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This week I'm reviewing a book from Zondervan called Assaulted by Joy: The Redemption of a Cynic by Stephen W. Simpson. The giveaway is posted below!Publisher's Details:
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Typically this is not a book I would pick up and read for fun, but after reading the back cover and the subtitle {The Redemption of a Cynic}, I was hooked. The book read very quickly and I was laughing out loud and reading bits of it to my husband while we were driving.
Stephen's life, from youth group days to finding out he would be the father of quadruplets, is portrayed with honesty and humor. He shares openly about his feelings and what he has learned along the way in his relationship with God. There are many points in his walk with God that I can relate to and understand the cynicism that easily sets into life.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
Typically this is not a book I would pick up and read for fun, but after reading the back cover and the subtitle {The Redemption of a Cynic}, I was hooked. The book read very quickly and I was laughing out loud and reading bits of it to my husband while we were driving.
Stephen's life, from youth group days to finding out he would be the father of quadruplets, is portrayed with honesty and humor. He shares openly about his feelings and what he has learned along the way in his relationship with God. There are many points in his walk with God that I can relate to and understand the cynicism that easily sets into life.
One of my favorite quotes from the book:
"It never occurred to me that ignoring God was the thing creating my despair. Instead, I blamed it on him. But once I started talking to God again and nurturing our relationship, my feelings of despair evaporated. I discovered that griping about God does nothing. Griping to God invites him into the conversation.Those who have read the book can fully appreciate the Assaulted by Joy website since he has a picture scrapbook of sorts posted for his readers - making the book even more relate-able. You can even take the Christian Cynic Quiz {which is hilarious} and see where you are on the cynicism scale.
And once he starts talking, it's hard to stay hopeless.' {p. 121}
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If you'd like to win a copy of Assaulted by Joy by Stephen Simpson, just leave a comment on this post and I'll put your name in the 'hat'. Comments for the giveaway will be open until next Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 8pm. I'll randomly pick a winner and announce next Saturday. This giveaway is open only to US residents.
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Over the last few weeks I have had far too much fun reading and enjoying some great literature! I've managed to cross several books off my list:
- Ransome's Honor ~ Kaye Dacus
- Love's Pursuit ~ Siri Mitchell
- A Bride in the Bargain ~ Deeanne Gist
- A Dream to Call My Own ~ Tracie Peterson
- Stand-In Groom ~ Kaye Dacus
- Free Yourself to Love: The Liberating Power of Forgiveness ~ Jackie Kendall {re-reading}
- How Do I Love Thee? ~ Nancy Moser
- Finding Favor with the King: Daily Inspirations ~ Tenney
- Grace Based Parenting - Dr. Tim Kimmel
When do you spend your time reading with 4 kids and homeschooling them...wow you are awesome. Hopefully I will get a time in part of the day to read when Hannah gets a little older, it is almost getting there. :) Sounds like a great book!
ReplyDeleteLove that quote! Sounds like a good book, I'll zip over and take the Cynical Quiz.
ReplyDeleteThrow me in the hat again!
Sounds like a great book, I'll have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteFree Yourselft to Love sounds good. I read Graced-Based Parenting a couple of years back. There wre some points that I needed to hear then. It's on my list to re-read as my children are older and my perspective has grown too. Blessings! Amanda:)
ReplyDeleteLove the quote...sounds like a good book!
ReplyDeleteCome by my blog I have something for you....
Please stop by my blog for a little something just for you today!
ReplyDeleteLove and Hugs ~ Kat
I must say I love your summer reading list! How fast can you get through a book?
ReplyDeleteI need to pick mine back up but with hubby working from home and the kids out for the summer, I feel like I owe it to them to hang out more!
I would love to get a copy of this latest book you just finished so enter away!
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
This book looks pretty interesting. Put my name in the hat!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like something I need to read then pass on!!!
ReplyDeletethis is a book my whole family could and should read...bt especially me, thanks for the opportunity
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book! I'd love to put my name in the hat! Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleterubymoonstone at gmail dot com
:::stopping in for my name in the hat:: looks like a book I need to read, lol~!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I have looked for that Friend Making Monday thing on people's blogs and have not found it... any tips or is that not every Monday?
This book looks very interesting! I also have How Do I Love Thee on my current TBR list (although I didn't participate in the 5M4B carnival today). I really like Nancy Moser's books.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting book (no need to enter me though, my reading list is WAY backed up right now).
ReplyDeleteWe've posted about this giveaway on Winning Readings:
ReplyDeletehttp://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/07/assaulted-by-joy.html
Throw my name into the hat, if you would please!
ReplyDeleteI am SO looking forward to reading How Do I Love Thee. Hope to get to that one soon!
Sounds like a good read. I haven't read any of the other books you posted about either...guess I better get to work!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a book I could benefit from...as well as the cynic quiz! haha!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I've been wanting to read the one by Moser. I have a different one by Petersen on my shelf waiting.
ReplyDeletei blog for a couple other publishers but I really want to get in with Zondervan- how did you start reviewing for them? I would love to find out! Thanks!
ReplyDelete