“The RoseBouquet”

written by Philip Yancey
Reviewed by Ruth Marlene Friesen
Yancey says that grace is the last good word that has not had its meaning perverted to become a word of derision, such as charity has. Dissecting a word seems to spoil it for many, so instead of trying to take it apart, he honours and displays grace in stories that show it off to best advantage.

Good move! I can hardly recall when a book got me this excited. Of course I’ve heard of grace all my life, growing up in church, just as he did, from babyhood on, and I know I have leaned - no, thrown myself utterly on the grace of our Lord many times, but this treatment in this book really opened my eyes to understand better what a marvelous and priceless gift God’s grace is to us.

The stories he tells illustrate grace beautifully. The four parts each begin with an outstanding story. Those alone teach a great deal about grace. The story of Babette’s Feast lingered long after my mind was on other things again. I’m still pondering Big Harold’s life story.

I have never before seen the sharp contrast; that yes, the world can do most of the things the church does, but the one thing no other religion, secular government, organization or person can do is show this kind of grace - unmerited love and forgiveness. This is what is unique about our God and how we live if we truly are followers and believers in Christ Jesus.

Yancey shows God to be a Lovesick Father. God is waiting eagerly for our decision to rise up and return to Him. He has gifts and membership in His family, and a big celebration all in the waiting for us. Yancey says, “There is nothing we can do to make God love us more. There is nothing we can do to make God love us less.”

In the story, A Home for Bastards, Will Campbell is quoted in his reply to a journalist who wanted the Christian message in ten words or less; “We are all bastards but God loves us anyway.”

[To read the rest so this book review and to see it, go to; AmazingGrace]