Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace

Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace [ Anne Jackson] on leondumoulin.nl *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. In May
Table of contents

Check out our eBook FAQs. Everyone had a story. Permission to Speak Freely is the unique new project and movement of author Anne Jackson, who is finished with keeping brokenness in the dark. Told with disarming transparency, Anne shares what led to her own addictions and the ensuing lifestyle that left her wounded and withdrawn, but ultimately rescued and redeemed.

She includes dramatic stories of others who also learned to abandon their fear, pride, and masks; to identify their hurts; and to find the courage to speak freely.


  1. The Heart of Graymoor;
  2. Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace.
  3. Toms Narrator How-To.
  4. Conversations on Faith, Sex and Mental Health.
  5. Minimally Invasive Cancer Management.

Their confessions, submitted as mixed media pieces, photography, and sketches, were collected from people across the world, and are included throughout the book. Readers will share in the opportunity to find their own path to redemption and freedom. Under the name Anne Jackson, she wrote two books: Anne speaks at colleges, conventions and churches on the topics of social justice, sexuality, health, addiction, and biblical themes of grace and restoration.

What would you like to know about this product? Please enter your name, your email and your question regarding the product in the fields below, and we'll answer you in the next hours. You can unsubscribe at any time. I'm glad that she This book is Anne Jackson's way of getting others to be real with each other, to be authentic. I'm glad that she has started this topic of conversation within the church.


  • Rondeau Sheet Music (Flute/Piano).
  • Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #51;
  • Product Information!
  • Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace by Anne Jackson?
  • Subscribe to our mailing list.

    • Jan 13, Kristin Longenecker rated it it was amazing. I love this book.

    Permission to Speak Freely Quotes

    It is inspiring to hear of her ongoing life and that it is not all just "wrapped up. It seems like that is one of the big things we are missing in life. Telling others the deep things we carry and the dark places we go through. So big points there. This book probably deserves three stars, but it surprised me and spoke to me on such a personal level, that I can't help but bump it up a notch. I frequently felt that something in this book was lacking, but in the end it really did help me to better understand the relationships between myself and so many other people. And contrary to the author's assertions; the book did leave me knowing exactly what to do next.

    Aug 20, Thomas Kinsfather rated it really liked it. Anne's book begins with a question she asked on her blog, "What question do you feel you can't ask at church? The book is full of grace, hope, and the freedom of confession. I read it in two days and it was very encouraging. I always appreciate motivation to be open and honest about my shortcomings.

    Sep 04, Leslie rated it really liked it. Not an easy read, but a really excellent start to a discussion about what it looks like to begin having honest and frank conversation about shame and sin in the church.


    • Motorcycle Dreaming - Riding the ‘Beauty Way’ Back in Time Across America.
    • The Atheists Guide to Reality: Enjoying Life without Illusions.
    • New Book How to Train and Understand your Bichon Frise Puppy or Dog.
    • Jai 10 ans et Maman ma tuée (FICTION) (French Edition);
    • Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace;
    • Derrida From Now On (Perspectives in Continental Philosophy).
    • The Highwayman of Tanglewood!

      • The book is a blog turned into book form, so the style and form allow for more openness and frankness instead of just a scholarly examination. Jan 10, Rachel rated it really liked it Shelves: I really like the style of the book and how the author included others postcard artwork with there secrets. It felt kind of like I was having a personal conversation with her at times, or reading her journal. I also liked the overall idea of the book and how she wants people to be more open in the church.

      Nov 15, Alissagraham rated it liked it. As intrigued as I am by "churched" memoirs, and as angry as I am about the abuse and sin, this book did little for me past reminding me that the church is a hospital, not a museum a place full of sinners needing to remember that they are sinners, and pointing each other to the cross. Yes an important understanding, but one I came to without much help from a clear thesis in the book. Nov 21, Chelsea rated it it was amazing. I've not been so moved by a book in years. I want to buy copies and hand them out in the street. The need to hide my brokenness in church is not anything I had previously considered.

      This story, the author's pursuit of freedom and openness, really resonated with me. Jul 31, Kara added it. Good book with an important message about being authentic and talking about and not hiding your struggles and giving others "the gift of going second" when you share your story and then someone else feels able to open up and tell their story and it keeps on going Nov 28, Jilda Davenport rated it it was amazing.

      Spoke to me on a deep level. Jul 26, Josh Morgan rated it it was amazing. This last week I had the privilege to listen to an audiobook version of the soon-to-be-released Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson courtesy of a complimentary copy from christianaudio's reviewers program. The basic idea intrigued me: Jackson asked on her blog, "What is one thing you feel you can't say in church?

      See a Problem?

      This is definitely one of the absolute best books I have reviewed for christianaudio. It is also one of the best nonfiction Christian books I have ever read or listened to. It very much coincides with the mission of this blog of encouraging people to be honest and authentic about their struggles and having the permission to speak freely about difficult matters.

