“See to it that no one misses the grace of God.” Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)

Do you ever question the meaning of life? Do you feel you have wasted years of your life? Or, that you have simply made poor choices in your past?

In “Grace” by Max Lucado, one of America’s beloved Christian authors, he explains that it doesn’t matter if you have “made a mess” of your life because God uses one word to vindicate us: Grace.

He further explains that people often try to explain grace: the bank gives us a “grace period”, musicians use a “grace note”, preachers explain it, and hymns proclaim it–to name just a few. Many of us have a “wimpy” grace or a different perception of what grace entails for our lives. The question we need to ask ourselves is: Have we been changed, shaped, or strengthened by grace? When grace happens, we receive a new heart. The author calls it a “spiritual heart transplant”.

He further states that when grace abounds in our lives, Christ abides in us–He lives in us–and to be saved by grace is to be saved by Him.

The author guides us through various scriptures about grace as well as several insightful chapters dealing with a “grace-shaped life” to his riveting final chapter of “when grace happens”. A reader’s guide is provided at the end of the book so that you can explore the chapters more in-depth.

Note: This is my final book review covering a 10-week period, and I trust that you have enjoyed the twenty books that have inspired and encouraged my heart in my walk with Him. May you be blessed in your walk and may you be a blessing to someone today.

Happy reading and blessings,
Yvonne

Through a number of unforeseen circumstances that have happened in your life, do you feel you have lost your joy and purpose?

In “One Thousand Gifts” by Ann Voskamp, a writer with DaySpring (a division of Hallmark Cards), she gives us a practical guide to living a life of joy.

Through her own journey, she will help you find your own gratitude in the everyday “little things” that happen in your life, and to “count them as blessings and joy”, and make you aware of God’s presence on a daily basis.

Living a life full of grace and joy is definitely obtainable by counting your blessings every day.

Happy reading and blessings,
Yvonne

“Now these three remain: Faith, Hope, and Love. But the greatest of these is love.” I Cor. 13:13

Are you desiring a deeper, more committed relationship with your spouse or are you wanting to repair a strained relationship between you and your spouse?

In “The Love Dare” by Stephen and Alex Kendrick, you are given a 40-day challenge: to rediscover the love you had and/or desire to have with your spouse. Communicating your love for one another, even in difficult moments, will bless your relationship immensely.

Based on the popular movie, “Fireproof”, an action-packed story about a firefighter and his wife…and a “marriage worth saving”, “The Love Dare” will help you explore the tools for 40-days to keep your love alive as you practice unconditional love in your relationship by discovering the keys to true intimacy and how to develop a dynamic marriage.

If you desire more in your relationship, then “take the dare–the love dare.” You won’t be sorry you did.

Happy reading and blessings,
Yvonne

Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.”

Do you feel like your life has no meaning–no purpose? According to God’s Word, we are a masterpiece made for good things and God is the ultimate artist.

In “A Million Little Ways” by Emily P. Freeman, writer and speaker, she explains that each one of us “are art” no matter our personality, skill(s), or talent(s). Part of the problem is that many of us give up our desires to “create” because we give up “the art we were born to make” for various reasons.

Uncovering the art within us is to “uncover our deepest desires and our longing for God” because He is the ultimate “creator of art.”

The author suggests five areas in our lives to look in which to uncover the art within:

. Look Within:–What is your true desire(s)?

. Look Back:–At your childhood dreams and rescue them.