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Beloved Mess: God's Perfect Love for Your Imperfect Life
God's Empowering Love for Us in the Midst of Our Mess
Life is messy. And Christians are not exempt. Unfortunately, this is not the message we tend to hear. We're told to be moral, look good, and set a positive example. After all, as some people may tell us, we're the only Jesus some people see--so we better make him look good. That's a heavy burden. And so we work feverishly to hide our messes from each other and from God for fear of judgment . . . all the while wondering how we can ever be loved.
But Christianity is not about being less of a mess. It's about admitting that we need to be saved "from" trying to clean ourselves up. In "Beloved Mess," author and blogger Kimm Crandall frees Christians to live with the assurance that God loves us right here, right now. He's not waiting for us to clean up our act before we're worthy to come to him. He wants us to stop trying to fix the mess so that we can allow him to wash it away for us.
Life is messy. And Christians are not exempt. Unfortunately, this is not the message we tend to hear. We're told to be moral, look good, and set a positive example. After all, as some people may tell us, we're the only Jesus some people see--so we better make him look good. That's a heavy burden. And so we work feverishly to hide our messes from each other and from God for fear of judgment . . . all the while wondering how we can ever be loved.
But Christianity is not about being less of a mess. It's about admitting that we need to be saved "from" trying to clean ourselves up. In "Beloved Mess," author and blogger Kimm Crandall frees Christians to live with the assurance that God loves us right here, right now. He's not waiting for us to clean up our act before we're worthy to come to him. He wants us to stop trying to fix the mess so that we can allow him to wash it away for us.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2016
17 people are currently reading
445 people want to read
About the author
Kimm Crandall
5 books45 followersKimm Crandall is a mother of four kids (15, 13, 10, and 8)) who is never short on examples of how God has flooded her with the excessive grace that the gospel brings. Kimm’s desire is, through writing and speaking, to bring the much-needed freedom of the gospel to others who have been beaten down by the “try harder” and “do better” law. When she is not on the basketball court, baseball field, beach, or enjoying horses she can be found blogging at kimmcrandall.com.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 20, 2016
“When we stop stuffing down and hiding our failures, we see that God really does love us just as we are. This is freedom! We are no longer enslaved to our shortcomings. We no longer have to hide in shame.”[1]
I just finished reading Beloved Mess: God's Perfect Love for Your Imperfect Life, the newest book by Kimm Crandall, that releases this month. I approached the book as just another book to blog about, one that is outside my usual sphere of reading. What I found was a book that impacted me deeply – an intelligently written book that speaks straight to the heart – and it has left its mark on me.
Beloved Mess addresses those Christians Crandallwho don’t have it all together, who are a mess,
struggling with sin, addiction, brokenness, or just the craziness of life. It proceeds to show us that we are all messes, and that we are deeply loved by God, not despite our mess, but right in the midst of it. “The good news,” Crandall writes, “is that God loves the real version of you, not the cleaned-up, funny, talented, presentable you.”[2] Using personal
stories from her own life and a strong theology of grace, she sheds light on the messes of our lives and implores us, over and over, to understand that we are God’s Beloved. Reminiscent of Brennan Manning’s The Ragamuffin Gospel, Crandall’s book takes the reader by surprise with its frankness, breaking down walls of so-called propriety so that the truth can get through - and what a sweet truth it is! The book is extremely accessible, and is an enjoyable read.
We all need to be reminded from time to time of the radical love of God, and this book does that very well. I highly recommend that every Christian, especially those who, like me, struggle with doubt, self-worth, and sin that leaves us wondering about the real extent of God’s grace. Beloved Mess is sure to leave you changed.
[1] Kimm Crandall, Beloved Mess, (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2016), 67.
[2] Ibid., 57.
The Patriot Principle FTC Disclaimer
In accordance with FTC guidelines for bloggers, I would like to be clear that many of the books (including this one) reviewed on The Patriot Principle are provided by the publisher/author free of charge. I am not compensated for my reviews. All of my opinions are my own and are in no way influenced by the way I obtain my materials. I am not required to post a good review in order to obtain the book, nor will I give a good review if I think the book is not good.
August 9, 2016
Some authors dispense advice from a third person perspective, they have neither lived through similar situations or perhaps even journeyed extensively with multiple people in such trying times. Crandall writes from the pain of her depression and struggles to cope with life. The authenticity is alarming for an asian like me to come to terms with, and yet I appreciate how the book is not just a sob story about how terrible her life is - she makes a continual effort to point us back to the gospel.
