This is a very compelling autobiography. I read Mary Beth's book and this one is an excellent companion as it gives his background and his emotional journey about everything that has happened in their lives. Having lost a child myself, his story is relatable and interesting.

I've been a fan on Steven Curtis Chapman's music since a scrapbook group I was a part of used one of his songs as their monthly music inspiration to create a layout. The song was Cinderella and the lyrics were just beautiful. I looked him up on the internet and learnt a lot more about his music and faith.
This book follows his life from childhood, with the struggles, tragedy and the way his strong faith pulled him through troubled times. It was an extremely honest account with some really heartbreaking sections. I do really admire people with strong beliefs and the way that they live their lives with a set framework.

Steven Curtis Chapman is a legend in the music world. Through his music he has brought hope and inspiration to millions around the world. 

I have friends who grew up listening to Chapman. I also know artists who looked up to him or were inspired by him to enter the music industry themselves. I have no doubt that he has been an inspiration for many.

In his book Between Heaven and the Real World Steven shares about his journey in life. He shares about the experiences that shaped him, his faith, and his music.

I enjoy learning about what happens behind the scenes, so to speak, and I found it interesting when Steven talked about the music industry and how he got started. I also enjoyed learning more about his songs. I have to admit that I haven't listened to much of his music, but I think there is a connection that is made when you get to learn about the message behind a song and then you listen to it. For me, the songs take on a whole new meaning.

As you may know, Steven and his family suffered the tragic loss of their daughter Maria. Steven talks about this in the book as well.

In a vulnerable way, Steven opens up about his life and lets readers learn more about him and the God who leads him. While I haven't followed Steven the way I follow other artists, I had heard about him, parts of his story, and his larger influence time and again. However, I never heard his story the way he tells it. I don't read a lot of autobiographies, but this is one I didn't want to pass up and I'm glad I didn't.

I actually downloaded this on Audible before I was given this by NetGalley. I have always enjoyed Steven's music but I fell in love with his music all over again after hearing & reading his story. He has a way with putting to music the cry of his heart. With all of his fans the loss of his Maria floored all of us. Hearing how he has gotten to this point of loss of her, was something I admit drew me to this book. I also read his wife's book and really felt that reading these books together tells a HUGE story of their family. Praying for all of the Chapman's and will continue.

I just love biographies and autobiographies and this one is of SCC’s life and he does such a great job writing it. It feels like you’re sitting down across the table from him as you’re reading it. It’s very personal and his heart is shared, the good things, the bad things and all the in-between things. The struggles are real and felt as you’re reading along. He seems real, transparent and raw. I kept thinking, this has got to be hard to share with every single person that reads this book. Just to put yourself out there is SO brave and obedient and the reason is all for the glory of the Father! There would be no other reason to accomplish it. And such the glory the Father receives when we share our stories with others. How the Father has so faithfully moved in our lives. Drawing us to Himself and giving us purpose and meaning beyond ourselves, to give us love for others and compassion on the lost, orphaned world around us. I love the quote, “I love it when my whole family is together.” Amen, and me too! Pick up your copy of this book, sit back and enter into the setting of this beloved child of God.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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As a fan of chapman's for many years, I appreciated this insight into his life in ways his music could never offer.

Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favourite Christian singer/songwriter. Thank you for the privilege of reading his story. I have shared it w/ many others.

A story of hope, Steven Curtis Chapman reveals through the good times and the bad the honest truth of his trust in God. This is probably the most honest, transparent autobiography ever written. He shares about his painful childhood, how that led him to music and his spiritual journey that has brought him into a deep relationship with God and thereby has helped him cope with the joys and the tragedies of life. He shares some stories about his songs and what caused him to write them. It will make you laugh and make you cry and make you realize that God is the most important relationship in your life.

