Jack Chisholm had a seemingly wonderful life as a big church
pastor. He had a well paid position, a huge church body with much financial
support, a beautiful wife and daughter, and frequent TV appearances. Then, in
one fell swoop it was gone. On a sponsored visit to Mexico he had one night of
indiscretion with his pretty assistant, and within days his dream life was
stripped away. In the midst of his solitude and despair, the estranged father
he had rejected a decade ago returned to take him home.
The Prodigal is a
story of redemption. It isn't a story about regaining what was lost, but about
God’s redemptive grace. This is a story that all can learn something from,
because regardless of our situation, we have all sinned and fallen short. Yet
we have a loving Father, waiting for us to cry out for forgiveness so He can
take us home.
Years ago, I read another book by Brennan Manning, The Ragamuffin Gospel. This book works
as a companion piece to it, teaching through a story. People learn truths
better when presented in story form, whether because those truths are presented
in context or simply because stories hold our attention better. I truly enjoyed
The Prodigal, and appreciate how
realistically human the main character is. He doesn't suddenly turn his life around,
but works at it, fails, screws up, and is encouraged by those close to him to
try again. It is also clear through the story that God is able to use whatever
situation we are in to His glory. He brings joy through pain, and good through
evil. I highly recommend this book!
I received this book
for free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com>
book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and
the opinions and thoughts I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
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