As a blogger, I sometimes get access through various publisher programs to free copies of books for review purposes . As pledged in my book review policy, I will always tell you if I got a book for free, and I will give you my honest opinion, free book or not. This is one of those books.
I came to the book without high expectations. I'm very interested in the subjects of grace and forgiveness, so I figured it might be a good read just from the subject matter. It was more, much more, than I expected.
Is this a great book? No. Is it one that will be cherished and read for generations to come? No, probably not. Am I glad I read it? Yes, oh yes!. Why? Because I felt close to Jesus while reading it. I was, at times, so caught up while reading this book in the greatness of the grace and love of God for us broken sinners, that I had to put the book down and just luxuriate in His love. It's that kind of book.
The book has two authors. Joe Coffey is a pastor and the son of a pastor. Bob Bevington is a optometrist and entrepreneur, who calls himself a returned prodigal after divorce and a ruined family. Together they take turns telling stories of grace working in their lives and and the lives of many of their friends. Bob tells his personal story of adultery and betrayal of his first wife, Rita, and his remarriage to Amy, his then mistress. Later, he and Amy become Christians, and sought reconciliation with Rita. I won't give away the details, but Rita and Amy are now great friends and do seminars together about forgiveness and grace. What a story! God is good!.
Beyond the great stories, the book is filled with little nugget sayings like these, that just seem to drop in the middle of a narrative and grab the reader's soul.
"Our brokenness forms the cracks through which grace flows in." (Page 50)
"You [God] do what you want when you want - that makes you the only Person in the entire universe who is truly independent. And your absolute independence is precisely the reason I can absolutely depend on you." (Page 74)
"It doesn't matter whether it's big or small in the world's eyes, if God is moving in my life in any way at all, it's HUGE!" (Page 112)
"Freedom from addiction is not merely about applying our willpower. It's about feasting on Jesus." (Page 127)
"Grace always flows red like blood. that is why there is a cross. But for grace to have the power to save we need a risen Savior. That is why the tomb is empty today." (Page 209)See what I mean? Red Like Blood is worth reading. Take the time to do so; I think that you'll be glad you did.
(BTW- The authors have a blog at Red Like Blood. check it out!)
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