Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Grace Effect



The Grace Effect: How the Power of One Life Can Reverse the Corruption of Unbelief by Larry Alex Taunton piqued my curiosity from the minute I read the back cover blurb. I read it during a two day road trip and found myself reading many paragraphs aloud to my husband.


Taunton’s impressionable and intellectual exploration of the impact an atheist society can have on its people stirred me and prompted me to rouse numerous related conversations.


Throughout the book, I remained engrossed in Taunton’s experience adopting a young Ukrainian girl from an orphanage that didn’t even provide children with toilet paper. Aching with compassion for Sasha, I found myself rooting for the ten-year-old, longing for her to be lovingly cared for and taken away from her current surroundings.


Taunton tackled potentially sensitive subject matter in an intriguing and often humorous way, detailing his personal adoption story, as well as Ukraine’s convoluted corrupt history, in a conjoined, and at times jolting back and forth portrayal.


The injection of grace through authentic Christian living is what appealed most to me in The Grace Effect.


I valued how as an avid debater and Christian apologist, Taunton concluded what I’ve all too often discovered in my own faith—that personal life change is the most radical, grace-filled, and merciful way to experience the impression of God. What a joy to watch as that kind of impression leaves its mark on others.


You know what I really hope? I hope someday I get to read about this story from Sasha’s perspective.


*I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze in exchange for this honest review

10 comments:

  1. I think it would be powerful in Sasha's viewpoint.

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  2. That's a viewpoint we don't often see, from the adopted child, years later once she understands it all. Or maybe even now, through her ten year old eyes, filled with that clear, childhood vision. What a companion book it would make.

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  3. I agree. I'd like to hear her viewpoint as well. Another book to be added to my enormous TBR pile!

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  4. "...that personal life change is the most radical, grace-filled, and merciful way to experience the impression of God."

    Yes, yes, and yes.

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  5. What a fascinating-sounding read. I need to start keeping a running list of the ones you review. :)

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  6. I haven't heard of this one. Great review! Sounds like it needs to go on my TBR list.

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  7. I agree I hope we hear Sasha's view one day! Sounds like a very engaging book.

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  8. I'm always interested in books that feature adoption. My honorary niece and nephew are both adopted - one from Vietnam and the other from Korea.

    Years ago, I read The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson. Later, Nicky Cruz, one of the gang members who came to know Jesus, told the story from his perspective. Powerful!

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  9. Wow, girl. I love this. I want to read this. I'm sort of obsessed with all things adoption now.

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