Each of our lives tell a story. Our stories will live on long after we leave this earth. The Day I Met Jesus: The Revealing Diaries of Five Women from the Gospels by Mary DeMuth and Frank Viola, recounts the dramatic encounters Jesus had with five different women.
Five women – broken, imperfect, unwanted – whose lives changed forever the instant they met Jesus. Their stories are written poignantly and intimately in a diary sort of fashion. Mary paints a portrait of each of these women with such detail so as to transport the reader back to the very day of the meeting. She brings clarity and emotion to each story as she recounts what each woman experienced leading up to their encounter….
- The Diary of a Woman Caught in Adultery. The woman set up, trapped with no way out. And we discover , “Grace ushers in forgiveness, but it also empowers us to walk in a new way.”
- The Diary of a Prostitute Who Loved Much. She loved men, faking interest, in the hopes one would truly love her back. And we discover, “God had a bigger plan, that He could trump what others had done and renew it somehow.”
- The Diary of a Desperate Samaritan Woman. She was beautiful but unable to bear children. Barren. Rejected and set free yet freedom would mean being homeless, empty and alone. And we discover, we are each sought out by our God. We are loved. We are noticed. He brings hope.
- The Diary of a Woman with a Flow of Blood. An infirmity which could not be helped. Constant, nagging bleeding which caused pain and isolation. This woman was desperate beyond all measure. Can we even begin to comprehend living without being embraced. No affection. Ostracized. And we discover, our Lord will let us come and touch Him even when we are yet unclean. God’s Kingdom breaks past our muddled situations and brings restoration.
- The Diary of the Woman Whom Jesus Loved. Mary, the sister of Lazarus. The woman who sat at the feet of Jesus taking in His words. And Jesus welcomed her, urging her to stay and listen. And we discover, being a servant is not about what we do. It is about our hearts being open and listening to Jesus, remaining teachable and close to Him. For it is then we find ourselves filled with hope in a troubled world.
Mary weaves each story rich with emotions and images. In reading these stories, we find our own stories in the midst of these women. As the narration goes on, the words of Jesus speak deeply into our hearts, touching places still needing freedom and healing. Mary DeMuth presents biblical narrative which paint vivid pictures of the real encounters with God in the flesh on the very soil of our earth.
Frank Viola further delves into each story by providing rich historical and theological background making the tale relevant to today. He applies life changing truths which will impact every reader, both women and men. This truly is not a book solely for women.
I am so grateful to have read this book for as I discovered I am no different than any of these five women …
For life has never been the same since The Day I Met Jesus.
The authors have graciously provided a free sample of the first chapter which you may DOWNLOAD right here.
**I was provided an electronic copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinions which were my joy to give.
Today I am joining …. Thought Provoking Thursday and Woman 2 Woman and Literacy Musing Mondays and Booknificent Thursday and The Book Nook .
I love books like this! I read some years and years ago by Francine Rivers about five women from the old testament. I can still remember much of what I learned from those. I will be looking into this for SURE! Thanks!
Visiting from Thought Provoking Thursday.
Yes! I loved the Francine Rivers books as well. It is amazing what we absorb in reading narratives of this sort. You will definitely enjoy this one!
I’m glad to read your review, because that same book is on my schedule as well. You really made it come to life!
I am glad you enjoyed my review. Michele, you will be blessed in reading this one. Jump it to the top of the list š
Thank you for the review here. I have been praying about reading this one. Thanks for helping me see how important this book is for me. God bless you.
Marilyn, as I read the narrative so much just came to life. There really is a little of all of us to be found in each of these women. May God bless you in reading it as much as I was blessed!
Thanks so much for sharing about this book! I haven’t heard of it before and it sounds wonderful. Adding it to my ever-growing TBR pile. : )
Visiting from the ‘Booknificent Thursday’ link-up.
It is amazing how quickly our lists grow. So grateful for books like this one which bring familiar stories a fresh breath. So much to learn. You will be blessed in reading this one.
This books sounds like it is not only a good read but a powerful and potentially life-changing one as well. Thanks for sharing it at Booknificent Thursday.
Tina
It truly is for each story, we all see a bit of ourselves. I highly recommend the book to everyone. Congratulations on your little guy too š
Hi, Joanne!
Great review! Thank you for your honest opinion.
I linked over from The Book Nook, today.
Michelle, this was a pleasure to read & review as it was a wonderful book.
These sound like wonderful reads. This is a great review because you got me interested in all of these books. Thanks for sharing.
Crystal, I am glad the review sparked an interest in each of these women. You will very much enjoy this book as it was wonderfully written.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful review at The Book Nook at Create With Joy! My husband and I love Frank Viola’s books so when we saw this book we both wanted to read it.
I am particularly looking forward to reading it after reading your thoughts on it!
Have a lovely week and be sure to join us this Friday for the Book Nook, #6! š
The combination of both Mary & Frank made this such a beautiful book in every way. You will both love it!