Too Tough Too Cry

by Paul Powers, Fritz Ridenour

At the age of seven, Paul (then known as LaVern) Powers lost the two most important things in his his mother and his puppy. What he didn't realize was that he had also lost something just as precious and irretrievable -- his childhood. Beaten by his father for crying over the death of his mother. LaVern vowed he would never cry again. For the next 13 years, despite an abusive and poverty-stricken family life which culminated in his murdering a woman for $500, the young man kept his promise, suppressing the fierce pain that welled from within.Too Tough to Cry is the remarkable story of how this bitter adolescent, a murderer and a petty thief, became Paul Powers, a successful children's evangelist, loving father and husband of Margaret Fishback Powers, creator of the famous Footprints poem and author of several bestselling Footprints books.This is a deeply transforming book the account of a man who, in an epiphany, discovered Jesus and a new way of living. Paul Powers tells his story with candor and courage, from his pain-filled childhood to his teenage years spent in reform schools and bars, to his difficult search for a true calling, finally encountering love, forgiveness and fulfillment in an innovative children's ministry and an understanding and supportive wife and family.A story that will deeply touch anyone who reads it, Too Tough to Cry is another powerful chapter in the Footprints story -- a phenomenon that continues to bring joy, hope and inspiration to people all over the globe.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1990

Reviews

[Colleen]

A great story. The poor writing skills of the author made it a bit cumbersome to read in my opinion but the story itself is powerful, vulnerable and awe inspiring.

[Jane Glen]

A story of God's saving power in the life of an individual.

[Kaitlyn Hofer]

Beautiful encouraging story......God never ceases to amaze me. He can change anyone's heart in a second. Trust in God's timing, seek his love, have patience in Him.
Definitely recommend to anyone who likes hearing someone's testimony, turning their life to Christ

[Sue]

Such an amazing and powerful story of conversion, helaing, and forgiveness. What's so beautiful is how Paul never stopped praying for his Dad and for his conversion and how wonderful that he was truly converted at the end of his life and hugged Paul and told him he loved him for the first time, even though that was right before he died. If someone who beat and kicked his 8 year old son for crying at the death of his Mom could repent and allow God's grace to change him, no one is a lost cause! It makes me think that there are probably some people in heaven that committed worse sins than the ones in hell. The difference is that the ones in heaven repented and realized their need for God. Conversely, some in hell may have led " self- sufficient" lives with no " need" for God, and maybe did not commit horrific sins against others, but were lost due to the ultimate sin of smug complacency thinking they had no need for God, no need for forgiveness, no need to thank God for their existence, no need for anything beyond being masters of their own tiny universe.

[Laura]

The story of juvenile Paul Powers -- abused and abandoned -- whose life gets turned around. He suffers sinful setbacks to return to a God and family who love him unconditionally.