Gragg
uses fictional narrative to draw us into God's presence. She has
created stories around passages in Scripture. She had done a great
deal of research and builds each narrative on an historical and
cultural foundation.
These
are touching stories. I was moved by the fictional narrative
imagining the history behind the traumatic death of the widow's son
(Luke 7:11-16). I felt her despair and then her joyous surprise when
Jesus changed it all. Some of the other stories brought to life
include the woman with the issue of blood, the Samaritan woman, the
man born blind, the boy with the loaves and fish, the man let down
through the roof, turning the water into wine, Mary and Martha, and
many more – thirty four in total.
Gragg
lists the Scripture upon which the narrative is based at the very
beginning of the devotion. She concludes each reading with a prayer
that comes from her heart.
I
remember reading somewhere that one way to meditate on Scripture is
to imagine the action going on in the passage. This would be an
excellent resource for that kind of meditation. Reading through the
narrative really helps you see the event with your imaginative eye.
She has included details of buildings and landscape in her
narratives, helping to bring the passage alive.
I
really enjoyed these narratives. I felt like I was inside the story.
Some of the narratives are written in first person, definitely making
the reader part of the story. It would make a wonderful devotional
reading for Advent or Lent.
You
can find out more about Sherri Gragg at
http://www.sherrigragg.com/.
Thomas
Nelson, 224 pages.
I
received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the
purpose of an independent and honest review.
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