Even if you are desperate to know what forgiveness involves and how to do it, this book need not be devoured at one sitting. This is because the book makes it clear that forgiveness involves patience, just as much as learning other positive things and unlearning negative things take time. God supplies the patience and the forgivess we need ourselves, the love and the grace to get it done. It should not be rushed. The book covers that forgivenes involves breaks in relationships, whether it be a marriage, children or friendships of any degree. Forgiveness can be hard because the other party may go on hurting you, but then you may still be hurting the other party yourself because you reactions aren't right either. But if you feel condemned because it is taking too long then remember that there are no instant solutions - the book makes it clear that because we are people and it involves relationships things take time. Here are a number of other things the book makes clear. It is not for us to determine what repentance in the other party looks like - just because it would be healing to see an upset other party, upset with the hurt they have caused you. It makes it clear that forgivess does not depend on the repentance of the other party showing they will never do whatever it is again. Repentance alone may not be all that is needed to deal with the root issues in the offender and in the relationship that caused the fracture in the relationship. So just because the offender repents but does it again may not mean they have not repented. Repentance may be only the beginning of the process of healing the reason for the offence and the relationship. Neither does it depend on them doing anything to prove it or to show they have changed. Look at the Prodigal Son parable in the gospel of Luke Chapter 15 and how the thief on the cross was forgiven but did not have to leap down from his cross to prove he had changed. Usually forgiveness takes more time than we'd like, but forgiveness does not mean that the offence is OK. But here is the absolute key - we don't have to accomplish it. We position ourselves by praying for the grace to begin the process if we can't position ourselves by choosing to forgive straigh away. And when we do forgive, He gives us the grace to get it done because he accomplishes it because He is our sanctification - we do not achieve it, we position ourselves and He accomplishes it for us. It does mean you don't judge the other person, that you don't hold any grudges and that you are given the grace to love them. It is not an excuse for the other person to hurt you again, nor (if you are the forgiven one)is it an excuse for you to take the forgiver for granted and hurt the other person. Building trust again may be a time consuming, but separate matter to the process of forgiveness. It may be part of the process. But whilst books can help, healing comes from God himself and we each need a special and unique healing from God. No book can be a blueprint, but it can be healing to see it takes time and it is a process. May this book be part of your process.

Anyone involved in counselling knows that at the root of practically every relationship problem lies unforgiveness. But while most Christians understand the general concept, many struggle with actually experiencing it. Choosing Forgiveness takes you beyond the concept, and teaches in simple yet practical terms how to both give and receive forgiveness. Choosing Forgiveness has several strengths. Authors John and Paula Sandford, known internationally for their teaching and books on counselling, bring readers a wealth of stories, illustrations, insights and teaching. Counsellor and co-author, Norm Bowman, adds his skill as a writer and editor to direct this easy-to-read book toward a more general audience rather than the professional counsellor. The teaching is comprehensive and solidly rooted in biblical truth and real-life situations. It reveals not only the Father's heart on this crucial matter, but points us beyond the personal implications to the larger picture of why forgiveness is essential to the kingdom of God. Intensely practical, the book includes a 31-day devotional guide that combines excerpts from the book with relevant scriptures to help readers develop a daily discipline and lifestyle of forgiveness. It seems almost redundant to begin the book with a chapter entitled Forgiveness: option or necessity. Even the book's title seems to suggest a paradox. But truth and experience tell us that sin and unforgiveness are not easy issues to think about. Most of us avoid dealing with them if we can. Since unforgiveness can be lodged deep inside us without our recognizing it, one difficulty is that we often think we have forgiven when in reality we have not. A number of chapters offer practical teaching to help us discover where we might be on the journey toward forgiveness. Choosing Forgiveness rightly emphasizes that forgiveness must be a lifestyle. Here is the kind of teaching and counsel that can radically change families and churches. Basic principles of walking in forgiveness that should apply to every area of our lives are given: how we think or talk about others, how to recognize and deal with a false sense of forgiveness, and how to beware of feelings that are often repressed or masked instead of exposed. One section describes how forgiveness can be a part of growing, healthy relationships, especially in marriage. It looks at how to drink life rather than harm from others, how to bring balance into relationships through forgiveness, and how unresolved hurts can turn into roots of bitterness that destroy. The chapter on Restoration of Christian Unity is, in my opinion, the heart of, and key to the book. Sandfords point out that to truly understand and walk in forgiveness is to see it from God's perspective and not, as we are prone to do, only in terms of His love for us and what it can do for us individually. God wants unity in the Body. He wants to build a kingdom of sons and daughters. Unforgiveness fractures that unity and shatters the kingdom. We tend to have a limited view of our role in the kingdom, and therefore don't repent, as we need to, of how we contribute to fracturing the whole. The book concludes with a sobering section on what happens when we choose unforgiveness, and an encouraging vision of what happens when we forgive. If forgiveness is not an option, neither should having a copy of Choosing Forgiveness in your home or church library, be an option. This invaluable and life-changing resource could save countless hours and dollars in unnecessary counselling sessions. Will Walker, editor, Spread the Fire, April 1997, Toronto Airport Church Fellowship quarterly magazine.

