Captured by Grace by Dr. David Jeremiah

Dr. David Jeremiah has written a thought-provoking book about grace and how it is waiting, out there, for all of those who are seeking. He has taken the unique approach of dealing with God's individual grace from the perspective of John Newton and the Apostle Paul. While the author deals with both of these personages and their experiences with grace, he never strays too far from the subject of how that grace is available to all of us and how anyone who reaches out for divine grace will be changed by the experience.

Throughout the book Dr. Jeremiah gives the reader points to ponder and consider. One of these is his definition between mercy and grace. He says, "Mercy is God withholding the punishment we rightfully deserve. Grace is God not only withholding that punishment but offering the most precious of gifts instead. " He, then, goes on to give further differences between the two in one of the most interesting sections of the book.

Another interesting section said: "Grace changes people as nothing else can do. It cleanses the sins of the past. It enable righteousness in the present. And one thing it does is for certain; it constantly surprises us. For the essence of grace is surprise." This last statement gave me pause to reflect. Grace gives the seeker something that he/she does not expect and certainly comes as a surprise to all those who live in the circle of the seeker.

The last chapter of the book deals with where the seeker of grace is at the present. He talks about how unfathomable the reward is and how the requirement is so simple. The book is worth the reading. It makes you think and the connections with the author of the great hymn "Amazing Grace" and the apostle who preaches about grace are treasures of the word.

The Edge of the Divine by Sandi Patty

This is a book that should not be dismissed as an episodic adventure on dieting and surgical intervention. It is the story of a person's pilgrimage fighting the demons which have gained controlled in whatever form they choose to appear in one's psyche. The author takes her definition of "edge" as the "point of which something is likely to begin." She spins her chapters with real-life situations, who she is, what she has done wrong, and where the trip of her life has taken her.

I was surprised in the book by her frankness about her own sense of failure, her dedication to the needs of the individual members of her blended family and to her down-to-earth grounding which allows her to deal with all of this. She does not dwell on her accolades and when she does drop a name or give an achievement, she quickly acknowledges the statement of her friend, Chonda Pierce ,"Not bragging. Just sharin' my testimony." Her writing makes the reader feel that the two of you could sit down and share a coffee and that she would do as much listening as talking.

The author gives her insights into Scriptural characters and authors she is reading. Her words about Oswald Chambers and what he has called, "the unexpected sacredness of circumstances",

caused me to ponder my own circumstances and opportunities to bring and find ministry. Patty made no allusion to the fact that her music ministry has done this, and continues to do this, for many thousands of people in her years as an artist. I concluded from her words that this was only a part of what she considered to be her ministry; rather that every aspect of her life was a major part of her ministry including what she and others might consider to be her failures.

The Jesus You Can't Ignore by John MacArthur

In this book, The Jesus You Can't Ignore, Dr. MacArthur takes as his premise that what one thinks of Jesus Christ will thoroughly color how you think of everything else. He directs one's thinking to how Jesus confronted his "friends" in the ministry or rather, those who did not practice what he preached.

The author dissects the Scriptures of confrontation well and thoroughly. He points out, in examples, how Christ did not back down in rapid conciliation when faced with situations that needed correction. He also makes the point vividly that Christ was not a contradiction but a composite of things holy. He stood for what needed to be stood for at all times and for all situations. The author was careful to define the responsibility for truth-seeking as the "destruction of falsehoods, not people."

The outstanding parts of the book, to me, were the chapters which centered on the responses of Christ to his Pharisee constituents who were charged with keeping the things which were "holy". The narration of these events gave me new insights into the words of Christ and allowed me to ponder and reflect on his words, actions and reactions.

MacArthur made the point, especially in the last chapter, that the goal of ministers and movements is to stand for what Christ taught us; it is not the primary goal to get along with all things Christian no matter what is said and who says it. The quotes he uses from other authors are excellent and bear out his premise that Christ should never be thought of as one who sought peace at all costs. Christ met people where they were and dealt with them accordingly as he searched their hearts.