Pastor
First Baptist Church, Smithville, TN