Arms Open Wide: A Call to Linger in the Savior's Presence

by Sherri Gragg

Come near. Stop striving. The Master of the banquet has raised His glass to welcome you as His dear child. So often Christians view Christ as someone who’s far away and can’t be approached until they have their lives in order. In Arms Open Wide , author Sherri Gragg proves that Christ is a kinder, more tender, more loving Savior than many understand Him to be. Sherri writes in fictional narrative form while mixing biblical history with scripture, creating a setting that transforms readers back in time and places them right in Jesus’ presence. For thirty-four days readers walk with the Savior to witness miraculous healings and events, and give fresh insight into His power by thinking and feeling with people whose lives became instantly transformed by His love and grace. Readers journey with Jesus and His disciples in the most important time in history. Hearts will be stirred and lives will be changed as readers draw near and walk with the Savior as never before. Features &

Genres: Christian, Devotional

223 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2014

About the author

Sherri Gragg is a Tennessee girl who spent 18 years reading theology books and scribbling in journals in between cooking dinner, managing homework, chauffeuring the masses to soccer practice and shouting things she never thought she would ever say like- "Do NOT put your hand in the toilet!"

She was doing all of these things for her five children while becoming a writer and waiting for her miraculous big break. Each day, just before she opened the mailbox, she would turn to her children and say- "Today could be the day. Today could be the day something wonderful is in here!"

And, at last, that day has come...

Arms Open Wide will be released by Thomas Nelson Publishers in May, 2013.

Reviews

[Kareh Wiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg is a beautifully written devotional book that brings a greater depth of understanding to the gospels and a renewed sensitivity to the never ending love of Christ.

Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg is a tender devotional. Each individual section of the book leads off with a scripture reading from the gospels and then flows seamlessly into a narrated dialogue from the perspective of a character found within that particular Bible story. Each section ends with a transparent prayer that draws the reader further into a heart of worship to an approachable and loving Savior. The author's ability to take nuggets of cultural research and transfer them onto the page for effortless interpretation is a unique gift. There is a glossary of historical terms at the back of the book to be referenced as needed for a more complete understanding of the setting in which the events were occurring. I found this list very helpful and enlightening.

The message of hope and freedom that can be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ was eloquently unveiled throughout the entirety of this book. One specific section of reading that spoke directly to my heart was the story of Mary and Martha. The author utilizes her extensive research into the treatment of women in this culture and time period and brilliantly connects the scriptures to the probable thoughts occurring within Martha's mind. The conclusion is a much deeper comprehension of the Lord's desire that each of us come to Him for our fulfillment and not fall into the trap of allowing the world to define us. Our potential is found in Him and our definition of who we are comes only from His defining grace upon our lives. We are encouraged to sit at His feet and listen to the direction He has designed uniquely for each of us to follow.

Upon receiving this book, I was very impressed with the cover design by Milkglass Creative. In addition to the outstanding cover, the thick smooth paper quality of each individual page adds a richness to the experience that I would be remiss not to mention.
I found this book, Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg, to be a wonderfully deep work of truth paired with an honest heart of creativity. It truly does beckon the reader to linger and ponder the richness of the living God and respond to the loving redemptive care of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Publishing for this review copy of Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg through the BookLook Bloggers program. The opinions expressed within this review are my own. I was not required to provide a positive review, but chose to do so of my own accord.

[A.C. Cuddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arms Open Wide: A Call To Linger in the Savior’s Presence by Sherri Gragg

"Step into His open arms. Your price has been paid. There is no condemnation. Jesus’ life on earth was a time in history like no other – from His birth, teachings, and healings, to His persecution, death, and resurrection. Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to witness the miraculous healing of a leper? To watch Him walk on water from the very boat in which Peter was traveling? To be in the mind of the thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus?”

This book is listed as a 35-day devotional… but OH my, it is so much more than that! The author, Sherri Gragg, is a master storyteller. As each devotion open up, we are prompted with a short scripture reading. From there, we are transported back to Jesus’ time where we are privileged (via not just the author’s imagination, but also her ability to interpretation of the scripture through the cultural lens) to be a witness to the events as they might have been at that time.

There are stories of Lazarus, the Widow’s Mite, the Woman at the Well, Peter’s Denial, Matthew’s Call, and the Master of the Wind and the Waves and so many more. This is a remarkable book with amazing stories that brought the Word to life for me. This book also soothed my heart. At the end of a day’s reading, I was left with a peace and calmness. Thank you Ms Gragg.

