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Title: He Loves Me! Learning to Live In the Father's Affection
ISBN: 0964729253
Author:
Wayne Jacobsen
Publicate Date: 2007-08-31
Publish: 2007-08-31
List Price: $11.99
Average Customer Rating: 4.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $6.66
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $6.24
Amazon Merchant Price: $9.59
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Good, but I expected more.
This is a good book, but I expected it to be much better. It is touted as the book to read after "The Shack". Well, "The Shack" was one of the most excellent books I have ever read, and I would recommend it to everyone. This one, though it has a good message, just doesn't have the punch that "The Shack" does. That isn't to say this isn't a good book to read too, just a little bit of a let down when I was expecting sort of a sequel to "The Shack".
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2: Great followup to The Shack!
This is a book that you will want to allow time for! After reading The Shack, I found He Loves Me to be the perfect companion!
I would read a chapter and then take time to ponder the points that Jacobsen makes about this Father God who has no favorites! We are all His favorites and He is so fond of each one of us! For those of us with children, how can you choose which one that you are fond of more? We are conditional but the Lord is not!
So many of us believers have bought into the fact that God is angry and is distant when we "screw up". This book shares of how He longs to hold us and have relationship with us even while we choose to be so unlovable!
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3: Assurance of His love
Have you ever fallen into a performance trap? Felt like God only loved you if you were performing to His standards? Doubted His love for you during hard times? Wayne Jacobsen has penned He Loves Me! to offer warm, personal encouragement for Christians who feel removed from the love of their Father.
Jacobsen writes strongly, sharing his conviction and personal experience of God's unfailing love. Revisiting familiar parables and scenes from throughout the New Testament as well as the Old Testament, Jacobsen builds a case for God's ongoing desire to enter into relationships with each and every one of us.
He Loves Me! keeps a tight focus on God's love. Jacobsen repeatedly turns the readers eye away from themselves and places their sights upon the Heavenly Father. Rather than exploring the message of salvation, Jacobsen's work is written for those who have already entered into relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but who may not feel confident in His love.
While an excellent resource for new Christians who seek to understand the basis of their new position in Christ, He Loves Me! also offers a healing balm for those wounded by works-based religious belief systems. A theme that occurs repeatedly throughout Jacobsen's works is that Christianity is not a religion, a set of rules that Christians must follow in order to please God. Rather, it is God's invitation to enter into a relationship with Him each day through the death of His son on the cross. It is refreshing to read a work from a man who is so clearly grounded in this truth and who proclaims it loudly.
Jacobsen reassures us that we will never be good enough for God, we will never be able to please Him with our own efforts at righteousness. Our status with Him is dependent entirely upon Jesus' work on the cross. Our position in Christ rests not upon our striving to fulfill the laws' commands, but rather the holiness that knowing Jesus will produce in our lives as we let His love fill us full to overflowing. I went into Jacobsen's body of work with a degree of skepticism, being unfamiliar with his teachings. I wondered if I'd encounter claims of universal salvation, the dismissal of sin or a philosophy of `easy-believism'. Thankfully none of these were present, only a rallying cry to return to the foundations of faith - knowing Jesus and following Him.
However, there are some weak points present in Jacobsen's work. Few scriptures are provided to back up his points, and single verses at times serve as the foundation for suppositions that are widely divergent from those held by the majority of the body of Christ. For instance, he posits that believers no longer need to fear God, but a brief survey of the word `fear' as used throughout the New Testament would display that the matter of fearing God is not as one-sided as presented here. Scripture speaks to the fear of God in a believer's life, as well as fear not being present in perfect love. All instances of the term `fear' need to be taken into account to form a balanced view of God's thoughts on the matter. Jacobsen's beliefs regarding sin should also be closely compared with scripture; it seems that they may ultimately lead to the doctrine of complete sanctification within this life when followed to their logical conclusion. Readers will need to proceed with discernment, eating the meat and spitting out the bones.
If you've been entrenched in a struggle to trust in Christ's work on the cross on your behalf, these teachings regarding God's love may take some time to sink in. Jacobsen acknowledges that tuning in to God's love and experiencing Him daily takes time, patience, and trust. With each chapter Jacobsen provides points for personal application, as well as questions that can be explored in a group discussion setting. Seeking God in prayer that focuses upon the suggestions offered, and discussing these teachings with others will serve to deepen understanding and belief.
For myself, I'm inspired to read through the New Testament once again, seeking to understand the love of God through His word as I seek to draw near to Him. I am confident that He Loves Me! will reach many believers who are seeking to regain an authentic, personal walk with Christ as they emerge from works based expectations.
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4: An encouraging reminder of God's love.
"He Loves Me! Learning to Live in the Father's Affection" by Wayne Jacobsen is a wonderful book designed to combat "Daisy Petal Christianity." It is filled with practical as well as Biblical reminders that God loves us immeasurably. From the cover that reminds us of the childhood game, "He loves me, he loves me not," to the wonderful quotes that begin each chapter, this is an enlightening and insightful read. I can't wait to sit down and savor this book again. There are plenty of group discussion questions at the end of each chapter. There is also a section containing thoughts to ponder and reflect on, yourself. This would be a super group study!
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5: OK, not great
If you are beginning your journey with God, this book can help. Unfortunately, I found it derivative and repetitious. The Search for Significance is 10 times better.
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