11.06.2008

Book Review: Sin Boldly

I work well with deadlines.

I don't generally need a deadline when it comes to books but I have had one book on my nightstand for eight months. Eight LONG months.  I needed a little push to finish it so I start something new and find joy in reading again.

A few weeks ago, Jessica posted about a book giveaway. I saw this as a good opportunity to give myself the nudge to finish that other book.  
 
I wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read Sin Boldly. Honestly, it is probably a book I would have passed by in a book store. The title seemed  a little daunting, a little deep, and a little intimidating.  

I found Sin Boldly to be a delightful surprise. It was not daunting nor was it intimidating.  It was an easy read in the sense that the stories are engaging and each chapter takes you on a new journey.  I found that I could identify with the author and gained some insight on grace.

For as far back as I can remember I have struggled with feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness when I messed up.  I couldn't imagine how God could forgive me since I could not forgive myself.  For the most part, I have been a rule follower my entire life.  On the scale of mess ups, mine aren't huge. The statement that struck me, that had me nodding my head in agreement, was "When I understood, in God's grace, that there was nothing - not a thing - I could do to make God love me any less or any more, when I understood that there was nothing wrong or right about who I am in God's eyes, that I'm just loved, I started to live. Boldly."  We are sinners, we are going to mess up but we need to believe in God's grace and accept the grace that is given.  We need to "live this life."

Thanks Jessica for the opportunity to read something I would normally pass over.  

6 comments:

Jessica Brown said...

Thanks for posting this! I really appreciate your insights here and am glad you enjoyed the book.

Lynn said...

Gotta finish the book and get mine posted...

Jenni S. said...

That's great that you enjoyed the book and got some great insights out of it. I read this one a couple of months ago, so I'm eager to see what everyone else thinks too!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the reminder on grace. I'm definitely going to check this book out.

Denise said...

oh, i to have struggled with this... living in grace. there is such freedom there, in the knowing you are loved simply because you are His.
i try not to let myself wander from that Truth everyday.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You're right God loves us no matter what. That doesn't mean we have free reign on committing sin, but it does give us the reassurance that when we do sin or mess up, God will continue to love us.