Breakthrough: The Miraculous True Story of a Mother’s Faith and Her Child’s Resurrection by Ginger Kolbaba, Joyce Smith
Published by FaithWords on March 12, 2019
Genres: Christian, Inspirational, Religious
Pages: 256
Format: ARC, Paperback
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The impossible true story about the powerful impact of prayer that inspired the major motion picture starring Chrissy Metz, Topher Grace, Dennis Haysbert, and Josh Lucas.
Through the years and the struggles, when life seemed more about hurt and loss than hope and mercy, God was positioning the Smiths for something extraordinary–the death and resurrection of their son.When Joyce Smith’s fourteen-year-old son John fell through an icy Missouri lake one winter morning, she and her family had seemingly lost everything. At the hospital, John lay lifeless for more than sixty minutes. But Joyce was not ready to give up on her son. She mustered all her faith and strength into one force and cried out to God in a loud voice to save him.
Miraculously, her son’s heart immediately started beating again.
In the coming days, John would defy every expert, every case history, and every scientific prediction. Sixteen days after falling through the ice and being clinically dead for an hour, he walked out of the hospital under his own power, completely healed.
Breakthrough is about a profound truth: prayer really does work. God uses it to remind us that He is always with us, and when we combine it with unshakable faith, nothing is impossible.
Previously published as The Impossible.
I LOVE reading the book before the movie is released, don’t you? Even when I was young and there was a Stephen King movie coming out, I’d scramble to the library, sign out the book and read it before even thinking about heading to the theater to see it. The same is still true today for me.
Last month I started hearing about the movie – BREAKTHROUGH – based upon the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love being released at theaters on Easter Day and I knew I wanted to know more. When I saw a copy available through my association with FaithWords blogger program through Hachette Book Group, I couldn’t pass this one up!
The story of Joyce Smith’s adopted son, John, falling through an icy Missouri lake was originally published as a book called THE IMPOSSIBLE, and now re-released and titled BREAKTHROUGH, as a made for motion picture book.
All hope is lost when Joyce Smith’s adopted 14-year old son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, but as her son lies lifeless, Joyce doesn’t give up. Her steadfast faith causes those around her to continue to pray for her son’s recovery. In BREAKTHROUGH, Ms. Smith recounts how her son’s death and coming back to life drama and his recovery.
Smith explains how she never gave up on God or her son and how over the course of his recovery, John made remarkable progress thanks to God’s hand on his life. BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle.
BREAKTHROUGH is a very powerful testimony to prayer and how God works in our lives when we have faith in Him. The movie releases on April 17 in theaters, and the story itself is incredible and inspiring. I believe the movie will do a great job sharing that God still works miracles today.
Joyce Smith was born in Wichita, Kansas, but because of her father’s work for a tool and die company, she grew up in Ohio and lived in eight different states as well as Canada and Germany. She worked for 25 years in accounting, but feels her biggest accomplishment has been as a wife and mother–one of the toughest jobs, with the lowest pay but the most rewards of any job on the face of the earth. She and her husband Brian (her “Prince Charming”) live in St. Charles, Missouri. They have four wonderful sons and five beloved grandchildren. Joyce keeps busy with school and basketball, enjoys cross stitch, crochet, and decorating, and loves speaking to audiences about what God has done for her family…and continues to do.
John Smith was born in Guatemala. At five months-old he was adopted by Brian and Joyce Smith. John lives in St. Charles Missouri where he currently attends a local Christian High School. From a very young age, John’s parents have focused on encouraging John to cultivate a love for the Lord. When John isn’t at school he enjoys spending time with his parents, three brothers, and friends. John plans to finish out high school and then follow after the call God has placed on his life to become a pastor. He plans to stay home and attend a local Christian University. John knows God has a purpose for saving his life and he wants to share the message of God’s love to the world. He is waiting in anticipation and excitement to see what the Lord has for him in the coming years.
* * * * *
Ginger Kolbaba is on a journey to embrace joy in every moment. She doesn’t always succeed (she’s a recovering cynic, after all), but she loves to learn from the adventure of the pursuit. She loves a good laugh, a ready smile, a dog’s smooch, great food (vegetarian, thanks), growing faith, and remembering that love is all-powerful. She also claims one of her greatest gifts is ranting (good-naturedly, of course).
An accomplished author, Ginger has written, ghostwritten, collaborated, or contributed to 30 books, including Your Best Happily Ever After. Ginger also teaches and speaks across the country. She’s appeared on national venues such as HLN’s Nancy Grace, as well as Family Life Radio and Moody Radio’s Midday Connection. A former professional editor of several award-winning national magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman and Marriage Partnership, she continues editing for both individuals and major publishing houses.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Hatchette Book Group, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program.
The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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