I knew about Gary from Emily P. Freeman's blog/podcast/social media. She used to have a public podcast with her sister and father, and I always thought he was the one with the slightly annoying voice. However, I enjoyed reading his life story and how he got to become a Christian and where he is now. it's part memoir and part Christian living, but it's a good read.

A Family Shaped By Grace: How to Get Along with the People Who Matter Most by Gary Morland is a book about what not to do and what to do to shape a grace filled life. The author talks about his difficult childhood and how it flowed into his own family. He shows how he learned from his mistakes and discovered how to be a parent. This book is all about redemption. It is a wonderful resource for families struggling deeply to get along due to issues like addiction. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review.

"Dad wasn’t a believer for most of our childhood. He didn’t even go to church for show or out of duty. Instead, he stayed home every Sunday morning, drank beer, and listened to Bruce Springsteen records.....One day Dad stopped drinking, and awhile after that, he told us he accepted Jesus. That’s when the story gets interesting. This book is about what happened next, about how a man who never had a proper role model of a healthy family life learned to be a husband and father so that we could never say we didn’t have a proper role model of a healthy family life."

This is a story of redemption shaped by grace in the midst of despair. Gary Moreland did not have a healthy family atmosphere when he was growing up. He had to learn to adapt and make excuses for his alcoholic father. This led to Gary developing the same habits and family relationships in his adult life. Then, by the Grace of God, things change for Gary. He puts the bottle down. And then he finds Jesus. Shortly after that Gary meets a man who disciples him and puts him on the path to salvation and a happy family relationship.

This book is enlightening and full of hope. You will find practical and encouraging advice that you can use to make positive changes in your family dynamic, even if you just start small and grow bigger. Moreland introduces the "Everyday Tactics of Family Disharmony" that keep you from experiencing joy and peace in your family relationships. Then he gives you the "Timeless Tools of Family Peace" and practical steps to take to repair and improve your family relationships.

I recommend this book to all Christians, especially those who struggle to distinguish between what is normal and abnormal in relation to family life. This book will help you take the steps to discover peace and happiness in yourself and your family. I received this as a free ARC from Revell Books, Baker Publishing Company on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I first heard of Gary Morland because of his daughters, Myquillyn and Emily, bloggers and writers I follow. I also knew of him the HopeWriters podcast he has with his daughters. But I didn't know his story. I didn't know his heart. In Gary's new book "A Family Shaped by Grace," we get to see both.

Gary grew up in a dysfunctional family that carried over to his own. He wrote candidly about the destructive patterns he learned and eventually lived out. He showed us how history repeated itself, and what it took to break the cycle in his own family. He then gave tools we can use to break the disharmony in our own families.

I enjoyed the blend of inspirational and practical insights Gary shared in this book. His "Everyday Tactics of Family Disharmony" and "Timeless Tools of Family Peace" were helpful in looking at family in a different perspective. It's often harder to step into the shoes of those closest to us. Gary's insights in this book helped make that step easier.

Gary first challenged readers to look within them and find true peace in Jesus. I loved that he made this point several times because if we want to correct or heal or better the broken parts in our families, we first need to correct, heal, and better ourselves. That's best done not by our strength, but by the strength, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ. It starts with us, and Gary showed us, through his own story, how this is very true.

Then Gary challenged readers to rethink the way they think about family and different family members. It was indeed a challenge, but one that brings a refreshing perspective to family relationships and interactions.

"A Family Shaped by Grace" was both easy and challenging to read. It was easy because Gary was clear and concise. It was challenging for the sole fact that family is challenging. This book will make you take a good, honest look at yourself and your family. If you want to change something about your family dynamics, this is the book for you but get ready to roll up your sleeves and work. By Gary's own experience, however, we know it's worth it.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants a positive change for their family. Even if you're not married or a parent, this book will help you look at the family you grew up in and recognize any destructive patterns or Tactics of Family Disharmony that have carried onto your own life and might carry onto your future family.

Guidance for becoming a better family member, who in turn fosters a healthier family.
A lot of us have habits and attitudes that derail our hopes and intentions for happier family relationships. A Family Shaped By Grace introduces a toolkit of practices and mindsets to change the atmosphere and tone in your family to one of greater harmony. Gary Morland is a gentle coach, mentoring through example, humour and wisdom. My advance reader copy is filled with highlighted passages! I'm encouraged to see how I can improve my share of several relationships. I will be buying more copies to share with friends.