Stealing Freedom
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“Auntie Vivien…will you walk me to school please?” You will have to read the rest of the book to understand the impact of those special words spoken to the author; words that speak of the faithfulness of God, of restoration, freedom and healing. Vivien relates to us her journey in life, meeting in her travels tragedy and family traumas including suicide, mental disorder and separation from loved ones lasting 30 years. These have not been her only companions. For God entered her life in a personal way while she was in her late teens; a decade later she met her husband and in ensuing years, four sons were born. Her joy filled marriage, friends and ministries have combined with those pains of the past to teach her, as she puts it, “what it means to live in the reality of God’s presence each day and to be increasingly aware of the freedom that brings.”
This book is an honest and open-hearted account of the author’s experience that touches everyday life with its ups and downs, its fears and even despairs. There are practical insights and personal stories, tinged with humour, that will ring true to the reader and provide real encouragement to journey on, with faith placed in the One who truly is our freedom.
Issues surface that we all may face whether with God, oneself or others. Does God inflict such painful circumstances upon us? Where do our loyalties lie in family life? That the Lord wants, through His grace and love, to answer our questions or to speak into our situations is made so wonderfully clear, whether using a husband, friend or Christian author, but the priority of God’s Word in its daily challenge and power to meet the need is paramount. Above all, this book points us to the sufficiency of Christ for life, for living, for being or for doing no matter what the circumstances, to free us first for Him and then for others.
“We can’t expect the Lord to live out His life in us, if we don’t give Him our lives in which to live.”
The challenge of freedom which is evident in this quotation from Watchman Nee, is the same challenge which is clearly and vividly presented to us throughout the book.
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About the Book
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
But what does this freedom really mean?
In her book, Vivien Patterson describes a personal journey which spans many years. It involves overwhelming family tragedy and loss, but gradually leads her to discover the true nature of freedom. She believes that most of us misunderstand freedom and that frequently we chase after an impostor who masquerades in many forms, leaving us feeling cheated, disillusioned and trapped. However, true freedom she states implies being rescued. It is the most precious of all gifts offered by the Rescuer and an integral part of our inheritance in Christ. She sees this freedom as being linked implicitly with redemption, wholeness and well being. As we embrace it, we find we have the potential not only to honour God, but to be true to ourselves in all our relationships.
This is the freedom she has discovered in Christ and this is her story.
About the Author
Vivien is married to Trevor Patterson and they have four grown up sons. She is a retired teacher, who has worked alongside women eperiencing the trauma of divorce and more recently, with women who have alcohol related problems. Until she retired, she divided the year between time on the Isle of Man and time in England, where she and Trevor worked with Bible students at Capernwray Hall in their joint role as pastoral carers.