Many of us who belong to a church have chosen churches where we feel comfortable.

In this timely and timeless book, Julie shows us how she chose a different way.

When you read her stories of her pastor and the people who attend her black Pentecostal church, and the ways crack and extreme poverty ravaged the South Dallas neighborhods where her church resides, you will realize that Christianity is bigger than you have imagined.

You'll understand a bit better the power of the Holy Spirit and the necessity of interacting with people who are different from you.

Julie is honest about her own flaws and the failings of black Pentecostalism, even as she fully embraces her church.

Even though she is so transparent she doesn't marinate in gloom; you hear joy in her voice, so you don't feel dragged down. In that way, this book is helpful to anyone who has attended a church for many years and struggles with the inevitable disappointments along the way.

Too often we overlook or dismiss what we might learn from believers in other traditions because we have a superiority complex about our own church. Holy Roller is a deep book, one one you'll want to share with other believers or even non-believers who are interested black culture, because it's not a preachy book.

I hope you'll suspend any biases you may have against Pentecostalism just long enough to read this book. I should note that I'm not a Pentecostal; I'm white and my church tradition is far different from Pentecostalism. But this book changed me and I think it will change you, too, for the better.

Thank you, Julie.

"Holy Roller", is one of those great,rare books that you won't want to put down; then will be disappointed with, that it had to come to an end with the last page. Of course, the story must continue...a next book maybe?
This is a beautifully written journey about discovering truth. It's honest, transparent,took courage to write, and is important to read. The truth isn't always easy to swallow, but it is what it is. Real Truth is found in the Bible and will support everything you will find written on these pages of, "Holy Roller". The Holy Spirit is working in miraculous ways TODAY, and spiriual warfare is REAL and through Christ we are victorious! Glory to God!
Thank you, Julie for telling your story, and for sharing the truth of God's Holiness. The world, especially Christians today, need to be awaken to the truths held in this book. A MUST READ for anyone who seeks real truth about the power, love, deliverance and redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ. You have encouraged me greatly. Thank you! Cindy Sweeney

I've been waiting to read this book since I first learned that Julie "Bible Girl" Lyons had left her job at The Dallas Observer in order to work on it. When I saw it at the bookstore last week, I read it and bought it (in that order), started telling people about it, and just ordered several more from Amazon to give to friends and acquaintances and to pass a copy around the office. It's "must reading" for those of us who live or work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

But no matter where you live: Buy it, read it...and prepare for God to do something in your life (like give it a good shaking)!!

I saw this book in the library and since I was reared in the deep south where Pentecostals were derisively called 'Holy Rollers' quite often, I thought I would see what people meant when they called someone a 'Holy Roller'. This book was an eye opener and hard to put down, especially after the first 3 or 4 chapters.

I was reared in a Christian church and have periodically been to church but have not witnessed what Ms. Lyons writes about. The greatest things, in my opinion, about this book are its candidness and first person accounts of events. It is also very touching in the descriptions of persons cured miraculously of addictions and disease by the prayers of a minister and his wife who do not preach, teach or exhort for money or fame or sexual liaisons.

Ms. Lyons confessions of battles with depression and lesbianism and her ultimate deliverance is amazing. With her firsthand accounts, one is inspired to seek truth and holiness in the truest sense - not the legalism imposed on people in the church in which I was brought up. A relationship with God, a true love of Jesus, and the infilling of God's spirit (called the Holy Ghost in the book) is said to bring peace and comfort to the believer and is exemplified by the joy she received when filled with the Holy Ghost.

If Ms. Lyons' story is believed, then the reader will certainly be uplifted and imbued with a desire to improve his or her relationship with a `real' God. It did me and I believe her story is true! Thank you so very much Julie Lyons from a former university professor who has wanted to believe but who has struggled with serious doubts about God. In a sense, this book was an answer to my prayers for something contemporary that presents evidence of truth of the Bible. I am an old man now and would certainly have liked to have had this book as a young man for its power to instill faith.

The book is a fascinating walk back in time to the crack-cocaine epidemic of the late 80s and early 90s. Lyons, a young reporter, was used to going into South Dallas and seeing dead bodies and the worst social ills imaginable. What she wasn't expecting to find was a powerful force for redemption. This book is about the reality of Jesus Christ, Son of God, and of the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Lyons, an excellent veteran journalist, is a credible, faithful chronicler of the Gospel at work in one of Dallas' worst neighborhoods. I encourage you to read it.