I couldn't wait to start reading this book because I wanted to learn more about the life of John Newton, writer of the song "Amazing Grace". When I started the book the prelude immediately drew me in with two vignettes from the lives of John Newton and the apostle Paul. I had never really stopped to think about Paul's life before he became a follower of Christ. This book drew beautiful parallels between Paul's life, Newton's life and all our lives before we choose to follow Jesus.
This book isn't so much a biography of Paul or Newton as a focused look at God's grace as evidenced in both their lives. Of course, it also discusses how grace affects the lives of all who accept God's gift of grace. In addition to looking at the lives of the apostle Paul and John Newton, the book also introduces other Christians who have chosen to trust God even in extremely difficult circumstances. I especially enjoyed learning the stories of missionary Helen Roseveare and Harriet Beecher Stowe. Even though each of these women suffered in different ways, God used each of them to further His kingdom. One quote from Helen Roseveare which especially tugged at my heart was, " Can you thank Me for trusting you with this experience, even if I never tell you why?" We may not always understand why we are suffering but God's grace is sufficient in all circumstances.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to spend more time focusing on God's grace. It is thought-provoking, yet easy to read.
In the interest of disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the views expressed here are entirely my own.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Book Review - The Butterfly Effect
I'm not normally a big fan of gift books, but I couldn't resist reading this new gift book by Andy Andrews since I enjoy his books. I was not disappointed in this one. As a gift book, I really enjoyed both the design and layout of the pages and the story itself. Of course, as with all gift books this one was a quick read, so it's appropriate even for someone who doesn't consider themselves a reader.
The story itself, though, will make you think more about the impact your life has not only on those around you but also on future generations. Truly, our words and actions matter. I love the illustration of how one life impacts another, which impacts another and so on. One of the two illustrations in this book of how every person's life is important, began with a person I'm sure few people have ever heard of named Norman Borlaug (read the book to find out just who he is!). And the two lives who were highlighted are only examples. Your life matters just as much as Norman Borlaug's.
This would be such a great gift to anyone who thinks their life doesn't matter. It will give its readers a more eternal perspective on the importance of every human life. The decisions we make today to serve God can make a difference in someone's life we may never even meet.
In the interest of disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
The story itself, though, will make you think more about the impact your life has not only on those around you but also on future generations. Truly, our words and actions matter. I love the illustration of how one life impacts another, which impacts another and so on. One of the two illustrations in this book of how every person's life is important, began with a person I'm sure few people have ever heard of named Norman Borlaug (read the book to find out just who he is!). And the two lives who were highlighted are only examples. Your life matters just as much as Norman Borlaug's.
This would be such a great gift to anyone who thinks their life doesn't matter. It will give its readers a more eternal perspective on the importance of every human life. The decisions we make today to serve God can make a difference in someone's life we may never even meet.
In the interest of disclosure, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but the opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Book Review - She Walks In Beauty
Based on the back of this book, I wasn't sure I would enjoy it, but it didn't take me long to become engrossed in this story of New York's Gilded Age. The main character, Clara Carter, is being trained by her aunt and father to "catch" a proper husband. In fact, they have a particular person in mind, and not one that Clara wants to marry. But Clara feels that as a woman she doesn't have any other choices since she has no marketable skills.
As the book progresses, Clara begins to question the direction that has been laid out for her. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her character grow as she began to realize that she alone was responsible for the decisions she made and that making moral choices was preferable to following the crowd ("everyone else does it").
This book is very well written and well researched. I learned several new details about the Gilded Age. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the views expressed are entirely my own.
As the book progresses, Clara begins to question the direction that has been laid out for her. I thoroughly enjoyed watching her character grow as she began to realize that she alone was responsible for the decisions she made and that making moral choices was preferable to following the crowd ("everyone else does it").
This book is very well written and well researched. I learned several new details about the Gilded Age. I look forward to reading more books by this author.
Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the views expressed are entirely my own.
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