The book's brevity makes it an apt choice for the non-bookwormish Christian you may want to gift it to. Depression and hard times in life is no respecter of a person's theological grasp and this would cater to the average sister in Christ going through a rough patch. Crandall's citations of quotation and choice of real-life stories from the people she knows to complement each chapter are spot on in engaging my mind, heart and spirit.
I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.
The book's brevity makes it an apt choice for the non-bookwormish Christian you may want to gift it to. Depression and hard times in life is no respecter of a person's theological grasp and this would cater to the average sister in Christ going through a rough patch. Crandall's citations of quotation and choice of real-life stories from the people she knows to complement each chapter are spot on in engaging my mind, heart and spirit.
I received this book from the Baker Publishing Group's Blogger Review Program for the purposes of providing an unbiased review. All views are my own.
June 25, 2016
It's not about trying to get rid of the mess. There will always be a tension in our lives because we are not in our heavenly home. Crandall points out that we're actually called to embrace it. To ask God to help us step into our mess with grace. With love. With trust.
This book pours out grace, encourages, invites you to find freedom and asks you to think differently all at the same time. The questions at the end of the chapters invite you to ponder the things you need to do differently. And this book helps you walk forward as a Beloved Mess.
This book pours out grace, encourages, invites you to find freedom and asks you to think differently all at the same time. The questions at the end of the chapters invite you to ponder the things you need to do differently. And this book helps you walk forward as a Beloved Mess.
July 11, 2016
Have you ever read a book that you felt you could have written yourself? That asks and answers the exact questions you have about life and God and religion? That touches you deep down in your soul and brings you comfort like none other before? Beloved Mess: God’s Perfect Love for Your Imperfect Life by Kimm Crandall is that book for me.
Kimm describes Grace perfectly. “As you likely know, the process of stain removal is not so much about the stain disappearing as it is about transferring the stain from the soiled garment to the clean cloth. It is suggested that you use a white cloth as a blotting rag. This way, when blotting the stain with the rag soaked in stain-removing solvent, you will begin to see the stain transfer onto the white rag. There is an exchange that happens between the two pieces of material. The dirty one becomes clean as the stain is transferred to the clean white blotting rag. What once was dirty has become clean because what once was clean took the stain onto itself. Grace is the solvent that allows the stain to be lifted.”
What a perfect description on what Jesus has done for us. She also reminds us that Grace is messy. That “it is often not given to the person who we think deserves it.” That it is “shocking, unnerving, and doesn’t make sense.” That HIS grace is perfect and no matter what we’ve done he continues to extend us that beautiful grace, over and over. And His grace is stubborn, “The very moment I am sure I have infuriated God is the exact moment that gives him reason to love me all the more.”
Crandall’s chapter on Doubt has been a life changer for me. As Christians, we often worry that if we doubt God or occasionally question his existence we are not truly saved. “The weakest believer among us receives the same strong Christ as does the believer whose faith seems unmoved.” And that, “strong faith-or, more appropriately, your lack thereof- is not connected to some cosmic feeding tube of God’s grace. He does not dole out his love and faithfulness based on the strength of our trust.” She reminds us that when we struggle with unbelief that we don’t have to sink, that we can rest knowing that these doubts may be part of our growing process in Him.
If you’re looking for a book that let’s you know you don’t have to be perfect or have it all together to be beloved by our creator- this is it. We are his beloved. In our mess, in our doubt, he is reaching for us. Wrapping his arms around us and he never, ever stops loving us. He forgives us over and over. We’re all sinners and fall short if his glory, and only by this grace are we saved.
Kimm describes Grace perfectly. “As you likely know, the process of stain removal is not so much about the stain disappearing as it is about transferring the stain from the soiled garment to the clean cloth. It is suggested that you use a white cloth as a blotting rag. This way, when blotting the stain with the rag soaked in stain-removing solvent, you will begin to see the stain transfer onto the white rag. There is an exchange that happens between the two pieces of material. The dirty one becomes clean as the stain is transferred to the clean white blotting rag. What once was dirty has become clean because what once was clean took the stain onto itself. Grace is the solvent that allows the stain to be lifted.”
