This is one baggage blasting book.

It's a centering book. One I could not read quickly for the need to lay it down and think. The power in this book lay in the fact that it is also the testimony of one man; and last I heard, a person's testimony ranks with the blood of Jesus as far as overcoming goes. (Rev. 12:11) And what have we to overcome? That insidious voice that accuses us before God day and night. It says day and night. (vs. 10) No let up. That's why we need the message of love pounded and ground into our faces until we jolly well believe it.

This book has helped me to identify the voice of the accuser. It has helped me to see God in the teeny tiny ways he wants to be in my life. It has helped me to embrace what I am ever thinking is for someone else.

What I am understanding is that I did not get saved once; I am getting saved all the time, inch by inch and daily, and books like these are small miracles to help. This book is good news. I can't say how grateful I am to have read it.


God loves us as we are...not as we think we should be!   July 18, 2001
 14 out of 14 found this review helpful

What a great book! Jesus loves us. The funny thing is that we spend all this time trying either please or rebel against God...when all the time God's waiting here, patiently waiting to get a word in edgewise--He's waiting to tell us He loves us--and desperately. James Bryan Smith makes this crystal clear. This is indeed great and good news. God has proved and everyday continues to prove His love.

"God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

God loves us as we are...not as we think we should be...I have recommended a lot of books in my time here on Amazon. A lot of them have been rather good. But "Embracing the Love of God" falls into that rare category where I must exhort you to buy this book now...I don't even want you to finish reading this review till you do so...This book will change your life. In these past few days, it has changed mine.

Thank you Mr. Smith for this awesome book. I second your prayer (from page 40):

"May we have the courage not to run when the voice of our condemning heart would tear us from the place where we can hear the voice of God saying to us, "You are my beloved child, in whom I am well pleased." Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts."

If you're still reading this review and haven't got this book...go get it now.


Excellent book on God's love   March 8, 2000
 12 out of 12 found this review helpful

This is the best book I've ever read on receiving the love of God personally. It is simple, concise, and always inspiring, bringing the reader to grasp the awesome gifts of God's love, acceptance, and forgiveness without the guilt or works baggage. I hope James Bryan Smith will be writing many more books. This one is a treasure, and I've already bought a second copy to give away.


Excellent for both mature christians and spiritual seekers   January 12, 2000
This book is excellent for both mature christians and spiritual seekers. It condenses the whole gospel message into one word - love. This book is especially helpful to those who have been hit over the head with condemnation in their experiences with churches and christians. What freedom to know that God loves me!


Excellent presentation of the ways God in Christ loves us.   November 5, 1999
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This book is one that is truly worth reading and rereading. It is an excellent presentation of the multiple ways God has expressed His love for us through His Son Jesus. It is very readable.