"Grace" by Max Lucado

I love Max Lucado. He is a master of teaching through stories. “Grace” is no different. Once again, Lucado does an excellent job taking Christian principles and making them simple but vivid. Max sums the heart of this book up well. “Grace is precious because he is. Grace changes lives because he does. Grace secures us because he will. The gift is the Giver. To discover grace is to discover God’s utter devotion to you…Does he stand high on a hill and bid you climb out of the valley? No. He bungees down and carries you out… This is the gift that God gives.”

If grace is an idea that is foreign to you or has become dull, pick up this book. Lucado paints Biblical stories in modern day creativity- making you think about the original story a little bit differently. I highly recommend this book, because grace is a concept we all need to deal with, whether we believe in God or not.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Weeks 3&4: The Two Sides of Love

We won't talk about how I wasn't successful again. With my crazy new job I'm thinking about modifying my resolution to every other week. Haven't decided yet, but be prepared that next week's book will probably take two weeks.

Title: "The Two Sides of Love- Using Personality Strengths to Greatly Improve Your Relationships"
Author(s): Gary Smalley &amp; John Trent
Pages: 174
Rating (out of 5): 4
Reread?: Yes

Favorite quote: "Perhaps it's the natural warmth that seems to come from golden retrievers or some the way the sun reflects off their listening ears, but God seems to have put a clear mark on golden retrievers that lets others know they're His special counselors." -pg. 90

Thoughts: This is a great book on how to understand and relate to anyone you have a relationship with. We all have different personality types and "The Two Sides to Love" focuses on ways to relate to those whose personalities don't make sense to us. This book is particularly good for parents who need to be firmer or softer in the way they deal with their kids.

Now reading: "Hurt" by Chap Clark

Week 1: "Captivating"

The year is off to a great start, and so is my resolution to read one non-fictional book a week. I'll try to make sure I write a review for you each week, so that you may increase your reading list as well. Enjoy!


Title: "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul"
Author(s): John & Stasi Eldredge
Pages: 218
Rating (out of 5): 4
Reread?: Yes

Favorite quote: This time around it was found on pages 180 and 181. "To have a woman friend is to relax into another soul and be welcomed in all that you are and all that you are not...When God gives a friend, he is entrusting us with the care of another's heart. It is a chance to mother and to sister, to be a Life giver, to help someone else become the woman she was created to be, to walk alongside her and call her deep heart forth."

Thoughts: "Captivating" is an excellent book that focuses on the special role that women play in creation. For women it is a must read to remind us that we were created with a very special and unique purpose. This book also focuses on the ways that our roles have been tarnished by the fall. Men should also read it to understand the hidden battle that many women fight spiritually and emotionally. Men should also read "Captivating"'s counterpart, "Wild at Heart."

Now reading: "The Grand Weaver" by Ravi Zacharias