Saturday, November 29, 2014

Vanishing Grace by Philip Yancey + $25 Family Christian Appreciation Certificate #Giveaway!

Do you ever feel like maybe what you are doing as a Christian just isn't enough? You talk to people who are unsaved and many times they look on "Christians" as being kooky, aggressive, confrontational and politically out there. I for one am tired of being looked at that way. So I was very glad to be able to review Philip Yancey's new book titled, Vanishing Grace. And let me just say, WOW! I found myself marking pages in here, taking notes and overall wanting to change the way I am around those who are lost.



“Why does the church stir up such negative feelings?” Philip Yancey has been asking this all his life as a journalist. His perennial question is more relevant now than ever: in a twenty-year span starting in the mid-nineties, research shows that favorable opinions of Christianity have plummeted drastically—and opinions of Evangelicals have taken even deeper dives.
The end of the politics-oriented Evangelicalism that was so dominant in the second half of the 20th century is a strong example that we are living in a post-Christian culture.
Yet while the opinions about Christianity are dropping, interest in spirituality is rising. Why the disconnect? Why are so many asking, “What’s so good about the “Good News?”
Yancey’s writing has focused on the search for honest faith that makes a difference for a world in pain. In his landmark book What’s So Amazing about Grace he issued a call for Christians to be as grace-filled in their behavior as they are in declaring their beliefs.
But people inside and outside the church are still thirsty for grace. What the church lacked in its heyday is now exactly what it needs to recover to thrive. Grace can bring together Christianity and our post-Christian culture, inviting outsiders as well as insiders to take a deep second look at why our faith matters and about what could reignite its appeal to future generations.
How can Christians offer grace in a way that is compelling to a jaded society? And how can they make a difference in a world that cries out in need?
Yancey aims this book at Christian readers, showing  them how Christians have lost respect, influence, and reputation in a newly post-Christian culture. “Why do they hate us so much?” mystified Americans ask about the rest of the world.  A similar question applies to evangelicals in America.
Yancey explores what may have contributed to hostility toward Evangelicals, especially in their mixing of faith and politics instead of embracing more grace-filled ways of presenting the gospel.  He offers illuminating stories of how faith can be expressed in ways that disarm even the most cynical critics.  Then he explores what is Good News and what is worth preserving in a culture that thinks it has rejected Christian faith.

I received this on the Kindle and I often have a hard time reading books on my tablet. I love my physical books:) But this time I opened it and slowly treasured each page, many times going back to re-read a sentence and allow it to sink in. Philip Yancey has a way with words that makes you comfortable and yet also makes you want to change. The whole point being developed throughout the book is that more and more Christians are not showing the grace and love that has been bestowed upon them. The grace that changed our lives and was freely given when we were thirsty is not as out there as it should be. And he is brutally honest in his descriptions.

One of the main things I liked was how he uses statistics so much. He backs everything up with how people perceive Christianity as a whole. He takes us across to other countries and shows how it is different from America. Even the difference in our country of north and south, which I have definitely noticed before. He makes the point that if we would look at people as hurting and lost, not just unsaved or wrong, then we will reply with kindness. How different our world would be if we responded with love to anyone, especially the people we see as enemies. All in all, this is an amazing book but no matter how many people read it over and over, it won't do any good if we don't take it to heart. People know what they should be doing, we just have to do it. Below is one of my favorite quotes from the whole book. Also typed out if you can't read it clearly enough.


"In my lifelong study of the Bible I have looked for an overarching theme, a summary statement of what the whole sprawling book is about. I have settled on this: "God gets his family back." From the first book the the last the Bible tells of wayward children and the great lengths to which God will go to bring them home. Indeed, the entire biblical drama ends with a huge family reunion in the book of Revelation."

This book is incredible. And one of you will be able to purchase it, if you would like, with the $25 Family Christian Stores appreciation certificate I am giving away. The giveaway will end 12/16 and winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

33 comments:

Cyndi said...

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain by Matt Chandler. Already have that one and your review definitely makes me want to check this out, so if I won, I'd very possibly use it on Vanishing Grace. :)

Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden said...

The Case for Christmas sounds like a good read.

Mary Hart said...

Would love to read this book! I'm sure that I would be doing some underlining, too.

Mom Knows Best said...

I would buy the WOW worship music as I dont read beyond the bible and kids books

Hope Griffin said...

Outrageous by Eugene Cho. I wrote a review on my blog about it. Loved every word.

Brandi said...

I just finished Messy Beautiful Love and really enjoyed it.

Amy C said...

Appointments with Heaven by Reggie Anderson is my favorite.

Unknown said...

Without a doubt, mine is the Bible. :) But I also like anything from Stormie Omartian too.

Unknown said...

I would like to read Good Morning Holy Spirit.

Faith said...

I loved the Sister Circle series and Like Dandelion Dust. I enjoy Colleen Coble books as well.

Rebecca Harmon said...

I would love to read Growing Up Social by Gary Chapman.

Rebecca Harmon said...

It would be a joy to read "Messy Beautiful Love". I've heard so many good things about it.

Lori said...

I'm up to reading most anything...I have a ton of books waiting to be read on my shelves right now. I've heard that Messy Beautiful Love is a great one though.

Lori said...

I want to read Overcoming Crisis (a pre-buy right now) by Myles Munroe.

Alisha said...

Currently going through Beth Moore's James study. It's pretty good.

the Mcclanahan 7 said...

I would like to read Unlocked.

Rachael K said...

Captivating by Stasi Eldredge is really good!

Unknown said...

I really like the Jesus Calling devotional.

Amy C said...

I would like to read UnPhiltered.

Kelly said...

Would love to read Jesus Calling Devotional

Jessica said...

The book If I Perish by Esther Ahn Kim, I-Suk An sounds like an amazing read and very inspirational. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! girlygirlugh at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I would like to read UnPHILtered: The Way I See It

Julie Waldron said...

I'd like to read A New Season: A Robertson Family Love Story of Brokenness and Redemption. Pretty much any book by the Robertson family.

Julie Waldron said...

I'd like to read An Amish Second Christmas, I love Amish books :)

Coolestmommy said...

5 Love Languages - favorite book. Amazing!

Coolestmommy said...

I would love to read "The Best Yes" by Lisa TerKerst. She's an amazing woman and speaker.

Randi S said...

I just finished Sidelined and really enjoyed that...too many great choices!

Sadie said...

I would like to read A Warrior's Faith: Navy Seal Ryan Job, a Life-Changing Firefight, and the Belief That Transformed His Life by Robert Vera .

kathy dalton said...

id love to read any of the joyce meyer self help books

kathy dalton said...

id love to read Appointments with Heaven by Reggie Anderson

Sadie said...

I would like to read Different by Design: God's Master Plan for Harmony Between Men and Women in Marriage.

Unknown said...

Radical by David Platt

Unknown said...

Just looked at the website, I would love to buy Max Lucado's new book, Away in the Manger.

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