Stumbling into Grace

To be honest, I'm not sure what I think about this book. I enjoyed the spiritual lessons through Lisa's often funny and sometimes poignant life experiences, but I sometimes felt like I was reading more of a memoir collection than a spiritual lesson. I think that may have been the author's intention, but I felt like both parts were missing something. Instead of the personal anecdotes leading into the spiritual discussion, I felt they were disjointed and awkwardly joined. I enjoyed the personal stories, and I enjoyed the spiritual discussion, especially the questions and journal prompts. I just didn't like the combination.

However, fans of spiritual growth books with a good dose of laughter will enjoy this book. The set-up is great for a small-group or Bible study since the chapters are short and already contain reflection and discussion questions.

I received this book from Booksneeze for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Praying for your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer

    
     Every time I drive Grammy home, she asks me the same question, “Have you met a young man yet?” Each time I answer, “No,Grammy.” Then she replies, “Have you prayed about it?” My response is, “Put it on your prayer list.” Although her intentions are sweet, it still weighs on my heart. I’m thirty-one and single. I wasted six years dating the wrong guy and another two getting over him, and I gave up hope that God has a man for me. Because I lost hope, I quit praying for him like I used to do when I was in high school or college. If I prayed back then without receiving an answer, why should now be any different?



     When I requested the book Praying for your Future Husband to review, I expected the book to be geared towards high school or even college-age girls. I thought it would be an interesting read that I could give to a teen girl at church. I wasn’t expecting to have my hope restored.


     Each chapter of the book discusses a specific prayer. In the chapter, both Robin and Tricia share their vastly different stories, scriptures, and anecdotes from women across the country. At the end of the chapter, there are questions and space to answer. What is intriguing is that there is also a prayer for the single woman. Women often make lists of what they want in a husband (I did back in high school—God lover being the number one trait.), but we sometimes forget to pray for God to make us into a woman after His own heart, a woman who is prepared to be a wife.


     This book is unique in that Robin and Tricia have different stories to share. Robin began praying for her husband and writing letters to him at a young age. Tricia was a teen mom. Because the authors have different experiences, it makes their stories and the book relevant for teen girls who are determined to stay pure, teens who have made mistakes in relationships (both physically and emotionally), and even old maids like myself.


     After reading this book, I have renewed my prayer for my future husband. But more than that, I have found my hope that God, the lover of my soul, will give me the best if I leave the choice up to him.

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Max on Life by Max Lucado

    
     Max on Life is a compilation of questions sent to Max Lucado throughout his years of ministry and answers. The questions range from those wanting to grow spiritually to those questioning the Christian faith. The questions are organized into topical categories including hope, hurt, help, him/her, home, haves/have-nots, and the hereafter. Included in each response is a personal explanation with scripture references. The book also includes a topical index so that readers can search for a question and answer based on their own questions as well as a scripture index for readers to read and study the scriptures for themselves.


     Max Lucado is a gentle truth giver….an example of “speaking the truth in love” like scripture instructs believers. His answers are based on Biblical scripture, emphasizing the core of the Christian faith: belief that God loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sins and that Christians should continue in His love. While many Christians argue and fight over interpretation of scriptures and doctrine, this book is a simple yet poignant reminder that nothing matters except love. This book is a great read for someone new to the faith since many questions new believers face are answered here as well as anyone wanting a book to savor. The book can be read quickly or one or two questions a day, using the answer and the scriptures given as a jumpstart to personal study.



This book was given to me by Booksneeze for the purpose of reviewing.

Left at the Altar by Kimberley Kennedy

Kimberley Kennedy, a successful TV anchor, endured one of women’s worst nightmares: being left at the altar. In the book Left at the Altar, Kimberley recounts the events of her wedding rehearsal when she realized her fiancé Lew was not going to marry her and the aftermath of her devastation. However, her story does not end there. Instead, her rejection by her fiancé is the beginning of her love story with Jesus. In the narrative that has the feel of a woman sitting down and talking to you rather than a self-help book, Kimberley discusses the warning signs she could see she had ignored and the steps that led to healing.


In addition to Kimberley’s thoughts, her sister writes part of the story—the details of the moment that Kimberley can’t recall because of her shock. The book also shares the perspective of therapist, other women’s stories, and even men who have rejected women. These are nice additions to the book. The book ends with steps for dealing with rejection and moving on.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I don’t read a lot of self-help books, but this book felt more like a woman sharing her story and encouraging others who have felt rejected than a how-to book. The book seemed to jump around from topic to topic, and telling the story from beginning to end would have been more cohesive than lumping topics together in chapters by topic. After the first few chapters, I got used to it though.

Kimberley’s single status at the time of the book makes it poignant since she is still dealing with the loneliness that can come from being rejected and left alone. However, she is no longer wallowing in the rejection, which enables her to offer hope to the reader. My favorite line from the book is one I will take with me in life. “Man’s rejection is God’s protection. “

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the 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 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”