"Moments of Contemplation"
The author is a woman of faith who has struggled with mental illness. From this experience and her role in the online group of providing messages of hope, comes a slender devotional called "Moments of Contemplation".
Getting the 30 short testimonials published took encouragement from Pinkham's best friend and the online group. "They said 'publish these!'" she said. The reason for her supporters' urgency is apparent: The "moments" are fresh and frank, and convey the sense that the author has spared few details of her difficult journey.
An avowed Christian, Pinkham offers Biblical guidance on walking a path of what can be broken glass for people with depression, chronic or mental illness, or overwhelming stress.
In one message she writes of being in a therapy group and having to choose among pieces of colored tile to make a trivet. Deciding which bits and pieces to choose and what design to make filled her with dread. Out of this struggle to assemble the tiny individual tiles to make something larger, beautiful and useful, Pinkham finds meaning beyond the obvious.
Many readers will identify with her reflection on Christmas. Pinkham, a mother and grandmother, writes of the pain and stress the holiday season can trigger because of strained family relationships. She contrasts "the commercialism of what we know as Christmas" with "the real meaning," and that real meaning "is about life", the abundant life promised by Christ.
Pinkham wrote "Moments of Contemplation" shortly after her first book, "Eclipse to Sunrise", which dealt primarily with her mental illness, came out. She is at work on a third book, a novel. (The writer of the article somehow got that wrong, it is a devotional book.)
The devotional is published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises. Local bookstores will order it or it can be ordered through barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com. Audio versions are also available.
Lynn Pinkham
Tate Publishing & Enterprises
ISBN: 978-1-60247-444-4
128 Pages
When I read an autobiographical devotional, the one thing I look for is honesty. Lynn Pinkham did not disappoint me in her latest book entitled Moments of Contemplation. She shares her thoughts as though speaking to a close friend over coffee or tea. Readers will respond with appreciation as they reap the benefits of her experiences—ones that promote emotional, spiritual, and physical healing for hurting bodies and grieving spirits. She offers hope where there is despair, encouragement where there is depression, and light where there is darkness. Yes, this lady is very real and so are the situations she battles as an individual who has been diagnosed as bi-polar. She has moments at the top of the mountain where she experiences unbelievable joy and exhilaration; however, then comes the dark side of this disease where she plunges into severe depression that brings thoughts of hopelessness and suicide. It is in this valley of depression where her faith is tested over and over again—the place where she overcomes dire circumstances through her faith and trust in a loving and caring God.
In the first chapter of this book, the author describes how God met her challenge in February of 1989 in a Pentecostal church. Instead of following through with plans to commit suicide, she experienced the saving power of Jesus in such a profound way that her life was forever changed. She finally understood that God had a purpose for her life, and she accepted His will and began making positive changes in the way she lived. Lynn continues to draw from this extraordinary experience to help her suppress suicidal thoughts when she is fighting bouts of depression. Recognizing her value to Him, she continues forward, believing that God will provide her with the strength to overcome the situation. Of course, being so honest, she admits that sometimes she tries to do it her way first. Don’t we all do this at times?
Again, in regard to her honesty, this talented author talks about her former and sinful lifestyle. Married three times before the age of 25, she was sexually promiscuous and subsequently lost custody of her children for several years. She had been looking for love, not fully understanding that all she needed could be found in Jesus. There was no addiction that could give her the high of her 1989 experience when God met her challenge and she began living for Him. I personally know that feeling of surrender, and there is nothing more sweet or refreshing than knowing and receiving forgiveness with the assurance of salvation.
Each devotional is prefaced by appropriate scripture, and the text itself provides intimate details of the author’s life, allowing readers to meet members of her family—including two Boston Terriers. We see how God saves her life in an automobile accident, spares her daughter’s life in another type of accident, and continually reminds her to go to Him first when things seem to be falling apart. Through her own learning experiences, Lynn Pinkham teaches us about time and faith, living with scars, the importance of grieving, and restoration after emotional tornadoes. During her travels of the mind, whether at home or on location, she uses poignant illustrations to convey what her heart is feeling. Readers are told to be Biblical instead of religious in order to have their independence day as she did in 1989.
I recommend this book as a “must read” for those who seek the strength and courage to lives their lives fully, knowing that they are NOT alone, regardless of the storms. Purchase one for yourself and for everyone on your gift list. I know that many of my friends are going to receive a copy of Moments of Contemplation this Christmas.
Bettie Corbin Tucker
For IP Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
Author: Lynn Pinkham
Throughout our lives, we face personal challenges with health, family, friends and coworkers. Sometimes we face these trials alone. Sometimes we seek help from family, friends and professionals but author Lynn Pinkham is here to tell us that there is help if only we are willing to ask God. She willingly shares her trials with great candor in this heartfelt book. She has written in the form of devotionals, with a wish to help those who are facing similar situations or enlighten those of you who just wish to read a most inspiring book during a quiet time in your day. Lynn Pinkham has suffered with mental health issues and found solace in her faith. She describes how God’s love and power have helped her find the right solutions for her, how he has been at her side during the toughest of times and how he has helped her learn from the situations that she has had to deal with. And through all of her own difficulties, she has found the strength to work with and help the mentally and chronically ill.
Lynn Pinkham’s book is very well written and genuine in every word. This is not only a book meant to help and lead, but a celebration of her pure faith and love of God.
Highly Recommended Reviewer: Elaine Fuhr, Allbooks Reviews
Like her earlier work, Eclipse to Sunrise, this volume takes readers on a journey of faith as experienced by the author. Holiness is found in the everydayness of life and most especially, in the darkest moments. This newest work shows the audience more intimately the pains Ms. Pinkham has undergone, and though it is clear she has suffered on an emotional level that would compare to Job's trials, her faith is still something that shines through it all, perhaps even more clearly as a result. The honesty of her faith does not insist that nothing bad ever happens to Christians, as many popular books do. Rather, it gives Christians permission to admit their hurts and find the meaning of Romans 8:28.
I was astonished by the book "Eclipse To Sunrise", and amazed on how God has worked on Lynn Pinkham, she is a very courageous person to endure the pain and suffering that she has in her life time. This book, ""Moments of Contemplation", a very good example of what God can do for you and others like Lynn. She is a very special person that I have had the pleasure of meeting online! We chatted for a while, and then she let me know about a new book, "Moments of Contemplation, she was going to have published, it was just amazing how far she has come in her life towards seeking her new life with God and ultimately her goal with Him. The book, "Moments of Contemplation" is one you can't put down, it keeps your interest up in it just that much. "Congratulations" Lynn for your success on the book.
Cindy Lyons
~ Jazelle,, Writer's Eye Editor; Founder of Jesus' Love Online Bible and Saved By Grace Suicide Ministries
She surely is a student of the Bible. She has brought a lot back to me. She gave me food for thought. I am happy to have had the opportunity to read her manuscript, "Moments of Contemplation".
Janis Cross
Lynn Pinkham has given us a gift in “Moments of Contemplation”. As we read about her extraordinary life we come away with a Far greater appreciation of the importance of a personal relationship with God….In our own lives.
Gary Crocker-Educator and Humorist
This page was last updated on April-30-2008