‘Unconditional’ by Eva Marie Everson

Sam (Samantha) Crawford is happily married to her best friend, Billy Crawford. All seems to be turning out as she thought things would until the unthinkable happens and Billy dies. He isn’t taken from her in illness, he is murdered and it plunges her into a pit of despair in which she sees no sunshine and can’t emotionally or spiritually find her way out. When she is at her lowest point God puts a couple of children and a very special friend from childhood into her life. Keisha, Macon, and Joe Bradford (known as Papa Joe by the children he works with in his ministry) are the instruments used by God to radically change her life and in the process change their lives too.

It is a great story that shows what God’s love can do when we least expect it.

My favorite part is probably where Sam learns what her husband said right before he died. Not just what he said, but what happens in and around her finding out.

On the front cover it states that it is based on the motion picture screenplay written by Brent McCorkle, and at the end of the book we are told that it was inspired by actual events in Joe Bradford’s life. What those ‘actual events’ are that inspired the story are not shared. What is shared is that a ministry to fatherless children started from sharing a piece of candy and that ministry is called Elijah’s Heart. To find out more about the ministry there is a website you can visit.  http://www.papajoe.org and http://www.elijahsheart.com (both go to the same place.)

I recommend this book as both encouraging and inspirational reading.

Have you read the book? What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

Purposes of Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an a copy of this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion of it in a review on my blog. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

He Chose The Nails by Max Lucado

Max did it again.  You can’t go wrong with a Max Lucado book!  ‘He Chose The Nails’ is no exception.  Mr. Lucado focuses on the crucifixion and the meaning to us as Christians of the various aspects of the crucifixion.

I really don’t want to go into great detail about the book as it is one of those books that one needs to read and contemplate for ones’ self.  There are fifteen chapters, final words, notes, and a study guide.  Each chapter is typical Lucado style.  Uplifting, encouraging, exhorting, and a joy to read.

I thought his seeing the three languages used to proclaim the message about Jesus as intriguing.  As so many things Max writes, I had never thought of those three languages as being a symbol of God telling us that no matter what language we speak He is speaking our language.  That should be a comfort to all of us as it reinforces once again how much God wants each of us to get the message no matter what language we speak.

The picture of Jesus’ flesh being torn being an invitation into God’s presence is another concept I hadn’t thought of before.  Max likens Jesus’ torn flesh to the veil in the temple being torn.  Both being an invitation by God into His presence.

The last one I’m going to comment on is how Max shows that Jesus refused the painkillers found in the first offering of wine so that He would fully identify with our pain and suffering.  If he had accepted the drugged wine then His perception and participation in our pain would have been dulled and maybe even deadened.  HE purposely refused to allow that to happen.

Can’t think of anything in the book that wasn’t helpful in some way.  I’d recommend it to anyone.  Highly inspirational.

Purposes of Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a temporary digital review copy of the book mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”