Women of Reverence thanks Melissa Burger for her contribution to our Book Club.
When life feels depleted, does God care? I’m facing an onslaught of challenges, will God help? When life grows dark and stormy, does God notice? I’m facing the fear of death, will God help me? The answer in the life-giving miracles in the Gospel of John is a resounding yes.
In You Are Never Alone, Max will help you:
Realize that Jesus is walking with you and lifting you out of your storms.
Dwell in the grace of the cross, the miracle of the empty tomb, and the assurance of restoration power.
Believe that God is your ever-present source of help.
Recognize that you are never without hope or strength because you are never, ever, alone.
Today, take courage that you are stronger than you think because God is nearer than you know.
Published by Thomas Nelson and distributed by Struik Christian Media.
In a sentence tell us about yourself:
Follower of Christ, Wife, Sister, Aunt, Friend, Reader 😊, Runner, Hiker, Karate student, part-time Unisa student and therapist.
What drew you to read this book?
The title and the beautiful front cover
What impact did this book make on your life?
It made me laugh at times, it made me cry. It made me repent so many times over, but most of all – it really brought home the truth – I am NEVER alone, and I do not have to do this life alone. Ever.
It reminded me how human we all are, even how human the heroes and disciples of the Bible were. That they were heroes and disciples not because of their abilities, but because of a Father that loves us to no end. Max’s powerful description of Jesus arising on the third day left a lasting image in my mind.
In a paragraph what is the main point of the book?
Max uses the miracles in the Gospel of John to illustrate the love and care of God, made real by Jesus, for each of us. He mixes examples from his own life with humour, with drama, with history and academic studies and he adds at least one modern day miracle in each chapter to show that Jesus is just as real as He was more than 2 000 years ago. Max adds many human details to each scene, and it makes a real and true story of the love of The Father. The book also contains a list of thoughts and questions on each chapter, which I found useful, but I would advise that, if your brain works like mine, you will maybe want to page to that list, at the end of the book, divided into chapters again, rather than working with the whole list after you have finished reading the book.
Who would benefit from reading this book?
Those of us who have felt alone and or deserted, unheard by God at this time of COVID-19 but at any other time in your life too. It reassures and uplifts and restores.
Star rating:
I know just about all my reviews receive 5/5, but this really is a 5/5 book and reads quickly but leaves a lasting impression.
What is my next Book Review?
Let go of the guilt – Valorie Burton
All comments are reviewers own.