When God calls us to lay down the place, ministry or even the person we love most on the sacrificial altar, how will we respond? When her only son committed murder Carol Kent was forced to lay the person she valued most, or her "Isaac," in the hands of God. Fortunately, like Abraham before her, in the midst of her terrible sacrifice Carol encountered the God who loves her more than she loves her Isaac and she learned, little by little, to trust her Isaac to His caring hands. If you or someone you love is in the process of laying down an "Isaac," you will find Carol's heart-wrenching story and godly guidance absolutely indispensable.
When the phone call came at 12:35 a.m., a bleary-eyed Kent listened as her
husband passed on the unbelievable news that their son, a United States Naval
Academy graduate and Navy lieutenant, had shot and killed his wife's
ex-husband. During those first few hours after receiving the harrowing news,
major decisions, both legal and financial, needed to be made quickly. So
began the Kents' two-and-a-half-year journey that led to the trial, conviction
and sentencing of their son for first-degree murder. Kent (Tame Your Fears;
Becoming a Woman of Influence; Secret Longings of the Heart), whose position
as President of Speak Up Speaker Services made her the family's primary
breadwinner, had no option but to continue working and speaking throughout
this ordeal. She wondered if people would even want her as a speaker if they
knew she was the mother of a murderer. Using a biblical story from Genesis 22
where God asked Abraham to literally "lay down his Isaac" as a sacrifice and
then intervened at the last moment, Kent prayed for a similar miraculous
outcome for her son. She shares her story with a transparency and
vulnerability that readers will find both disarming and bracing. The Kent
family's ongoing fight against despair and hopelessness is fittingly paired
with their resolute faith in God's ability to transform even the most crushing
circumstances into something good. (June) Copyright 2004 Reed Business
Information.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Elizabeth Batson (Bryan, TX), August 05, 2009
This is an incredible and highly emotional book. You can feel the heartbreak that Carol and her family went through. Their faith and trust in God is awesome. She used so many scriptures that can be a source of encouragement in all kinds of situations.
You won't want to put this book down until you finish it and then you will want to refer back to it over and over for the scripture references.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lenora Lederer (San Diego, CA), July 11, 2009
Awesome book....I have bought, probably 7 copies to give as gifts as well as one for myself after hearing her speak at a women's conference. Wonderful testimony from an extraordinary woman of God.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lola Hailey (Colonial Heights, VA), February 27, 2009
such an inspiring book. Gives me strength and hope for all that I am enduring.
3 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Diana Braziel (Houston, TX), February 20, 2009
Ms Kent's excellent book makes one examine the "Issac's" in each of our lives. It is pro-active in giving one pause to think about our future and how we will approach it. The personal journey her family has made proves so mightly that God provides grace adequate for every situation.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Debra Clemons (Mineola, TX), November 15, 2008
I purchased this book after hearing Carol Kent speak at a Women of Faith conference. I originally bought it to give to a woman from my hometown church whose son was sentenced to life in prison for murder. Before I gave her the book, I wanted to read it & make sure it would be appropriate. I started reading it & after finishing the first chapter, I felt compelled to start over so I could write down my thoughts & highlight treasures to re-read. I had to buy her another book! What a blessing this book is. The principles she shares are so applicable to anyone walking the Christian faith. Many of us will never have to walk the path the Kent family has, but most of us have had, or will have, an Isaac experience. We struggle with the effects of sin in our lives and the resulting pain/disappointment. As Mrs. Kent writes on page 177 "..getting over a painful past is a wonderful accomplishment, but producing fruit through a painful past is a miraculous event. Being fruitful in suffering, being an 'Ephraim,' brings glory to God-who alone can give the grace-filled capacity to face the unthinkable and be fruitful in the unimaginable." I cannot say enough about this book & I highly recommend it. I have loaned this book out and am buying more copies to share pass out.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deb Gold (Colorado Springs CO), September 05, 2008
This book is a must read if you are a mother with a son (or daughter)in prison. It helped me realize I had to "lay my Isaac down" and give my son over to God. For a person who tries to "fix" everything myself this was not an easy thing to do. But this book provides thought provoking guidance to help you accomplish this and helps you get through a tough time and to grow in your faith. I soon realized that God could take much better care of my son than I ever could. And he has! Truly inspirational.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by SDSullivan (Petersburg, IN), September 01, 2008
I bought this book to give to a friend who had lost her 21 year old son suddenly. I read it first and have been blessed through Carol and Gene's transparency in using their Isaac experience to help others. It is encouraging to read of experiences and God's faithfulness when there is no "happily ever after" ending. Many times 'super star' Christians will leave the impression that they have it altogether and if you follow their steps, you too, will receive God's favor. Carol & Gene Kent with their vulnerability share their heartbreak and their ongoing struggle and commitment. Excellent book.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Melinda Jenson (Oregon, WI), August 30, 2008
This book confirmed a lot of feelings and struggles that I have faced as the mom of a prodigal son who ended up incarcerated at the age of 20. Unlike this author's son who is serving a life sentence, he will be released, but daily I must place him on the altar just as Abraham did Isaac, trusting God for what is best. If you have a tendency to want to control your life, or better yet, that of your children, this is a book that will help you grow into mature trust of God in all circumstances. And you won't want to keep it to yourself, loan it to a friend.
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