For more information about Ms. Gragg go to: http://www.sherrigragg.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

*Reviews of this book were posted at the following locations:
Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deeper Shopping, Goodreads, and to be featured on my blog at http://titus3.wordpress.com

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Arms Open Wide" is a 35-day devotional that truly has you spending time with Jesus. Each devotional started with a quote from the Old Testament related to or which is fulfilled in the gossip passage. The author then took an event from the gospels and filled in cultural background and fictional elements to create a narrative. You're directed to read the Bible account and then a fictional recounting of the event as seen through the eyes of a person whose life was transformed by an encounter with Jesus. The author invites you to be transformed along with them, offering a heart-felt prayer that relates to how the viewpoint character was changed.

I liked that the author focused on Jesus and that she stayed true to the Biblical accounts. And it's a unique and enjoyable way to learn Bible background information that provides further insights into a passage. I'd recommend this excellent devotional.

I received this book as a review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only does Sherri Gragg write well, she does fine research. She brings all of this to the table in her devotional.

I received an ARC of Arms Open Wide: A Call to Linger in the Savior's Presence, and have been reading daily. It's intended for one story a day, but I often read two or three chapters because it's so interesting.

Each chapter does not fail to move me to tears as the settings and circumstances in which Jesus touches people, come alive in Gragg's purposeful prose. Often I think, I never thought about that. And I've studied the Word for 20 years. Her stories give depth to the times and situations, such as the total isolation of a woman with a flow of blood for 12 years, and what it meant for her to go out in public, and to dare to touch a Rabbi.

I recommend this book for new believers as well as those who have walked with the Savior for many years. It will touch your heart.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sherri Gragg's Arms Open Wide: A Call to Linger in the Savior's Presence is a beautifully written devotional that is a wonderful addition to anyone's devotional collection. Each devotion has an old testament reference, a bible reading, a devotion and a prayer. The focus on Jesus is where our focus should be therefore this devotional will be inspirational to its readers.

Arms Open Wide: A Call to Linger in the Savior's Presence is available in both hard cover and as an ebook. The ebook is very reasonably priced at $3.99 if you are looking for a copy for yourself. On the other hand, the hard copy edition is quite lovely and would be a wonderful gift to present to a friend or a new Christian.

I highly recommend this new devotional.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written devotional book. I love the historical accuracy of the stories told. Easy to understand! Great book to share with others.

[Jodi Janz · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much attracted me to this book. First of all, the title ... "arms open wide" has been a visual I have tried to hold in my mind of Christ. "A call to linger" ... is such a beautiful word picture of what God desires for us. Friendship. Fellowship.

Yet, as you know from your own lives, friendship does not grow out of nothing. There is time invested; hearts invested. And so that brings us to Sherri Gragg's wonderful devotional/storybook.

Basically in the simplest terms, Gragg's book is a deeper, wider lens placed at the heart of bible scenes and stories. So, for example when the Bible chooses to say "Jesus wept.", Sherri chooses to open all our senses to what that must have looked like and felt like. The true essence of storytelling.

This little book is both beautiful on the inside and outside. The gold embossed hard cover entices you to open its treasure trove of pages. Then once inside Gragg opens up a vivid and stirring mental picture of New Testament Judea. She entices us to linger longer and deeper into thirty four different stories/scenes from the New Testament.

I chose to use the book as a devotional, so each day I read one of the bible stories. The first one in the book is the scriptural story of Jesus and his disciples escaping the crowds in a boat. Gragg invites the reader to read first from their bible (Mark 4:35-41), then to open their eyes wider by entering into the story right on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. Then at the end of each scene, Sherri Gragg has included a heartfelt prayer based on the eternal truth of God's character drawn from the story.

I found the stories engaging and lively. Sherri Gragg followed scripture closely adding in her own interpretation based on cultural cues and research she gathered while visiting Israel. She speaks in the introduction of her heart's desire to draw readers closer to the intent and heart of the gospel message. Too many times we read scriptures and try to squeeze their meaning into our own limited and sometimes incorrect cultural viewpoint. This book takes you right into the time and place that the story took place, much like a movie, incorporating all the nuances and social cues of the time. Gragg says that once she encountered Christ on his turf she was able to see and experience the bigger picture of a loving and redemptive God with arms open wide.

This book is a wonderful gift, or addition to anyone's personal Bible reading collection. It is especially perfect for people who love to mix fact and fiction.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Booklook Bloggers program for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to review it positively.

[Deb Haggerty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deb’s Dozen: A Call to Linger in the Savior’s Presence – His Arms Open Wide
During our recent blizzard in Plymouth, I took the time to reorganize the books I have to review. One of the books I discovered—to my great joy—was Arms Open Wide by Sherri Gragg. I’d been searching for that book for several months in order to meet my reviewing commitment.

