Books I've read and how they've touched my heart/life. [Click on book cover to see more]
I'm generally a non-fiction reader, but am finding and liking more and more Christian fiction novelists. This book is a thick, but quick read. It is fascinating how she weaves three stories into one. Captivating until the very end. It's not just a story, but one (three) that provide some profound spiritual insight. I'll definitely read more from her.
This is an incredible read. A straight Christian man comes 'out of the closet' and spends a year in the gayborhood of Nashville in order to understand his bigotry and hatred for homosexuals. If anyone has an aversion of their own to homosexuals and is open to investigating the source of their own bigotry (surprisingly eye opening for all forms of bigotry, judgement or stereotypes), consider picking up this book. If I could have averted all responsibility for an entire 24 hour period I would have done so in order to finish it in one day. It took a day and a half... :) It was that compelling for me.
A compilation of stories taken from biblical text, expanded into fictional form to capture more the stories and hearts of five unlikely women who played pivotal roles in the changing of eternity. If you've ever felt like your sin is too big, or that you'll be alone forever, or that your simple life could not contribute or make any kind of impact on anything, or any other thing that has diminished your sense of value and worth for the Kingdom, this book will drive hope straight into your soul and refresh your perspective. So good.
If anyone has ever struggled with Anxiety or Depression or both, this is a must read. Written by the pastor of
Solid Rock Church in Portland, OR, it is refreshingly transparent and real. I value greatly his vulnerability in telling his tale, but greater so, his desire for absolute Truth regarding such an elusive, yet predominate affliction in our culture. So. Good.
I read this book in two days and it only took me that long because I have, you know, responsibilities and a little girl to attend to. :) Captivated from the very beginning, my soul breathes easy now having glimpsed what heaven will look like when the Lord decides to take me home. Just like Colton, the only thing that I'm afraid of is who I may not see when I go.
I love to read, but few books wrap themselves around my heart and soul like this one. Ann has this gift of reaching right into your soul with her words and applying the most amazing kind of Grace. The lens by which I view my world has dramatically shifted because of this book. An absolute must read. It will change your life.
I read this book probably 8 years ago, before I understood even remotely my worth and value in Christ and I struggled through it. The Biblical standards were far beyond anything I could comprehend at the time. Today (Nov 2011), I reread it and breath easier understanding my value and that not only am I worth capturing and keeping, but that I do have the strength and ability to wait in His strength. I trust the man will come, but my days of pursuing him are over. I will wait patiently, until he is shown to me. It's a book of hope, and of promise.
I'm generally a non-fiction reader, but am finding and liking more and more Christian fiction novelists. This book is a thick, but quick read. It is fascinating how she weaves three stories into one. Captivating until the very end. It's not just a story, but one (three) that provide some profound spiritual insight. I'll definitely read more from her. 
