“You muscle through the day and pray the nights pass quickly. You lack thankfulness to God for the gifts he’s given you; you avoid reflecting on the day out of guilt over your failures. You fantasize about how other women live, your prayers lack emotional attachment to your heavenly Father, and you feel lost.” (p.78)
Does this sound familiar? It does to me too. My friend, Gloria Furman, recently published her first book, Glimpses of Grace: Treasuring the Gospel in Your Home
. In this book, Gloria’s love and heart for the gospel of grace radiates throughout. She encourages us to see the gospel in all areas of home life. Reflecting on such areas as hospitality, friendship, motherhood, and even housework, this book helps open our eyes to see our need for the gospel and how it applies to all the mundane things of life. Sharing her own struggles and pains, Gloria reveals how the gospel is our strength and source for every challenge.
“You’re right. You can’t do this anymore, and neither can I. Longing for a connection with God but feeling trapped in the mundane is the story of my life too. But I’m here to tell you there’s hope for change, and God wants to meet you there. Right there. With spit-up dripping down your back and salty, bitter tear stains on your cheeks. He loves you, he’s with you, and he offers you the gift of himself to enjoy forever.” (p.78)
Gloria and her family live in the United Arab Emirates where her husband pastors an international church. This book and her personal stories are ones that women all over the world can relate to. And we all share the same need: Jesus.
I asked Gloria a few questions about her book and this is what she said:
1. What prompted you to write this book?
I wrote Glimpses of Grace for a few reasons: I like to write things down in order to process them, so writing this book was a great opportunity for me to do some serious thinking about what God was teaching me. I also wanted to encourage others with reminders of the truths in God’s word and the best news we could ever hear: God saves sinners.
2. Who is this book written for, i.e. do you have a particular person in mind?
I need to be reminded of the gospel all day (and sometimes all night), so consider Glimpses of Grace as a gigantic “note to self.” The person I have in mind for this book is the person who needs to be reminded of the gospel in their every day lives, specifically their lives in the home. I’ve also been praying that God would use this book to introduce the gospel to those who have never heard it before.
3. What is one thing you hope women will walk away with from the book?
I hope women will walk away from this book with a renewed (or new!) “gospel-cheerfulness,” overflowing with thanksgiving to God for his greatest gift- himself.
4. How has your ministry in the UAE prepared you to write this book?
I’m a busy mom and pastor’s wife, and in my every day life I interact with people who have never heard of the triune God who we worship and adore. Life in recent years hasn’t been easy for our family, and we’ve struggled to have joy in the Lord and hope in his promises alone. But God is faithful! By God’s grace we live our lives in front of people who have never heard the gospel before, and we have been given opportunities time and again to share the reason for the hope that we have in us.
5. Anything else you might want readers to know.
I would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts on this book- you can reach me at:
[email protected]One reader will get their very own copy of Glimpses of Grace. (for U.S. residents only) Simply leave a comment below and you will be automatically entered in the drawing. Random.org will select a winner on Thursday June 6 at 8pm EST. *Update* Lisa M. is the winner of this book. Congrats, Lisa!
*Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for this review. The words and opinions are my own.
And a promotion from Crossway:
Purchase a copy of Glimpses of Grace from your favorite local or online retailer from June 3-7 and receive a free copy of the ebook as well as the ESV Study Bible Online (ESVBible.org Web App & Ebook)! To redeem your free extras, simply scan and email your receipt to [email protected] before 11:59am on Friday, June 7.*
*Any receipts that are not legible, not included, or believed to be fraudulent will be disqualified. Limited to one promotion per person.
Our home would be greatly blessed by more “gospel-cheerfulness!”
Thanks for the chance to win Gloria’s book. I’m in a season of life where I’m learning to not only embrace my weakness but to advance by weakness. This sounds like it would help in my journey.
Looking forward to this book!
What a wonderful inspiring book. Always need to be reminded daily and throughout the moments each day.
Such an inspirational book to remind us of how beautiful it is to see God’s glorious grace laced through our everyday lives.
I would love a copy of this book!
What a wonderful book. I’d love to win a copy. Remembering the gospel throughout the day is vital to my spiritual health and vital to my family.
Just what I needed to hear this morning. Sounds like a great book. Thank God for His merciful, precious reminders.
Hi, I found your blog through someone else and have been blessed by the things that you share. Thank you! Also, looks like a good book full of many encouraging and challenging truths; I’m always looking out for suggestions what to read next. Blessings on you and your family!
This sounds like a lovely book to read and re-read for the constant reminder of living out the Gospel in the mundane of everyday life. Thanks for the chance to win!
I love the quotes from the book and would love to read the whole thing!
This sounds like EXACTLY what I’m needing to read right now
!
I would love to win this book:)
I have often asked the Lord what my purpose is and He consistently directs me to home but heart wanders and looks out the windows. I think this would help me create a ‘gospel-loved’ home. Would love to win the free copy!
This would be awesome!
Would love to win a copy of this book!
Sounds wonderful!
Love to have this book, grace is such a blessing!!
Would love to win this book! Even if I dont, will purchasing soon!
This book sounds wonderful! I can’t wait to read it!
The book sounds like something I need to read!
Oh how I would love to read this special book! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’ve heard good things about this book. I’d enjoy reading it!
I’ve been looking forward to this book since last Summer! So excited to read it!
Twice today I have heard of this book and thought, it’s for me! Hoping to win!
I ordered this book & it is wonderful! So glad I found your blog, such an encouragement for me!
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Would love to read this book! Count me in for the giveaway, please!
I have been waiting for this book to be out! Would love to win!
I am already halfway through this book and loving it. I’d love to be able to give it to a friend!