Courageous Grace: Following the Way of Christ

by Gayle Haggard

As a Bible teacher, Gayle had taught for decades about the amazing power of grace in a person’s life. Yet it took a crisis in her husband’s life and the crumbling of her own life around her for her to have an epiphany about the true nature of grace. In Courageous Grace, Gayle chronicles and explains her newfound insights. Despite common misperceptions, grace is not safe. It’s not easy. Frankly, it takes courage to show grace to those who deserve less. Oftentimes, the person showing God’s grace gets counted among the sinners, just as Jesus experienced centuries ago. Gayle explores the story of Jesus forgiving the adulterous woman to reveal the courageous side of showing grace. We live in a society that vacillates between glorifying sin and crucifying those who fall. Gayle encourages us to take the road less traveled—daring to do the hard work of showing God’s grace to the sinners among us. It’s what followers of Christ are called to do.

Genres: Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christian

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2013

About the author

Gayle Haggard is an author, speaker, and the wife of Ted Haggard. After her world was rocked by public scandal in 2006, she emerged with her faith, marriage, and family stronger than ever. Gayle is the author of the New York Times bestselling book, Why I Stayed: the Choices I Made in my Darkest Hour, and her newest book, Courageous Grace. She and Ted currently pastor St. James Church in Colorado Springs where Gayle leads a ministry to women called Women Belong.

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous Grace is a great book that tells its readers what real grace looks like and how it can impact not only your life, but also the lives of others. The authors starts out by recounted a hard time in her life when she was desperate for grace to be shown to her and how her experience has changed her life. The author teaches why people need grace, which is because we are all sinful, broken people. She also teaches her readers what sin is, how it affects people, and what our response to sin and sinful people should be as Christians. The author used many examples from Scripture to explain that real grace is not judging others because we all sin, instead, we should show others love, support, and help them to be reconciled instead of shunning or ostracizing them. The book taught that if we show people grace, especially when they are broken in their sin, then that grace shown will not only help bring restoration and healing to people, but also make us more like Christ. The author also wrote of the importance of forgiveness and what real forgiveness looks like and why forgiveness is necessary in showing grace to others. I really liked this book because the author taught important Biblical concepts with gentleness, respect, and in a practical manner. I had no trouble understanding what the author was trying to say and I agree with her that if the Church would show forgiveness without judging those that sin in their congregations but instead support them and help bring restoration/healing in their lives, then Christianity would be viewed better by non-Christians. I think that if every Christian were to act more like Jesus with their attitudes and actions concerning this topic, then I think that more “sinners” would be drawn to Christ and our world would be changed dramatically and in a more positive way.

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Biblically based book, about applying radical grace and changing lives.


I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I found myself rapidly drawn in and agreeing with much of what Ms. Haggard said. I loved how she talked about radical grace and forgiveness and the freedom that it can give.


It only makes sense that everyone sins and that we should show them grace as Jesus did, and just because someone is a ministry leader, Christian, or Church Member does it mean that someone instantly becomes perfect. They are just as human and everyone else and as residents of this world are still at war with their sinful natures. But sometimes it is easy to forget, and when these people stumble in their Christian walk we feel betrayed.


It seems like every few months a well known evangelist is found embroiled in scandal and discredited as a Christian and leader, but what happens afterward? Even if there is true repentance, the result is far too often less than the fruits of true forgiveness.


Ms. Haggard give many excellent examples from scripture, history, and even her own life to illustrate how we can make our message a hundred times more effective by embracing the radically courageous grace that Jesus gave to us, and extending it in turn to others. Written in an easy to read and to the point style. This was a really great book that is kind of hard to explain, but that I would recommend to every Christian.


I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

[C.E. Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courageous Grace is a very inspiring book. I like how it begins with Gayle Haggard’s epiphany—Grace isn’t easy. It’s tough! And it requires courage.
Each chapter is clear and concise. Not a lot of babble to fill up pages. (The reason I say this is because some books I’ve read on Grace could be told in half the amount of pages—if the ‘fluff’ was cut out.)

There are wonderful quotes and scripture verses throughout that make an impact, and the discussion questions at the end cause the reader to take a deeper, more personal, look at situations in their own life that require sacrifice and grace.

A lovely, motivating book!

Cover: Like it
Title: Like it
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Pages: 224
Pace: Steady.
First Line: One of the greatest tests of our characters is how we respond when someone else errs.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Advanced Review Copy free from the NetGalley book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The options I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

[Rachel Mingle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courageous Grace by Gayle Haggard is her story of grace. Gayle and her family reached a point in their life that they needed grace extended to them. After living through those circumstances in her life she is able to teach other people about extending grace to everyone around them which was a thought-provoking concept to me. I know what the Bible tells us to do but that can be different then actually doing it.

[Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Almost gave up on this one but persevered. So often found myself saying 'yes ... But ....' The author is weak on her theology of sin, poor in her communication of the gospel and the cross and disappointing in her explanation of what grace really is.

[Debbi Huntington · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a good book, very easy to read. if you're struggling with anger and unforgiveness, you would enjoy this book. you can read my full review here, http://www.yankeeburrowcreations.com/... .
Debbi

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courageous Grace by Gayle Haggard was wonderful book that will satisfy you for weeks to come. I picked it up and I didn’t want to put it down till I was finished.

[Mariejkt · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had to stop when I read an interpretation of scripture that is incorrect in Chapter 2 she talks about God rewarding his people for courage, no its for their faith not courage.