Victim of Grace

Title: Victim of Grace
Author: Robin Jones Gunn
Labels: Religion | Christian Life | Spiritual Growth
Publisher: Zondervan
Publication Date: April 23, 2013
Recommended To: Women
Contains: N/A

Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle
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Blurb From Goodreads: Robin Jones Gunn reveals poignant truths from her life as well as from the lives of women in the Bible as she flips the notion that we are at the mercy of circumstances. She asks, what if God has dreams for you? What if he is accomplishing those dreams in the midst of shattered hopes? When life doesn't go as expected, it's easy to feel like a victim. We look at the events that have gone wrong and view our lives as impaired. What if we could see our future as God sees it? Would our view radically change if we understood we are indeed victims rather than of happenstance? God, the Relentless Lover, has vigorously sought you. He has instilled dreams in your heart that are grander than you can imagine. But the route to their fulfillment often is through a path you wouldn't seek. What if God wants to take the hopes that tug at your heart and enliven them? Are you ready to live inside the mysterious joy of being a victim of grace?
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Let me just start by saying that cover to this book sis gorgeous--both online and on the physical copy. So pretty! Anyway, I enjoyed, I enjoyed reading Gunn's Victim of Grace. It's a light read, and I found myself reading through quickly while still understanding all that she was talking about.

Victim of Grace is more or less about a concept that the things that seem bad in the moment--making us a victim--may actually be setting us up to be receivers of God's grace. We often don't see this in the moment, but rather realize it later, in retrospect, and sometimes not even then. It encourages us to have a more positive outlook as we wait for God to bring us full circle.

I liked that in each chapter, after Gunn talked about a person experience of being a victim of Grace, she went on to talk about a woman of the Bible who was also a victim of grace. Not all were obvious victims of grace--some of them we flat out have felt sorry for. But for each Gunn had a point about that woman that made it clear that they were indeed victims of grace. One thing I would have liked to have seen were more personal experiences from other women other than Gunn. Not that her life story isn't interesting or inspiring; I just enjoy reading from many viewpoints on a subject such as this.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.

Clouds (Glenbrooke, #5)

Title: Clouds
Author: Robin Jones Gunn
Labels: Fiction | Contemporary
Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah
Publication Date: May 14, 2004
Recommended To: Women
Contains: Clean as a whistle.

Buy It: Amazon | Kindle
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Blurb From Goodreads: Coming home wasn’t supposed to feel this way. After five years as a flight attendant, Shelly is home again, in a house alive with happy memories. Yet she feels strangely lost. Without direction. Alone.
          Where is Jonathan Renrield when she needs him? Jonathan, her best friend nearly all her life, her first and only love. Shelly hadn’t meant to hurt him when she left him behind to chase her dreams. And she misses him more than she’s ever admitted. When they unexpectedly meet in Germany, Shelly manages to hide her feelings from Jonathan—and his fiancée. But she can no longer hide them from herself. Will she ever be ready to tell Jonathan the truth? Will she have the chance?
          Not until a business trip takes her to charming Glenbrooke, Oregon does Shelly finally understand: only the truth can set her free. But is it too late for her and Jonathan?
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         First off, I loved the names of the two main characters, Shelly and Jonathan. I don't know, maybe it's a personal thing, but to me "Shelly" just kinda rolls off the tongue in a great way. And I can't remember the last time read a book with the main character named "Jonathan," so it was a really great pick.

          I really liked the way the plot played out. I have a personal love for books that take place--or have scenes--in foreign countries, especially when they let the culture show through. The better part of this book took place in Germany. I felt like the topic was interesting and a legitimate possibility, and it was interesting to watch as the characters handled it in their own ways.

          Lastly, I loved the cover! It's beautiful on the web, and even more gorgeous on the physical book! I loved this book. It had some really cute scenes, and I loved the way it ended. Definitely recommended! I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.

Praying For Your Future Husband [Review]

Title: Praying for Your Future Husband
Author: Robin J. Gunn & Tricia Goyer
Labels: Christian Living / Relationships / Single Living
Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah
Publication Date: May 3, 2011
Contains: Mature personal stories, recommended readers 13+ of age
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository | The Publisher

My Rating: ★★★★★
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Blurb: From when we were small girls, most of us dream of "The One," our future husband. We think about what it would be like to be a bride. We wonder who that special guy is and when we'll find him. The great news it that what you do now can make a difference in your life and the life of your future husband!
          Authors and good friends Robin Jones Gunn and Tricia Goyer believe God answers women's prayers for husbands--even husbands they may not meet for years. They invite young women to pray boldly for their future mate...while also asking God to prepare their own hearts.
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          Before I say anything else, I just need to say that I loved this book. Immensely. In fact, I plan on rereading it...several times.

          Praying for your future husband is a concept a lot of people have thought of and done, but I think a lot of us don't even think about praying for specifics -- realistic and spiritual specifics, not height, weight, and eye color. Praying For Your Future Husband points out specifics that every one of us want in a guy (even if we don't really realize it) and that are spiritually beneficial to both you and him. These things include praying for patience, understanding, trust, faithfulness, protection, commitment -- to name a few. In the process of praying for your husband, your own heart ends up being changed and being brawn nearer to God.

          In each chapter Robin and Tricia, as well as other women, share their personal stories of how God worked in their lives and the lives of their future husbands as they prayed for them. It's awesome to see first hand accounts of how prayer changes lives.

          I recommend this book to every young women -- even those that have already found Mr. Right. In fact, I already have plans to get this book for some of my girl friends. :-) I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, in exchange for my honest review.