I've been wanting to write this review for a few days now. I've been struggling with what to say so that I do justice to this amazing book. Tempered Faith is a wonderful book for people who have lost a loved one, but I'd go farther than that to say that it's a must-read for anyone who thinks about the hard questions (ie, Why does a good God allow these things to happen?).

I admired Jennifer's honesty and vulnerability in telling her story. She tells us what she was going through and what she was thinking. She shares with us her anger at God after her husband Jim dies in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Each chapter is such a treasure - and as we learn how she manages to get through each day. She tells us what things people say to her that are NOT helpful, as well as what she did find helpful. Anyone dealing with a grieving person would benefit from this book for that reason alone.

As I came to the end of the book, I felt something was missing. I reread the title "A Tempered Faith, Rediscovering Hope in the Ashes of Loss" and was thinking that the book was a little light on faith part. Then I got to the last section, "A 9/11 Diary". Oh my goodness. This is such an amazing testimony to the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his ability to work in our lives, drawing us closer to Himself, even in the worst of times. We get to read about every step of the way, how Jennifer grew as a child of God. I felt like I was reading something very personal (and indeed I was!), but I feel privileged to be able to see how God has worked in Jennifer's life.

The quotes and stories at the beginning of each chapter allow us to get to know Jim Sands better, some are poignant and moving, and some are hilarious. Also, I always apprecite it when a book has a Bibliography of recommended resources - Jennifer lists books, websites and support groups.

I am a big advocate of journaling, and hopefully many people will decide to keep a record of their spiritual journey after reading "A Tempered Faith".

God bless you, Jennifer, and thanks so much for sharing your story with us!

I've been wanting to write this review for a few days now. I've been struggling with what to say so that I do justice to this amazing book. Tempered Faith is a wonderful book for people who have lost a loved one, but I'd go farther than that to say that it's a must-read for anyone who thinks about the hard questions (ie, Why does a good God allow these things to happen?).

I admired Jennifer's honesty and vulnerability in telling her story. She tells us what she was going through and what she was thinking. She shares with us her anger at God after her husband Jim dies in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Each chapter is such a treasure - and as we learn how she manages to get through each day. She tells us what things people say to her that are NOT helpful, as well as what she did find helpful. Anyone dealing with a grieving person would benefit from this book for that reason alone.

As I came to the end of the book, I felt something was missing. I reread the title "A Tempered Faith, Rediscovering Hope in the Ashes of Loss" and was thinking that the book was a little light on faith part. Then I got to the last section, "A 9/11 Diary". Oh my goodness. This is such an amazing testimony to the power of our Lord Jesus Christ and his ability to work in our lives, drawing us closer to Himself, even in the worst of times. We get to read about every step of the way, how Jennifer grew as a child of God. I felt like I was reading something very personal (and indeed I was!), but I feel privileged to be able to see how God has worked in Jennifer's life.

The quotes and stories at the beginning of each chapter allow us to get to know Jim Sands better, some are poignant and moving, and some are hilarious. Also, I always apprecite it when a book has a Bibliography of recommended resources - Jennifer lists books, websites and support groups.

I am a big advocate of journaling, and hopefully many people will decide to keep a record of their spiritual journey after reading "A Tempered Faith".

God bless you, Jennifer, and thanks so much for sharing your story with us!

A Tempered Faith: Rediscovering Hope In The Ashes Of Loss is the personal and articulate testimony of Jennifer Sands, a young widow who lost her husband in the September 11th attacks. Jennifer had to come to grips with the heart-wrenching question: If there is a God, how could He let this happen? A Tempered Faith ably presents an introspective delving into the roots of faith and hope, as well as an affirmation of God's love and learning to carry on and even find joy in the wake of bitter and unexpected grief.

Jennifer Sands and her husband truly believe they have found their soul mates when they meet and marry. They share a love of snorkeling and scuba diving, they tease each other as only close spouses can do, and they plan for a future life in the Cayman Islands. On September 11, 2001, the unthinkable happens when Jim is killed in his office on the 105th. floor of the World Trade Center. Jennifer is shocked beyond belief and wallows in pain and denial until the anger breaks through. She rails at God and repeatedly asks him why this had to happen. She has always been a faithful Catholic and has prayed to God daily for her husband's safety. That is the way her life has always been--she prays and God provides. What has happened to the "contract" she has with God? She relates the numbingly painful days which follow Jim's death--the empty holidays and the searing grief. Gradually she begins to see that God is sending her "angels", people of faith who help her faith grow. She is able to establish some special memorials to her husband and she begins to look outward to others and upward to God to find peace. The most revealing part of the book is the diary at the end in which she writes her innermost, unvarnished thoughts and feelings to God. It shows the metamorphosis of a woman who is focused on her own pain to one who accepts and embraces the love and comfort of God. Jennifer is truly polished and refined by the fire of this tragedy and she emerges as an example of Christian faith and forebearance in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