What a perfect description on what Jesus has done for us. She also reminds us that Grace is messy. That “it is often not given to the person who we think deserves it.” That it is “shocking, unnerving, and doesn’t make sense.” That HIS grace is perfect and no matter what we’ve done he continues to extend us that beautiful grace, over and over. And His grace is stubborn, “The very moment I am sure I have infuriated God is the exact moment that gives him reason to love me all the more.”
Crandall’s chapter on Doubt has been a life changer for me. As Christians, we often worry that if we doubt God or occasionally question his existence we are not truly saved. “The weakest believer among us receives the same strong Christ as does the believer whose faith seems unmoved.” And that, “strong faith-or, more appropriately, your lack thereof- is not connected to some cosmic feeding tube of God’s grace. He does not dole out his love and faithfulness based on the strength of our trust.” She reminds us that when we struggle with unbelief that we don’t have to sink, that we can rest knowing that these doubts may be part of our growing process in Him.
If you’re looking for a book that let’s you know you don’t have to be perfect or have it all together to be beloved by our creator- this is it. We are his beloved. In our mess, in our doubt, he is reaching for us. Wrapping his arms around us and he never, ever stops loving us. He forgives us over and over. We’re all sinners and fall short if his glory, and only by this grace are we saved.
July 8, 2016
Life is messy. Yet the pressure to appear to others as though you’ve got it all together is a powerful force. We strive to act morally, look good, and set a positive example. After all, as others may tell us, we’re the only Jesus some people see–so we better make him look good. That’s a heavy burden.
But the Christian life is not about being less of a mess. It’s about admitting that we need to be saved from trying to clean ourselves up. In Beloved Mess, Kimm Crandall frees you to live with the assurance that God loves you right here, right now. He’s not waiting for you to clean up your act before you’re worthy to come to him. In fact, he wants you to stop trying to fix the mess and allow him to wash it away.
(excerpt from back of book)
Have you ever read "one of those books".
The type of book that pops up in your head repeatedly even though you finished it ages ago.
The type of book that you're out with a friend and can't resist sliding it into the conversation.
The type of book you put on your "must read" shelf.
For my summer, that book was Beloved Mess by Kimm Crandall.
In my opinion, Kimm's book revolves around the premise that we've shifted the law and made it gospel thereby squeezing grace and Christ out of their rightful place. Over the course of the book readers are invited to explore the far reaching ramifications of that shift in both personal and communal faith.
Kimm's book really resonated with a lot of issues I've been struggling with. I loved her chapter on doubt and the honesty which resonated out of each page. The use of scripture was well placed throughout the book and Kimm's own commentary really helped bring passages to light in a new way, especially regarding the concept of the "light burden" which so often comes across as an exhausting effort these days. I loved that her book helped find peace between law and grace once their proper order was re-established and that each page held the law in its place while pointing firmly back to Christ.
I also appreciated the format Kimm chose to present her book. It's one of those easy to read, harder to apply books that is written in accessible language without sacrificing the heart of the message. I love when I find a book that I'd feel comfortable suggesting to an audience with a wide variety of backgrounds and Beloved Mess is one of those books that has the added benefit of being extremely re-readable.
5 out of 5 stars.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
But the Christian life is not about being less of a mess. It’s about admitting that we need to be saved from trying to clean ourselves up. In Beloved Mess, Kimm Crandall frees you to live with the assurance that God loves you right here, right now. He’s not waiting for you to clean up your act before you’re worthy to come to him. In fact, he wants you to stop trying to fix the mess and allow him to wash it away.
(excerpt from back of book)
Have you ever read "one of those books".
The type of book that pops up in your head repeatedly even though you finished it ages ago.
The type of book that you're out with a friend and can't resist sliding it into the conversation.
The type of book you put on your "must read" shelf.
For my summer, that book was Beloved Mess by Kimm Crandall.
In my opinion, Kimm's book revolves around the premise that we've shifted the law and made it gospel thereby squeezing grace and Christ out of their rightful place. Over the course of the book readers are invited to explore the far reaching ramifications of that shift in both personal and communal faith.
Kimm's book really resonated with a lot of issues I've been struggling with. I loved her chapter on doubt and the honesty which resonated out of each page. The use of scripture was well placed throughout the book and Kimm's own commentary really helped bring passages to light in a new way, especially regarding the concept of the "light burden" which so often comes across as an exhausting effort these days. I loved that her book helped find peace between law and grace once their proper order was re-established and that each page held the law in its place while pointing firmly back to Christ.
