Book Giveaway: Assaulted by Joy

This week I'm reviewing a book from Zondervan called Assaulted by Joy: The Redemption of a Cynic by Stephen W. Simpson. The giveaway is posted below!

Publisher's Details:

Assaulted by Joy follows the growth and spiritual renewal of a self-proclaimed “jerk” who discovers the inescapable tension between joy and suffering. Each chapter recounts events—from the suspenseful to the heartbreaking to the hysterical—that teach lessons about God, life, love, marriage, and the assaulting joy of being a new father.

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Typically this is not a book I would pick up and read for fun, but after reading the back cover and the subtitle {The Redemption of a Cynic}, I was hooked. The book read very quickly and I was laughing out loud and reading bits of it to my husband while we were driving.

Stephen's life, from youth group days to finding out he would be the father of quadruplets, is portrayed with honesty and humor. He shares openly about his feelings and what he has learned along the way in his relationship with God. There are many points in his walk with God that I can relate to and understand the cynicism that easily sets into life.

One of my favorite quotes from the book:

"It never occurred to me that ignoring God was the thing creating my despair. Instead, I blamed it on him. But once I started talking to God again and nurturing our relationship, my feelings of despair evaporated. I discovered that griping about God does nothing. Griping to God invites him into the conversation.

And once he starts talking, it's hard to stay hopeless.' {p. 121}

Those who have read the book can fully appreciate the Assaulted by Joy website since he has a picture scrapbook of sorts posted for his readers - making the book even more relate-able. You can even take the Christian Cynic Quiz {which is hilarious} and see where you are on the cynicism scale.

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If you'd like to win a copy of Assaulted by Joy by Stephen Simpson, just leave a comment on this post and I'll put your name in the 'hat'. Comments for the giveaway will be open until next Friday, July 31st, 2009 at 8pm. I'll randomly pick a winner and announce next Saturday. This giveaway is open only to US residents.

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Over the last few weeks I have had far too much fun reading and enjoying some great literature! I've managed to cross several books off my list:

• Ransome's Honor ~ Kaye Dacus
• Love's Pursuit ~ Siri Mitchell
• A Bride in the Bargain ~ Deeanne Gist
  
• A Dream to Call My Own ~ Tracie Peterson
  
• Stand-In Groom ~ Kaye Dacus
  

There are still a few books on my nightstand and I'm hoping I'll have some time with traveling to finish off a few more.

• Free Yourself to Love: The Liberating Power of Forgiveness ~ Jackie Kendall {re-reading}
• How Do I Love Thee? ~ Nancy Moser
  
• Finding Favor with the King: Daily Inspirations ~ Tenney
• Grace Based Parenting - Dr. Tim Kimmel

Be sure to stop by and visit 5 Minutes for Books and their monthly meme called "What's on Your Nightstand?" and also the Saturday Review.