Pain, trial and persecution are normal process encountered while growing in the prophetic. Times twice of that defines the preparation process one needs to go through when one grows in the office of a prophet.

John Sanford is definitely a season prophet. However he has not graduated from the School of the Holy Spirit. It takes patience to learn all of God's ways. In "Elijah Task", John described how he and his wife has to go through some of the most severe testing while being trained to be a prophet. When you recognized your calling as a prophet, cutting corners is never the chosen path. From John's experience, prophets are at the peak of their training during the trough of their lives. In other words, the making of a prophet's ministry usually take place in the darkest moment of his life. The end result God desires is humility and brokenness. Only then He can use His prophets to complete His divine task.

Today John Sanford's ministry has proven to be a great contribution to the Body of Christ in the area of counseling and healing. This book is an expression of his priceless experience. I believe the insightful teachings provided here are very essential materials to emerging prophets of our time. John has made us aware that operating in the prophetic realm can be a dangerous playground. He made it plain to us that it takes integrity and wisdom when prophets handle their gifting.

In one of the chapter, John also mentioned that God occasionally allow His prophets to miss the mark. This is necessary in order to deflate any form of pride that may arise in the ministry.

This book is a must if you are serious about letting God to shape your life as a prophet or a prophetic person.

This book is aimed at those who feel that God has called them to hear his voice, to walk with a prophetic annointing. The Bible encourages us to "eagerly desire the gift of prophesy", and anyone who has experienced or heard testimony of the power of this spiritual gift -- to make God real to people in this world and to address the underlying spiritual realities of the world through the ministry of prayer -- should make this book a number one priority.

John Sandford writes not from an academic view, but from the point of view of someone who has clearly been called to a prophetic ministry. The message of the book is that clarity costs, and the process of reaching it is often messy. But, oh, the blessings it releases!

Far from the Hollywood personification of Biblical prophets as heroic figures, Sandford lifts up a corner of Christian life to uncover a reality that is very quiet, very real, and very necessary for our times.

If you're a Christian and you've received revelation -- visions, dreams, and words of knowledge and wisdom -- that leave you confused but hungering for more of the reality of God's voice, this book will do a lot for you.

The Elijah task is also recommended for pastors seeing to understand and incorporate the gift of prophesy into your local church.

Nurture your prophets gently, it's a hard walk but, ultimately, one that will be a blessing to many.

NP

Paula Sanford had made extensive work on practical
spiritual Healing Victims of Sexual Abuse. This is
what most victims need in guidance of spiritual healing
which they suffered in silent and drowning without help.
I find the approach to be excellent in adopting the
Word of God in the healing process. The touch of healing
in submission to Christ and God's Word and in prayers
are just a beginning to make a victim of Sexual Abuse
whole again.I would recommend this book to any victims
of SA who need answers for their sufferings or
counselors in ministering victims on the journey
to recovery and wholeness again.

This book is a blessing for me. God use John to explain what hinders me in reaching my maximum potential in God. It also helps me in restoring my marriage. Thank you John!

I found this book extremely helpful in healing areas of my life where I have had long-term challenges. Though I am a mentally healthy adult, I had problem areas I wanted to conquer.

