It’s a question you’ve heard, or perhaps even asked yourself. Where is God in the midst of this? In the battle for your joy, your marriage, your finances, your health, an emptiness creeps in. Where is the peace you promised, God?
Bo Stern has been there – and is still there. Yet in studying the battles in Scripture, she came to a startling conclusion: God is using these fierce fights in our lives for an astonishing purpose.
Ronette Wilson - Hi Bo!
Pam B. is a dear friend of mine and over the years I have heard many wonderful things about you, her best friend Bo and your talent of prose. I enjoy the banter between the two of you on FB as well.
It will be a pleasure to read your book when it hits the marketplace. There are so many that I know can benefit from your story. Get ready. It’s going to be huge!
God bless and Merry Christmas!
R. Wilson
bo - Aw, Ronette – hello! So good to have you stop by. Pam does, indeed, have the dubious honor of bff status for nearly 30 years – she’s not getting out of it any time soon. 🙂
Books Worth Reading in 2013 | t&c: simple explorations - […] 15. Beautiful Battlefields – Bo Stern […]
Tori's Mom - Responding on this blog as well as your regular blog,
so again I say Chocolate Coconut….can’t wait to get this book on my kindle!
Heidi Hock - recieved your book today on my kindle, already read the first chapter and I am hooked.
Jane Lellman - Got my book yesterday as promised, in spite of getting a delay notice! Into the first and second chapter I am already seeing the difficult work you had to do daily to set yourself aside and allow God to speak through and around you and your circumstances, while at the same time offering your circumstances up for His glory. Amazing Bo, that you faced this battle! Not just the ALS battle (we didn’t have much choice about that!), but the battle of selflessness you undertook in order to write His words. Thank you so much for sharing this work.
Karen - I got your book today for free for my Kindle. I finished it in almost one sitting. I then went online and ordered four copies. One for me to have to write in and three to give away. Chances are, I will be buying more to give out. This book, well I have no words to tell you how much it has affected my walk. I will probably never meet you this side of heaven, but I want to thank you for writing it. Thank you for sharing your battle and most of all, thank you for teaching me how I can get through the struggles I face. Thank you for making my life better. May the Lord, bless and keep you and give you the desires of your heart.
Linda David - Bo, your sister Lila gave me a copy of your book. I am excited to read it and perhaps do your Bible study too. I have been praying for your family and your husband’s healing. In your photo, I can surely see family resemblance.
God bless you always, Linda
Sue - Bo, I have been reading your book on kindle (thanks for the free copy), and it is powerful. I have MS and work as a counselor part-time still. I wrote a workbook on grief and disability, and am so blessed by your writing and attitude. I just want to thank you for placing your lives on the altar before the Lord for His loving purposes. I hope to meet you someday. God’s treasures are indeed present in the battlefield.
Love in Christ,
Sue
bo - Thanks so much, Karen!
bo - Thank you, Sue, and bless you as you find the beauty in the battles you face.
Mimi - Is there a bible study companion that I can get or does the book have study guide questions in it?
Beautiful Battlefields | Faith Radio - […] Bo Stern’s largest battle is happening inside her home. When Bo’s husband was diagnosed with ALS, she sought to find her ultimate hope in The Lord. We hear from Bo today about her and her husband’s battle as well as her book about her experiences Beautiful Battlefields. […]
What am I reading and dreaming of the beach….. | Sharing My Heart ~ Tracy Lynn Paul - […] know her and I’ve watched her family and I pray for them daily in a continual sort of way. Bo Stern is a warrior, she tells her story of the battlefield of ALS(Lou Gehrig’s disease) but she […]
Bo - Mimi – yes! The book has study questions in it!
Bo Stern :: What were you thinking during the first 2 weeks of your tragedy? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battles about her husband’s struggle with […]
Bo Stern :: How much had you suffered before your recent tragedy? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battles about her husband’s struggle with […]
Bo Stern :: Advice to Newlyweds - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battles about her husband’s struggle with […]
Bo Stern on Beautiful Battlefields | Faith Radio - […] When Bo Stern’s husband was diagnosed with ALS, she fought the desire to ask “why us?” and instead demonstrated a trust in God. We hear more of her and her husband’s story, which is also told in the book Beautiful Battlefields. […]
Dani Gingrich - Bo, I was sucked in ~ the first words and paragraphs in your book are so identifiable and compelling! WOW! Thank you so much for teaching us about finding beauty in our suffering. Arlen and I love you and are in awe of this ministry that God has entrusted to you! Your family is in our prayers, dear cousin!
bo - Thank you so much, Dani. I am beyond blessed that you would read my book and by your encouraging words. I would so love to see you sometime soon – we’ll keep hoping Idaho moves a little closer to Oregon. 🙂
Karma Gingrich - Bo, its hard to express the impact your book has had on me. I just want to thank you for being obedient to write it to glorify God. Leora gave us a copy as a gift and I just finished it. I will be reading it again and ordered copies for both my daughters. Your family is in our prayers! Please know we love you all.
