Nice things people were not paid to say about me -
“Jo Hilder is the kind of person you want by your side through life’s bumps and tumbles. But if we can’t have her next to us, at least we get her on the page, where her humanity displayed is a friend listening to our most shameful stories, judging nothing, because she’s been through it all and come back the other side to hand us all the grace we can’t give ourselves. Do yourself a favor: pick up this book and receive.”
Penny Gruener Carothers
Social Justice Editor
Burnside Writers Collective
www.burnsidewriters.com
“With haunting and hilarious honesty, Jo Hilder can be as reflective as Henri Nouwen, as bold as Anne Lamott, and as thunderous as fellow Aussies AC/DC. Jo’s inspiring faith journey is truly high voltage.”
Bert Montgomery, writer/teacher/minister
Psychic Pancakes & Communion Pizza
Elvis, Willie, Jesus & Me
www.bertmontgomery.com
“Jo Hilder is a refreshing and authentic writer who draws you into the intimacies of her life. A fantastic read with laugh-out-loud humor scattered throughout, ‘God, You Can Take My Mental Illness’ is a great collection of personal essays. Jo confronts myth after myth of what the Christian life is supposed to look like. Marriage, mental health and alcoholism are themes she visits often, but it is threaded together with faith, hope and love. This book will provide readers reassurance that God is not looking for perfect lives…just honest ones.”
Pam Hogeweide, author
Unladylike: Resisting The Injustice Of Inequality In The Church
www.pamhogeweide.com
“The only way I know of to develop a writing voice worth sharing is to become a person who has weathered a great storm well. Jo has weathered more than her share and the result is beautiful. Surviving cancer and marital difficulties has left Jo a witty, gritty, and fearless writer. Reading Jo’s work makes me laugh, think, and get angry. She makes me feel, which just might be the greatest gift a writer can share.”
Larry Shallenberger, pastor and author
Divine Intention: How God’s Work in the Early Church Empowers Us Today.
www.larryshallenberger.com
“Jo’s voice is exactly what the Christian world needs right now – unabashed, unashamed, and uninhibited. Jo’s work has become essential at Burnside Writer’s Collective, where her authentic, relatable voice prods readers to push the envelope of their spiritual experience and break into a new kind of being.”
Kim Gottschild – Associate Editor, Burnside Writer’s Collective
Cupcake Countenance Columnist
Burnside Writers Collective
“Brave, insightful and true. Jo Hilder is cut from the same cloth as all the great writers and artists in history. She won’t tell you what she thinks you want to hear. She will tell you what she’s seen from that wondrous viewpoint of hers, way out in front of the tribe and 30,000 feet high. Take heed of this fiery and lovable oracle who will make you laugh and cry (often in the same sentence) and cause you to stare some of life’s biggest questions in the eye.”
Michelle Falzon, Writer and valorous encourager of artists.
“What I like most about Jo’s writing is that she is not afraid to ponder the hard questions. A Christian for many years, she doesn’t write ‘nice religious fluff’ – her work is gutsy, down-to-earth, warts-and-all – but most of all it’s ‘real’, and for that reason, the reader is able to relate in a practical way. Jo has experienced much in her life – cancer, mental illness, marriage breakdown and reconciliation, an alcoholic husband, and she has been involved in many facets of ministry. She is to be applauded for sharing so honestly and willingly to encourage others. She’s funny, she’s quirky, she’s passionate, she’s witty, she’s relevant – and I’m addicted to her blog!”
Janet Camilleri, editor/founder/president
Footprints Magazine
Footprints Women’s Ministries Inc. (Australia)
“Jo Hilder is cantankerous, opinionated, objectionable, tough, courageous, raw, vulnerable, insightful and above all daringly honest. Just the qualities needed in one who confront emperors inside and outside of the Church and point to their nakedness. When other people pretend that the tough issues can be glossed over or treated with simplistic doctrine, Jo points to the fact that there’s a complicated elephant in the room that can’t be ignored. Never one to blindly follow the crowd or to regurgitate someone else’s teaching, Jo’s ideas stem from her breadth of life experience, depth of original insights and her courageous capacity to be true to herself and tell it exactly as she sees it. Should I ever act like a naked emperor I’ll look to Jo to recommend an honest tailor.”
Paul Macklin – Director, Amazing People
www.amazingpeople.com.au
“She writes in an irreverent and hilarious voice that is imbued with truth, simplicity, and love. I’ve recommended her blog and specific posts to countless friends looking for non-traditional axioms about faith and life.”
Elysha O’Brien
Wet Clay Blog
“Before you read this, I want you to know that I think you should like Jo Hilder because she’s Australian. Australians are the best, what with their different slang and their summers being in the winter. But I bet that once you start reading, you’ll end up liking Jo because her writing is incisive, witty, and, most importantly, very, very honest.”
Jordan Green
Editor-In-Chief
Burnside Writers Collective
www.burnsidewriters.com
“Jo Hilder, you have some serious writing chops.”
Jim Henderson (via Twitter)
Author - “The Resignation of Eve: What If Adam’s Rib Is No Longer Willing to Be the Church’s Backbone?“
