Overtaken by Grace by Debbie Milam - Book Review

Of all the books available on Bookcrash, this was the one I most wanted to read, and the main reason I signed up for the program. More grace is always a good thing. 

As the saying goes, God works in mysterious ways. Little did I know that by the time the book arrived, a core family member would be in the intensive care unit (ICU) and I would be too sick to be able to travel, even though there was a good chance my beloved family member might not survive. Debbie Milam's Overtaken by Grace: How Intimacy with God Brings Hope, Healing, and Miracles provided exactly the support I needed during that difficult time. I loved her liberal use of scripture and her heartfelt prayers.

It's a very slim book, totaling 115 pages, and it didn't have any big original thoughts that I noticed. But what it did deliver is Debbie's beautiful way of speaking about core Biblical truths and life lessons in touching, heartfelt ways. Debbie's love for the Lord and her readers was evident and I felt like she was a friend helping me through this difficult time.

Some of the sections, such as coping with teenagers, didn't apply to my life but I read the whole book and do feel like I got something out of each part.

God did grant a miracle and my family member, while not completely healed, is still alive and able to live independently, something some of his doctors did not think would be possible. I'm still not up for travel but the need is less urgent.

Normally, once I finish a Christian book, I pass it on to my mother, who runs an informal free Christian lending library. But I'm going to keep Overtaken by Grace. I love the personal inscription she so kindly wrote for me and I know I'm going to want to reference it in the future, especially for the prayers.

My only criticism of the book is that Debbie only vaguely alludes to her challenges and doesn't get deeply personal and specific until more than halfway through the book (if I remember correctly, around page 65). I would have liked to know what kind of things she had dealt with much earlier in the book. But, even before she got specific, I could tell that she was someone I'd certainly like to get to know. I love her heart for God and her unique way of expressing His truths.

I would definitely recommend this book for any Christian or anyone open to Christianity. 

May God continue to bless Debbie Milam, and may He bless you too!

Related posts:
Refocus book review: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2013/08/refocus-living-life-that-reflects-gods.html
Life Lessons book review: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2014/04/life-lessons-for-women-7-essential.html
Disciplines of a godly woman: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/07/disciplines-of-godly-woman-book-review.html
Authentic relationships: http://lovejoyandpeas.blogspot.com/2012/07/disciplines-of-godly-woman-book-review.html

Disclosure:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program, which requires an honest, though not necessarily positive, review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am not currently nor have I been in the past, an Amazon affiliate. I am considering applying to be an affiliate in the future and will post a notice when/if that happens. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR Title 16, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Love Finds A Home" Book Review

Enjoyed this lovely "heartwarming inspirational romance" story by Kathryn Springer. It's the second in her Mirror Lake series (I enjoyed the first one too). I read this on Sunday both on the way to and from viewing the Washington DC cherry blossoms and finished it up last night. I read a lot of these Love Inspired books but I don't always review them. What stood out as special to me about this book were two quotes that  I'll share them with you.

On page 43 the heroine's friend points out "When God gives you a gift, it's part of His plan." I've been blessed in so many ways and I am very thankful. There are a few gifts I have that I'm not sure how God wants me to use them but this reminds me to keep my eyes open for God given opportunities.

On page 100 the hero's youth pastor brother reminds him that "We're both under divine construction." This is true for all Christians. As long as we're here on this earth, God is working on our hearts, minds and souls. We aren't perfect and we never will be on this side of heaven. That's ok. That's not an excuse to be sinful but it is a very freeing observation. Confess any sins and move on. Let's get out of God's way and let Him work his divine will in our lives. May God bless you!

Note: I borrowed this book from my local library and have no material connection with anyone or thing mentioned in this article (although I do envision myself publishing a Christian romance novel in the future).

Authentic Relationships Book Review and Quotes

Authentic Relationships: The Lost Art of One Anothering was one of my 12 Great Books to Read in 2012 selections and it was a great read. There were many good reminders and even some new thought provoking ideas as well as some solid calls to action for people looking to have stronger, authentic relationships. While reading nonfiction books I tend to use an index card to note the pages I want to come back to for my book notes upon completion of the text and this book's great ideas filled both sides of my index card. Here are some of the best quotes from the book.

p. 30 “[God] wants to set you so free in his love that it spills out of you and touches others...One anothering is not some onerous chore, but the joy of sharing God’s life, not only with his people but also with a world captive in darkness.”

 p. 40 “Hurting people do stupid things. Usually the more stupidly they act, the deeper their pain. When someone lashes out at me or treats me with contempt, I am tempted to respond in kind. When I realize, however, that people who do such things are in incredible pain themselves, it helps me to be patient with them , hoping that my love and gentleness might open a door for their healing."

p 53 “If we learn to love one another, we will need nothing more. We won’t need commitment, we won’t fall victim to expectations, and we won’t be disappointed when others don’t do for us what we have done for them. God’s love demands nothing in return.”

 p 71 “In a culture where most people are looking out for number one, random acts of kindness stand out as brightly as a lighthouse on a moonless night.”

 p 76 “Our life in Jesus, or the lack of it, is demonstrated by our compassion for people in need. He looks at those actions exactly as if we are, or are not, doing them for him. His compassion is 

contagious. Once we have experienced it from his hand, there is no way we can hold it to ourselves.”

 p 83 “‘Serving one another in love’ marks the transition from being slaves to the law to living in the Spirit.”

 p 92 “‘Whom can I encourage today?’ is a question we all can ask every day. When you know you are going to spend some time with someone, ask God what you might say or do that would help that person experience a touch of God’s grace.”

 p 94 “Your demeanor, thoughts, or simple affection can rescue people from their own anger, ego, or selfishness and free them to live on a higher plane in the life of Jesus.”

 p 96 “Stimulating people to love and good deeds does not happen by picking at their failures or by pushing them to try harder; it happens by helping them draw closer to Jesus.” 

p 114 “Picture talking to God like a five-year-old crawling into her daddy’s lap and sharing with him her hurts, frustrations, wants and needs. It doesn’t matter of she makes a mistake or is unsure of what to say; he already knows her heart and is thrilled to have the moment with her.”

I guess the main idea of the book is that we need to take time to truly understand and bask in God's boundless, deep and eternal love for us and then we'll be naturally overflowing with love for others. My prayer for both you and I, dear reader, is that we will do just that. May the love of our gracious Lord flow through you today!

"Between Shades of Gray" Book Review

I originally decided to read this book because of a favorable review (perhaps in Real Simple magazine but I'm not truly sure). I requested the book from my local library and yesterday I picked up Ruta Sepety's Between Shades of Grey to read it and I simply couldn't go to sleep until I'd finished. It was an amazingly well written, gut wrenching and eye opening tale of human love, compassion, cruelty and horror. Ruta Sepety has that special gift of writing heroic yet real characters so you feel as though you are experiencing what they experienced and find yourself keenly hoping they beat the odds. I highly recommend this book.

Here are two quotes from the book that I felt were worth pondering:

1) "We'd been trying to touch the sky from the bottom of the ocean. I realized that if we boosted one another, maybe we'd get a little closer (page 307)." Even when faced with unspeakable circumstances and seemingly impossible obstacles some people find it within themselves to persevere and hope. Some people give up. The heroine was one who persevered and, although my challenges are minor compared to hers, she inspires me to persevere as well.

2) "Whether love of friend, love of country, love of God, or even love of enemy - love reveals to us the truly miraculous nature of the human spirit (page 341)."  This wasn't part of the novel, but part of the author's notes at the end of the book. In my opinion, it was the absolute perfect ending sentence for this book. Love really is paramount.