This is a beautiful, sensitive book about mentally ill homeless people. Rennebohm tells his own story of mental illness, and the stories of several people he has encountered and come to know in his ministry to Seattle's homeless folks. ( )

Wonderful read by a pastor/pastoral therapist - chaplain in Seattle as he grows in understanding the unnoticed of society - the homeless. Each chapter describes a different person on the streets and highlights their path to wholeness. Makes me want to leave parish ministry and hit the street chaplaincy! ( )

NCLA Review - Having experienced clinical depression during college, the author was drawn to develop a unique ministry serving mentally ill and homeless people on the streets of Seattle . He movingly describes brokenness of the brain through stories of mentally disturbed people whose lives he touched. He illustrates how God “fully embraces all that we are, including all that is broken and flawed in us,” and stresses his belief that “the love of God, active in the Spirit,” and “in company with others” has created an “eternal, unbreakable relationship with us.” He emphasizes that companionship is essential to healing, and leads to “the building of circles of care.” He describes not only healing through his Mental Health Chaplaincy, but also gives examples of other communities involved in the care of the mentally ill—“caring for the soul of the world.” The final chapter, “Words Are Medicine, Too,” suggests ways in which all people can contribute to soul care and healing, not only for others, but for themselves. Rating: 4 —MN . 224p, Beacon 2008, $23.95 [242] ( )