Kingdom of Grace

Grace as defined by a dictionary is unmerited favor or goodwill. Think of it as kindness, charity, or even mercifulness. It is what sets being a Christian or Christ-follower apart from the world's religion. There is nothing you can do to work your way into heaven, it's a free gift. You don't have to do anything to earn it, just simply take it and accept it from Jesus. Yes, it's that simple. That is why most in the world reject it or spend their lives trying to earn their way into heaven by what they do. Now, don't get me wrong, works are important, but they are a reflection of that grace we have accepted. It is what defines whether we are loving as Jesus would have. It is a by-product of Jesus transforming our lives and now that is what comes out of who we have become, a changed person reflecting the love and grace of Christ in our own lives, much like a mirror.

Cho Larson in his wonderfully written book, Kingdom of Grace, the fourth book in his Kingdom Series, allows us to see this very nature at work in the lives of believers. Using the way Jesus chose to heal people, He never punished them for their way of life up to the point of His healing touch. He didn't worry about what people might think if He touched an unclean man with leprosy, it was all done out of love and compassion for the person He healed. It doesn't mean others were simply neglected either. It was to demonstrate what the simple act of grace could do, not just in the transforming of the outside of someone but more importantly what it did on the inside. It just couldn't be contained! Jesus even asked those He healed to tell no one about what happened, but they couldn't help it. They were forever changed on the inside and out.

I guess it is easy for some people to see it in order to believe it. Imagine how many more people might be won over for Christ, if He simply appeared and healed all the diseases and illnesses in the world. But it is that kind of faith that won't last. It's like thanking someone for a gift you wanted, and then when you no longer desire that gift, you lose interest in it and even possibly the person who gave it to you. That isn't the kind of grace Jesus provides when it is genuine. It changes you from the inside so much, you can't go back to the way you were before. You don't want to! This is a wonderful book that explores that life changing grace in a way, you might not have considered before. Believers and non believers alike will all get something amazing out of it, if you are willing to be open to see what the grace of Christ looks like!

I received Kingdom of Grace by Cho Larson compliments of Westbow Press. This is such a profound book using the scriptures found in the Bible to illuminate the differences of the grace the world sees and the one that Christ offers to all who put their faith and trust in Him. They will be forever changed by the simple definition of grace according to Jesus. For this reason I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This would make for a great small group Bible study along with the previous books in the series to help you grow in your spiritual walk.

For more information about Kingdom of Grace, Cho Larson or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Kingdom of Grace by Cho Larson

You can find Cho Larson on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest books.

To see more reviews on Kingdom of Grace, please visit Westbow Press' website. 

Beyond Justice - Review and eBook Giveaway

I have heard that the words of Matthew West's song Forgiveness was inspired by a woman's story to forgive the drunk driver who took the life of her child. The same conclusion can be reached by the conclusion of Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham who is rapidly earning his way to the top of my Most Wanted Author list. Beyond Justice is his debut novel written back in 2010 and I don't know how I missed it up until now. The message is as relevant and powerful as it was when it was written and it is definitely for those who are finding it more than challenging to forgive someone for something they did to them. This is a highly recommended novel for that very reason.

Beyond Justice takes us in the heart of what all of us would dread, to come home after a long day of work, anticipating spending time with our spouse and kids. Expecting nothing out of the ordinary, Sam Hudson is a bit puzzled by the fact his security system isn't armed when he arrives home, but doesn't think too much about it. His wife Jenn has been having issues with arming it, and since she is home it doesn't seem at all out of the ordinary. Sensing a romantic night awaits him as he enters his home, he finds Jenn has lilac candles waiting in their bedroom hoping to surprise him. That is exactly what he gets when he opens the door to the bedroom to find her laying in bed, stabbed multiple times. Grabbing his cell phone, he frantically dials 911 and she whispers to him to find the children. Not wanting to leave her side, he rushes to his daughter Bethie's room and discovers the same thing. She is laying in bed with multiple stab wounds and a slight pulse. Rushing to his son's room he finds a bloody baseball bat on the floor and his son barely breathing under the covers.

It is more than any man could ever hope to handle, but it's just getting started for Sam as one by one his house of cards begins to fall as he watches his family carted off in an ambulance while the detectives begin to suspect that Sam is more than innocent in his claims. All the evidence seems to point compellingly back to Sam and no matter how much he sticks to his pleas that he is innocent, the evidence keeps stacking up against him. Will he be able to prove his innocence or will he find time to wrestle with the reasoning facing the death penalty behind bars? Only time will tell.

I received Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham compliments of Partners in Crime Book Tours and Dawn Treader Press for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are strictly my own. This is a true suspense novel in that you literally can't see what's coming from that blind corner. I LOVE that! Too many times, the authors give it away too soon and thus the need to finish the book is lost, but not this time. Joshua maintains that same level of intensity from the beginning until the ending you never saw coming. It is the basis for grace and forgiveness coupled with a spiritual element that can only be God inspired! Well done Joshua Graham. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. For those of you that love a great murder crime mystery novel, trust me and pick this one up. You'll definitely be wanting more!!!

For more information about Beyond Justice, Joshua Graham, or where you can pick up this novel today, please click on the links below:

Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham

You can also find Joshua Graham on Facebook to stay up to date with all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on Beyond Justice from the Partners in Crime Book Tour, click here. 

Now for the best part, thanks to Partners in Crime they are providing an Ebook Copy of Beyond Justice to one lucky follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart. Here are your guidelines:

1. "Like: Joshua Graham's Facebook page. While you're there tell him why you'd love to win a copy of this book.

2. "Like" my Facebook page, Reviews From The Heart. If you have already "Liked" my page, find this review there and click the Like button.