Barbara Daniels - After having our world turn upside down I came across your book. Thanks for the reminders and being faithful to write what you have learned. I gave your book and blog a plug in a blog. I hope it is okay. If not, let me know and I will remove it.
bo - Oh, you Gingriches are just blessing my heart so much! Thank you a million for the kind words – I’d sure love to see you all soon, but I don’t know if the reunion will work for us this year. Know that we’re thinking of you and so grateful for family.
bo - Thank you, Barbara. Plugging is always okay! 😉 I read your blog and you’re a gifted writer. I am praying that you will find beauty in your battle.
Barbara Long - Bo,
There you are on the west coast living a parallel life to my own here on the east coast! It was October 2011, when our worst fear was confirmed. At the finish of my husband’s second EMG, the poor neurologist struggled to give the dreaded diagnosis. Anything but ALS would have been easier. I looked right at that doctor, and since swallowing had began to be a struggle back in March, I told him to just say it that we weren’t surprised by this; after all, this was round two of trying to figure out what was wrong with my strapping strong military officer husband. The drive home was excruciating! We’d met at the lab so we made our way through Friday evening rush hour alone with our own thoughts and prayers. I called my parents.
The initial shock of the battle filled those first couple of days with fear and sadness and a desperate turning of our faces to God for strength and comfort. His presence in this struggle remains the sustaining force that keeps us living each and every day to the fullest. We have learned and are learning lessons beyond anything we could have ever asked or imagined. God is truly good ALL the time.
Then this week, I found your book. (I get a daily digest from Gospel Ebooks which I occasionally download to my iPad.) I wanted to read before bed so I pulled up your book. As I began to read it, I could only think of how I could have written this book! I knew exactly what was coming next from the EMG even down to how Joseph’s faithfulness has been used by God to remind you of His sovereignty! I’ve only read two chapters in your book and decided I MUST find you and write to you!
It’s really amazing how similar our paths are and how cool is it that God has used some of the same scriptures to teach us His lessons in the midst of these journeys. I just had to share my excitement with you!
Praising God for you and His amazing provisions,
Barbara Long
Ps.
My daughter and I are collaborating on an epic name for our battle with ALS and we’re anxious to answer the questions at the end of each chapter…thanks for the therapy!
bo - Barbara – oh goodness, your message was water to my soul! It’s so good to meet a fellow ALS warrior. I’m going to send you an email, sister!
Bo Stern :: How do I choose which opportunities to engage? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battles about her husband’s struggle with […]
Nana Premadi - Dear Bo,
I pray that you and your loved ones are always in the care and comfort of God’s love.
I just came across your wonderful website. Thank you for being an extension of God’s hand to all of us. Your words are beautiful reminder transcendental aspect of God which at the same time lends lights in each of us while we go about our even most mundane parts of life.
Thank you.
I am 48 y/o Indonesian and was diagnosed with ALS 3 years ago and should like to appoint myself 😉 to be the ambassador of your “country” . I have been looking for my “fellow country(wo)men” but I find I need a better strategy to be successful. Presently I am preparing a blog just to create an awareness of ALS as there is practically no information of it in Indonesian language. I have studied a rather extensive bibliography to help me with the more “technical” material, yet I will share it as a patient, not an expert on ALS. So this will be a combination of personal experience and published references. I am a very private person, so this is a huge challenge for me. Any advice from you would be really appreciated. In the meantime I will see to it that I get a hold of your book.
Thank you so much.
May God’s love sustain you and your family.
nana
Ginny McPherson - My dearest Bo,
You know I love your book. I’ve read it and said it, however, I have decided to read it a second time differently. I am reading one chapter at a time and mulling it over and over. Pondering the pondering questions and practicing the practical suggestions. WOW, what a great mind shift. It will take lots of practice but soooo worth it.
Thank you for sharing honestly and passionately.
Love you,
Ginny
Bo Stern :: Does God use suffering to disciple us? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battles about her husband’s struggle with […]
Jeni Sauve - Love your book & Godly insight Bo. I have a friend who suffered a stroke at a young age a few years ago. She’s love to be able to read the book & I know it’d help her. However she’s unable to use her hands or computer-knook. I have looked to purchase an audio version of Beautiful Battifelds & can not seem to find it. Can you tell me if it is available for purchase on c.d or in any way audio version? Thanks!
bo - Jeni – shoot. It’s not available on audio book. I do have a bible study version coming out summer of 2014 that will include DVD teaching sessions. Email me at bo@bostern.com and I’ll find a way for her to get it now.
