Journey to Love is for every kind of reader. The continuing history of Maria, diagnosed with Multiple Personality Disorder (Dissociative Identity Disorder) provides a clinical study of a client, whose parts separately mature and learn to pull together through the caring counsel and trusting relationship with Pastor Chalberg. She endures a long journey of pain, never pretending to be strong, but exhibiting strength as the inner parts cooperate to build health, career and relationships.
On another level, this book is a parable of truth, which instructs and challenges the individual, family groups, and even the church. One can relate to the various personalities' sacrifice of their own preferences for the sake of wholeness and unity. There is powerful wisdom here about respect in relationships and loving God in a passionate but practical way.
Finally, it is a good story: full of unthinkable struggle, tenacious love, and unexpected humor. It illustrates Jesus' words: "Beware that you don't despise a single one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven are always beholding the face of My Father" - Matthew 18:10.
A Review by Dr. Lindsay Malcolm, Pleasanton, CA
In his first book, Shattered People: Journeys to Joy, Mike Chalberg began the amazing true story of one woman's journey out of darkness. Now, in this sequel, Journeys to Love, he continues to chronicle the lives of the personalities locked in Maria's body, as they search for healing and meaning in a world that will not accept them. One's perspective on the meaning of suffering cannot remain unchanged after reading this book.
Journeys to Love lays open the emotional, physical and spiritual reality of Maria's personalities and their conflicts both internal and external. Maria's fight to save her marriage-against all that seems reasonable-will challenge one's concept of commitment; and her innocent attempts to involve a wealthy suburban church into serving the poor will nourish the soul. Mariann's quest to be seen and accepted for who she is will wrench the heart. Her abilities to see into the spirit-world will challenge one's perception of what is real; and her passion to worship Jesus with unfettered love will convict the heart.
As the System battles the effects of chemotherapy, they continue as well the spiritual battles against forces that would draw them back into the Santeria and attempt to hinder the healing that Jesus is bringing into their lives. Throughout the book, one is called to rethink both what it means to be a Christian and who we are as individual souls.
