Unashamed: Drop the Baggage, Pick up Your Freedom, Fulfill Your Destiny Hardcover – May 10, 2016

I am mid way through, I am reading it in the car line at school. Our bible study starts in a few weeks. I am enjoying this book, and find her advice, life experience, and personal experiences to be valuable.The only thing that did not need to be repeated quite so often is how her Greek heritage was the reason for her broken heart and spirit. My own personal story is quite long (and simply boring for a review board!) Bottom line, as human beings, and particularly women we have got to stop deflecting, using a preconceived notion of the "why" of abuse. Bottom line is broken people try to break others. God is ALWAYS with us, the pain we endure is to help others later that are journeying that same rutted path - we survived, so can they. Not only survive but thrive.A story I'd heard long ago is perfect for this particular story.A monk is carrying water basins to the well, one is cracked, the other is pristine. The cracked basin says to the monk, 'I am useless, I am broken, I cannot carry the water to its destination, I am so very sorry.' The monk says, "when we walk back up the path I want you to look at what your brokenness has caused." And as he walked back up to the monetary there was a beautiful array of flowers on the cracked basins side of the path. The monk then said "your perception of brokenness has provided the path with life, and not only life but such beauty. Do not feel sorrow, my sweet little basin, for your brokenness gives others faith that their broken souls will flourish one day too."I so appreciate her book, and I hope you do too. We're all broken, it's a matter of realizing that how broken we remain is really up to us at the end of the day.

Unashamed: Drop the Baggage, Pick up Your Freedom, Fulfill Your DestinyChristine CaineI will start this review with some fundamentals. All of the scripture references in this book are from the NIV bible unless otherwise stated. The writing is clear, and quickly understood, in other words, this book reads fast. The author is a talented writer, and her text is engaging and personal. This book is designed to be read by women, and focusing on a relationship with God from that perspective.The contents of the book focus on the emotional condition inflicted on people by years of abuse, neglect, or punishment. It focuses on shame as a lifestyle and the redemptive quality of God’s Word to deliver one from shame to the freedom of relationship with Christ.This book contains some biblical inferences and theology that could be considered questionable at best. For example, in the first chapter the author seeks to provide examples of women crippled by shame. Among her examples she cites some references to scripture. One of her examples is the woman from Mark 5, who had suffered from bleeding. The author attempts to depict this woman as a woman crippled by shame and an outcast hiding from the community. None of that inference is found in the text, but rather reflects the author’s perspective from her own personal experience. We know from Jewish culture that a woman with that type of illness would have been considered unclean by law, but we don’t know that she was a woman of shame. We know that she had the courage to push through the crowd, and she had the faith and hope that touching the garment of Christ would bestow a blessing, indicating that she wasn’t hiding.While I believe that this is a quality book that could prove useful to those suffering from low self-esteem and shame, it is not an endorsement of the theology or biblical references found within the text or demonstrated by the author. It is important to consider the background of any author that you chose to read with a theological influence. This is a fine book for encouraging someone to turn to the healing power of Christ as part of the sanctification process, but like all books, it should be in conjunction with study of the scripture. Challenge everything you read against the truth found only in God’s Word.Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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.”

Freedom. It’s all I have to say. A weight off of my shoulders. Feel like I’m 100 pounds less. Christine Caine describes shame and how to deal with it in such a simplistic yet profound way that I feel relieved of shame from my past and know how to tackle any shame-masked situation that would come my way in the future. A book full of wisdom. This book was very insightful in a pivotal time of my life. I am super grateful for God throwing it on my lap when I needed it the most.

What can I say? I am blown away at the authentic honesty and emotional ups and downs that Christine Caine discloses in her book. In a time when many run away in fear and shame, Christine shares her history regarding this battle and opens the door to realistic experiences, and healing. This book came to me in a season of hurt, fear, and heartbreak; and as I journeyed with Christine through her battle and recovery of shame I felt as though she spoke directly to my heart. This book crosses generational, emotional, and ethnic boundaries and reaches to the very core of who we are as individuals. "I find that the wilderness can hit us in the most unexpected times-like when we think we're flourishing, and so is everyone around us. Sometimes we do not see where we are still broken or damaged, or living a shame-filled life." (Unashamed p.92) There isn't any reason not to read this book, and let it minister and assist in restoring your heart and soul.

When I first picked up this book, I didn't believe that I was carrying any shame baggage. Midway through the book I realized that shame has many different faces and does not have a consistent look, outlook or behavior across people who carry shame. As I entered the last 3rd of the book... I realized that I have been carrying shame for many years; I just couldn't identify it.... or maybe I was too ashamed to admit that I carry shame. Thank you to Christine for her loving and gentle approach which was all it took to pull back the curtain on what I had been hiding.I actually purchased the audio option for this book, so it was more like listening to advice from a long time friend than a DIY - Fix yourself in 10 simple steps.Thank you Christine, you have impacted my life in a very positive way.

This book really changed my life and opened my eyes. I wish every woman would read it. Already offered a copy to one of my friends and she loves it too

A powerful book. Preaching the love of God is so beatiful. Thank you Christine for this book.God bless you all.

Ich kann hier nur von meinem persönlichen Eindruck von mir geben;Als Wegwerfkind und einer späteren familiären Aufnahme in eine Alkoholikerfamiliemit viel Gewalt, und einer Mutter die keine Halt bieten konnte ist das Thema Scham nicht ein sondern dass Thema, und auch eines von mir verdrängtes, ich dringe in meine zig Jahren 'Glaubens' leben einfach nichtzu Gott durch und das trotz der zunehmend in mir lebendig werdende Theoligie des Kreuzes,Neuerung, ... Es gibt die Mauer - Eine unsichtbare Mauer - .Natürlich gehe in ein solches Buch zwar mit Interesse aber auch halt mit Zweifel/Misstrauen ob es dieses malwirklich einen Impact hat nach all den 1000 Büchern die ich schon gelesen habe.Zu dem was Christine Cane erzählt kann ich wirklich eine Brücke schlagen.Und Sie hat auch meine Achillesverse was Heilung angeht deutlich angesprochen.Ich weigere mich für meine Heilung irgendwas tun leisten oder durchstehen zu müssen.Nein!!!!! das muss wie bei einer Fee funktionieren - Spprrrrlinng-Bums-Schein-Bltz und sieh da ich bin frei!!Aber das ist eine Lüge - der Weg - oh jeh - der Heilung ist doch auch ein schmerzlicher - das wollt ich nie wahr haben.wenn Gott so allmächtig ist warum muss ich jetzt da (noch einmal) durch.Aber ich fühle das mein Widerstand nicht richtig ist. Mich davon abgealten hat wirklich frei zu werden.Es sind auch z.T: Besipiele (Yun) geschildert bei denen aus mir heraus spontan tiefstes Schluchzenhervor kommt - wo ich Angst habe da bricht was unkontrolliertes heraus.Für mich jedenfalls ein Volltreffer das BuchDanke!/K

I finished this book in approximately 2 hours and let the tears fall. The words in this book echoed so much truth and freedom from shame I knew the tears were healing taking place. No matter what has occurred in our lives shame masks itself in so many facets and is such a big illusion. So thankful for reading Christine's journey, her transparency and how she combats to reverse the effects of shame and live completely free as God intended for us all as in the Garden of Eden. I highly recommend this for every woman as somewhere along our walk we have all experienced shame in some form that tries to stifle who God created us to be.

I am so thankful for leaders like her, who dares to open up their lives to God and others and writes a transparent book like this. She put words to my own experiences and emotions I didn't know how to express. I want this book translated into my own language and other so more women can be encouraged. Very thankful and blessed!