Grace Notes: Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim

I have been reading this daily devotional every morning for a couple of months, and have found myself looking forward to each day instead of just surviving. There are rich treasures to be found here. A real Godsend

I love the popular saying "This ain't my first rodeo." It's often used to indicate that a person has more than a little experience in a particular area. In that sense, this ain't my first book of devotionals. But unlike many such daily readings, GRACE NOTES goes beyond the simple "scripture/story" formula; it is more like spending time every day with a bright, insightful friend who can both challenge and encourage you. That is something I enjoy regularly, but not nearly enough. The daily topics include everything from learning about prayer with street people in "Word on the Street" to Yancey challenging believers to lighten up in their reactions toward others in "Church Hypocrites." He writes, "God is the ultimate judge of hypocrisy in the church, I decided; I would leave such judgment in God's capable hands." This also provides some encouragement to those who use hypocrisy as an excuse to stay away from church. As Yancey points out, just because we have imperfections in our families, we do not cease to be part of a family. One of the most significant needs of a Christian is fellowship with others. It's the way we were created. Perhaps because he began his career as a journalist, Yancey refers to himself as "a Pilgrim" --- not the kind we picture having Thanksgiving dinner with the Natives, but the kind that is traveling towards a destination. This is a good indicator that he possesses the humility that God requires of His believers. Regardless of the years he or she has been a Christian or the numbers of books he or she has written, a child of God does not place himself or herself above others or thinks that he or she has arrived at his or her destination. When reading GRACE NOTES, the author's humility is obvious and causes the reader to be more open to his challenges and teachings. For many believers and non-believers alike, the idea of "Grace" is a concept that is partially understood but often difficult to explain. Getting a clear understanding of Grace can be life-changing because it causes one to finally realize that God's love is given freely and is not based upon who we are or how we perform. Yancey provides an excellent illustration of this concept when he writes, "In short, Jesus moved the emphasis from God's holiness (exclusive) to God's mercy (inclusive). Instead of the message `No undesirables allowed,' he proclaimed, `In God's kingdom there are no undesirables.'" If you have a person in your life who is struggling with his or her faith or having trouble understanding the importance of his or her relationship with God, joining Philip Yancey on his Pilgrim's journey could be exactly what is needed. GRACE NOTES is more than a five-minute read to satisfy your need for a "quiet time"; it will spark your conversations and move you to delve deeper into the wonderful plans of God. It will provide answers to questions that you might have about the Christian life and encourage you to continue your journey no matter how difficult it may s

Once I opened my copy of Grace Notes by Philip Yancy, I was unable to put it back down on the coffee table! It's beautifully written and inspiring to read, as I found myself traveling on a journey with the author, page by page. Each page opens my eyes and awareness to something I'm not normally exposed to. In the devotional, I saw the faces of those inside and outside prison walls. I visited the largest church in Tokyo, read about life in Chicago or life in Colorado, all through the eyes of a fellow Pilgrim, as Yancy titles himself. What appealed to me most in the devotionals is the authors sincerity and openness to share his life experiences with others. He's transparent and authentic and real- and shares a journey of faith. While the book does not quote a scripture verse on each page, it does give us a center thought and focus for the day. Recommended as a gift for someone with a sense of adventure, someone who enjoys travel or history, and someone who is a Philip Yancey fan. Not recommended for someone who prefers more scripture and biblical content in a devotional. I'm giving a copy of this book to both my husband and my father for Christmas gifts.

A spoonful of Philip Yancey for everyday! If you're as fond of his writing as I am, you'll appreciate this book of daily readings. Each reading is one to two pages taken from some of his best work such as Disappointment with God; Finding God in Unexpected Places; I Was Just Wondering; Rumors of Another World; The Jesus I Never Knew (my personal fave); and The Bible Jesus Read (highly recommended.) There are also a few writings from his road trips and a few excerpts from his Christianity Today articles. If you're a Philip Yancey fan, as I am, you'll want to read this book often. For instance, from the December 14th reading: "Although I cannot learn from him why a particular bad thing occurs, I can learn how God feels about it. Jesus gives God a face, and that face is streaked with tears. " PY Philip Yancey seems humble, but he also seems like he's super smart. This book would be a nice gift for that intellectual friend who has everything he or she needs; that person who throws around words like "hubris" and knows all the names of the characters in Homer books, but is still sitting on the fence when it comes to faith. You know...that person