"Conversations with the Voiceless" is in it's second production run!
Pre-order your copy today! Available in Hard or Softcover.
Pre-order your copy today! Available in Hard or Softcover.
“CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VOICELESS”
Finding God's Love In Life's Hardest Questions
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Sensitive reflections on discovering God in life's challenges Author John Wessells and his wife, Gail, are cofounders of Precious Oil Ministries, an outreach to head-injury patients and their families. Through their ministry - and after losing a young son to cancer - the Wessells have learned to ask very difficult questions about life, love, health, suffering, tragedy, and God. In his work with the comatose, Wessells has found that the voiceless have some crucial, direct, and clarifying things to tell us about our questions. Often during his life on earth, Jesus avoided giving answers and instead offered love. The voiceless ones - the poor, the suffering, infants, prisoners, and the terminally ill - speak for God. Their words to us, like Christ's, are often impractical, inconvenient, and unpredictable. Yet above all, they are relief. This book is about asking the unanswerable questions and letting them draw you closer to you Lord and Savior |
Reviews:
Wessells spends his days praying and singing worship songs for head trauma patients in comas, something he admits may seem frivolous. He makes his case that these people and their families are among "the least of these" for whom Jesus cares deeply, and his stories are powerful. But more importantly, Wessells discusses the difficult questions that a ministry like his uncovers. Why are some lives cut short? Why do some patients recover, while others' bodies shrivel as their minds slowly lose control? Wessells reassures readers that it's okay to ask questions and not have answers--and that, no matter what, God's love abounds. These are lessons he learned not only through his ministry but also through the loss of his young son to cancer. This is a rare book that offers hope and comfort without ignoring or sugarcoating the painful realities that families of head trauma patients face.
Publishers Weekly
As a mommy of a little girl with cerebral palsy, who can not care for herself in anyway, this book has ministered to me over & over! Please buy this book, and pass it on to a friend or family member. For all those voiceless, yet NOT SPIRITLESS, children! Thank you John for your ministry! Amazing! God Bless!
Reviewed by Shawn Pierce (Owatonna, MN), January 01, 2009
Timely book in light of Terri Schiavo case
As someone recovering from a head injury, my interest was piqued in John Wessells book, "Conversations with the Voiceless." While my injury wasn't nearly as debilitating as those he describes in his book, after losing a year to a rather fog-like existence, I feel a deep sense of empathy toward those whose lives are redefined by their injuries. John Wessells book is an important one, not only for the head-injured, but especially for those who are not. The people we meet through this book challenge us to remember that our lives have purpose and meaning, not because of what we can do, but because of who we are. With all the quality of life debate currently being waged in light of Terri Schiavo's case, this book is a clarion call to the danger of defining life's value based on what other can do for us, and instead, learn to see the reward in seeing the beauty of life itself, in whatever form it takes.
Just Jen (Michigan)
Where Faith Leads You
Uncertain if what God was calling them to, they carried out His wishes and were found to be effective. The Wessells also viewed the experience from the other side to realize the importance of their ministry. This was an interesting book on a topic that doesn't seem so common. You feel you have to read more to find out how it all works out. The timing of this reading helps us relate to Terry Schiavo's situation that has just happened. This helps us realize that we are capable of doing similar acts of kindness... just being who we are...we can also minister.
Cindy Medina, Colorado Springs, CO
Finding Joy in times of sorrow
This book reads like no other. I feel I am listening to John as he relates his life journey and I am spellbound. For those who are skeptical about God, John's story makes His presence felt - a touch that stays with you. I am reminded of a line from the movie, 'Never Ending Story' when the bookstore owner tells the young hero that the book he is reading is not about entertainment but about life -- and danger. Armed with John's story, I feel better connected with the Lord and am ready to face the danger,
experiencing God in the process.
Paul Gottschalk ([email protected]), a planner for U.S.
Capitol Police February 22, 2005
This Book Will Keep You Up All Night
My dad was up until midnight reading this book and then he went to sleep just to wake up a 3:00 am to continue it. He read the whole book in one night!
Great Book in light of Terri Schiavo
C. Davis "Conservative Reader" (St. Louis, MO USA) May 12, 2005
Wessells spends his days praying and singing worship songs for head trauma patients in comas, something he admits may seem frivolous. He makes his case that these people and their families are among "the least of these" for whom Jesus cares deeply, and his stories are powerful. But more importantly, Wessells discusses the difficult questions that a ministry like his uncovers. Why are some lives cut short? Why do some patients recover, while others' bodies shrivel as their minds slowly lose control? Wessells reassures readers that it's okay to ask questions and not have answers--and that, no matter what, God's love abounds. These are lessons he learned not only through his ministry but also through the loss of his young son to cancer. This is a rare book that offers hope and comfort without ignoring or sugarcoating the painful realities that families of head trauma patients face.
Publishers Weekly
As a mommy of a little girl with cerebral palsy, who can not care for herself in anyway, this book has ministered to me over & over! Please buy this book, and pass it on to a friend or family member. For all those voiceless, yet NOT SPIRITLESS, children! Thank you John for your ministry! Amazing! God Bless!
Reviewed by Shawn Pierce (Owatonna, MN), January 01, 2009
Timely book in light of Terri Schiavo case
As someone recovering from a head injury, my interest was piqued in John Wessells book, "Conversations with the Voiceless." While my injury wasn't nearly as debilitating as those he describes in his book, after losing a year to a rather fog-like existence, I feel a deep sense of empathy toward those whose lives are redefined by their injuries. John Wessells book is an important one, not only for the head-injured, but especially for those who are not. The people we meet through this book challenge us to remember that our lives have purpose and meaning, not because of what we can do, but because of who we are. With all the quality of life debate currently being waged in light of Terri Schiavo's case, this book is a clarion call to the danger of defining life's value based on what other can do for us, and instead, learn to see the reward in seeing the beauty of life itself, in whatever form it takes.
Just Jen (Michigan)
Where Faith Leads You
Uncertain if what God was calling them to, they carried out His wishes and were found to be effective. The Wessells also viewed the experience from the other side to realize the importance of their ministry. This was an interesting book on a topic that doesn't seem so common. You feel you have to read more to find out how it all works out. The timing of this reading helps us relate to Terry Schiavo's situation that has just happened. This helps us realize that we are capable of doing similar acts of kindness... just being who we are...we can also minister.
Cindy Medina, Colorado Springs, CO
Finding Joy in times of sorrow
This book reads like no other. I feel I am listening to John as he relates his life journey and I am spellbound. For those who are skeptical about God, John's story makes His presence felt - a touch that stays with you. I am reminded of a line from the movie, 'Never Ending Story' when the bookstore owner tells the young hero that the book he is reading is not about entertainment but about life -- and danger. Armed with John's story, I feel better connected with the Lord and am ready to face the danger,
experiencing God in the process.
Paul Gottschalk ([email protected]), a planner for U.S.
Capitol Police February 22, 2005
This Book Will Keep You Up All Night
My dad was up until midnight reading this book and then he went to sleep just to wake up a 3:00 am to continue it. He read the whole book in one night!
Great Book in light of Terri Schiavo
C. Davis "Conservative Reader" (St. Louis, MO USA) May 12, 2005