Customer Reviews

The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Hearts and Homes

5 star:		(58)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book changes lives...mine included. It makes one look at forgiveness and the atonement from a totally different angle...that when we fail to forgive, we are failing to forgive Christ. You find yourself reading along and suddenly you will turn the book upside down and say, "I can't read that, that's me!!" And then you go back and read again because it is so compelling. When you are done you know you must read it again, and try to capture the things it told you. Highly recommended.

Wonderful book on Christ & the atonement. I've never been so personally compelled or moved by any book before. Especially meaningful to me, were the parts about how important one's reaction to being mistreated or abused are. For the first time in my life, it seems possible to forgive some of the things that have happened to me. This is a must read for any Christian, but I think especially for anyone who's ever been abused. (not to imply that is the main focus of the book).

If we could all learn to put away our proverbial swords, towards our neighbors, work asscociates, political apponets, obnoxious drivers, lousy customer service personal, etc... what a better world we would live in. Perhaps this is the ultimate answer to world peace. Could it be that simple?
Awesome book! I have bought 10 copies and given them out to closest friends. Even if your personal relations are perfect, get this book, truly amazing.

The short: I recommend this book. I learned a great deal about those things that matter most. The writing isn't great.

The story: Rick has an unhappy marriage. He is thinking of giving up. His deceased grandfather appears to him in vision and takes him to the scene of several Bible stories, teaching Rick how the Savior's atonement applies to his marriage. Rick tries to implement the lessons.

The good: Ferrell highlights several elements of the atonement that I had not previously considered and others that I needed reminding of. He uses the story of Abigail in the Old Testament (I know: Who? But she's really in there) as a metaphor for Christ suffering not only for our sins but for the sins of those who have offended us, leaving us with little recourse but to forgive (Chapters 3-7). He deepens the metaphor with the story of the prophet Jonah and his withholding of charity towards Nineveh even as the Lord had already forgiven (Chapters 9-14). He movingly fleshes out the Savior's sacrifice in Gethsemane (Chapters 22-25). These are well worth the read.

The bad: A tiny fraction of the book is dedicated to the actual story, the rest is conversation between Rick and Grandpa and - mostly - monologues from Grandpa. Take the absurdly long speech from John Galt in Atlas Shrugged and multiply it by ten. The book is either too long (it should have been a series of essays, skipping the slim story altogether) or too short (it should have had a more developed story). Given that Ferrell's writing is not exceptional, I vote for the former.

But since we cannot dictate terms to the author, I am left to recommend the book as it is. The insights outweigh the annoyances. In particular, I recommend Parts 1, 2, and 4.

Never has any book touched me so deeply, sans the Book of Mormon. This book very gently takes the reader to a realm of love, forgiveness and enlightenment. After reading this book twice, I have felt compelled to buy it for friends and family.

This is a great book on being a better person. This book's author shares the same philosophy/company with Terry Warner's "Bonds That Make us Free" and the Arbinger Institute's "Leadership and Self-deception". They are basically all the same story/philosophy, told from different angles.

Bonds That Make Us Free was a general overview from a philosophical/psychological standpoint. It was not religious and provided many short stories on how different behaviors/attitudes affected your relationships.

Leadership and Self-deception is a story of one man (much like the Peacegiver) who is trying to understand the concept told in a business setting - he is starting a new job.

The Peacemaker is the story of one man in a religious setting. His deceased grandfather helps him understand (through a vision/dream) how he can be a better husband/person through the use of scripture stories and focusing on the atonement of Christ. Very good use of scripture stories and examples.

I have read all three and probably enjoyed Warner's book the most, but The Peacemaker is a very good read and well worth your time.

If you currently have anyone in your life that seems to provoke ill feelings in your heart--feelings that perhaps feel totally beyond your control, almost as if they had a life of their own: Then my friends--Look no further! Discovering the "Nineveh-nous" of my heart--not THE OTHER'S heart--changed everything.

One of the most thought provoking books I have ever read. It's one that changes the way you think and act. It gave me a perspective of the Saviors atonement that I won't forget.
It's very difficult to hold on to anger after you read this book. A must read if you ask me !

What if I have been wronged? What if I have been hurt? What if I am a victim of a terrible crime? What I am ignored, taken advantage of, or used? What if I can't feel peace? What if someone has taken from me what was rightfully mine? What if my relationhips are falling apart? What if cannot connect with my spouse, child, or neighbor? What if I am in a circle of conflict that seems to be never ending? When is it their fault and when is it mine? What do I do to be healed and made whole again? What if I have need of repentance and I don't feel like repenting?

These questions and many more are answered in the lessons of this book. In a more than academic way, James Ferrell will leave a mark on your life by illuminating parts of scripture that were previously little read and little known. Then, those passages will answer the questions and bring a vision of truth. He walks through the mind of one that is in pain and does not know how or why he got there. He then leads him out and we get to see ourselves in the process...& how Christ can change everything if we are willing & humble. The miracle that is the atonement is made real in the pages of this book. Walking away I was trully left in awe of my Savior and his love for me. That in my opinion is the test of a great LDS book and teacher, do I love the Savior more? I will forever be greatful for powerful lessons learned and the hope that this book gives. To Brother Ferrell, thank you!

The Peacegiver is a book that can change your life if you will allow it to do so. The spiritual insights that are available in the book are multi-layered and deep, allowing reflection, pondering and time-after-time reading, yet the story is simple and the challenges easily identifiable in day-to-day life and relationships. Identifying the "Nineveh-ness" in our own hearts and seeing the ways that sin emotionally and even physiologically distances and desensitizes us from God's reach makes the reader more and more aware of the need for Christ's atonement in very personal and individual ways. A simple and deeply profound book. It has burrowed deep into my heart and caused continuing contemplation. A very worthwhile use of one's reading time. The challenge is to take it beyond the intellectual level of enjoying the read to the very personal level of allowing it to change your heart -- and your behavior.