I also appreciated the format Kimm chose to present her book. It's one of those easy to read, harder to apply books that is written in accessible language without sacrificing the heart of the message. I love when I find a book that I'd feel comfortable suggesting to an audience with a wide variety of backgrounds and Beloved Mess is one of those books that has the added benefit of being extremely re-readable.
5 out of 5 stars.
"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."
August 29, 2017
This would have easily gotten a 5-star review from me if it contained more Scripture. I believe any book intentionally seeking to specifically and convincingly communicate biblical truths should be saturated with Scriptural references. For that reason, I would not recommend this to a new believer, seeing as they would have to do a lot of work to make sure what they are reading is truth.
However, from my experience of Scripture, this book was definitely saturated with gospel truth in a fresh and life giving way. The author is pretty brutally open and honest, and it's definitely tailored to a wife/mom audience, but she frames the grace of the gospel and Christ's love displayed on the cross in a way that gripped my heart like never before. Being someone who has grown up in the faith, it's easy to grow numb to the gospel message. I am constantly pursuing fresh expressions of the gospel to remind my heart of the incredible reality it is. This book definitely did that for me.
The way the author pushes grace and dependence on Christ and His righteousness was powerful and convicting. I have been on a journey of escaping a mindset of legalism, but this took my heart to a whole new level, revealing ways I still take pride and root my identity in my own efforts and striving.
My only concern in recommending this book is the lack of specific Bible passages and the potential for someone interpreting her strong and insistent reminders of grace as a license to sin. I would recommend this book to any mature female believer who is needing a fresh experience of the gospel or looking to be freed from legalism by the grace of God.
However, from my experience of Scripture, this book was definitely saturated with gospel truth in a fresh and life giving way. The author is pretty brutally open and honest, and it's definitely tailored to a wife/mom audience, but she frames the grace of the gospel and Christ's love displayed on the cross in a way that gripped my heart like never before. Being someone who has grown up in the faith, it's easy to grow numb to the gospel message. I am constantly pursuing fresh expressions of the gospel to remind my heart of the incredible reality it is. This book definitely did that for me.
The way the author pushes grace and dependence on Christ and His righteousness was powerful and convicting. I have been on a journey of escaping a mindset of legalism, but this took my heart to a whole new level, revealing ways I still take pride and root my identity in my own efforts and striving.
My only concern in recommending this book is the lack of specific Bible passages and the potential for someone interpreting her strong and insistent reminders of grace as a license to sin. I would recommend this book to any mature female believer who is needing a fresh experience of the gospel or looking to be freed from legalism by the grace of God.
July 9, 2016
Do you ever feel like you're a "hot mess"? Well, I do, and in Beloved Mess by Kimm Crandall, we are reminded that that, yes, we are messy, but we're a "beloved mess."
"...Christianity isn't about being less of a mess; it's about admitting that we need to be saved from trying to clean ourselves up." (33)
In a span of 149 (including the Appendix), Kimm manages to release profound wisdom and much Biblical truth, giving readers the knowledge within. The freedom knowing that despite my flaws, my mess, God loves me. His grace covers me. His grace bounds me and nothing can change that. Accepting, for hot messes like me is hard, but running from grace, from Him, will only "give Him reason to love me all the more." (93) We are truly His beloved mess, not expecting us to have it all together. And that's why it's grace, and all the more reason we need Him.
If you've ever felt down, unworthy or simply unloved, Beloved Mess is a must-read. Let Kimm share her stories, as well as the ultimate love.
"Heaven is for the weak and needy - the doubters. Christ is our only ticket in, and it is Christ's strong faith that will get us there, not ours." (112)
This review first appeared on Just Commonly Blog.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Baker Books for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
"...Christianity isn't about being less of a mess; it's about admitting that we need to be saved from trying to clean ourselves up." (33)
In a span of 149 (including the Appendix), Kimm manages to release profound wisdom and much Biblical truth, giving readers the knowledge within. The freedom knowing that despite my flaws, my mess, God loves me. His grace covers me. His grace bounds me and nothing can change that. Accepting, for hot messes like me is hard, but running from grace, from Him, will only "give Him reason to love me all the more." (93) We are truly His beloved mess, not expecting us to have it all together. And that's why it's grace, and all the more reason we need Him.
If you've ever felt down, unworthy or simply unloved, Beloved Mess is a must-read. Let Kimm share her stories, as well as the ultimate love.
