What a ride that was.
We had 756 requests for complimentary books – including both domestic and international folks. And we’re working hard to be able to meet them all thanks to the remarkable generosity of the (in)courage community, Zondervan and DaySpring. Books were donated left, right, and center.
And boy are we ever glad – because you are gonna want to get your hands and heart on this as soon as possible.
I’ve read it. And it was a lot like reading a love story between God and Ann.
It is a love letter between Jesus and a woman he has been wooing for a lifetime. And when we read it we realize her story is ours and the love language one we can also learn. Because what woman isn’t desperate to be loved, to be cherished, to be showered with gifts? But where to find them under loads of laundry, a sink full of dirty dishes again, a mortgage, and the carpet stains that never quite seem to come out. Not to mention that divorce, the child abandoned or the dark nights that never seem to end.
Where is the romance in that?
But with each chapter Ann shows how the Spirit whispers, “Behold.” How He cups the moon in His palms and offers it as a love gift to us. The moon, a soap bubble suspended in the kitchen sink, Parmesan cheese in a pool of sunlight, and corn stalks bending and bowing low. All whisper, “behold, you are loved.”
And as we learn the lisping words of His rich language of love we are drawn into the deep heart of God and readied to begin the hard conversations of loss, that are no less about love.
With each chapter, each poignant, painful glimpse into her story, Ann teaches us the literal lesson that there is no fear in love. Where there is gratitude there is no room for resentment. Where there is praise there is no room for remonstration. This is the story of a passionate love affair with a God that is not a distant lover. This is Mere Christianity from a woman’s perspective.
This book is the love song you will want to listen to on repeat until you know the words by heart.
If you haven’t bought it yet, what are you waiting for? Because we can hardly wait to begin reading it with you!
So come back Sunday, meet Ann, as we share our first video blog about this book!
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Half way through my copy, reading it slowly, enjoying it like the best piece of Oreo Cheesecake I have ever had. With whip cream.
It is that good! Can’t wait to see the community here gobble it up!
that sounds like a wonderful book by an
inspiring woman of God. you have been
so generous!
I simply cannot WAIT for Sunday!!!! I will be here!
Courtney
Read chapter 1 last night. I had to refrain from reading the whole chapter aloud to my husband! As I read him a paragraph, I wanted to keep going!
A perspective of sin I had never considered–and it’s oh sooo true!
Looking forward to Sunday!!
my copies are on their way…can’t wait to read it and give it away. (purchased three of them)
My book shipped today, I can’t wait to get it!!
Mine came in the mail today. Cannot WAIT to sit down and devour it!
Beautiful review, Lisa-Jo!! here, here..
I pre-ordered 2 books. They are sitting at the post office since I missed the door delivery, yesterday. I would be happy to gift my 2nd book to someone in this community. Feel free to email me a name and an address.
be well.
Am keeping my fingers crossed (and toes!)
— i hope to get the complimentary e-copy… please!!!!
Received and started reading today. Now, 100 pages in, I laugh from spontaneous joy, I gulp down the reminders of hard times, and I feel my eyes being opened in a new way. A way that is so clear I wonder how I have missed it all along.
I’m ready to roll! One viewing of the video was all I needed! My book is ordered, I’ve shared it on my blog.
I can’t wait to start on this mid-winter adventure …
YEAH!!
Hope I get a complimentary copy, but if not, I will find a way to get it! I’m coming to the end (I hope) of the hardest year of my life after discovering that my marriage vows had been betrayed, but God has been so amazingly faithful and I’m definitely on the path of healing. I can’t wait to get my hands on this love story!
I don’t currently have my own internet service so I may not be able to meet Ann tomorrow, not having access everyday. The book sounds wonderful and I am one who requested a copy. Just knowing the efforts you are making to get the books to as many sisters as possible blesses my heart and I will be praying for you all
I may be missing something, never joined a Book Club before, but this is one I want to join! Do I have to sign up somewhere or can I just view the videos from this site. I’ve spent much too much time searching the website. I feel like a preschooler! HELP!
Hey Robin –
The videos will all be here on this page. They just haven’t started yet 🙂 So, no worries, you’re not lost. First intro video with Ann will be tomorrow (Sunday 1/23)
~Lisa-Jo
(in)courage
I bought 4 extra books to gift to some women in my life and I’m having a hard time NOT highlighting THEIR BOOKS too! 🙂
looking forward to it!
I am waiting for my book to come in the mail… woooooo!
Trying hard not be jealous…Ann is a Canadian girl, living about an hour away from me – but I’m still waiting for the book to be released in Canada so I can get my copy!
Subi, I’m the same, waiting oh so patiently to receive mine too. I pre-ordered it awhile back and am so anxious to receive it. How blessed we all will be once we have this wonderful treasure in our hands. Ann’s heart is so full of pure and honest God filled words, I just know it’ll be a keeper, a reference, a book passed on and on….Blessings, Heather
Ordered five copies. Having followed Ann’s blog for long enough to know I’ll want to give gifts of her gift to us…
Can’t wait for them to arrive. And thanks for your beautiful, descriptive words above, Lisa Jo. I’ll gobble up your book too, when the time comes!
Oh my! Picked up my copy today and it is MORE than I expected. Touching my heart and soul and showing me my soul holes…and how to heal them . Ann has such a way of touching your heart. I can’t thank her enough for all her words.
I was really excited about joining in for the first time with this book reading and club so I ordered the electronic version from zondervan and now I haven’t got the tecno saavy knowhow on how to view it with my I- touch?!!! Does anyone have any advice? The instructions on the websites that zondervan sent me to are so confusing to me 🙁
I also do not have my own internet service, but I’m so looking forward to taking this book in and learning from it. I can’t wait to read it and get to the book club when I can!!