Thursday, June 26, 2014

Arms Open Wide: A call to Linger in the Savior's Presence, a review


Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg is a very unique devotional book which can be read daily in about a month or one can read it all the way through as I did for this review.

The author takes the New Testament accounts of Jesus and sets them from the perspective of the people in each story.   Not only does this "put flesh on" each story but the author has gone to great lengths to make it culturally and historically accurate as well as Scripturally sound.

For instance, in the story Jesus gives us about the woman with the issue of blood, the woman shares her story as it would have been in the culture of her day.  We read as she hears the crowd following Jesus and how agonizing the decision to leave that room would have been knowing the severe consequences possible.  No wonder she did not want to tell Jesus at first that it was she who touched his garment!

Each devotional is a full short story corresponding to the Scriptures as well as other Scriptural references.  After spending a month (or a couple of days) in this book, the reader should come away with the reality of the love and compassion of God for His people.

Arms Open Wide would make a lovely gift (it has a "To" and "From" page) for anyone but especially people who need a better understanding of the Lord as a compassionate Savior. Also, anyone desiring a more in-depth understanding of the works of Jesus in the Gospels... from a cultural perspective at the time of the New Testament.

More information can be found... here.*  It allows you to see inside the book and peruse the titles of each devotional chapter.

This book was provided by the publisher free for reviewing but the opinion is my own.

*Amazon Associate's Link

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have not ever heard of this, but it sounds wonderful. I am adding it to my Amazon wish list right now!

Thanks so much for bringing this book to my attention.

Blessings,
Patti

Deb J. in Utah said...

This sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thanks so much for the review!