Seven Mile Miracle (A Book Review)

This book is amazing! It kept my attention from the beginning of the introduction page to the very last page of the book. Steven Furtick writes about the last seven statements from Jesus as He hung on the cross.

1. A word of forgiveness: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
(Luke 23:34)

2. A word of salvation: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise."
(Luke 23:43)

3. A word of relationship: "Woman, here is your son.....Here is your mother."
(John 19:26-27)

4. A word of abandonment: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"
(Matthew 27:46)

5. A word of distress: "I am thirsty."
(John 19:28)

6. A word of triumph: "It is finished!"
(John 19:30)

7. A word of reunion: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."
(Luke 23:46)

Pastor Furtick writes in a way that gives us hope! He reminds us of how much Jesus loves us and how we should be living our lives in honor of Him! He also reminds us that "what happened on the cross cannot be undone." Jesus died for us to make a way for us to spend eternity in heaven with our Father! All we have to do is repent and receive God's forgiveness, then live our lives following the ways of Jesus!

Seven Mile Miracle is a book that I have not shelved. I plan to read this book again, and I know that I will be referencing back to it during some of my Bible Studies. 

One of the key things in this book that stood out in my mind, and continues to be on my heart is this question that Pastor Furtick writes in the beginning of the book. "If you were Jesus and you were looking down at the Jewish leaders and their supporters whose schemes had put you there, as well as the soldiers who had actually carried out the criminal deed, what would you want to say? Pastor Furtick states that he won't tell us what he would say, because it's unprintable. I expect most of our responses would be really close to Pastor Furticks. But Jesus's actual words were, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." That, my friend, is deep love! That, is the love of Jesus!

This book made me realize how we all need MOG! (More of God). And the only way to get MOG, is to follow Jesus! Steven Furtick does an amazing job of explaining Jesus's Seven Last Statements from the cross. Reading this book has reminded me even more of just how much Jesus loves us! Pastor Furtick writes in ways that bring Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection alive in ways that I have never thought of before.

This book is a must read for everyone! From the brand new believer to the seasoned Christian. It is a powerful reminder that we are all followers of Jesus, and He is our only way to the Father!

I love the questions at the end of each chapter that allow you to dig deeper into your own heart, as well as journal your thoughts and feelings. This book is packed with awesome teachings and so many A-Ha moments!

You can order your copy here!

I give this book 5 stars!

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review and opinion. This is my honest review and opinion.

UnSinkable Faith

Have you ever been stuck in a pit of negative thinking and couldn't force yourself to change your thinking pattern? I have! In her new book, Unsinkable Faith, Tracie Miles gives us the reassurance that we are not alone. When life happens, and brings us the not so pleasant circumstances that are beyond our control, we can easily become consumed with negative thoughts. The more we think, the more negative our thoughts become. The enemy of our souls will play games in our minds that can lead us to anger, frustration, anxiety, and even depression. The lower we become, the more Satan enjoys our despair. But when we take all of those negative thoughts captive, and turn them over to Jesus, He will replace them with His beautiful truths.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God,
and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Our negative thoughts, attitudes and mindsets can dictate our lives if we are not aware of something that is causing us to sink into the pit of negativity. No matter how small the issue is, it can become overwhelming when we allow it to slowly build up, and turn us into bitter, negative people. Something as small as struggling to learn a new job, and having a hard time adapting to your surroundings can bombard our life, if we aren't careful. I had this very thing happen. I was miserable at my job, struggling to learn factory work, and didn't realize how my negative attitude and my bitterness was affecting my relationship with my co-workers. One day I realized there was one person who totally could not stand to be around me, and she made it no secret. I couldn't figure out why she treated me so badly. I began praying about our relationship, and God revealed to me that I needed to take a look at my own negativity and learn how to let Him transform my way of thinking towards my job. Once I gave it to Him, this person changed her behavior towards me and became one of my closest friends. You can read more of my story in Chapter 6, Row, Row, Row Your Boat, beginning on page 121, in Unsinkable Faith.

"Understanding how our minds are transformed isn't enough. Every day we need to refuse to let sinking thoughts enslave us and commit to keep rowing our boats." - Tracie Miles

There was a time in my life that I was consumed with fear, regret, shame, misery, and feelings of worthlessness. The reason for my feelings was due to the life I was living. I was living with a man who was not only a raging alcoholic, but he was physically, mentally, and emotionally abusive. I did not know Jesus back then. My life became so out of control that I was making one bad choice after another. My self-esteem was so low, and I was masking my pain with medication. I didn't want anyone to know what was happening behind closed doors. I didn't want everyone else to think I was the failure he had me convinced I was. Finally it became too much, and I knew if I didn't get out of the situation my life would never get better. I sought out counseling and shelter, and as my heart and my self-esteem began to heal, I began searching for God. Even though I had a godly counselor who was absolutely amazing, I knew that only Someone greater than she or myself could do that kind of healing in my broken and battered soul. You can read all about my story in Chapter 8 of Unsinkable Faith, Diane's Story, (the author used my middle name).

The water rose over my head, and I cried out, "This is the end!"
But I called on your name, LORD, from deep within the pit,
You heard me when I cried, "Listen to my pleading!
Hear my cry for help!" Yes, you came when I called; you told me,
"Do not fear." (Lamentations 3:54-57)

Tracie has such a beautiful heart for helping women who need to be drawn closer to God. In Unsinkable Faith, she tells stories of her own life, and from the lives of several other women who have been stuck in the storm of negativity, feeling like they are about to sink. Tracie points us towards scripture that shows us how to be the Captain of our own ship by clinging to God's word, and allowing Him to transform our thoughts and our feelings to His truth's. He will rescue us from the raging sea, and guide us to the beautiful shore, allowing us to live our lives filled with Unsinkable Faith!

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
(2 Corinthians 3:17)

At the end of each chapter, you will find Mind Transforming Reflections, Mind Renewing Memory Verses, and a Chapter Challenge. There is also a Companion Study Guide & Journal to go along with this book that is filled with questions, and places for you to journal and sketch if you desire. The Study Guide is a great way to allow yourself to go deeper in your study.

This book would be a great book for group Bible Studies, or a study to do on your own. No matter how you choose to use it, I highly recommend this book to all! This is a book I will not put on a shelf, or in the closet, I will be referring to Unsinkable Faith often. I give Tracie Miles and Unsinkable Faith 5 Stars!

**I was given a copy of this book by the author and this is my honest, personal opinion.**

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