If you have experienced the loss of a loved one from a sudden and untimely death, this is a must read. It would also help someone who wants to understand what this person is going through. You feel her pain and loss. Her anger with God is what many people go though when something tragic happens and the way she finds her way back is through out the book. You feel God reaching out to her and helping her deal with the loss. I lost my husband 10 years ago unexpectedly and reading this brings back all those feelings and helps me feel that I am not alone with these feelings. It renews my faith, that God was and is nearby to help when you think you can't make it any longer. That there is support from the most unexpected sources if you just open your heart to it, ask God to lead you and listen to what he has to say.

This book also explores the difficulty of losing a loved one and having it flashed before your eyes for the rest of your life. The horror of 9/1l and the Twin Towers will be forever on the news and in everyone's mind. These families will have constant reminders. I can't begin to imagine how difficult this will be. Diana Lee.

I began reading this book not knowing what to expect. I knew Jim for over 30 years before we was taken in the tragedy of 9/11. I only met Jennifer at their wedding 5 years before that. Having known Jim for so long I knew that his bride was a strong willed person. This book is a look into the pain and suffering that many like Jen must be suffering. It also provides a guide that can be followed to find a way out of the darkness and how to rediscover hope and faith. An excellent read!

As a huge Max Lucado fan, especially of the daily devotional journal made from Grace for the Moment, I couldn't help checking out "A Tempered Faith." Well, it checked me out . . . Once I started, I couldn't stop. It's one of those kinds of books.

Besides the gentle, clear and honest writing style, what compelled me forward was simply wanting to know more about how this young women coped with losing her fairytale husband in America's worst terrorist attack. How does someone deal with waking up to such a nightmare?

At first Jennifer is numb, but then she begins this stomach-churning slide into depression and anger at God. You have to look at the book cover and see her name to remind yourself she made it out alive--with strength from above that opened my eyes and my heart to a new connection with God.

The "9/11 Diary" at the end (which uses the Lucado devotionals) is one of the most riveting suspense stories I've read since the "Diary of Anne Frank," which Jennifer's journal reminds me of. Really, this woman's 9/11 Diary could be one of the more important documents to come out of this tragedy.

This book is a must-read! In a society characterized by a seemingly endless flow of human tragedy, it's understandable that questions about the reality of God and His love may arise. Everywhere we look marriages are being destroyed, family bonds are strained, news crews are feeding on human despair, people are navigating faith-rattling experiences. But if you're listening, you WILL hear God's voice in the midst of it all. "A Tempered Faith" proves it!

Jennifer Sands wrote "A Tempered Faith" after her husband, Jim, was killed in the World Trade Center attacks. It's important to know, however, that this is NOT a book about September 11th. Rather it is the inspiring true story of one woman's desperate struggle to maintain faith while suffering the intense pain of loss. It is the gripping story of a young wife who finds herself forced to make a critical decision at the crossroads of faith and disbelief. It's a courageously candid, sometimes even light-hearted look at a life that quite possibly mirrors yours and mine in some way...a life that is tested, tempered and triumphant.

When Jennifer stopped screaming for answers, they suddenly came. When she stopped challenging God to show himself, he made himself known to her. When she realized that she was losing the battle to stay afloat on her own, she began to float peacefully. That's what God promised would happen ... and it did.

Read this book! It will bolster your faith, give you the strength you need to face any adversity--no matter how large-scale it may be--and most importantly it will comfort and calm you by reminding you that God IS in control, He IS listening, and He DOES love and care for us...even when the earthly evidence suggests otherwise.

This book was very well-written, and extremely easy to read. In fact, I read it all in one night, unable to stop reading until the end. The ability of Jennifer Sands to enable everyone to understand exactly what she is feeling is incredible. You feel as though you were there with her. It is not really about the events of 9/11, but rather about this woman's trial of faith and belief, in the face of a horrific tragedy and loss. It is very inspiring.