OVERCOMER, OVERCOME - BOOK REVIEW

Overcomer, Overcome by Caitlin Hawk is a stunning book. More importantly, it is a testimony to the power of God to rescue the hurting, restore the broken, and right the ship of anyone’s life for His Glory and our own good.  I had to go through it twice to get into Caitlin’s life story, B.C. (Before Christ).

This young lady’s honest, open, transparent account of her tough life from early teens, all the way through high school and junior college is an absolute must-read for anyone who thinks there is no hope for any family member, friend of even themselves who may be stuck in the vicious cycle of addiction.  With the availability of so many formerly illegal addictive substances, the number of adults, but especially our youth, who are addicted to vaping cannabis is staggering.

Then there is a crisis of identity amongst so many people these days, mostly young women, who are deceived by the shiny objects on social media or the “influencer” cult, etc.  Caitlin’s incredible journey led her to the REAL TRUTH (in Christ), through a very tough, difficult road.  It was only after her transformation at the life-changing Mercy Ministries, founded in 1983 by Nancy Alcorn, that Caitlin not just turned around but began growing into who she was all along – a daughter of the Living Christ. It was Jesus Who gave her the identity she possesses now, which is blessing her husband, daughters, and community around her in Knoxville, TN. (Mercy Multiplied, in Nashville, TN, was the home where Caitlin found her purpose in life).

(On a personal note, I was blessed to be able to meet a delegation in 2011 from St. Louis Mercy Multiplied at the Illinois State Capitol. Former Illinois State Senator Kyle McCarter and his wife Victoria were great supporters of Mercy St. Louis and twice brought up dozens of young ladies whose lives were transformed due to Nancy Alcorn’s ministry. Kyle later became the US Ambassador to Kenya in the first Trump Administration.  His wife and the girls participated in my Annual National Day of Prayer event at the Illinois State Capitol Lincoln Steps that year. What an incredible ministry/mission! God’s Hand continues to guide, now thousands of young women, to better lives because of Mercy Multiplied!)

What Overcomer Overcome shows is that it is not an easy walk; even Jesus rescues you out of the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of His Marvelous Light. As Caitlin mentions, sometimes you will feel like a “fish on pavement”. This is a tough proposition, as the Christian fails a lot, but we have a loving God Who draws us in if we draw near to Him. One of the attractions of this book is a chapter in Scripture which is super meaningful to our author friend – John Chapter 15.  It is the chapter on Abiding, remaining, connecting, living in the zone, feeding off the vine… tied into the “Source”

In the great new movie “A Great Awakening”, the George Whitefield character asked America’s Founding Father Ben Franklin, an avowed unbeliever, “What’s the Source, Ben”?  Franklin, of course, did not answer, but in her book, Caitlin Hawk tells us not just WHO the Source is, but how and from what He rescued her.

WATCH A FULL INTERVIEW ABOVE WITH CAITLIN ON "LIFE TODAY" (2023) ALONG WITH NANCY ALCORN OF MERCY MULTIPLIED.

Read this book with the frame of mind of “how can this either help me, or someone I know”….and it will.  After glancing through it, I camped on it to understand the author's heartbeat and what she was trying to say. What she said will make you cry, cringe, hurt, smile, pray, put the book down, pick it up, feel empathy, feel love, feel sadness, feel hopeful, rejoice, and again, I say – rejoice.

If you’re looking for immediate answers in a book, any book, except the Bible, you won’t find it. If you want to become part of the process that can lead someone, including oneself, to Deliverance, get a copy of Overcomer Overcome by Caitlin Hawk and you will be on the road to freedom, which can only be found in Jesus. 

PURCHASE CAITLIN'S BOOK HERE 

ON AMAZON.COM 

REFLECTIONS ON THE RING - A BOOK REVIEW

An Ordinary Woman’s Extraordinary Tale of How She Saved Her Marriage and Family 

by Lori Columbo Dunham

One of the more outstanding features of the close-knit families of America's melting pot is

continuity. Continuity, as described in traditional values or "just like my grandma did it" or "this is just how we always did it in my family" or "the old country".  Being a traditionalist myself, observing this quality in others brings quiet satisfaction, in times of rejoicing with those who carry on this lifestyle. This kind of tradition is what Lori Columbo imagined, or even expected, as she visualized her story-book wedding...with the Church, and the priest and the flowers, bridesmaids - the whole enchilada (to mix ethnic metaphors).

Oh, how one little escapade can change the direction of an entire life! This true story of the young woman from Michigan who unexpectedly became pregnant in 2001 will make both make you sad, squirm and even shed a tear while praying this does not happen to anyone you know. It is a bit unusual for a man like me to be reading what some may term a book version of "a chick flick", but it is a gripping tale where even a hard-nosed preacher like me started wondering "well, how is this going to turn out"?

Reflections on the Ring took a lot of soul-searching, courage and yes, faith to write. It was encouraging to me to see how Lori never stepped away from her traditional faith and turned it into something proactive that will impact her family for decades to come. I will encourage the reader to grasp the conundrum she faced when transitioning from her dream wedding to the nightmarish, almost mind-altering experience of getting married in a South Florida courthouse in front of a Judge! Her emotional conflicts and anxiety come over in the book as she tries to come to terms with marrying a man who bought her a Cubic Zirconia wedding ring! Here she was, with her 110 year old heirloom wedding ring from her great- grandmother, having recently given up a 2.5 carat engagement ring from a man she discovered she did not love, just to marry Dave in a cold impersonal courtroom. Could this get any more mind-boggling?

To her credit and here is where the minister in me warmed up to Lori, the person - she turned to the only Place she could find comfort and even peace. Even when things were darkest.... Even when bills were tough to pay.... Even when Dave was tough to love, she kept the Faith. What I loved about this "page-turner" is the various Scripture references therein, which are placed strategically along the narrative to tie into what was occurring at the time in Lori's life! More impressive was her reliance on the writings from the wonderful prayer ministry of Stormie Omartian, with whom I am acquainted through my association (from 2006) with the Colorado-based National Day of Prayer Task Force. Stormie was once a speaker at one of our prayer summits up in the amazing Rocky Mountains, where praying to our Glorious God comes really easy (after one beholds the majestic mountains).

Stormie's books and instructions on prayer and coping with life in general and specific situations guided Lori through the rough first years of her marriage, which are always the crucial years - the foundation, if you will. You know, a lot of women marry men promising themselves they will change this or that trait or behavior. Some even promise themselves and their families they will convert a non-believing spouse to the Christian faith. That almost never works. But what is evident in this book is with the right heart, proper wisdom guided by Godly experience (Stormie Omartian), miracles do happen. Families do stick together. Miracles babies are born into loving homes. All of this brings hope. In a time of so much evil and darkness and anxiety, I recommend "REFLECTIONS ON THE RING" to you. It is a sincere recommendation because no matter what stage a relationship may be in, something can be learned, affirmed or just revealed from reading about another's walk through life.

Here is a passage from Lori Columbo-Dunham's book which I found very uplifting and beautiful. May it encourage you to pick it up and spend a couple hours reading it:

● When the unexpected happens, lead with your gut, follow your heart, trail with your head.

● Live by your conscience and take responsibility for your actions.

● Be conscious and respectful of his built-in psychological need to escape to his cave when warranted.

● Always be prepared for God’s destiny for you especially when it seems to contradict your own plans for your life.