      Jackson does a beautiful job of describing the problem of restricted dialogue, not only in the institutional church, but also throughout society. It causes more damage than good. The way she humanizes the struggles is phenomenal. Through her commentary on the core of problems that take our attention like addictions to substances and sex , she also helped me remember why I entered the field of psychology and not give into the push to focus on symptom management.

      It reminded me to take a wider and deeper perspective with myself and others. She states at the end of the book that she cannot give some nice, easy steps to solve the problems like most self-help books do. While it's true she does not provide a formula which would have ruined the book , she did provide a solution: Honest, authentic relationships where people can engage one another, challenge one another, and grow IS the solution.

      And it takes a lot of courage. I loved her recognition of this in discussing giving the gift of going second if you want to know more, read or listen to the book! If we can use this courage, though, the results are astounding. However, we still have work on developing a culture, both inside and outside of the institutional church, where we can give people the permission to speak freely about anything.

      The church building should be a safe place, a sanctuary, where people can openly struggle. Instead, it's often turned into the exact opposite. On a final note, I also love the fact that Jackson read the book herself. As I have said before, I prefer books read by the author, even if they are not all that polished. This book is intensely personal on many levels.

      It would have definitely lost some significant meaning if a professional narrator was hired. Sep 07, Amy rated it it was amazing Shelves: Readers mailed hundreds of confessions, some artistic, some simply written on index cards to Jackson who cataloged the responses on PermissionToSpeakFreely. Jackson uses these artistic avowals along with essays and poetry in her astounding new book, Permission to Speak Freely.

      In the introduction, Jackson outlines her purpose for putting together Permission to Speak Freely; she wants to let others know they are not alone in their secrets. She is also clear that her intention is not to malign the church, but rather to allow broken hearts to express their woundedness. In the end, the author desires readers to find the irresistible hope rooted in God. Since Anne Jackson is one of my favorite bloggers, it was with eager expectation I began to read Permission to Speak Freely, which is also like an essay-guided PostSecret book, but better!

      Incorporating telling art and poetry into her lush writing, Jackson produces her own mosaic masterpiece with the glass shards of her own story. Admitting her past and present struggles with mental illness, pornography, and drug addiction, Jackson offers the readers freedom to admit their own shameful secrets, first in their minds and then to close friends, small groups, or even PermissionToSpeakFreely.

      In fact, the infusion of Scripture, art, essay, and poetry make this a book that is a treasure, both visually and intellectually. At times, this book is challenging because readers are meant to wrestle with this book. Permission to Speak Freely has changed me as a person. So many books about Christian freedom come from the perspective of male authors, the fact that Anne Jackson is a woman immediately made me more receptive to her message.

      And because she is a woman, I believe that her struggles resonate with me in a deeper way, which is not to say that she is not massively appealing to both genders. Her book is for everyone and really should be read by everyone. And I do mean everyone, though I fear some may not be ready for the freedom Jackson offers Christians. Thank you, Anne, for having the chutzpah to write this marvelous book! Sep 29, Anne Hamilton rated it liked it Shelves: The idea was brilliant but somehow the art, illustrations and poetry didn't quite translate to the page.

      Muddled and fuzzy in print, they detracted from, rather than added to, the book. Some poems were just frustratingly illegible. That said, Jackson's or is it Miller's? So many people within the Christian church feel broken and ashamed and yet have no avenue for healing in the very place where it should be most available.

      Product Description

      Despite its openness and laudable vulnerabilit The idea was brilliant but somehow the art, illustrations and poetry didn't quite translate to the page. Despite its openness and laudable vulnerability, somehow this book didn't quite make it over the line for me. I felt I should like it better but somehow it didn't quite come together. Instead of the brilliant kaleidoscope that was promised, the text seemed to suffer some of the same dislocation as the printing.

      I got confused at several points by references to things it seemed had already been mentioned. Except I couldn't find them. So while I admired the concept in many ways and found much of the story interesting, I felt the book was let down hugely by its production values. Nov 28, Kristian Kilgore rated it really liked it. Near the beginning of this book Anne Miller then Anne Jackson wrote, "Fear wants to stop our stories. This book is part cafe' conversation, part confession, and part testimony. And when I say is it "part" something I mean that it is a collection of parts, pieces, life snapshots, and memoirs that are all working together in the way a group of left-handed people would attempt to reach around a Near the beginning of this book Anne Miller then Anne Jackson wrote, "Fear wants to stop our stories.

      And when I say is it "part" something I mean that it is a collection of parts, pieces, life snapshots, and memoirs that are all working together in the way a group of left-handed people would attempt to reach around a blind corner; that is to say, they fully accomplish their goal but they do so in ways that at times have to be seen as awkward.

