Title: Looking Out from the Inside: The United States v. Tressa Oliva Parker
Author: Tressa Mitchener
Publisher: Hasmark Publishing International
ISBN: 1774821893
Pages: 114
Genre: Memoir / Christian / Inspirational
Reviewed by: David Allen
Hollywood Book Reviews
Tressa Mitchener is a well-respected psychological and Christian counselor, a certified life coach, and transformational speaker; and she knows whereof she speaks. Looking Out from the Inside is an inspirational memoir flush with courage, big-heartedness and faith.
Tressa grew up in a woefully broken home. Following this she lived a life as a rebellious teenage mother, getting involved in drugs and drug dealing, and being indicted by the federal government. God gave her lemons – so like the right-minded healthy creative person she became (and now is), Mitchener made lemonade. And she shows us exactly how. She used her time in prison well, studying the Bible and putting that knowledge to work helping others.
This is a story of overcoming tremendous odds. This is a canny memoir of awesome resilience and of putting the Good Word to work. Mitchener’s narrative is ultimately convincing: “I was under the curse because I had forsaken God with the choices I made with my life,” she writes.
Once this awareness has taken root, everything changed — for the good. Mitchener’s wake-up call, described in many memorable passages, is ultimately liberating. She has grown. She realizes that a major part of the miracle and bounteousness of creation has to do with her ability to make choices. She can choose for right or for wrong. From this perspective, life and work and people take on entirely new meanings.
Actions have consequences. Prison, no longer a citadel of frustration and hopelessness, becomes for her a Bible college. Breakthroughs and unexpected miracles occur. Well done! But wait, there’s more: Giving creates abundance. Despite all odds, be grateful. The book closes with a prayer, as much about overcoming personal odds as about connecting with God (in fact, these missions are the same):
Dear Heavenly Father, I ask you to come live in my heart. I come to You in the name of Jesus. You said if I confess with my mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and I believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I shall be saved. For with the heart, man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
Looking Out from the Inside: The United States v. Tressa Oliva Parker is a true story that seeks to heal, cheer and revamp broken lives back to stability, self-worth, and dignity. The inspiring scriptures, and prayers beautifully narrated are a brilliant addition that gives much-needed breaks from the intense and affecting yarn. In this book, Tressa Mitchener has successfully affirmed that little by little, you can be healed and that forgiving and finding inner peace, rest and security is possible through the ever-present help of God.