Grace and more grace!
353301
This book changed my life many years ago and I have given away many copies since. If you struggle with not feeling like you are good enough for God...read this book.
3471116
With a desire to learn more about the subject of grace, I requested "The Discipline of Grace: God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness" written by Jerry Bridges. It has taken me a considerable amount of time to read this book, not because it's boring, but because I wanted to take the time necessary to digest the contents presented.

So learn to "preach the gospel to yourself" every day, and in the joy and strength of knowing your sins are forgiven and sin's dominion is broken, press on to become holy as He is holy. This closing sentence pretty much sums up what "The Discipline of Grace" entails.

There are a couple things I commend the author for:
1. He includes Scripture references to back up his thoughts. That way I could look them up in my Bible and not wonder where he was getting his biblical ideas from.
2. He shares things from his Christian experience adding a personal touch to the truths he presents. On occasion, I come across authors who are only informative giving just facts for their readers. Bridges, on the other hand, humbly expresses areas in his life that need the grace of God.

However, in certain places throughout the book, it was challenging to follow his thought process. He adds an entirely new thought while expounding on a particular aspect of grace, and I was puzzled as to how it tied in. He does bring up these "new thoughts" later in the book. Thus I was able to put the puzzle pieces together and see the whole picture.

In "The Discipline of Grace" you'll discover that the grace that brings us to faith in Christ is exactly the same grace needed to discipline us in Christ. Bridges creates a beautiful balance between being "saved by grace" (which is God's part) and doing our part "to work out our own salvation."

Overall, I enjoyed the book although I wouldn't have read this book without having my Bible close by to make sure the ideas presented were indeed true and biblically correct. I realized the importance of rightfully using God's grace and was encouraged to continue my journey in "the pursuit of holiness"!

[I received this book for free from NavPress Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program for this review. The words expressed here are my original, honest thoughts and comments about the book.]
3260886
** "Maybe grace was all around me, bubbling through, passing under my feet, and I'd never seen it because I'd never tried to see." **

At first, I didn't care for main character Tandi Jo Reese in Lisa Wingate's "The Prayer Box." She was immature, selfish, a dead beat mom, self-centered and lucky Child Protective Services hadn't yet been called on her. Her boyfriend, Ross, was even worse as an immature, privileged, selfish surfer-dude. But as I dug deeper into the book, and learned more of Tandi's past and why she is the person she is - and saw they ways she changed - I really started to like her.

Tandi is a young, single mom running from her ex-husband and an abusive marriage in Texas. She lands in the Hatteras, N.C., area, where she rents a cottage from Iola Anne Poole, a 90-something lady. After Tandi finds Iola's body, the next-door church learns they have inherited Iola's historic home and offers Tandi a proposition. If she cleans out some of Iola's house, the church will discount her rent - which is music to her cash-strapped ears!

While cleaning the home, Tandi stumbles upon stacks and stacks of prayer boxes - in which Iola has written letters to her Heavenly Father since the 1930s. Iola's prayer letters offer Tandi a lesson in rivers of grace. She learns that perhaps to save herself, she needs to focus on saving, or serving, others.

Even from beyond the grave, Iola inspires Tandi to do good deeds, putting the needs and wishes of others above her own. Grace is the overwhelmingly beautiful theme that runs throughout "The Prayer Box."

During her journey, we also meet her children J.T. and Zoey, and how their lives are impacted by this little North Carolinian community; and Brother Joe Guilbeau, the UPS Guy, Paul and Sandy - all who show Tandi that sometimes people love others just for the sake of loving them, no strings attached.

This book reminds us that we can always "keep driving yourself crazy fighting the sea, or you can leave the past behind, find dry ground, and build somewhere new."

I loved this book. Its imagery was beautiful. The story was gripping and funny and inspirational.

Five stars out of five.

Tyndale House Publishers provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.
1636012
God's grace is a great mystery and an even greater gift. Kathy Howard's 9 week study of Paul's encounters with God's lavish grace shows the reader how to identify God's grace and discover how to participate in that amazing grace with the people around us. This study is not only filled with solid biblical truths--it moves the reader to live a grace filled and grace full life. Inspiring.
1280122
A beautiful reminder of God's grace toward us all - and a strong exhortation for extending God's grace to others.  This book made me weep, and caused me to celebrate the joy of God's grace afresh.  It has caused me to re-think my part in the exchanges I have with others - strangers, family, and friends.
2932502
Yancey's book puts grace on display amazingly well.  He could be more clear on how one is saved and not saved, but I thoroughly appreciated the book.  I'll bet it will challenge your mind on the extent of God's grace toward sinful man... and how we should have that same perspective.
1903530
contemporaries of Jesus tell about the grace of God, shown through His Son, Jesus.  Beautiful stories, amazing grace!  Love the book, it will touch your heart!
4593843
Fantastic! Much needed in this world. Giving is a grace. You don't have to ... It is The Grace Of Giving which touches lives. A challenge to all.
4309946
This book is a grace-filled gift for surviors who are seeking to connect with God.  Both the reflections and the prayers validate the wound yet free the imagination to soar to the source of healing and wholeness.  I highly  recommend this book!
2736572
This short book was a great reminder about how we all need to extend grace to others!  We are all in need of grace and the ability to show grace to everyone regardless of the situation.  Mike Foster gave me tools to help me be more grace-filled and grace-extending.  Thanks Mike for your honesty and reminders of what freedom we have in our own lives when we extend grace to others.  Great read!!!  I will be reading it again!
4379030
All I can say is...wow!  This book simply made me fall more in love with Jesus and His awesome GRACE, while at the same time gave me an even clearer picture of what all God's Grace actually is, and what all it means to us!  Simply, yet powerfully written.  Grace does not give believers a "license to sin", but actually gives us power to live free FROM sin...it truly IS the "power of the Gospel"!  Thanks so much, Daniel!
1649095
Sacrilege is a great read.  I didn't want to start for fear of having to change many of my comfortable ways but once I did start, I didn't want to put it down!  The book is challenging, just as I suspected.  However, Hugh fills these pages with grace calling us to live the life full of grace that Jesus lived. The coolest part for me was my face to face encounter with the comfortable ways that currently hold me back from becoming like Jesus.  I am thankful I read this and thankful that Hugh held nothing back.  Enjoy!
1582075
Grace is freely given to us, and all we have to do is ask for it.  Is it logical for the Lord to offer himself, probably not, but He does it any way.  Max uses this beautiful little volume to show us just how easy grace is to get and how important it is to give.  If you ever though God could never forgive you, I beg you to get this wonderfully illustrated book and find out how wrong you are.
723388
Great story!  Full of grace and forgiveness. It was awesome to see Sage break thru her bondage and to see how much she was truly loved for herself. Loved pastor Steve and his wife. What mighty sermons he gave!  Can't wait for book 2!!
2322561
Every entry provides Scripture, wisdom from Randy Alcorn, and quotes from proven godly leaders of years past.  What an inspirational balance!  Im having a hard time keeping myself from reading several days worth at once.  Grace: A Bigger View of Gods Love will be a book I keep to refer to again and again to strengthen my faith as the years go by.  (This book was provided to me by Harvest House but I would absolutely buy it!)
2299513
This book touched me deeply and led me to a greater understanding of God's grace through Jesus Christ.  I found myself unable to put it down even when I was very tired!  A true classic!
2195036
You will certainly benefit from reading Yancey's book about grace. Chapters of beauty and clarity open your soul to God and the grace of God.
Very helpful read for an upcoming bible study on Grace.