CBB Review: Experience Grace in Abundance

Last updated on: May 4, 2016 at 5:30 pm by Pete Socks

CBB Review: Experience Grace in Abundance 2016-04-30T19:44:09-05:00 Pete Socks

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Julie returns this week with the review of a book she really enjoyed.

Maybe some of you can relate to what I am about to say. When I read a good novel, the house can fall down around me and I would never notice; I am that absorbed. It is the reason why several years ago I swore off reading fiction more than once a year. I figured once a year my family should be able to fend for themselves for 48 hours, but I would not put them through more than that. With non-fiction books, I can usually put them down easily when duty calls and then pick them up later without too much anguish. I usually have five books going at the same time. All of this is to say that the book I am reading now has gotten me so excited that I dread putting it down, but I have done just that to eagerly tell you about it – right now! I am not even finished with Experience Grace in Abundance: Ten Strategies for your Spiritual Life by Johnnette Benkovic, yet I already know this is going to be a classic.

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Five days ago I wrote the above introductory paragraph to this review. I have since finished the book, fitting reading in throughout my busy days. My first thought as I finished was – “I want to read it again.” There is so much to this book and time is needed to digest it all. You will want to read it through quickly to hear what this brilliant author has to say next, but in order to allow her insight to guide you spiritually you will probably need to read it twice.

As the title states, Johnette Benkovic addresses ten strategies that when exercised will greatly enhance the spiritual journey. As she tackles each strategy she weaves in Scripture, quotes from the saints, the teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, quotes from encyclicals, Sacred Tradition, and personal experiences. No question is left unanswered and each is explained fully. After reading the strategy on loving our neighbors as ourselves, I decided to sit down with one of my teenagers and read it again with him. He needed to hear about one of the aspects the strategy addresses which is the simple act of courtesy – sorely lacking in our society today. The author points out that “Courtesy, the outgrowth of true respect for the human person, leads us along the path to true love of neighbor.” Ah, “common courtesy” is no longer common.

Finally, throughout this terrific book, the author puts forth questions that she titles “Working the Strategy.” These questions do what they are intended to do – make you think about what you read, make you think about how you live your faith now, and what practical improvements you can make so that you are actually living the “call as Christians: to be another Christ.”

Can you tell that I highly recommend this book? As a “cradle Catholic” that got very little instruction on the Faith in CCD classes in the 70’s and 80’s, I virtually salivated over the information the author was delivering. If you hunger for more, this book will give you what you are looking for.

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Review

Experience Grace in Abundance

Johnnette Benkovic

Julie Abell

Sophia Institute Press

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