My first book of 2011 was a GREAT ONE! Redeeming Love is an amazing retelling of the book of Hosea from the Bible written by Francine Rivers. I purchased it a while back and it's been in the middle of a huge "to-be-read" pile. DS 2 read it and when he did, I moved it higher in my pile. And I am SO GLAD it did! I was riveted from page one!
Rivers resets the biblical story of Gomer and Hosea in California's gold country in the 1800's. Her character's are named Michael and Angel. Angel is a prostitute who is haunted by her past. Her life was filled with betrayal after betrayal. She was sold into prostitution by the age of 8 and is filled with hatred for life in general, but most especially for the men who used her.
Then her life changes drastically. She meets Michael Hosea who is called to marry her and to love her with unconditional love, which she totally rejects. Michael is so in tune with God's will and he pursues and eventually marries Angel. He gives her love that she has never known before despite her vehement resistance and constant rejection.
I love how Rivers shows that it's often multiple people's life examples that bring about changes in our own. Michael and Angel meet some very special friends and family members who enter their lives and take key roles in ministering to Angel and helping her see that there is good in the world. I also love that she makes it very clear that healing is a process and very rarely happens overnight. It is primarily Michael's unfailing and powerful agape love that reaches into her stone cold heart and life over and over again, that finally breaks through to her.
The reviews of this book are simply amazing:
Singer/Songwriter Amy Grant said: “….the truth that ran through that story (Redeeming Love), absolutely took me to my knees. And I was a changed person when I finished reading that book.” from an interview with Ted Koppel, ABC News
Patsy Clairmont calls it "Spellbinding"
Liz Curtis Higgs says it's the "Most powerful work of fiction you will ever read."
I agree! I found myself thinking about my own "skeletons"...of course, none are as painful as those Angel dealt with, still we all have them. And again and again I found myself remembering that NOTHING absolutely NOTHING can separate us from God's love. And most importantly not ONE PERSON is unredeemable!
The story was easy to read and hard to put down! And honestly, I found myself wanting to read "part II"! I was happy, yet cautious, when I found out that this book is being made into a movie. I have yet to go to a movie of a book I've loved and been satisfied. Still, I'm glad because this is a story that is as relevant today as ever!
4 comments:
I love Francine Rivers! Haven't read one of her books in a long time. But I really liked this one. And my favorite was The Scarlet Thread. Have you read that one?
Started a book last week, but just can't get into it. Maybe I'll have to check some of her other books out!
Happy 2011!!
This book sounds really good!!!!
Thanks for the heads' up.
Suz
You always have such good recommendations!! Thanks. I am still working my way through the K. Kingsbury series - which you turned me on to awhile back ;)
I have heard before how wonderful that book is - now the time has come to actually read it!
Thanks for the 'shove' :-)
By the way, thanks for your comment on my last post. Glad you found something helpful there.
If you like, I can fill you in on 'the tragedy' - just send your email address to datpro@global.co.za
I'm being 'mysterious' because it involves other people's stuff too and many people who read my posts know these other people.
You know how it is?!
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