Author: Gary Chapman and Elisa Stanford
Pages: 224
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 7, 2008)
Genre: Non-Fiction / Christian Living / Relationships / Devotional
Edition: Hardback - many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy to review as part of a WildCard Tour!
Perfect for : Personal Use, Bible-Study group
In a nutshell: The authors have written a wonderful little faith-based devotional that aims to help the reader focus on the seven characteristics involved with loving a person, whether that person is your spouse, relative, friend, or co-worker. Each devotional starts with a scripture from the Bible, then continues with a few paragraphs pertaining to the topic of the day.
Extended Review:
Content: The book contains 9 sections, including seven characteristics of a loving person, an opening section called "Love as a New Way of Life" and a closing section called "Making Love a Way of Life Every Day." In between these two sections are the seven traits: kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, honesty.
Format: Each topic is listed at the top of the page (there are a total of 90 topics), and is followed by a scripture from the Bible, then a few paragraphs that address the topic, ending with a thought or prayer for the day.
Readability: These topics are quick and easy reads, and will provide you with a nice start (or break) to your day.
Overall: These inspirational devotionals only require a few minutes to read, but will provide you with wonderful life stories that you can learn from and share.
From the Back Cover:
Start Developing the Best Habit of All
To become a person who consistently loves others, you first need to be a loving person. In this companion devotional to Love As a Way of Life, you’ll find inspiration for letting love guide the way you respond to others in every situation. The daily readings capture God’s wisdom and direction in practicing the seven traits of a loving person. Compelling stories and biblical illustrations will show you how to live out the characteristics of kindness, patience, forgiveness, courtesy, humility, generosity, and honesty.
These ninety short devotionals–perfect for reading on your own, with your spouse, or with a friend over coffee–deliver the inspiration and encouragement you need to make love a lasting habit. Whatever your love language, you’ll enjoy richer, more rewarding relationships as you embark on an exciting daily adventure in loving others.
About the Authors: (From the back cover) Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including Love As a Way of Life and the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages. An internationally respected marriage and family-life expert, he hosts the daily radio program A Love Language Minute. Dr. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, live in North Carolina, where he serves on a church staff.
Elisa Stanford is the author of Ordinary Losses: Naming the Graces That Shape Us. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two daughters.
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
and the books:
Love as a Way of Life Devotional by Dr. Gary Chapman
WaterBrook Press (October 7, 2008)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Dr. Gary Chapman is the author of twenty-six books, including Love As a Way of Life and the New York Times bestseller The Five Love Languages. An internationally respected marriage and family-life expert, he hosts the daily radio program A Love Language Minute. Dr. Chapman and his wife, Karolyn, live in North Carolina, where he serves on a church staff.Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $13.99
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 7, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0307444694
ISBN-13: 978-0307444691
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTERs:
Part 1
Love as a New Way of Life
Bedtime Stories
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—ROMANS 8:38–39
When my grandchildren were toddlers, I read many books to them about farms, the alphabet, and how to have good manners. A more subtle theme among children’s picture books is unconditional love. “Mama, do you love me?” a child asks her mother. “How much do you love me?” a bunny asks his father. With a variety of settings and characters, countless books represent children asking, “What if I ran away? What if I hurt you? What if I traveled to the moon or broke a vase or hit my sister? Would you still love me?”
“Yes,” the parent says. “I will love you no matter what. I will always love you.”
These cozy bedtime stories reflect a universal need that we never outgrow: the need to know that someone, somewhere, loves us without restraint or condition. What a gift we give each other when we communicate that kind of love every day. We might not say it with words. In fact, we might choose to love by not speaking but by being patient in the face of frustration, kind when someone is rude to us, or humble when it would be easier to talk about our accomplishments. But every time we are purposeful about making love a way of life, we are affirming what we each need to hear— and what God speaks to us every day: You are loved. No matter what. Forever and always.
Thought
How would truly believing God loves you—no matter what—change your thoughts and actions in the next twenty-four hours?
Love as a New Way of Life
Bedtime Stories
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—ROMANS 8:38–39
When my grandchildren were toddlers, I read many books to them about farms, the alphabet, and how to have good manners. A more subtle theme among children’s picture books is unconditional love. “Mama, do you love me?” a child asks her mother. “How much do you love me?” a bunny asks his father. With a variety of settings and characters, countless books represent children asking, “What if I ran away? What if I hurt you? What if I traveled to the moon or broke a vase or hit my sister? Would you still love me?”
“Yes,” the parent says. “I will love you no matter what. I will always love you.”
These cozy bedtime stories reflect a universal need that we never outgrow: the need to know that someone, somewhere, loves us without restraint or condition. What a gift we give each other when we communicate that kind of love every day. We might not say it with words. In fact, we might choose to love by not speaking but by being patient in the face of frustration, kind when someone is rude to us, or humble when it would be easier to talk about our accomplishments. But every time we are purposeful about making love a way of life, we are affirming what we each need to hear— and what God speaks to us every day: You are loved. No matter what. Forever and always.
Thought
How would truly believing God loves you—no matter what—change your thoughts and actions in the next twenty-four hours?
To read other reviews of these books, click below:
Books And Needlepoint (Love As A Way Of Life)
Word Up!
If you have reviewed this book and would like me to add a link to your review, please include a link in your comment!
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