Bo Stern :: How can we encourage people to live well? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battlefields about her husband’s struggle with […]
Bo Stern :: Were you prepared for suffering? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battlefields about her husband’s struggle with […]
Bo Stern :: What’s the difference between ‘restore’ and ‘redeem’? - Redux - […] has written a book on suffering called Beautiful Battles about her husband’s struggle with […]
Super secret mission | Sharing my heart - […] Author is Bo Stern. She wrote Beautiful Battlefields and next up is: Due out Early […]
The thing about dead giants | Sharing my heart - […] you? My friend Bo does, the giant she faces is huge and daunting and the book she wrote, Beautiful Battlefields, will tell you all about the battles she’s faced and the battles others have been through when […]
Claudia Lee - Bo spoke on ‘Beautiful Battlefields’ at Suburban Christian Church’s Jubilee Conference 2013 on November 8 and 9 in Corvallis, Oregon. Bo’s teaching is powerful, authentic and true. The Holy Spirit took Bo’s life and words and used them to teach and encourage the women at the conference in amazing ways. I know the back stories of so many of the women who attended the conference and I saw God minister encouragement to us over and over again. Read Bo’s book. Then find a place to hear her speak or engage her for your own conference. You will not be disappointed.
Samantha G. - Hi Bo – I just read the preview on amazon and ordered Ruthless immediately. I haven’t been in the word as much as I have wanted to be lately, and I think this will help me along with assisting my boyfriend who struggles with trusting God during hard times. Thank you for being the writer you are. I can’t wait to read what you wrote when I receive the book.
How the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is making a HUGE difference | Paynter & Company - […] article from Bo Stern. She is both a wife to a man she loves that suffers from ALS and the author of many books on the subject. I encourage anyone who would like to learn a bit more about the disease and see the […]
Michelle C - Dearest Bo, thank you so very much for writing Beautiful Battlefields. I’ve found it just at the right time. Please pray
for me-I’ll certainly remember you and your family in mine.
Marie - I wanted to let you know about some feedback from a give away I did for your book When Holidays Hurt
I had one person email me and let me know that she immediately ordered 4 books as 4 of her friends were dealing with a lot of pain this season.
another told me that they ordered 2.
and one other person posted on facebook (one that I purchased copy for as a gift and sent anonymously) that she didn’t know where it came from but it was right on time. Her father had died the last weekend in October.
I hope that your Christmas was wonderful and your new year is off to a great start!
Thank you for all that you do for others!
@spreadingJOY
Marie
sharon thompson - I have needed to communicate with you personally as there is no one else who has this experience that you and I are going through. Read book #1 and ordered the 2nd but need to share these manifestations. Please respond.
Thank you,
Sharon
sharon thompson - I hope to receive your posts. thanks
Britain - Hi, Bo,
You sent me a book last year, and it has been very helpful to me. I was wondering if I could email you briefly. Thank you again for your book.
Tom - Please don’t give up. Please check out my web site healthoverflowing.com and let God heal him naturally.
Don’t assume if a MD can’t cure him, that he can not be cured naturally.
Lou Gehrig’s Disease natural cure? Dr. Joel Wallach
http://healthoverflowing.com/?p=Health_Lou_Gehrigs_Disease_Natural_Cure
Betty Harper for Alice Bisset - Heard your radio interview. Encourage you to research organic MSM and coconut oil for your husbands recovery. Check out utubes for info or contact us via email.
chrissy - I can’t wait to read Beautiful Battlefield!!! My mom is on year three of ALS too and it breaks my heart. But each moment her mind leads her to text me encouragement, email me jokes or pass me handwritten notes at the family table I see the mom who raised me is there. Her spirit is strong. God I wish no one would have to go through this! My dad is an amazing care giver. I prayed hard to be closer to them and I’m glad to finally see that door open. I heard you for just 5 minutes on Focus on the Family and you are an inspiration. I’m sure this book will be amazing. God is definitely using this battlefield for His good. Its glorious. Thank you for sharing this deeply personal, deeply emotional time with us
Lara S. - There are only a handful of books I’ve read that have had a profound impact on my walk with God and this is one of them. I came across Bo’s blog by chance and was captivated by her story and the strength she showed as she faced her giant.
Linda McDonough - Just ordered the book after listening to FonF interview. Are there any plans to have this book put on tape? It would be a wonderful book read by the author.
Angie Allison - I recently heard your story on Focus on the Family. It came at a time when I was feeling the lowest with my situation. My husband also has ALS and was diagnosed last October 2014. We have a 20 month old and a 7 year old and I feel like I can’t be a good wife or good mother with all the extra responsibilities I’ve had to take on. Your story inspired me to look at our situation differently and I hope I can squeeze some time into my never ending days to read your book, Beautiful Battlefields. I think it is just what I need along the strength I get from God to get through each day, each hour, each minute!!
Carla Turner - Bo, I just had to comment and tell you that 1 year ago your book was placed into my hands when our battle “got real”. I cannot tell you how it has influenced me and helped to shape my thinking. I just finished reading it AGAIN.(3 or4 th time) God has used you mightily in my life and I am forever grateful. YOUR story is one of the beautiful things on my battlefield.
Carla