Worship Musician April 2019 | Page 84

BOOK REVIEW KIM WALKER-SMITH // “BRAVE SURRENDER: LET GOD’S LOVE REWRITE YOUR STORY” by Melissa Doppler Jesus for the first time, and her home life the present, she shows us that living a life eventually stabilizes, thanks to a Godly step- surrendered to Jesus is an ongoing, daily father who demonstrated Christ’s unconditional decision. Her struggles as a leader and a young love and showed her an intimate, personal mom trying to stay in control, and experiencing relationship with Jesus. We begin to see God post-partum depression, are relatable and real. setting the stage and preparing her heart to Kim’s disappointment, and even betrayal, by embark on a long journey towards healing and others in the church is something that too many wholeness. of us have experienced. Her teachable heart Few would be willing to share the details of their and commitment to continually and repeatedly forgive those who had deeply wounded her is a powerful example. With Kim’s honesty and candor about her early breathtaking vulnerability and “I wanted to shout it from the mountaintops. Isn’t this the question everybody asks? I thought to myself. Am I loved? Does God really love me? I felt like the girl in the classroom, raising her hand and shouting, “Ooooh, pick me, pick me! I know the answer!” I wanted to find a way to tell everyone.” – Kim Walker Smith from “Brave Surrender: Let God’s Love Rewrite Your Story” And that’s exactly what Kim Walker-Smith does in Brave Surrender. Through her remarkable testimony of God’s extravagant healing and love, she finds a way to tell everyone that God transparency, her young heart. We rejoice as she encounters 84 in this book is very different from anything you have experienced in church or on your own spiritual journey. You may even think it’s weird – as she once did. Regardless of your church background, the powerful transformation and abandon in worship springs from. Her ability to struggles and minister and lead others into the presence of God is the fruit of her surrender to Him. most intimate This is a redemptive story - where we get a encounters with and the kind of relationship with Christ glimpse of God’s sovereignty, His faithfulness available to everyone willing to be broken and surrendered before His love. I am grateful that Jesus. Kim has so bared her soul with such courage in Brave Surrender. Many lives have already been dramatically impacted by Kim’s surrendered life the turning point where her past is made whole only too well the pain and anger that grew in disarming. Perhaps some of what she shares to understand where Kim’s passion, joy and As Kim recounts the near death of her her childhood innocence, we can understand and us into her counseling and most intimate encounters with new schools, poverty and inevitable loss of refreshing When you read Brave Surrender, it is easy intimate encounters with Jesus. her first two step-fathers, constant moving and is dramatic healing in Kim’s life is undeniable. breathtaking vulnerability and transparency, biological father, the violence and rejection of experiences Kim invites can loves us and be trusted completely. With Kim invites us into her struggles and most church Jesus, but this part of Kim’s story is crucial. It is and many more will be transformed as the Holy Spirit works through this book and her story. KIM WALKER-SMITH “Brave Surrender: Let God’s Love Rewrite Your Story” and she begins to grow and mature into the powerful minister of God’s presence we have come to know. I love that Kim doesn’t finish the story of her healing with her past. By continuing up to April 2019 $14.00 at JesusCulture.com Melissa Doppler Graduate of Hillsong College, worshiper, avid reader, leadership junkie, and writer with a passion to help others discover their God-given purpose. Check out her blog. Subscribe for Free... MelissaDoppler.com