      But that in no way is a criticism, in fact it is this gangley lumbering that gives the book its charm. The chapters at time feel as if Miller sat down to write something else and then thought, "wait, I remember this time when She is honest in this book. Honest about herself, about life, about Christians, about the church. What must be realized however, is that while truth is an objective reality honesty is very personal, and therefore subjective. There were a few places where I probably disagreed with her conclusions not many, and not ardently , but in those moments I never thought for a second that she wasn't being honest, forthcoming, and straight.

      In this book honesty is the place where we are authentic and real and being right or wrong comes along after. I would highly recommend this book to church people who are tired and to anyone who values honesty. There is redemption in the pages of this book, a subtle, sneek-up-from-behind-you kind of redemption that lures you in with its conversational tone and then leads you to a table in the back where you sit down to eat dinner opposite a mirror.

      Anne's story is anything but graceful, but it's full of grace. She speaks in a language that church kids will understand, resonate with, be tempted to look down on, and then tearfully realize is their own. I am grateful for having read this book. Oct 25, Jacquline rated it it was amazing. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. For a book, it's fantastic, and it's even better because it brings religion into it. Jackson shares many personal problems with the world, wanting to make a difference by sharing those stories.

      She has overcome a lot of challenges in her life, and she utilizes those experiences to help those who may need it. She talks about porn addiction, from a woman's point of view and her experiences with it, drugs, depression, other kinds of addiction, and sexual abuse. This book definitely hit a chord beca For a book, it's fantastic, and it's even better because it brings religion into it. This book definitely hit a chord because I have went through some of the ideas that Jackson presents.

      My Testimony confessions of past sins

      Jackson also uses some of the mail that she received of things that people have a hard time talking about in church. Reading those letters and thoughts are eye-opening because that's something that not many people would think about. Jackson even shares her experiences when trying to talk about difficult topics in church, even though those topics are important to discuss.

      Church is supposed to be a safe-haven, and yet some churches make it difficult for people to share their problems. The reason we crave isolation so badly is because more than our fears of being alone is our fear of rejection. There are people around us who care about our welfare; we just have to trust them with more than just superficial relationships but to share our secrets with one another to build a community. Jan 13, Sarah Hubbell rated it it was ok. On the back cover of her book, Permission to Speak Freely: The rest of the pages were On the back cover of her book, Permission to Speak Freely: Her story is captivating, but she makes no effort to follow standard dramatic structure.

      At times, this left me disoriented, feeling as though I was reading her words as she jotted them down on paper for the first time. Eventually, however, you find your way back to her train of thought, and it all adds up to a powerful read. Upon finishing the book, you have the same feeling you get after leaving a challenging conversation with a friend over coffee: Satisfying to be sure, but most certainly a little messy.

      Aug 23, Sandy Sandmeyer rated it it was amazing. Not only does this book show us that we need to be more open with our struggles to help others, but it is a message to the church to be more willing to listen to those secret sins that currently are not spoken of. But, the church is failing at this task when they are critical and unforgiving.

      The church is for the broken and we ALL are broken. What makes us better than anyone else?

      Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace

      Aug 19, Sally rated it it was ok Shelves: Author Anne Jackson posted this question on her blog and received hundreds of responses. This book is the result of that question. Perhaps I expected more of the responses Jackson received, and her answers to them. But how can we get over our own fear of confession in the first place? A selection of her poetry is also included. This review is based on my own opinion. Full review at http: I am not sure how to write a short review.

      My blog post was over words. Anne Jackson uses her own autobiography to talk about some of the messy things in life that much of the church does not like to talk about depression, addition, porn, sex, abuse at the hands of others. She does this with only as much detail as she needs to show the healing that can come about when the church embraces the hurting.

      The concept of "the g Full review at http: The concept of "the gift of being second" is important to the book. When you go first and create a safe place for confession or healing, it is much easier for others to go second and find their own healing. This is what the church should be about. This is a story book more than a self help book. There are not steps to healing or ways to forgive. Instead it tells stories to show the potential for healing.

      Permission to Speak Freely Quotes by Anne Jackson

      Aug 02, Scott Harris rated it really liked it. Jackson's book effectively describes hew own journey to embrace the many pains of her life and to give them voice in context that has been less than receptive - the church. As part of this process, she invited others to share their stories of things that they wouldn't talk about in church and compiled an interesting insigth into the limits of community in many churches.

      She takes this further by offering some theological reflections with a view to opening up transparency and support in this cont Jackson's book effectively describes hew own journey to embrace the many pains of her life and to give them voice in context that has been less than receptive - the church. She takes this further by offering some theological reflections with a view to opening up transparency and support in this context. Dec 27, Rick rated it liked it. There are no discussion topics on this book yet.

      There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. Books by Anne Jackson. Trivia About Permission to Spe No trivia or quizzes yet. Quotes from Permission to Spe