52 in 52 Review: "Lazarus Awakening" by Joanna Weaver

I had the privilege of reading a spectacular book this week called Lazarus Awakening: Finding Your Place in the Heart of God by Joanna Weaver. 

In Lazarus Awakening Joanna writes about getting God’s love from our heads to our hearts. We all know Jesus loved Mary – look how she worshiped. And we can understand why He loved Martha – after all, look how she served. But what about those of us who don’t know where we fit in the heart of God? