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Confessions of a Transformed Heart - an Interactive eBook with Discussion Questions
When Mark and Nancy Sheppard began missionary service in Liberia, Nancy had no idea what God would ask of her. Their idyllic first term was followed by the Liberian Civil War and a nightmarish year working among Liberian refugees in the Ivory Coast. Conditions were difficult, expectations overwhelming and the tensions of the war at their doorstep. Fear, self-pity, resentment and depression haunted her. God used Nancy's difficult decision to follow her husband's leadership and remain in refugee work to begin an amazing spiritual journey—one that led to a clearer understanding of biblical womanhood as well as a deeper relationship with the Lord and with her husband. The book chronicles Nancy's journey to true peace in the midst of very difficult circumstances. As God teaches her about genuine service, submission, sincere prayer, reverence and humility, she is totally and completely transformed. The scenarios are unique to Nancy, but every seeking Christian can fully identify with the spiritual lessons. A unique reading experience, this interactive eBook contains many full color pictures as well as links to pertinent YouTube videos. This Kindle edition of "Confessions of a Transformed Heart" will not disappoint!
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2010
104 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Nancy D. Sheppard
3 books1 followerNancy Sheppard (1960-) was born in Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin, and shared her childhood with three brothers and a twin sister. After college graduation she and her husband Mark felt God was calling them to be missionaries to Liberia, West Africa. Following an idyllic first three years of ministry in the interior of that country, the Liberian Civil War began. This plunged the Sheppard family into a ministry they had never imagined--one among war refugees. God used the many years spent in this difficult work to create a new heart in Nancy, and it is out of that heart she writes. Mark and Nancy Sheppard have been married 33 years and are the parents of six children, ages 5 to 30 years, and the grandparents of three.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 17, 2011
I don't give four stars to African memoirs easily, but the clarity, honesty and faith of Sheppard's writing makes it unique--the title's Augustinian reference is an appropriate parallel. I've never seen a person's grappling with service work in a challenging environment so honestly and gently explored. For those Liberia-philes out there who read every primary document they can get their hands on, Sheppard has some harrowing experiences and valuable viewpoints from their time in Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia during the conflict. Sheppard is a missionary with candid and orthodox views on gender roles that I also found it fascinating to follow. Would I give this book four stars if I didn't live in Liberia and, like the author, find it challenging? Maybe not, but if you see this book in the Monrovia supermarket, buy it.
August 21, 2016
I wish I could recommend this book to everyone. Every Christian woman should read it, BUT not this version. This one is for ADULTS! I understand there is a youth edition. That would be a better one for everyone. This one has a chapter on some very intimate marital problems. If you skipped chapter 22 it would be perfect for any audience, but that one is only for mature and married women.
What a convicting book, this has been for me. Nancy Sheppard is so open about the trials she faced. She writes deeply about the personal transformation Christ worked in her life and offers to each of us. It’s very Biblical. Like any good Biblical advice, it hurts to hear and strengthens to obey. Some very personal faults were brought forward as the sins that they are.
Please read it. The Youth Edition preferably, but for every married woman it’s worth the read.
What a convicting book, this has been for me. Nancy Sheppard is so open about the trials she faced. She writes deeply about the personal transformation Christ worked in her life and offers to each of us. It’s very Biblical. Like any good Biblical advice, it hurts to hear and strengthens to obey. Some very personal faults were brought forward as the sins that they are.
Please read it. The Youth Edition preferably, but for every married woman it’s worth the read.
March 2, 2014
Well written story about the author's life as a missionary in Liberia and the Ivory Coast and how God worked in her heart through all her experiences there to help her become the woman He designed her to be. I loved her transparency and honesty in sharing her failings, frustrations and weaknesses and I also admired her greatly for her strength and her willingness to submit to God's plans for her.
September 5, 2013
Excellent book on how The Lord works in us as we do His work. I can so relate to many of the purging experiences of the author. Not so much a book about missions, but a book about one woman's walk with God and struggles with herself. Loved it!
April 4, 2015
I really thought that this book was inspirational. I plan on getting this book in paperback. Hearing about the ongoing war is horrible, but what this woman manages to learn through her faith is absolutely amazing!
October 29, 2012
Excellent story of God's ability to use hard circumstances to work in a person's heart.
March 14, 2014
There were some good stories in this book, although I did find it hard to get through at times. The overall message of relying on God to feel accepted, loved, useful, ect. was inspiring, though.
July 16, 2015
A book written by a truly genuine heart! I am deeply encouraged by the life of Nancy Sheppard! :)
June 29, 2025
An interesting story about a woman’s work in Liberia —the way it unravels and more importantly transforms her own heart through it all.
Favorite quote:
“For the first time in my life I asked God to show me, really show me, how to release this awful burden. He reminded me of Pilgrim from The Pilgrim's Progress putting his load down at the foot of the cross. I mentally began to do the same put my load at the foot of the cross. When worry jumped back on me, I'd do it again. Over and over and over again. When I first started this procedure the load stayed down for only a couple of seconds or a minute. Eventually the burden stayed down for minutes in a row. With time I began enjoying a half hour, then an hour free of fear. As the weeks turned to months, I found myself almost entirely freed from the fears that had previously controlled my life.”
