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Displaying items 16-20 of 26
  1. MrLbs
    Atlanta, GA
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Powerful examples of active grace in our world
    January 23, 2012
    MrLbs
    Atlanta, GA
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Although it was hard to get into the book with the heavier discussion at the beginning, the contrast made great sense between cultures and situations encountered by all parties.
  2. anniecannie
    Ontario, Canada
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    God, adoption and the impact on the child
    December 31, 2011
    anniecannie
    Ontario, Canada
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 3
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I received a copy of THE GRACE EFFECT: HOW THE POWER OF ONE LIFE CAN REVERSE THE CORRUPTION OF UNBELIEF by Larry Alex Taunton from Thomas Nelson, via BookSneeze. As soon as I looked over the back cover, I was excited to start reading. The author, Larry Taunton, meets Sasha, an Ukrainian orphan. Atheistic theorists had shaped her, but with his guidance, she embraces God through the power of grace.

    The Taunton's endured many delays, mostly due to corruption, in their efforts to adopt Sasha. Naturally, they wanted to bring Sasha, whom they had chosen to join their family, home as quickly as possible. They wanted to give her love, safety, identity, education, and so much more that she wasn't receiving in Orphange 17 (which is reputed to be one of the worst in Ukraine). At Orphanage 17, the children lived (and continue to live) like animals in a concrete prison. In fact, Sasha, who had always lived in an orphanage had no comprehension of what constitutes a "family." Parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins — these are all concepts with which Sasha simply has no frame of reference.

    As an entertaining and insightful read, I highly recommend this book if you are interested in seeing how much God's grace helped affect a person who lived in an atheistic, godless environment. It's powerful, riveting, and inspiring.

    I did have a hard time finishing this book as it seemed very long for such a short book. Truth be told I really didn't dedicate a lot of time to finishing it in one sitting as I do most books. The beginning was hard to get into but as the I went along the book captured me and I really enjoyed the read.
  3. PBJones
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Larry Taunton is the Executive Director of Fixed P
    December 14, 2011
    PBJones
    Edmonton, Alberta
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: male
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    Will Christianity make a difference in our culture and society in 2012?

    This question is not asked in "The Grace Effect," but it is answered. It is answered loud and clear.

    Taunton is the Executive Director of Fixed Point Foundation — an initiative dedicated to promoting and defending Christianity. He opens the book with a story about his experiences with Christopher Hitchens, author of "God is Not Great." Taunton had been hosting Hitchens at debates across the US. After one such debate Hitchens challenged Taunton with a question about what Christianity has done for society, lately. Taunton admitted the challenge went unmet until he and his family travelled to the Ukraine to adopt an orphan, named Sasha.

    The bulk of the book chronicles the Taunton family's experiences in adopting Sasha — a 12 year old special needs Ukrainian child who was also HIV positive. Tuanton is scathing in his criticism of the Ukrainian government. He says, "...we encountered a criminal passive indifference where children were treated like any other commodity, and if you wanted a child you would have to pay." p.212 He defends his perspective on the Ukraine by suggesting that many people with good experiences in the Ukraine did not have to deal with the government on the specifics of adoption. "We were bargaining with the government for the life of a child...how does a society arrive at a place where it not only tolerates such a system but also incubates and nourishes it, callously neglecting its elderly, sick and orphaned?" Taunton suggests only a society bankrupt of grace would act this way. "In my search for meaningful examples of common grace the Lord opened my eyes to a world where it was all but absent. Here was a life not gentled by Christian influence, but a life made immeasurably harsher without it." p. 214

    Their choice to adopt Sasha actually provided a response to Hitchen's earlier challenge. In adopting Sasha they saw firsthand the effects of common grace. They wanted Sasha, when no one else did, just like God wanted us when we were still sinners. That's grace. The Tauntons provided her with nourishing food, a warm bed, a good education, the support of a church family, and unconditional love.

    The story comes full circle in the final chapter when Taunton introduces Hitchens to Sasha. She had been in America for a year. She had grown, had become much healthier and was remarkably gracious in light of her past. Her life was a testimony to the grace of the gospel.

    Will Christianity make a difference in 2012? As long as grace is in effect, Christianity will provide the best chance for dignity, respect, value and purpose in individuals, communities and governments.

    I was given a copy of the book to review by Booksneeze.
  4. Wendy
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Powerful read
    December 14, 2011
    Wendy
    The Grace Effect: How the Power of One Life Can Reverse the Corruption of Unbelief by Larry Alex Taunton piqued my curiosity from the minute I read the back cover blurb. I read it during a two day road trip and found myself reading many paragraphs aloud to my husband.

    Taunton's impressionable and intellectual exploration of the impact an atheist society can have on its people stirred me and prompted me to rouse numerous related conversations.

    Throughout the book, I remained engrossed in Taunton's experience adopting a young Ukrainian girl from an orphanage that didn't even provide children with toilet paper. Aching with compassion for Sasha, I found myself rooting for the ten-year-old, longing for her to be lovingly cared for and taken away from her current surroundings.

    Taunton tackled potentially sensitive subject matter in an intriguing and often humorous way, detailing his personal adoption story, as well as Ukraine's convoluted corrupt history, in a conjoined, and at times jolting back and forth portrayal.

    The injection of grace through authentic Christian living is what appealed most to me in The Grace Effect.

    I valued how as an avid debater and Christian apologist, Taunton concluded what I've all too often discovered in my own faith–that personal life change is the most radical, grace-filled, and merciful way to experience the impression of God. What a joy to watch as that kind of impression leaves its mark on others.

    You know what I really hope? I hope someday I get to read about this story from Sasha's perspective.

    *I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this honest review
  5. jnjdet
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    A compelling story
    November 29, 2011
    jnjdet
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    First of all, I thought it was a great book and I loved reading Sascha's story. I was drawn into the emotions of what it must have been like to go through the frustrations of dealing with such a corrupt country. I appreciated the history provided to better understand where Russia and the Ukraine are coming from and it truly is a sad story. I though Mr. Taunton did a great job showing us how grace can change people. At some points I was having trouble connecting the two but separately I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the interaction between him and Christopher Hitchens as well as the viewpoints of other athiests around the world. I think this story is well worth the read.

    I received this book free from booksneeze.com in exchange for my review
Displaying items 16-20 of 26