The Grand Paradox by Ken Wytsma

   Faith is a grand paradox. You are praying in the present for something by faith believing it is on the way, and there is this big gap between the time you ask and the time you receive.

   “A paradox”, the author writes, “is an apparent contradiction, a statement about reality that seems antithetical. Some paradoxes are common and well understood.”

    Life is messy. At the same time God is mysterious.  And we must approach him by faith. We are all aware that Hebrews 11:1 informs us it is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. But that is still not completely graspable. The instances of the Old Testament saints walking by faith and not sight is the only handle God gives.

    Wisdom Is not faith

     The best illustration of walking a life of faith is Jesus. It is to allow God to lead as we follow.

      In the Grand Paradox Wytsma uses 16 chapters to help us realize that others struggled just as we are struggling now. He presents nuggets in each chapter for us to chew on. One is that in the midst of suffering is the best time to experience the presence of God.

      I would recommend this book for seekers who are trying to know God better.

      I was sent this book free from Thomas Nelson through booklookbloggers.com to review and add to my book review blog. There was no agreement that I had to give a positive review in order to receive this book. All views are those of the reviewer and not those of the publisher.
 To buy a copy of this book just use the link below:

The Grand Paradox: The Messiness of Life, the Mystery of God and the Necessity of Faith                         
                                            

When We Were on Fire by Addie Zierman

Have you ever felt you didn’t fit in with your fellow believers?  Have you ever questioned your belief system? Have you been puzzled by the terms you use?

  This is a memoir of a person who grew up in a Christian environment, the expectations of her group, the teachings, the life style, and her journey to a place where she was her own person.

   Clichés have the ability to turn into movements and become culturally accepted.  Soon words get redefined and lose meaning.

   Zierman became a Christian at the age of five. Her life was lived in a Christian ghetto of terms and expectations.  She got caught up in the fervor of the 90’s Jesus movement and the expected lifestyle.

   Her journey out of the cocoon to a life of her own is handled well.

   The first chapter reads like a dream sequence, but it is important. From chapter two on we are in first person viewpoint. Zierman takes us through the teen years and into married life. Her search for an acceptable church will be sure to stir recognition.

    Her faith had to grow to where she could handle life. All Christians need to get to that place     

     This journey had to be told. I feel there is a little journey in all of us that we take when we become related to God through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.  Reading Zierman in places makes you laugh and in other places makes you cringe. But it is realistic.

     She has a blog that you can visit at This link

     This book was received for free from Blogging For Books for this review. Any viewpoints expressed are those of the reviewer and don’t reflect the views of the publisher.