Posted on 01/06/2006 6:10:16 PM PST by LouAvul
ATLANTA (AP) - The pastor who became spokesman for runaway bride Jennifer Wilbanks has hit the ground running with a book about "the various issues of life that cause us to make foolish decisions."
The Rev. Tom Smiley said he started writing "Runaway Lives" about a year and a half ago, long before Wilbanks' escapade became national news. But when it did, he said it provided a perfect window for the thesis he was trying to convey.
"With the national media putting her in our living rooms with her emotional issues, I think her story gave credence to the fact that emotional issues unaddressed can create some havoc in your life," he said.
Wilbanks, of Duluth, Ga., disappeared just days before her scheduled 600-guest wedding. A national search followed and her mother and fiance made tearful pleas, begging for her safe return.
The morning of her scheduled wedding, she turned up in Albuquerque, N.M., claiming to have been abducted and raped. Relief that she had been found quickly turned to confusion and anger when Wilbanks recanted her story, saying she fled because of "certain fears" controlling her life.
Smiley, pastor of Lakewood Baptist Church, where the family attends services, said the book gives practical advice to deal with painful emotions like jealousy and fear.
(Excerpt) Read more at modbee.com ...
Sure. (sarcasm=off)
Literally.
Riiiiight ... Why would anyone read a small unknown pastor?
Expecting pictures of the loony woman ...
Does he have 'squanky' eyes too?
This pastor was embarrassing whenever I saw him on TV.
Give her one thing, to her credit. She always had those eyes. In every photo. I saw yet another one of her. Very spooky. I hope she has received medical care.
Perfect name: Rev. Smiley. If he married a Friendly, he could be Rev. Friendly-Smiley.
Slowly, slowly the good Rev. Smiley turned into a pile of slime in the prescence of all those dollars. No, really, all profits will go to widows and orphans, REALLY!!!!!!!
God bless Jennifer and all the best with her book. I truly hope it's a bestseller and makes a bundle of money. Sge deserves it after all the diatribe hurled at her.
You go girl!
I heard or read somewhere that those eyes were the result of a medical operation gone bad.
I think the article said the pastor (not Jennifer) is writing the book. Maybe if she does write a book she'll do a bus tour. Sorry, couldn't resist. LOL!
Say hello to John and Jennifer.
Sorry misread.
I feel awful now.
OH...that oughta be a best seller for sure. Geeez.
That is sad to hear. I wonder if that was plastic surgery on the eyes.
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