'Close Enough to Hear God Breathe', by Greg Paul

This was a free book from booksneeze.com. In exchange I am expected to give an honest review. 


Greg Paul takes the reader through 'the great story' from the beginning of humankind to redemption. Along the way he weaves stories from the bible but also from life today, some very personal for Paul. It is this intimacy that makes this book so readable. He is a wonderful story teller, often poetic.
 It seems appropriate, this Easter season, to share a segment from his chapter entitled 'Dreaming of me'. Here we read the touching story of a' homeless' man from his community - where the wealthy and poor live, work and share their experiences and resources together - who dies alone at the bottom of a stairwell. He considers what this man might have been thinking as he lay there dying, perhaps he was 'dreaming of the life his son might have. The eternal night, falling, falling.' (He had left behind his family feeling they were better off without him, an addict. Paul wonders whether this might have been a huge sacrifice. Many might not see it this way. Certainly the family of this man show great understanding and forgiveness, and love at his funeral.)
And then Paul considers the thoughts of Jesus as he faced his death -  '....I can creep toward the squalid killing ground at the base of that eerie rock. Holy ground. He (Jesus) is sprawled on the timbers, and the soldiers are stretching out his arms and feet. His chest heaves in agitation, but he makes no sound. A hammer is raised. As it falls, he is gazing upward, dreaming of me.' Jesus dreaming of me. What a concept.
The book comes with a study guide, and so it could easily be used in a book club.
I enjoyed moments of this book, but I have to confess that I did find it easy to put down (perhaps not a good sign). However I really appreciated the heart behind this author, and so I wish him every success with his various ministries, including his writing.

http://www.amazon.com/Close-Enough-Hear-God-Breathe/dp/1400203007/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333343471&sr=8-1

'The Grace Effect', by Larry Alex Taunton - a book review (you could win the review copy)

 A long time ago, in the dim dark past, I used to write book reviews for the Christian Woman magazine. I have always relished a free book, and the opportunity to share new books with others thrills me. (I guess that could describe what I like most about my work at the library.) Some I love, others are just so so, and well others I have struggled to get through, but most books have something about them that is worth discussing.

Happily one day while surfing the net I stumbled upon Booksneeze.com. I signed up. Before I knew it I had chosen a book and it was on its way from the US to country Western Australia. Once again I was writing reviews. Yay!

Here is Book Review One:

An apologist and Christopher Hitchens deep in discussion in a restaurant, way past midnight.
A family flies to the Ukraine to finalise the adoption of an orphaned girl.
This is 'The Grace Effect: how the power of one life can reverse the corruption of unbelief' by Larry Alex Taunton (Thomas Nelson, 2011).

 The blurb on the back of the book says "Simply defined, the 'grace effect' is an observable phenomenon - that life is demonstrably better where authentic Christianity flourishes". I wanted Taunton, Christian apologist,  to persuade me that this is the case, but instead I couldn't get past my frustration with his arguments, and annoyance at his insistence that it is only Christian organisations that make a difference. I support Medicine Sans Frontiers, Amnesty International, and Women to Women International (none of these are affiliated with a religion) and I kept thinking -what of these organisations? Does the world not breathe a little easier because of what they do? I personally know of a young mother in the Congo who would say her life is better for their work.

What I did like, however, was the story that drew me to this book - of how Taunton and his family adopt an Ukrainian orphan. I was once involved with a Christian (yes Christian) organisation that sent aid to orphans in the Ukraine - victims of the Chernobyl disaster, so it felt personal to me. Sasha's feisty nature is so appealing and I found myself wanting everything to work out so that she could live happily ever after with new mum, dad and brothers. (Though is it a sign of success that 'she has forgotten most of her Russian and instead chatters away in an easy if  heavily accented English' ?  p221) I loved the photos of Sasha at her brother's wedding. What joy.

I was disappointed that I felt so critical of ' The Grace Effect'. No one would doubt Taunton's love for his adopted daughter or of his commitment to Christ, but I was not comfortable with this story of love mixed in with an apologist's argument. I just wanted to read about Sasha. Sadly I was relieved to finish it. I'm giving it a 2 out of 5.  Judging by other reviews, not everyone will feel the same way as me.

If you live locally and would like to win the review copy be the first to leave a comment. I would love to discuss it with you over a cuppa in the library. 

Asta x

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”