First let me say that I am a music lover first, growing up with a father that taught me to appreciate every style of music. That said I do listen to everything and years ago, many years ago I noticed Mr. Chapmans name as a song writer to a song that he referenced in this book by Sandi Patti. So when he came out with his own work I would purchase it along with other christen singers. Now his story is one that is very open and honest from his childhood to how he got into music and then when he started dating his wife Mary Beth and then their marriage. He also goes into their struggles like any couple has and I like that he was open about that. He goes into the writing of different songs and the difficulties of be away from his family. He also goes into the struggles they had as a couple at times. There are some funny moments like when Mary Beth decided she wanted to get a tattoo I thought that was a great story and his reaction reminded me of some friends of mine. What really affected me was the tragic loss of their daughter Maria. He takes you through their struggles as a family and though some people may know this story the people who don’t I think it’s help them even now. This is a book that is more than just music. It is a celebration about his family and faith through music but done in a way that makes you look at his family first. A very good book. If you have never listen to his music try the song “Cinderella “one of his best.

We understand that we really are in the between heaven and the real world, living day to day with the sure hope of heaven before us. And we also know how important it is for us to show up in the here and now, where God has us today.

Some things I knew about Steven Curtis Chapman before I read his bio and leaves me a little biased; I love his music. I bought all his cd's late 80's and early 90's. He depicts pure joy in his music and concerts. One of the things I discovered about him while reading his testimony is that his joy comes from his desire for others to know Jesus. What a lesson to learn. I also in 2005 got a chance to meet Mr. Chapman. He came to our church to talk about adoption. The church had a record number of families adopting from all over. Adoption just is a picture of the Gospel. My friend whose family adopted was a key a member of the ministry Adoption by Grace that Chapman was endorsing and lending his platform to the ministry. I was a little shy and star struck but I did get to say hello and Steven was gracious to all. I also remembered the day that his daughter was killed. Our church mourned for him and prayed for his family. One of the things that struck me was Steven's resolve. His son in a terrible accident had run over his younger sister and what Steve said that still gives me chills. "I will not lose two of my kids today". His fear that his son would blame himself the affect of that guilt could kill a heart. I would always think of that phrase and how it applies to us as parents that our children need our love and our affirmation daily.

Chapman does have a story that I am glad he shared. His story can be your story with a few changes here and there but the main thing that we all can relate to is brokenness. Chapman shared his brokenness that was in his family and in himself. His insecurities and his desire to fix and please others. He also shared how his brokenness came into his marriage along with his wife's battle with depression. The commitment they shared to be in it together and how they both fought for the other.

You also got a taste into their family life in raising children and how they came into the call of adoption. With that call of adopting 3 girls from China and finally what the family went through as their daughter tragically died. The hope that they found in "messages" from God and the prophetic messages that their daughter Marie had given. It really is a book of hope!

A Special Thank You to Revell and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

An in-depth look at one of Christian music’s most popular artist that will pull at the heart-strings of every reader.

Steven Curtis Chapman has been one of the most popular artist in the Christian music world for decades. His life has been shaped by tragedy, heartache, and blessings. In Between Heaven and the Real World, Chapman shares these events with readers in an exclusive look at his childhood through his upbringing to meeting his wife and the family they have built together. His story is one that some of his fans may be aware of, but many aspects of his life that he shares in the book will be new to even his most devoted fans making this book worth reading.

I have been a fan of Christian music for about fifteen years and Steven Curtis Chapman is a name I have heard frequently over the years. Most of his story is new to me and it is a very important story for fans to read. His openness to share even the hardest parts of his life is refreshing. He didn’t try to sugar coat even the toughest parts of his life, and there were some very difficult tragedies he has experienced. Reading about the death of his daughter, especially the way it happened, brought me to tears. I had a hard time getting through that part, but I’m glad I did. The way the family overcame that tragedy showed their faith and the way worked through things was nice to see, even more so when it is said that 95% of families that experience a death of a child don’t stay together. The whole family dealt with the tragedy in different ways, but were still able to find comfort in each other. One of the nicest things was how real and refreshing the story was. I didn’t want to pick this up and not feel it was authentic, (especially since it was written with someone). Fans of Steven Curtis Chapman have nothing to worry about, he shines through on every page from learning about the behind the scenes aspects of some of his greatest songs to the struggles his marriage has faced. It was a joy to read this and it makes me look forward to hearing songs by him on the radio even more. I recommend this book to fans of Chapman’s music and also those that might be struggling in their faith that could gain something from the stories in this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