Many chapters in the book provided real revealation to me. The book helped me to understand and to GET PAST some behaviors. Excellent Book!

Many Christians suffer wonderment as to why there seems to be an expectation that everything should be well with them... and yet parts of their lives are not demonstrating the victorious living they want and hope for. Those who are not Christians look upon the church and wonder why people don't practice what they preach. If these kinds of questions concern you or if you find your friends asking them, then you will find explanation, answers and hope in these pages.

John and Paula share from their experience in prayerfully counseling others... from the successes in those who have been healed by by understanding and applying what they have learned, not merely from some theory. They also reference the Bible in support of the suggestions of hope they provide for people who are hurting or would desire more victory in their way of living. This is a most excellent book.. buy it and read it! Over and over again!

Why is forgiveness so important? Why do some Christians seem so unhappy? Why do some people see God as an angry, harsh dictator? Why is it that some people act just like what they resented as children? Why can't some people open up to others? How biblical is counseling and inner healing? All these questions and more are addressed in great length and depth in Transformation of the Inner Man.

Using biblical truths and examples John and Paula Saandford use their life experiences and knowledge to author this book. Their knowledge comes from years of prayer ministry and counseling experience. Some of the most controversial and tough questions are answered. 22 of the most basic issues are written about in detailed form to give the reader a thorough understanding of some reasons why people can't function as God created them to. Biblical truths as emphasized and all theories have scripture to back them up.

All pastors and leaders need to at least have this book in their library. This book does take time to read and comprehend so it may not be ideal for everyone. Even if you are a seasoned counselor or been in prayer ministry for a long time you would still benefit from this book.

This book, along with Healing the Wounded Spirit, are great additions to any Christian's library and essential for church leaders to have.

This book is incredible. It should be read slowly and carefully, taking the time to pray and digest all the material within. I think I will read and re-read it many times. I have already bought 4 copies for other people. It is for the Christian who wants the true answers to why we continually do the stupid things we do - even though we 'know better'. It deals with relationships - all of our relationships and focuses on the most important relationship - that of a believer to his Lord. Jesus Christ's death is the answer through which all our hurts can be healed, and this book is deliberate and thorough on why that is the case. If you want to hear what God says better, find out why you eat too much or drink or have been too promiscuous, this is the book for you. If your problems are workaholism or just not getting along with your spouse, this is the book for you. If you're not quite sure why you feel that uncomfortable sensation when things are not going well and you can't explain why - this is the book for you. Too much to describe here. This is no magic formula or cult book - it is all about the laws of the world and how God set us up to work- and how to align ourselves with that.

Having enjoyed a number of seminars presented by the Sanfords, and seen the fruit of their labors in lives healed and sanctified, it was refreshing to read The Transformation Of The Inner Man. This transformation begins with accepting Christ's sacrificial atonement and is worked out in the process of maturation in the Christian walk. Accountability, maturity and responsibility are all appropriately emphasized in the context of grace and compassion for the hurting and the lost. As a mature student in a Counseling Psychology M.A. program, who has also taken courses at Vancouver, British Columbia's Regent College, I have studied the biblical application of their philosophical/psychologial reasoning and found it to be sound in every respect. The lasting change of which they speak, in contrast to humanistic approaches, is demonstrated to be truly effected only through the agency of the Holy Spirit, as God unites His will with that of the individual who is seeking true scriptural transformation. It seems tragic that, being wary of demonic imitations of The Real Thing (one example might be a 'theosophistic' approach to healing), there are those who shun the Truth of what God has given us and 'Slewfoot' has so poorly imitated. How ironic that the enemy can leave us attacking other Christians, especially those who have been so efficacious is the realm of 'cleansing and purifying one's innermost being' (I specifically mean the Sanfords in this case), when what we are called to do in this hour is build up the body of Christ. 'By their fruits you shall know them'. The fruit of the Sanford's work is holiness, purity, repentance and love as is described in the 13th chapter of the book of Corinithians. I would caution any reader to weigh each deposit by overzealous reviewers who have not personally witnessed the ministry of the Sanfords, and the fruits of their labors, close at hand. What can we do to facilitate the divine work that the Lord has been doing through the Sanfords? Refraining from quenching the Spirit is a start.