Book Review: I Saul

Book Review: I Saul by Jerry Jenkins and James MacDonald

 

I received a copy of the book I Saul from Worthy Publishing in exchange for a review of this book. This review is my honest opinion.

I am not a fan of fiction. Fiction is to unreal to me. So I was a little nervous and excited at the same time about reading this book. Especially with the authors trying to bring the past of history and the present of fiction together. This book had a lot to live up to.  After all it was written by two of my favorite people. Jerry Jenkins and Pastor James MacDonald.

I had nothing to worry about. This book gave me great hope for fiction books. I was swept away in this book. I actually felt as if I was literally visiting Texas and walking with Paul without ever leaving the comfort of my home.

The main characters in the book is Augie Knox. Augie is a professor at a Seminary. And, there is  Luke the trusted friend and companion of Paul. It is through Luke that we learn about Paul and get to visit Rome.

Though the character of Augie is fiction. He could be the person sitting next to you at church or the neighbor that lives next door. He is a loving son. He loves the Lord and tries to help others who are  in need. He loves and cherishes the lady he is engage to. He is a good friend and protector.  If I had a man in mind to marry Augie would be the perfect example.

The other main character is Luke who we are all familiar with. Luke is not a fictional character. Luke lived and really was a part of the life of the Apostle Paul. Luke is very caring and patient. He was truly a servant to Paul. He writes down whatever Paul ask him to write. Luke is to be commended because he never grows tired of Paul and I believe he suffered along with Paul as Paul was in chains for the gospel

In this book the parchment of The Apostle Paul is found by someone and manages to get into the wrong hands. The person tries to make a profit of the parchment. Augie, his fiance Sofia and his friend Roger relentlessly try to and fights to prevent the parchment from being exploited for gain.

This is a great book and I highly recommend it. In I Saul fiction and non-fiction meets and it was so real.

Were We Worth Jesus Dying For

Glimpses of Grace

We're We Worth Dying For?

Once when my granddaughter was about 2 or 3 years old I took her for an outing. Out of nowhere comes this speeding maniac. With quick reflexes I yanked my granddaughter up and literally threw her in the opposite direction in a grasses area. I actually put myself in harms way for her. We both ended up being okay. But, was my granddaughter worth me risking my life for? ABSOLUTELY!!!

Were we worth Jesus dying for? I think I heard John the Baptist say " I am unworthy to untie the straps of your sandal." Were we worth Jesus dying for. Be quiet and listen closely. Can't you hear Paul saying "I am the chief of sinners." Were we worth dying for? Shh! Be quiet. Now can you hear Peter saying "depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man." Were we worth Jesus dying for? Can't you hear King David saying "against you and you alone have I sinned." Were we worth dying for? Do you hear Charlotte Elliott saying so softly "just as I am without one plea, but that thou blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God I come." Oh praise be to God I can hear the host of Heaven saying "Worthy is the Lamb." What are you saying now. I'm saying "who am I Jesus that you would love me and call me by name. I not worthy of it, but please don't withdraw your hands from me because I would be undone."

Jesus didn’t go to the cross because we were “worth it”. Jesus went to the cross because He was worth it. He was the only one worthy to be slain for our sins. We were and are great sinners in need of a great Savior. Our worth is not in who we are but in Whose we are. We were adopted into the family of God. The worth we have is what God has given to us. Were we worth dying for ABSOLUTELY NOT. Because of who He is God loves us. He values us. What an honor to serve the Living God. Is Jesus worth living for? ABSOLUTELY!!! Now listen closely can't you hear them saying "these who turned the world upside down is now here." Oh Beloved of God, Go now and do it for Jesus! I know what you are thinking and you are absolutely righty unbelievers are not worthy of being saved and neither were we. But, Jesus has a message worthy of being told. He is infamous for saving the greatest of sinner. Oh yes, He is now inhabiting our praise because He can hear us now as we say in unison "How Great, How Great Is Our God!."

Give praise to the only God. He is our Savior. Glory, majesty, power and authority belong to him. Give praise to him through Jesus Christ our Lord. Give praise to the One who was before all time, who now is, and who will be forever. Amen. Jude 1:25 (NIRV)