Sparkman - Unhitching from the crazy train: finding rest in a world you cant control

Ive been blessed to see how Julies teaching can unhitch a church and family from the crazy train. And Im so thankful that many more will be challenged and encouraged by this wonderful book. Collin Hansen, editorial director of The Gospel Coalition and author of Blind Spots: Becoming a Courageous, Compassionate, and Commissioned Church

In Unhitching from the Crazy Train, Julie Sparkman invites us to experience a meal of pure gospel with a garnishing of beautiful humor that causes us to lean in and laugh. The result is that we experience more of our Savior in everyday life and learn how to trust Him for the rest He promises as we walk with Him. We have been immeasurably blessed by Julies teaching and have shared it with hundreds of others who have used it to unhitch from an orphan mentality and live in the freedom of belief. Susan and Newt Crenshaw, president of Young Life

Unhitching from the Crazy Train is an enlightening, encouraging resource for examining what we rely on and helping us place our trust in Christ. This book has helped me and many I know to jump off that crazy train... or to never hop on in the first place! Lauren Hansen, deacon of womens ministry, Redeemer Community Church, Birmingham, AL

Unhitching from the Crazy Train is a book about being, not doing. It is an invitation to embrace the gospel in a lived out kind of way rather than simply a talked about kind of way. It is written in a conversational manner, but there is such depth to every single sentence. By prayerfully and practically engaging in this book you can become more grace-filled and gospel-centered through the refinement of your soul in Jesus Christ. Kristen Torres, minister of spiritual development, Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL

If youre clinging to the crazy train, determined that your performance as a parent, a spouse, or a Christian is going to get you to the good life, this wise book is an invitation to disembark. Chapter by chapter, youll inhale the sweet aroma of an ancient invitation, Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).Ray Cortese, pastor, Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church, Lacanto, FL

Unhitching from the Crazy Train is for those looking for a deeper walk with Jesus and longing to invite Him into the broken places of your life. It is for those who are at a place where you realize grace wont fix you in this life but is simply the power of Christ that enables broken people with broken lives in this broken world to experience substantial healing and progress. Honest, authentic, at times even raw, this book is biblical, grace-centered, and filled with hope in Christ... for you and for me. Bob Flayhart, founding and senior pastor, Oak Mountain Presbyterian Church, Birmingham, AL

The teaching and studies by Julie Sparkman have been a blessing to the women of our church and are a staple of our womens Bible study curriculum. It was a delight to read Unhitching from the Crazy Train now in book form! This book provides biblical truths, insights, and tools that help guide our thinking as we learn to come to Jesus, resting in Him. Karen Pourcho, director of womens ministry, College Park Church, Indianapolis, IN

Jennifer and Julie understand and communicate clearly how the gospel is utterly practical, not just for our eternal salvation but for the daily sanctification that takes place in our messy kitchens, the aisles of Walmart, and bumper-to-bumper traffic. This teaching will challenge, inspire, convict, and encourage readers. I am certain God will use this book to teach believers how to hear, follow, and find rest in Jesus above the roar of the crazy train. Anna Meade Harris, Rooted blog parent editor, preministerial scholars coordinator at Samford University (Birmingham, AL), and author of Fresh Faith: Topical Devotions and Scripture-Based Prayers for College Students

New Hope Publishers
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Hoover, AL 35244
NewHopePublishers.com
New Hope Publishers is a division of Iron Stream Media.

2018 by Julie Sparkman and Jennifer Phillips
All rights reserved. First printing 2018.
Printed in the United States of America.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher.

New Hope Publishers serves its authors as they express their views, which may not express the views of the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Sparkman, Julie, author.

Title: Unhitching from the crazy train : finding rest in a world you cant control / Julie Sparkman with Jennifer Phillips.

Description: First [edition]. | Birmingham : New Hope Publishers, 2017.

Identifiers: LCCN 2017036548 | ISBN 9781625915368 (permabind)

Subjects: LCSH: Rest--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Providence and government of God--Christianity. | Stress management--Religious aspects--Christianity. | Christian women--Religious life.

Classification: LCC BV4597.55 .S63 2017 | DDC 248.4--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017036548

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations from THE MESSAGE. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

ISBN-13: 978-1-62591-536-8

N184109 0118 2M1

DEDICATION

To my family

Wes, Brent, Allie, Julianne, Anna Claire, and Carter

No matter how many trips Ive taken on the Crazy Train, you were always waiting for me when I got back.

And to Sally

whose faithful and loving pursuit of my heart showed me the power of the gospel in the context of relationship.

I am forever grateful.

CONTENTS

From Julie

The book you now hold is a testimony to the truth that we are Gods handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). I have been asked for years if I would ever consider writing a book, and my response has always been the same: I would rather give birth to a fourth child. You can never be sure of the good works that God has for you, but He is indeed faithfully preparing you long before it is time to walk in them.

God prepared me by giving me the honor of hearing my clients stories as we journeyed together toward healing and restoration.