As I was reading the thirty-five devotions in the book, the beautiful word pictures Sherri created brought me to near tears several times. The beautiful words transported me back to when our Lord walked this world and interacted with the people around Him. The devotion entitled “The Light of the World” enraptured me. My husband and I teach a small group study on a weekly basis and have been teaching the Book of John. We’d just taught the lesson to which this devotion refers (John 8:12-20). I had researched the Feast of Tabernacles and the lighting of the four candelabras in the Court of Women at the end of the festival. Because I’d “been” there so recently, the words came alive with special meaning.

“Light represented both the pillar of fire that had led their fathers in the wilderness as well as God’s shekhinah glory. The rabbis taught that God wrapped Himself in light as a garment that could not shine by day lest it dim the sun. His divine light was that from which the sun, moon, and stars had been kindled, and it was now reserved under the throne of God for Messiah when He came . . . a few days later, Jesus of Nazareth stood in the temple courts and raised His voice: ‘I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” How grateful I am that He has shone His light into my life!

Sherri has said that Scripture never lived for her as it has since she visited Israel at age forty-one, and “was introduced to the concept of interpreting scripture through the cultural lens in which it was written.” Roy and I teach that one must consider the times in which scripture was written, but Sherri takes us there.

I guarantee you will be blessed reading and meditating on these exquisitely-written devotionals. Arms Open Wide is one book I will keep and often re-read. Thank you, Sherri! You can learn more about Sherri and her writing at http://www.sherrigragg.com.

I thank Thomas Nelson Publishers for giving me a copy of Arms Open Wide in exchange for my candid review.

[Gail Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

***The teachings of Jesus grounded in the Jewish faith***

Debut author Sherri Gragg encourages readers to "linger in the Savior's presence" in her new release Arms Open Wide, where she portrays the "beautiful Jewish roots of her Christian faith." She discovered that Jewish reality in the course of her trip to Israel where she learned to view "Jesus' teachings through a Middle Eastern cultural lens." It's there she found Jesus the Messiah to be the "incarnation of God Himself."

Yet that isn't how she always knew Jesus, even though, at age four, she "padded barefoot down the hall to her parents' bedroom" and asked to give her heart to Christ. She never saw God as a loving Father, instead she saw Him as a vengeful, "harsh judge" due to a powerful Sunday school lesson by a well-intentioned teacher.

It wasn't until her trip to Israel at age forty-one that "scriptures started to come to life for her" and she could see the "infancy of her faith" was founded on a "flawed" view of God. It was there she realized that "Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever," like Hebrews 13:8 says. There she found the loving God who created the universe and "poured out His life," not just for her, but for all of humanity…Full Review: http://www.examiner.com/list/arms-ope...

[Loraine Alcorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review for the book Arms Open Wide A Call to Linger in the Savior's Presence By Sherri Gragg. This beautiful hardbound book is a masterpiece in a 30 day devotional.

I loved everything about it and thought it would make for such a treasured gift for anyone any time. I loved that Sherri Gragg really has the ability to expound on a passage of scripture and turn it into a story we can live in and really feel like we are right their with Jesus in a moment in time .
I have read a lot of devotions but this one is one of my favorites.

For a 30 day devotional its got a lot of pages and each story is very complete. Its very well written, very beautiful in form and content and well bound to last a lifetime.

This is the kind of book you would want to have on your shelf always and to give as a gift so others can cherish it. Its the kind of book you want to display on a coffee table or desk,

When I say that it is a Masterpiece I really mean it and I am so very happy I was selected to review it through booklook bloggers.

I was sent a free copy in order to make an informed review but my opinions are my own thanks for reading

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this devotional. One of the ways to meditate on Scripture is to imagine the situation, the people, and the actions. This devotional would be great for that kind of meditation. Gragg has done lots of research to create a narrative around a biblical event. I was impressed with the writing and the attention to detail. Each story gives the reader much to think about.
See my full review at http://bit.ly/1mN1GJ9.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.

[Iris Long · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Using a combination of scripture passages and modern life, these devotions are deep in insight and wisdom. A special prayer is included at the end of each chapter. I looked forward to reading this book every day and savored what I learned in the author's writing.

[Lisa Matheny · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best devotional books I have ever read. period.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting .....written in a special way of the authors understanding! really enjoyed it

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the narrative of the different events of Christ's life , it made it very interesting. However , obviously the suthor took creative liberties and therefore added dialogue and details that obviously didn't happen. Yet, that is why it is important to read the Scriptures along side it. Which I'm glad the references were included. Overall a different way to see the life of Jesus.

[Cherihy808 · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. I really enjoyed how these short stories, that were taken from the Bible, were rewritten so you can imagine being right there in the moment. I also liked how you begin by reading a passage from the Bible and how it ends with a prayer. You can read this at your own pace and they are a perfect way to spend a little time with God each day.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best devotional I’ve ever read.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting set of devotional readings. I really appreciated the historical context and narrative that Gragg brought to well-known stories.

[Candy Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!