Favorite quote:
“For the first time in my life I asked God to show me, really show me, how to release this awful burden. He reminded me of Pilgrim from The Pilgrim's Progress putting his load down at the foot of the cross. I mentally began to do the same put my load at the foot of the cross. When worry jumped back on me, I'd do it again. Over and over and over again. When I first started this procedure the load stayed down for only a couple of seconds or a minute. Eventually the burden stayed down for minutes in a row. With time I began enjoying a half hour, then an hour free of fear. As the weeks turned to months, I found myself almost entirely freed from the fears that had previously controlled my life.”
November 23, 2013
I read this on my Kindle and it was interactive. You could enlarge the pictures to see them and there were a lot of links to YouTube and other places that help enhance the story.
Nancy Sheppard was a typical South Baptist girl who grew up in the church, went to a Christian college, married, and went to the mission field with her husband. They were in Liberia. This is the story of Nancy's transformation of someone who thought they had it all together to a woman who learned the true meaning of "dying to self". I was inspired by her story, especially because she was a wife and homeschooling mom so I could relate to a lot of what she was going through--even though it was on the mission field. I also learned a lot of the civil war in Liberia and about Liberian refugees in neighboring Ivory Coast. All in all this was a very good book!
Nancy Sheppard was a typical South Baptist girl who grew up in the church, went to a Christian college, married, and went to the mission field with her husband. They were in Liberia. This is the story of Nancy's transformation of someone who thought they had it all together to a woman who learned the true meaning of "dying to self". I was inspired by her story, especially because she was a wife and homeschooling mom so I could relate to a lot of what she was going through--even though it was on the mission field. I also learned a lot of the civil war in Liberia and about Liberian refugees in neighboring Ivory Coast. All in all this was a very good book!
October 9, 2013
This was a free Kindle book about a missionary family in Liberia. The work they did there was amazing and I appreciated reading about their dedication to what God was calling them to do. I had trouble with some of the theology, since it is much more conservative than my own. That made the book a little harder to read. I had to remind myself that I was reading about someone else's experience. No more. No less.
December 21, 2014
I found the author's spiritual journey just as interesting or more interesting than her physical journey across the world. I find myself wanting to learn more and I was inspired to be a better person after reading this. Very few books get a 5 from me. It has to be literally life changing for me to give a 5. This book deserves that distinction.
March 26, 2014
This book outlined some of the trials and tribulations that missionaries go through along with the joyous and happy times. The writing was not what I would call superb, but the message was there. It takes such a sacrifice from the entire family to go on the mission field and that is what this author showed. The calling isn’t just for one person or the couple, it’s the entire family.
April 7, 2014
Although I have sone theological differences with the author, I admire and respect her and her family for their commitment to mission work in Liberia. The book have some interesting chapters and although I have friends who work in Liberia I did learn a few new things.
August 31, 2013
This was an interesting and honest story of the life of a missionary/wife/mother in war torn Africa.
May 28, 2014
Awesome book!!!!
February 15, 2015
Very informative on the history of Liberia. Her life demonstrates the way in which God refines people who are yielded to Him.
Read
March 20, 2025Wonderful
The adventures, the struggles, the despair, the glory, the utter and unadorned truth. I have frequently wondered how missionaries could raise their children in such harsh conditions, you answered perfectly and demonstrated what that upbringing has done in your children's lives. I have also stood in front of women's groups in Africa answering questions about personal and health matters. These are difficult but well received conversations. Thank you for this wonderful book
The adventures, the struggles, the despair, the glory, the utter and unadorned truth. I have frequently wondered how missionaries could raise their children in such harsh conditions, you answered perfectly and demonstrated what that upbringing has done in your children's lives. I have also stood in front of women's groups in Africa answering questions about personal and health matters. These are difficult but well received conversations. Thank you for this wonderful book
June 18, 2020
Amazing. Very good, especially for an African missionary wife. Some overspeak about adoption and reverencing her husband, but excellent. I felt it was a mirror for a lot of my own spiritual story as a missionary wife. I read it right after deciding to come back to Africa after a very traumatic experience when my family could have all died, but God showed us mercy.
December 31, 2017
Thought Provoking, Inspirational, and Relatable
This book is an honest and raw memoir of a missionary who struggled through the battle that every wife and mother face as they follow the narrow way.
This book is an honest and raw memoir of a missionary who struggled through the battle that every wife and mother face as they follow the narrow way.
July 18, 2020
Every believer needs this transformation.
When we accept Christ as our personal savior we should begin to learn who He wants us to be. This is discipleship. Nancy is leading us through her voyage of discovery.
When we accept Christ as our personal savior we should begin to learn who He wants us to be. This is discipleship. Nancy is leading us through her voyage of discovery.
March 15, 2023
This was not what I expected after reading the blurb, so I was pretty disappointed.
