Living Life Abundantly: Stories of People Who Encountered God

Occasionally when we read the lives of the Saints some of them appeared to live lifes berift of sin. More often than not certain authors make the person out to be super-human. This is a great disservice to both you and I, because we know that our obvious weakness and sinfulness is all too the norm as we struggle to advance in virtue. One of the most beautiful things about this marvelous book by Johnnette Benkovic is that it takes a variety of examples of ordinary people from diverse backgrounds and relates how truly human they really are; in other words, just like you and I. Sometimes certain people separate themselves or better yet give us an example through faith to "always go forward" as they pick themselves up time and time again to see the hand of God in their daily pilgrimage. These stories are so powerful because they are real and we can see a part of ourself in one or other of them. Each story of triumph through the Grace of Jesus Christ gives us an encouragement to deepen and continue in hope along a path that reveals not only who we are called to be, but what we are called to do. Each life is a witness to the love and mercy of God working through the mundane and tragic events of our lives. God's Blessings to those people whose story is told in this book and to Johnnette for encouraging their stories to be told. A hero is someone who leads us to Christ and each of these stories does just that.

This book offers a mosaic of situations all of which conclude in the same destination: redemption. The true stories herein offer tremendous value over and above common biographies and works of fiction in that the resolution of each plot is of having found the truest and only satisfying answer to the problem within.Never preachy and always hopeful the editor (Ms. Benkovic) provides a no-holds-barred approach to her research, thereby illustrating for us serious and often dire life circumstances from which the reader can draw optimum hope.A must read.

Unlike more formal lessons in Christian spirituality, this small volume beams a spotlight on actual Grace, huge doses of it, and how that Grace transformed deeply wounded people, from every social strata, into reflections of God's love in the world. There is no magic pill here, no instant resolution for the damage caused by the rape, parental abuse or neglect and poverty. Instead, the reader will find hope that by applying the prescriptions of childlike acceptance of God's love for every person regardless of the life he has chosen, the reader, like the protagonists in "Living" can gradually and patiently turn their lives around. I recommend this volume for anyone and everyone, those of us who are damaged and trying to make it through life will find practical encouragement and suggestions for recovery; those of us whose lives are less impacted will be convicted to reflect God's grace in our lives to those around us. Either way, the reader wins.

True, personal, stories are always interesting, particularly when they inspire hope and courage. These stories tell of people in a wide variety of circumstances and stages along the path of faith and so are likely to touch each reader in some special way. The biblical quotes beginning each story, the interspersed words of saintly wisdom, and the referrals at the end help point out the way as well as practical steps that can be taken along the way.

Johnnette Benkovic's Living Life Abundantly is a wonderfully uplifting book of real people's spiritual experiences and how their lives were changed dramatically by the power of God. I could not put this book down once I started reading it. The true inspirational stories are sure to tug at your heart and bring you closer to God.