Embracing the Love of God: Path and Promise of Christian Life, The

When I went through a time of grief, losing my parents, a sibling, a cousin and two uncles in seven months, this book was always with me. When I couldn't sleep or when I was in a fog, or when I just needed to be reminded of a good God who loved me and would never leave or forsake me, I read over and over about the God who loved me first. When friends are struggling with understanding the love of God, especially in times of darkness or trial, this is often the book that I give as a gift. James Bryan Smith is one of my heroes and I appreciate his honest accounts of his struggle to know the love of God and his joyful understanding that he has come to know. Learning for oneself to know God's love and acceptance and his forgiveness and care are foundational if we want share the love of God with authenticity. This book is a great resource that I return to often.

This book help transform me, my ministry as a Chaplain, and countless numbers of clients that I have given this book to. James Bryan Smith is masterful in how he weaves God's love, mercy and grace into our lives of discipleship. So many of my clients deal with incredibly low self-esteem and believe that there is no way God could or would love them after their actions while they were in addiction. This book opens their eyes to a loving and merciful God, and has lifted many of my clients to a new relationship with God and Jesus Christ. I have given about 200 copies of this book away and it truly changes lives.

I read this book on a personal recommendation of a friend after reading one of his other books The Good and Beautiful God. I enjoyed this because of the emphasis on God's love / grace for each of us. The author writes about Gods love for us and that the basis for our understanding of forgiveness, forgiving others, loving ourselves, loving others, caring for ourselves and caring for others stems from our ability to be able to understand, accept, and believe in God's unfailing, eternal, and furious love for us. I would highly recommend this book for anyone from non-Christians to deeply devoted followers of Christ

I would highly recommend this book to anyone struggling to understand and receive God's love and forgiveness. This book is written especially for believers who are honest enough to admit they have a problem in this area. James Bryan Smith writes in a way that is simplistic and yet profound based on truths from the Word of God. He shares about his own struggles and how he came to a place of acceptance of God's grace and love for him. If you have a desire to be transformed by the love of God, take the time to read this book.

A message so desperately needed in today's world! Being forgiven, accepted and cared for...Forgiving, accepting and caring for ourselves (probably for many, the most difficult task!) and then finding that when we are treated like that by God and can let go of our self punishment, shame and loathing that we are delighted to forgive, accept and care for others. It is transforming...

This is a fantastic book to understand the depth of God’s love for us. So many books focus on our love for God which is also equally important. This one is different because of the focus on God’s love for us.

Some very good areas to consider for personal and group discussions, leading to a deeper understanding of how God's love works within the obedient heart. However, some of its content regarding self-acceptance and self-love are weakened by a mksunderstanding of the full role of the Holy Spirit within a believer's life and growth up into Christ. Human efforts gets us frustrated and leads to despair. We are His workmanship, and our efforts must be surrendered to those of the Spirit of God. The needed growth cannot ever be achieved apart from the empowering of the Spirit of God.

I have reordered this book a number of times. I've given this book to my four children and to numerous friends and used it as a present for graduations, etc. I reread it again last month and will do so again. The first chapter alone is worth the price of the book! The simple layout and well-stated truths make this a superb book!!

Very good book. Very helpful in spiritual formation. Readers who enjoy the works of Richard Foster and Dallas Willard will find this book helpful.

Worth reading