Radically Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Brokenness

Songwriter McWhirter recounts in his candid debut how God helped him recover from addiction. The author grew up with a charismatic preacher father who frequently abused his mother. At age 11, he began experimenting with alcohol to numb the pain. Convinced he would never be able to “trust a heavenly Father when I was so badly hurt by my earthly one,” McWhirter, who had started using crystal meth at age 17, recalls realizing that he’d likely die prematurely due to his addiction. After years spent “fighting against faith,” his sister gifted him Lee Strobel’s The Case for Christ, which unexpectedly sparked a connection with God (“In the blink of an eye, I went from addiction to redemption, from darkness to destiny”). Drawing from these experiences, McWhirter reminds readers that salvation is available to all, that they can use their unique talents to serve God, and that loving others is foundational to a strong faith. He strikes an upbeat tone without sugarcoating the challenges he’s faced, including the agonizing process of eventually forgiving his father. This will inspire believers in search of a fresh start. (Feb.)