New book, The Grace Awakening, by Charles R. Swindoll

I have decided to read a "spiritual book" now instead of another book of the Bible. Not that I need a break, although, I probably should read a more...uplifting book of the Bible after that. I just haven't read a spiritual book in a long time and the timing seems right.

I am reading The Grace Awakening. The first chapter talked about what he calls "grace killers." These are "Christians" who are only concerned with following rules. This is what you get when you do not incorporate grace in your walk. God gave us grace. He has showed us favor even though we don't deserve it and can never earn it. So, we must also extend that grace to others.

If we can awaken ourselves to grace, we can expect to:

1. gain a greater appreciation for the gifts of others and our own (salvation, life, laughter. music. beauty. friendship forgiveness),
2. spend less time being critical of and concerned with the choices of others (less petty, allowing others to make their own decisions in life),
3. become more tolerant and less judgmental (cultivate a desire for authentic faith rather than a religion based on superficial performance),
4. become more mature.

We shall see how this goes. I have never blogged through a book before. I think it will be good, sounds interesting so far. I could definitely do better with #2, I can be very judgmental at times.