"Heaven is for the weak and needy - the doubters. Christ is our only ticket in, and it is Christ's strong faith that will get us there, not ours." (112)
This review first appeared on Just Commonly Blog.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Baker Books for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.
July 19, 2016
Disclosure: I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. This is my honest review.
Though this book took a little while to get into (she goes on for quite awhile about what a mess she is), I am so glad I read it all the way. It ends with much more hope and encouragement for all of us, because all of us live messy lives in one way or another.
Many of the quotes she shared were by Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning, whose works highlight God's unrelenting love for His Beloved--US!
We are encouraged not to live under guilt, condemnation, or "performancism" in a way to earn God's approval or love, but to simply acknowledge and rest in the truth that we are God's Beloved.
I really liked her words here (pg. 139): " The hope found in this book is not the hope of a better, less messy you, but a hope that sustains you. A hope in the one who lived, bled, and died in order that you may be called his Beloved. A hope that renders you okay when things aren't okay....A hope that promises you so much more than the messes that you are wading through."
This book was a fairly quick read, but could be taken slowly as well. There are questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection and/or group discussion. I also really liked the appendix at the end with Bible verses--"Gospel Truths for the Beloved."
Though this book took a little while to get into (she goes on for quite awhile about what a mess she is), I am so glad I read it all the way. It ends with much more hope and encouragement for all of us, because all of us live messy lives in one way or another.
Many of the quotes she shared were by Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning, whose works highlight God's unrelenting love for His Beloved--US!
We are encouraged not to live under guilt, condemnation, or "performancism" in a way to earn God's approval or love, but to simply acknowledge and rest in the truth that we are God's Beloved.
I really liked her words here (pg. 139): " The hope found in this book is not the hope of a better, less messy you, but a hope that sustains you. A hope in the one who lived, bled, and died in order that you may be called his Beloved. A hope that renders you okay when things aren't okay....A hope that promises you so much more than the messes that you are wading through."
This book was a fairly quick read, but could be taken slowly as well. There are questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection and/or group discussion. I also really liked the appendix at the end with Bible verses--"Gospel Truths for the Beloved."
Read
July 2, 2016`Beloved Mess` is a Christian Living/Spiritual Growth book written by author Kimm Crandall. She wrote this book to her husband, Justin, who is her best friend. I like the following quote, found in the Forward, written by Elyse Fitzpatrick (I have reworded it some), I identify myself as a desperate sinner, loved by a great and kind Savior.
This book is for women who are trying to live up to everyone's expectations of what being a Christian is like, but seem to keep failing everyone's expectations. In actuality we don't need to live up to anyone's expectations. This book will speak into your mess and how to find joy through Jesus.
`Beloved Mess` held my attention as I want to be assured that no matter what, my Savior loves me and there is grace upon grace for me, too. I pondered the fact that Christ has forgiven me and He loves me. Even if I were the only person on earth He would still die for me.
Kimm Crandall begins her book by sharing her messes so the reader will know all humans sin, but there is grace for all our sins. Jesus took everyone's sin, put them on Himself, and gave us grace.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Baker Books through the Baker Books Blogger program.
August 7, 2016
BELOVED MESS
By Kimm Crandall
Kimm Crandall writes of life examples and stories of others about how life is messy. Though there were some parts of this book that I didn’t agree with, most of it I did agree with. For so many of us, we try to portray that we have it all together. But, underneath all of this, we really don’t! Our lives are messy. God does love us right where we are. We don’t have to clean up our messes before God will accept us. He is right there to accept us, mess and all.
Kimm Crandall encourages readers to accept that God loves us right where we are. She also encourages readers to not try to make the Christian life all about following rules. As a rule follower myself, I identified with this a lot! Sometimes we need to be reminded of this! She also talks about the grace and mercy of God. This is a topic that I love to read about and be reminded of. I love reading about God’s grace and mercy!
I received this book from Baker Books for my honest opinion.
By Kimm Crandall
Kimm Crandall writes of life examples and stories of others about how life is messy. Though there were some parts of this book that I didn’t agree with, most of it I did agree with. For so many of us, we try to portray that we have it all together. But, underneath all of this, we really don’t! Our lives are messy. God does love us right where we are. We don’t have to clean up our messes before God will accept us. He is right there to accept us, mess and all.
Kimm Crandall encourages readers to accept that God loves us right where we are. She also encourages readers to not try to make the Christian life all about following rules. As a rule follower myself, I identified with this a lot! Sometimes we need to be reminded of this! She also talks about the grace and mercy of God. This is a topic that I love to read about and be reminded of. I love reading about God’s grace and mercy!
I received this book from Baker Books for my honest opinion.
August 9, 2016
Gospel revealed like never before!
Sitting here contemplating whether or not I should walk out on my children, husband and my faith, with nothing but my constant failures replaying over and over in my head, how my marriage is miserable, loving my kids but hating who they are at the same time. Feeling like it didn't seem to matter how many devotions, or how many acts of service I performed I still didn't measure up. But after reading this I realize He loves me....for me... doubts, failures, and all...
Sitting here contemplating whether or not I should walk out on my children, husband and my faith, with nothing but my constant failures replaying over and over in my head, how my marriage is miserable, loving my kids but hating who they are at the same time. Feeling like it didn't seem to matter how many devotions, or how many acts of service I performed I still didn't measure up. But after reading this I realize He loves me....for me... doubts, failures, and all...
January 14, 2017
The title expresses the central message of the book. God loves us despite the continuing messes in our lives. Our failures to not change his love. Our success do not gain his love. The author opens up her life to show how deeply God loves us in our weaknesses. Try harder is not what any of us need to hear. We need the Gospel for our lives every day and that is a message of grace. I highly recommend this book.
July 8, 2016
Tremendous gospel truth told in a profoundly honest way. Kimm Crandall truly gets the magnitude of the gospel! Loved this book - a breath of fresh air! Want to buy a case and give a copy to everyone I know!!!
November 27, 2017
This book came to me at a time when I most needed to hear it. After seven years of serving Christ, I'm finally ready to accept that I'm His beloved mess. I'm finally able to believe that He's okay with that. And, I'm finally tasting the incredible goodness and grace of the Father.
January 31, 2018
Honest words about our lives and the wonderful news of the gospel. We are beloved in Christ as we are. Crandall gives a beautifully written reminder of the comfort of Jesus. Come as you are and be encouraged. You are his!
July 9, 2016
FTC Disclosure: I received this book free from Goodreads hoping I would review it
January 26, 2018
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review.*
June 28, 2017
speaks to the soul
August 28, 2017
While it was nothing new under the sun, it was the right book at the right time for me. Honestly, when is grace not the right story for my heart to hear?
April 16, 2019
The beginning of this book starts with two powerful statements that catch your attention and compels you to dig in.
The first: “Maybe you even fear that God is disappointed in you because you can’t seem to clean yourself up.” Kimm, hit a nerve for those of us who feel messy.
The second: “Perhaps you have worked feverishly to try to make yourself okay. After all, the Christian culture tells us that if we would just read more, pray more, and cuss less we will experience transformation and finally live the victorious Christian life that we were meant to live. But for you, nothing seems to be changing. The weeds just keep popping back up. Nothing seems to make the untidiness go away. You are told that if you just cling tighter to the cross, you will experience peace and joy, but at this point you don’t even have the strength to lift your arms.” How many of us struggle to lift our arms because we feel like failures even when we give it our best shot?
Kimm tells us it is okay to not be okay because God loves us despite our mess and that we are His beloved.
Grace is not always pretty and don’t always make sense, but Jesus’ grace is perfect and he takes our messy lives and covers us. He loves us unconditionally and we don’t always have to have it together for Him to make us feel beloved.
We don’t have to clean ourselves up for Jesus to accept us. He invites us to come as we are regardless of the mess! His love, grace and mercy is vast and bountiful.
The first: “Maybe you even fear that God is disappointed in you because you can’t seem to clean yourself up.” Kimm, hit a nerve for those of us who feel messy.
The second: “Perhaps you have worked feverishly to try to make yourself okay. After all, the Christian culture tells us that if we would just read more, pray more, and cuss less we will experience transformation and finally live the victorious Christian life that we were meant to live. But for you, nothing seems to be changing. The weeds just keep popping back up. Nothing seems to make the untidiness go away. You are told that if you just cling tighter to the cross, you will experience peace and joy, but at this point you don’t even have the strength to lift your arms.” How many of us struggle to lift our arms because we feel like failures even when we give it our best shot?
Kimm tells us it is okay to not be okay because God loves us despite our mess and that we are His beloved.
Grace is not always pretty and don’t always make sense, but Jesus’ grace is perfect and he takes our messy lives and covers us. He loves us unconditionally and we don’t always have to have it together for Him to make us feel beloved.
We don’t have to clean ourselves up for Jesus to accept us. He invites us to come as we are regardless of the mess! His love, grace and mercy is vast and bountiful.
December 7, 2020
This is not a nice tidy conservative Christian book. It is about messed up lives, trying hard and failing hard, and clinging to God’s grace. It’s a great message for anyone who is struggling with big problems. Being Christian is not about cleaning ourselves up for God; it’s about understanding that we can’t do it and He loves us anyway.
April 7, 2019
This book reminded me how God's grace works and that we will always be His Beloved, no matter what we do. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for where they stand in the Lord.
March 7, 2020
The delivery on how God's grace is more than forgiveness but how He accepts every single person as someone who is crazy and messy is spot on and super relateable.
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September 12, 2020I loved this book and I can see myself reading it again. Great reminders of whose we are and that we all have messy lives that look very different, but God loves us nonetheless!
April 15, 2017
Five Huge Stars!
A life-changer for me. If you have any doubts about His love for you, just as you are, read this book. I cannot even begin to express what it has done for me!
A life-changer for me. If you have any doubts about His love for you, just as you are, read this book. I cannot even begin to express what it has done for me!
April 17, 2017
Wow! I went in with low expectations, unfamiliar with the author and well-versed in the many books on grace. But, then within the first few chapters, I realized that this book offered a profound reminder of grace, with unforgettable anecdotes. It's a short book, but is packed with great quotes, powerful anecdotes, by an author who is so willing to be honest about her shortcomings. I'll want to come back and re-read this again. Highly recommended!
April 24, 2017
If I wrote a book, this would be it, but Kimm Crandall writes much better than I ever could. If you are looking for deep theology, this is not the book for you.
This is a book I am going to read yearly if not twice a year. Crandall, in a raw, powerful narrative talks about how God is not waiting for you to clean up your life so he can love you more, he loves you in the middle of your ‘hot mess.’ Trying to look like you have it all together on the outside is exhausting if you have ever felt unloved, not worthy or felt like you could never live up to expectations, then read this book. It is a game changer. My favorite story in this book, and had me shedding some tears at the beach was the story of her son's bad day and the Principal saying "I will never let you go." ( you will have to read the book, a powerful example of how God never lets us go)..
Some of my favorite quotes in Beloved Mess:
"Christian life seems more like a miserable version of the children’s board game Chutes and Ladders. With every success you climb the ladder toward God, and with every failure you slide down the dreaded chute farther away from him. You are ready to flip the game board over, sending all of the other players’ pieces into the air, fitfully declaring, “I quit!”"
"Living in our belovedness means knowing that we are going to be okay even when we don’t feel okay. Living in our belovedness means knowing that Jesus is leaning in while the rest of the world is walking away."
"The hope found in this book is not the hope of a better, less messy you, but a hope that sustains you. A hope in the one who lived, bled, and died in order that you may be called his Beloved. A hope that renders you okay when things aren’t okay. A hope that is with you, riding out the waves of your life through the very end, never giving up on you. A hope that promises you so much more than the messes that you are wading through."
This is a book I am going to read yearly if not twice a year. Crandall, in a raw, powerful narrative talks about how God is not waiting for you to clean up your life so he can love you more, he loves you in the middle of your ‘hot mess.’ Trying to look like you have it all together on the outside is exhausting if you have ever felt unloved, not worthy or felt like you could never live up to expectations, then read this book. It is a game changer. My favorite story in this book, and had me shedding some tears at the beach was the story of her son's bad day and the Principal saying "I will never let you go." ( you will have to read the book, a powerful example of how God never lets us go)..
Some of my favorite quotes in Beloved Mess:
"Christian life seems more like a miserable version of the children’s board game Chutes and Ladders. With every success you climb the ladder toward God, and with every failure you slide down the dreaded chute farther away from him. You are ready to flip the game board over, sending all of the other players’ pieces into the air, fitfully declaring, “I quit!”"
"Living in our belovedness means knowing that we are going to be okay even when we don’t feel okay. Living in our belovedness means knowing that Jesus is leaning in while the rest of the world is walking away."
"The hope found in this book is not the hope of a better, less messy you, but a hope that sustains you. A hope in the one who lived, bled, and died in order that you may be called his Beloved. A hope that renders you okay when things aren’t okay. A hope that is with you, riding out the waves of your life through the very end, never giving up on you. A hope that promises you so much more than the messes that you are wading through."
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