Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Book Review - "GOD'S LOVE LETTERS TO YOU"


Good Evening to All!

I have been given the opportunity by Thomas Nelson Books or commonly known as Booksneeze.com and have been given a complementary copy of the book titled "God's Love Letters to You". All of the comments and opinions are mine.

"God's Love Letters to You" Is based upon the book "66 Love Letters" which is reflective of Dr Crabb's intimate conversation with God---Also according to Dr. Crabb, this devotional experience offers the chance to complete change the way you think about love.

It is one of the "best Devotional Books which I have ever read. I live the subtitle they gave it. "A 40-Day Devotional Experience", because that is just what it is.

I like it for several reasons. First because it is a small book. I am not one to sit enthralled in the same book for weeks on end. I like to get into them get them read and go on to the next one.
While each day has a very short devotional, it has reflective questions at the end of each one that really hits home. Each devotion is short enough so that we are able to remember what is said, but as I always like to say, dynamite comes in "small packages". We can remember what each one says, but better yet, the reflective questions reach into our hearts and minds deep enough to make us do some serious soul searching. How serious are we about our relationship with God, Are we serious enough to want to read these questions, search within ourselves and do something about becoming closer to God?

Also, included at the end of each day's devotion is a prayer to ask for God's help to do just that. If I may, let me give you just a taste.

Day Thirty-One:
Philippians

Empty, Broken, Thirsty, Grateful, . . . and Empowered.

There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. and the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. Philippians 1:29 MSG (The Message Bible)

God Says: Never assume, as many do, that the sorrows of this life, even the severest ones, are incompatible with the joy I give.

From a heart relentlessly thirsty and filled with gratitude, Paul sang four messages of joy to the Christians at Philippi. M Spirit is singing them now to you. If you hear the music, you will be able to pour the literal life of My Son into the hearts of others.

To be content does not mean to feel content but rather to know that in My Son you have everything you need to live in rhythm with My Spirit in any circumstance of life. In emptiness and brokenness changed by My Spirit into thirst and gratitude, you are able to complete, reveal, and delight My Son.

It is empty and broken people, who at the same time are thirsty and grateful, who discover the power to live in ways they never thought possible.

Take a Moment to Reflect

So often we seek ways to go around suffering rather than walk through it. Why do you suppose we do that , and more important, how do you attempt to skirt suffering?

What do your mind and heart do with the sentence, "To be content does not mean to feel content"?

Emptiness (loneliness, rejection, powerlessness) and brokenness (which means failure, specifically to love God and others) are two conditions avoided by our culture. Today's reading places a premium for believers on these two conditions. How would you equate emptiness with thirst and brokenness with gratitude?

This one specific devotion brought quite a few questions to my mind. Not only the ones listed here, but it reaffirmed things which I try to point out on my blog. That there is more than just saying that I love and trust Christ. I have to live it. This means suffering through certain things such as persecution for His name's sake. Things like changing my lifestyle. (although I wouldn't consider that to be suffering). Realizing that a lot of the things I thought I couldn't do without, such as drinking, partying, being self-centered and thinking of "me" is not the way to get to heaven or to have a contented intimate relationship with my Lord and Savior.

Take A Moment to Pray

Lord God, I need a change of perspective. I often don't value the same things You do. Give me eyes to see the value of suffering and the importance of emptiness and brokenness. May I trust that Your life is found in the oddest places. In Jesus' name, Amen.

About the Author: Dr. Larry Crabb is a well-known psychologist, seminar speaker,
Bible teacher, author, and founder/director of New Way Ministries. He is also Scholar in Residence at Colorado Christian University, is visiting professor at Richmont University, and serves as Spiritual Director of the American Association of Christian Counselors.

My only disappointment is that it is a paperback. I prefer Hard cover books because I am hard on paperbacks. I tend to want to fold them back thus breaking the binding when I read. On hardbacks I can't do that.

I would recommend this book to all ages. The scriptures are of the Message Version which means they are in everyday language. I will definitely be re-reading this devotional, this time to do more study and reflection.

This book just brings all kinds of things into perspective and is an "excellent read".

Good Night to All and May God Bless.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi PJ,
This sounds like a really good book to read. Thanks for your thoughts on it. Here is the link you wanted. I know, sometimes its hard to get around on that site http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=134297 That should take you right to the article.
Have a good day or night, or both :)
Marianne

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