The writing style was mostly good and interesting though I struggled to see the relevance of some (extensive) parts and would’ve appreciated most of the historical and geopolitical content condensed into a few paragraphs instead of several chapters as I understood it was a book about the author’s spiritual development - and those parts I loved very much though wished to learn about some of them more.
All in all it was interesting though I don’t plan to read her other book available on Amazon (most of the preview showed it’s a summary of this memoir and continues in similar style)
The writing style was mostly good and interesting though I struggled to see the relevance of some (extensive) parts and would’ve appreciated most of the historical and geopolitical content condensed into a few paragraphs instead of several chapters as I understood it was a book about the author’s spiritual development - and those parts I loved very much though wished to learn about some of them more.
All in all it was interesting though I don’t plan to read her other book available on Amazon (most of the preview showed it’s a summary of this memoir and continues in similar style)
May 7, 2015
This book will transform your life!
I just finished this book, profoundly moved, and realize it is a great gift to which I will return and often.
The spiritual value is a given; difficult and sometimes excruciating lessons learned by the missionary author, Nancy D. Sheppard, and shared with her readers, along with applicable biblical verse references, make them truly come alive! Links to videos bring home to the reader the conditions in West Africa to which its people and their missionaries are subjected. Though not for the faint hearted, watch them; there are valuable lessons to be learned, not the least of which is that, even in the most hellish of circumstances, with God there remain hope and redemption.
She also relates in depth the history of how the once beautiful country of Liberia and its surrounding countries have been devastated by war. Too, she shares with her readers her lessons learned regarding family life and presents a model for living that life in grace. She is open and transparent about all of her many personal struggles and challenges, laying them all out for her readers' benefit.
Given my limited abilities I can hardly do justice here to this book. I can only beg you to read it and promise that you will be happy that you did!
I just finished this book, profoundly moved, and realize it is a great gift to which I will return and often.
The spiritual value is a given; difficult and sometimes excruciating lessons learned by the missionary author, Nancy D. Sheppard, and shared with her readers, along with applicable biblical verse references, make them truly come alive! Links to videos bring home to the reader the conditions in West Africa to which its people and their missionaries are subjected. Though not for the faint hearted, watch them; there are valuable lessons to be learned, not the least of which is that, even in the most hellish of circumstances, with God there remain hope and redemption.
She also relates in depth the history of how the once beautiful country of Liberia and its surrounding countries have been devastated by war. Too, she shares with her readers her lessons learned regarding family life and presents a model for living that life in grace. She is open and transparent about all of her many personal struggles and challenges, laying them all out for her readers' benefit.
Given my limited abilities I can hardly do justice here to this book. I can only beg you to read it and promise that you will be happy that you did!
November 14, 2019
Nancy Sheppard objectively portrays the history of the country of Liberia - from its beginnings to the atrocious horrors of its Civil War that killed more people than are currently living in the U.S. state of Texas. She also reveals many of her struggles as she, her husband, and her children served in Liberia and in Cote d' Ivoire. Mrs. Sheppard shows her readers how God grew her and stretched her during these times to not only love the Liberian people that she had once hated, but to also grow her relationship to the Lord in prayer and study. This is an excellent read and a very difficult book to put down once started!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2016
The author bares her soul as she recounts her experience as a missionary to Liberia as well as a wife and mother. I came to admire her and her family greatly for their sacrifices in bringing the Word of God in a hostile environment. I also appreciate and admire her for sharing her own struggles and weaknesses. Even though her situation was unique, her spiritual journey and the transformation of her heart is a valuable example for all women.
March 2, 2014
Really good book
Really good book
I enjoyed this book.it is amazing how much this family gave to everyone, the love, and spending God's word. what an amazing family.
Really good book
I enjoyed this book.it is amazing how much this family gave to everyone, the love, and spending God's word. what an amazing family.
August 3, 2014
I so appreciate the story of this family, and Nancy's honesty in sharing her story. A good look into God's work in a person's heart!
The chapters don't always flow into one another particularly well, and a few seemed a bit isolated. Worth the read!
The chapters don't always flow into one another particularly well, and a few seemed a bit isolated. Worth the read!
July 12, 2016
Spoke to my heart
This book is one of the best I've read in a long time. The lessons Nancy learned through her daily life were beautifully illustrated and conveyed to me throughout. It spoke to my heart and has convicted me in many ways.
This book is one of the best I've read in a long time. The lessons Nancy learned through her daily life were beautifully illustrated and conveyed to me throughout. It spoke to my heart and has convicted me in many ways.
July 5, 2016
Truly Enjoyable!
It was a pleasure to follow the spiritual growth of this family and how God's Holy Spirit made them see that following Christ is the only way in spite of many people being selfish and ungrateful.
It was a pleasure to follow the spiritual growth of this family and how God's Holy Spirit made them see that following Christ is the only way in spite of many people being selfish and ungrateful.
July 17, 2016
I found this book fascinating, not only for the story of the Sheppards' missionary work in Africa but also for the interactive nature of the ebook. looking forward to reading Mrs. Sheppard's book about Ebola in Liberia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews