Harper (Renewed Hearts, Changed Lives), part self-deprecating comedienne and part sensitive fellow-female coach, encourages Christian women to allow God to reach deep within them, embracing every weakness and flaw. Drawing upon numerous exciting outdoor experiences, such as teasing an ornery bull and almost getting skewered in the process, vacationing under the watchful eyes of friendly lizards and diving amidst sharks and stingrays, Harper amuses readers with her comically poignant antics. Each opening narrative is the forerunner to spiritually introspective life-lessons. Harper tells of human desperation for mercy and explains how women can be defined by God's inexhaustible grace. Women of faith who seek God's presence, she says, discover him to be a God who loves without condition. Harper includes endearing entreaties for women to accept their sin-spattered pasts and look to God for forgiveness, fulfillment and purpose. Popular calls to pay homage to professional accomplishment and materialism are, not surprisingly, treated with a firm dismissal. Harper exudes generous applause for intimate and worshipful time with God. Each chapter ends with questions for reader response and suggestions for further Bible study. This book is a welcome pick-me-up for difficult days. Harper reminds women that life is often full of unwanted twists, and that how they decide to meet the unexpected comprises a major part of a successful outcome. (July)
