Laurie Coombs

I received a copy of this book from book fun.org for an honest review

The day Laurie learned that her father had been murdered, she felt a black cloud of darkness surround her heart. The killer had been caught but that didn't ease her pain and bitterness. She struggled with wondering if her dad was in heaven and for the first time Laurie wanted to believe that there was a God. As she said aloud, "Everything happens for a reason'" she angerly thought what reason could there be for the murder of her father.

As she delt with the trail and hearing that Anthony Echols, her father's killer get two consecutive life sentences , Laurie thought she could finally move forward. But that was not to be the case. God had a plan that would not only transform her life , but several others including Anthony Echols. Laurie began to see little signs that God was there with her and she began to see God's love for the first time. Although she had given her life to Christ, she still had anger issues. She began seeking God's wisdom and was shown a scripture that said" Love your enemies."

Thus begins her journey of overcoming anger and walking in forgiveness. Her first step was to see Anthony in prison. When she received the letter thst he was willing to meet with her, Laurie knew this was the path she was to take. Although her application to visit Anthony was denied, they continued to correspond with each other through letters. With their willingness to be open and honest with each other, God's word was shared and barriers began to dissolve.

This is one of the most powerful books I have ever read about forgiveness . Laurie and Anthony each had a path that God chose for them to walk through. Their transformation will touch many lives and show you what true forgiveness means. We all want to be able to forgive, but it is a choice we have to make and this book clearly shows the heart wrenching journey each person went through to find the grace, mercy and love of God. I could not get through some parts of the book without crying and other times I felt like God was speaking to me directly .
"He doesn't leave us in our pain. He sees it. He joins us in it. And He heals it."… (mais)

I just finished this book. It has every emotion imaginable. When her father was murdered, she was not a Christian. This book is about how God used a terrible situation to bring about His will. It will keep your interest and you watch step by step God working in many lives, but especially hers. She uses sound Biblical judgements in the things she writes. She makes mistakes, who doesn't? She listens to God and works through many things. I was very impressed by her growth and knowledge. This is a must read for everyone as everyone has someone that needs forgiveness. I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. This is a must read for everyone… (mais)

As I read this book, I kept asking myself how I would react, and I would sin. The book opens and we glimpse a family that was broken and trying to put parts back together. The main focus of the book is about a man, called Anthony, and his jealousy that ends in murder, and steals this man from his family.
We walk with Laurie and her journey to forgiveness, but a strong emphasis is on her walk of faith. I could see God working in her life and struggles, and watched her grow in her Spiritual life as this journey of the letters progressed. As we read the letters we see how Anthony tries to rationalize his actions, and how Laurie deals with this.
A very sad story, and yet God’s hand is here, and through the letters we travel to the experience of true forgiveness.
I received this book through Litfuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.… (mais)

Title: Letters from My Father’s Murderer
Author: Laurie A. Coombs
Pages: 232
Year: 2015
Publisher: Kregel
My rating is 4 stars out of 5.
As I read the book, I was reminded of the recent tragedy in South Carolina and how the decision of one person can change so many lives in the blink of an eye. I am awed by how Laurie is so transparent in her journey to forgive the man who took her father’s life. Her book I am sure doesn’t share all that happened, but there is enough to give readers a glimpse into the aftermath of a life taken, and another forever behind bars.
Laurie shares how God led her to begin communicating with her father’s killer and how she thought if her questions were answered, she would have peace. What Laurie learned and shares is what truly brought her peace. I admire her husband who gave her time to work through the grief, pain and more throughout the years after her father’s death.
When I read, it was easy to see how only God could make a way to bring two totally different viewpoints, Laurie’s and Tony's, the man who committed the crime, to a place of peace. Readers will see how God is so much bigger than tragedy, pain, anger and more to radically make something good come out of an evil act. Perhaps, like me, as you read you might remember other tragedies where people were killed due to the evil acts of others. I know I thought of those in the South Carolina church who were recently killed by a young man and yet in court each family spokesman got up and forgave that young man. Not only that, some said they were praying for him. What a testimony to the awesomeness of God for them to be able to do that in the depth if grief!
Situations like Laurie Coombs' father or South Caroline bring all of us to a place of seeing the victims as part of what Hebrews 11 calls the “cloud of witnesses”. These people reflect to a hurting, broken and sin-filled world that God is indeed on the throne. If we open our hearts, He alone can reach into the depths of our pain, bringing healing, peace and hope.
One last thought about Laurie’s book is it shows there is no magic wand; it takes time and hard work to go before the Lord again and again with an open and willing heart to be healed. Not just healed, but to know what the Lord’s desire is for those who walk through the fire and come out a different person.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”… (mais)