It's interesting how someone's life looks different from a distance than it does up close. I really feel like this was my experience with Steven Curtis Chapman.
Chapman's music has been a part of my life since I saw him in concert in the early 90s. He has been a great source of songs that have defined key parts of my own experience, and I have followed his personal struggles from a distance. Particularly the death of his daughter Maria, which is the point about which this book turns. Reading this account was altogether different than hearing about it in the news, though. I watched the Larry King interview he mentions. I saw him sitting there with Mary Beth and the kids and I thought, "this guy really has it together. Look a the disaster he has suffered, and look how well he has done."
But that is not the story of this book. This is the story of how a crushing loss can be the explosion that tears apart marriages and families. It is the stubborn grip that Chapman keeps on his faith, and how faith does not create magic cures or holy forcefields. Loss will come and faith may be our only refuge.
Certainly this is a great book for fans. Chapman talks about the backgrounds for many of my favorite songs, which was my initial interest in the book. But there is so much more. This is a great book for people going through grief, marriages on the brink of dying, and people who don't know what they want to do with their lives. Its a peek into the life of someone who has enjoyed soaring success and gut-wrenching personal destruction. A quote near the end is by far my favorite: "some things are unfixable, so we learn to live with the tension -- and ask God for more grace to continue to trust him."

This book changed me a little bit. When you see the good, bad and ugly that is SCC's life you can't help but think that God helps you through. This book lifted me and I'll admit it shamed me a bit thinking my problems are so big. This man has been through it all and walks hand in hand with his Savior

Faith Strengthened and Encouraged, Rooted and Grounded in the Truth of Scripture

I am grateful for the opportunity I had to read Steven Curtis Chapman’s autobiography, Between Heaven and The Real World. Steven’s professional career started in the late 1980’s, which was a few years before I became a Christian. When I think of the music that influenced me as young Christian and throughout the years, Steven’s music is at the top of that list. That’s why I wanted to read this book.

I loved and enjoyed Between Heaven and the Real World and want to read it again and share it with others. I wept as Steven shared in a very humble, open and transparent way the pains and trials he and his wife Mary Beth and their family endured over the years, most notable was the death for their precious daughter Maria Sue.

When you connect with an artist’s work and feel like he expresses in words some of the thoughts and emotions you’ve experienced, it’s interesting to learn the genesis of the songs and what was going on in his life when they were written. It was heartening to see the providential hand of God in Steven’s life. How He had gifted him from a young age to love and write songs that gave a voice to what he was feeling, his faith and capture his reflections about God.

I appreciated the honesty in which Steven writes. It’s real, but also reverent towards God. He so obviously loves, honors and respects God, his parents, brother, wife and children. Somehow, he manages to do so while being open and real about circumstances, choices and events. Kind of like his music. I appreciate Steven and Mary Beth’s deep and abiding faith that they cling to in the face tribulation, never more so than in tragedy. It was heartening to read about the support of family, friends and professionals that came alongside them when needed most. I applaud their commitment to their marriage and efforts to recognize that their spouse is not their enemy and that they fought for each other, not against.

While the hearts of a mother and father longs to see, their child healed and alive, the Chapman’s have allowed God to redeem their losses and impact others for good and for eternity.

If you’ve listened to Steven’s music, you can’t help but come away encouraged, strengthened and your faith built up as he drives a stake in the truth of Scripture. It’s almost like reading one of David’s psalms. He may start out low and in the depths of despair, but as he focuses on God, hope is restored and a light is found to illumine the next step.

I highly recommend Between Heaven and the Real World, especially if you are a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman’s music. It’s encouraging to see someone’s faith proven genuine and real. Even if you aren’t familiar with his music, I think you will benefit from reading this book.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Revell/Baker Publishing Group for the opportunity to read Between Heaven and the Real World by Steven Curtis Chapman. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

A powerful and insightful book from SCC. Having grown up with SCC's music, it's great to read about the man behind the lyrics.

