From Punishment to Peace

“The desired way through life is nearly always illusive for most if not all of us. It is incredibly rare that we find words and find a story that are so real, so honest, so vulnerable that in the worst pain of life we find the true meaning of life. This is a story where two men walk in such complete and raw caring transparency with one another that they discover deep healing and forgiveness… and ultimately a glimpse of who they really are in the eyes of God. Tommy was changed by John… John was changed by Tommy… and by reading this book I have been changed at a soul level by their lives and their journey. As I turned the pages I cried, I laughed, and I read about men who gave me permission to be more of who I am truly meant to be.” —Larry Green, founder of Cloud Walk Ministries, in Alpharetta, Georgia 

“We all are guilty of unconscious bias. Most see the homeless but have no understanding of how they got there. We sympathize and move on, feeling fortunate--maybe even superior--to not have had such an experience. Many see the wealthy and think their lives are perfect. We are envious and stare, feeling covetous--even depressed--for not measuring up. But maybe both seek the same answers that have been as hard to find in a bottle and a crack pipe as in vacation homes and sports cars. As a Human Resources professional, I have seen first-hand how unconscious bias occurs in the workplace. Tom Harrison’s powerful story places us all in an interview room with how we see others and ourselves, while bringing what was unconscious to the surface of our conscious beliefs and values. I agree with Tom that peace and redemption can only occur by burying the past, finding compassion for wrongdoers, and forgiving ourselves. Bravo!” —Will Peterson, Client Executive with OneDigital

“This well-told, heartwarming, and true story proves that it’s never too late to find recovery from addiction, or refuge from homelessness. Tom and his same-age uncle are connected by the secrets they share, and their series of road trips reveal how people from the same background can lead contrasting lives. But in the end, it’s the pain—and the recovery from those experiences—that bonds these men… As someone recovering from an addiction that impacted my entire family and left me homeless, I recommend this book to anyone confronting substance abuse or healing from past trauma.” —Randy Grimes, former NFL center for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, author of Off Center: A Memoir of Addiction, Recovery, and Redemption in Professional Football, and founder of Pro Athletes in Recovery