Thought provoking biography that challenges religion and miracles vs. your personal belief systems and how that correlates with your own life experiences. The book takes you through Jim Shriner's life as a young devout Catholic, his personal struggles as he grew up in the church, and how the challenges of his wife’s debilitating disease ultimately changed their entire religious belief system. Through his eyes, you see what is all really comes down to in the end.
Jim Shriner had been a believer his entire life. Born into a family of devout Catholics, he didn't have much of a choice. Between altar boy responsibilities, confession, and receiving the Holy Communion, Jim's life was heavily enveloped into the Catholic Church. It wouldn't last for long.
As a teenager, at the encouragement of his father's own awakening, Jim left Catholicism behind--much to the dismay of many familial relatives--and became a born-again Christian, dedicating his heart and soul to the religion. He hosted a workout show on Christian TV networks, appeared on The 700 Club, and often brushed shoulders with the biggest names in the Christian community. Life was good, and he found himself grateful for his full religious immersion--especially when his wife's health started to deteriorate.
After years of praying for his wife's health to improve and watching her endure intensive pain, a rapid physical decline, and multiple invasive surgeries, Jim had enough. Why wasn't God helping? Why had He abandoned him when he needed Him most? He was fed up hearing that his wife's constant suffering is "all part of God's plan." It was certainly enough to cause Jim to throw in the towel, raise his hands, and say, "Jesus Christ, enough already!"
In this ultimately candid and searing memoir, Jim doesn't hesitate to pull back the curtain on his religious viewpoints, raising questions and doubts about faith, devotion, and the healing power of God.
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