Between Heaven and the Real World

My Story

by Steven Curtis Chapman with Ken Abraham

Revell

Biographies & Memoirs

Pub Date 07 Mar 2017

I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of Between Heaven and The Real World through the publisher and Netgalley:

Steven Curtis Chapman is a well loved Christian singer who has seen a great deal of success but he has also suffered great tragedy.

Born on November 21.1962 Steven Curtis Chapman is the son of Judy and Herb Chapman. He was the second son to the family his older brother Herbie was conceived before their parents were born and Steven was conceived to save their marriage.

Steven father's Herb was a self taught guitarist and singer with a unique style, but he was well loved.

Growing up his brother Herbie was the best singer in the house,the brothers would sing together Herbie singing the lead.

During his Freshmen year of college after Newcomer Sandi Patty took interest in using one of the songs he had written Steven transferred to Anderson University in Indiana to study music.

Steven Curtis Chapman performed onstage at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time when he was nineteen, but by no stretch of the imagination did that first performance on that stage go smoothly.

Not long after he was introduced Mary Beth Chapman (no relation) and after finding out for certain they weren't related in anyway they began dating. On October.13.1984 Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman were married at Mary Beth's home church in Springfield Ohio. Mary Beth was nineteen, and Steven twenty one, they had fifty dollars between them and a Ford Pinto but they were married. They were unable to have a fancy honeymoon, but Steven did splurge on one night at the Clarion, then they were headed to music city with only fifty dollars in their bank account.

It wasn't long before troubles in their marriage began to appear but despite the conflict there was much love.

On February 24 1986. Mary Beth delivered a baby girl they named Emily Elizabeth Chapman. When Emily was only a couple of months old the Chapman's lost their home and most of their belongings to fire, thankfully no one was injured.

In the Fall of 1986 Steven Curtis Chapman went on tour for the first time.

In May of 1987 Steven Curtis Chapman's first record with Sparrow Records (First Hand) was released.

Shortly after they moved into their new home Mary Beth miscarried their second child. But on October.2.1989 Mary Beth gave birth to their first Son Caleb. On February.06.1991 Mary Beth gave birth to another son Will.

Mary Beth battled depression. Ten years before they would loose their youngest daughter, they grieved for friends who had lost a daughter in an accident.

After years of assistance on the fact that she needed a sister Emily's parents adopted a little girl from China Shaohannah Hope Chapman gave Emily what she wanted a little sister, but even after insisting she could only do it once Mary Beth and Steven would adopt twice first a sickly little girl named Steven Joy then Maria who was so close in age to Steven it would be like having twins.

One night while they were trying to give Stevey Joy and Maria a bath, and they were wanting none of it Steven came up with the song "Cinderella".

When she was only four Maria gave her heart to Jesus on February 20 2008, they could not. OnMay.21.2008 Little Maria was killed in a driveway accident when Will was slowly pulling into the driveway Maria darted in front of the Old Land Cruiser before Will had time to stop. Despite begging and pleading with God little Maria would not make it.

Even as he was grieving Steven had moments of clarity when he knew his baby girl was in the arms of Jesus.

In 2010 Mary Beth's book Choosing to See was released.

Between Heaven and the Real World is a true story of great tragedy, but of great love and even a greater God.

I give Between Heaven and the RealWorld five out of five stars.

Happy Reading.

Joyous. Heartwrenching. Almost brutally honest at times. This is a book you should definitely read!

I love this artist and was excited to have the opportunity to review his book. It was a memorable and fun trip down his life. The only thing I find distracting is the huge list of names of friends, business acquaintances and employees. I loved his truthful account of his faith and the real struggle that occurred in different circumstances in his life.

Between Heaven and the Real World: My Story by Steven Curtis Chapman and Ken Abraham is exactly what the title describes—a look at this Christian musician’s life story. Longtime fans of Steven Curtis Chapman will love this book as it is a sincere and completely honest retelling of his life’s journey. Through it all, Steven is honest about his imperfections and how God used him in his willingness to share God’s love with others. I do not often read autobiographies but I was glad that I took the time to read this book. It truly ministered to me of God’s grace and His ability to use us for His glory. I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I grew up listening to SCC in my youth group. He is an AMAZING songwriter, and reading about his life, his family, his ministry, has only made me a bigger fan.