3. Leave a comment below telling me why you would love to win an Ebook copy of Beyond Justice along with your email address. You can use the words (at) and (dot) instead of the symbols.

I will notify the winner by email once the giveaway ends on February 13th.

The Grace Card - DVD Giveaway and Review

Everything can change in an instant … and take a lifetime to unravel. When Mac McDonald loses his son in an accident, the ensuing 17 years of bitterness and pain erodes his love for his family and leaves him angry with God … and just about everyone else. Mac’s rage stonewalls his career in the police department and makes for a combustible situation when he’s partnered with Sam Wright, a rising star on the force—who happens to be a part-time pastor and a loving family man.

Can they somehow join forces to help one another when it’s impossible for either of them to look past their differences—especially the most obvious one? Every day, we have the opportunity to rebuild relationships and heal deep wounds by extending and receiving God’s grace. Offer THE GRACE CARD … and never underestimate the power of God’s love.

My Review:

This movie will completely move you to tears. An emotional roller coaster from the first scene where Mac McDonald (Michael Joiner) and his family are put through the hardest of life's tragedies as his young son is killed by a drug deal gone bad. While the police are pursuing the dealer, Tyler rides directly into the path of the dealer's car.

Now the family, 17 years later is still struggling in the various stages of grief. For Mac, it's getting over the hate he still feels for the boy who took the life of his son. Even though he doesn't say he's a racist, his actions confirm that he is being held captive. Now partnered with Sam Wright (Mike Higgenbottom), who's an up and coming pastor and who just received the promotion that Mac had hoped he would get, he is faced with his greatest enemy.

Sam Wright is trying to get his church started so he can quit to police force, however he too struggles with his messages when he can't even find a way to reach a hurt and wounded man he is partnered with everyday who hates him simply based on his skin color.

Blake is the remaining son who is on the verge of not graduating in his senior year due to his grades. He is still dealing with trying to live up to Tyler even though the accident happened 17 years ago. He turns to the wrong crowd since being at home with his mom and dad only leads to more arguments. His dad, Mac, believes he will never measure up to his expectations.

Louis Gossett Jr. plays a small role as the grandfather of Sam who teaches him about what the definition of grace means through a story of a slave owner on a plantation. This movie is well produced and the storyline will impact you no matter where you stand in life.



I received the DVD, The Grace Card, compliments of Propeller and Provident Films for my honest review and once again LOVE that movies like this are being made for families again. The message is relevant to anyone who questions what the meaning of grace is and how forgiveness works in any situation we face in life. A word of caution: you WILL need tissues for this one. I highly recommend this movie to any family looking for a great story with a message behind it. This is a 5 out of 5 stars DVD.

For more information about the DVD please click on the links below:

The Grace Card Website

You can find them on Facebook by clicking here.

Thanks to the generous folks at Provident Films, GraceWorks Pictures, and Propeller, they are offering a giveaway copy of this DVD to one lucky follower of this blog. Here are the guidelines to enter:

1. Be a follower of my blog, Reviews From The Heart.

2. You must be a resident of the US or have a US shipping address. Please No P.O. Boxes.

3. I need a way to contact you if you are the lucky winner, so please be sure to include your email address along with your comment.

4. Leave a comment and tell me why you'd love to win a copy of this DVD!

The giveaway will end on August 27th and I will notify the winner by email at that time.

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services

mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I

only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255:

“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Grace

During a holiday season they'll never forget, will two hearts find unexpected peace?

The Brenneman Bed and Breakfast during the holidays is usually empty yet they never close. This year, the family decided to have a family Christmas at the Inn, only God had other plans for them much like he did for a wayward couple on a Christmas night long ago.

Melody Gingerich has been given a gift certificate to stay a week at the Brenneman Inn as a way of helping her to relax by her employers at the Great Grinds. She is three weeks away from delivering and her Amish parents are at all pleased with her current situation. Perhaps staying away will help her forget and find some peace that has been missing.

Levi Bender's reservation has gotten lost in the mail, and when the Brenneman's finally realize he is on his way before they can confirm his reservations during the holidays, they do all they can to accomodate him when he arrives. However, no matter how warm and welcome they are to him, it's apparent that Levi just wants to be left alone and forget about Christmas altogether.

I received this wonderful Christmas story, Grace from Shelly Shepard Gray, another one of my newest favorite authors compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I loved it and couldn't put it down. I was completely lost in the characters of Melody and Levi as each of them work through past pain and tragedy to find happiness and joy once more through God's grace. This one is a perfect 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait to read more novels from Shelly Shepard Gray in the future.

For more information about the book, the amazing and talented author and where to get a sneak peak at the first chapter, read on below:

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Grace Avon Inspire; Original edition (October 26, 2010) by Shelley Shepard Gray
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town's scenic bike trail.





ABOUT THE BOOK

It's Christmastime at the Brenneman Bed & Breakfast, and everyone is excited about closing down for the holiday.

Anna and Henry will be celebrating their first Christmas as a married couple, and for Katie and Jonathan Lundy, it's their first Christmas with baby Stefan. Winnie and Samuel Miller plan to stop by as well for a wonderful two weeks of family and rest.

But when two unexpected visitors show up, hoping to stay for Christmas, the family must test their commitment to hospitality. Levi is a widower who lost his wife four years ago and can't bear the thought of another Christmas alone. And Melody is a young pregnant woman who won't open up about how she ended up on her own at Christmas at almost nine months pregnant.

Anna, who knows a thing or two about keeping secrets, doesn't trust her, and strives to find out the truth about these two strangers who have disrupted their holiday. But as the Christmas spirit descends on them all, as well as snow that traps them in the inn, a healing and hopefulness takes over, allowing new relationships to be built, and the boundaries of family to be extended.

If you'd like to read the first chapter of Grace, go HERE.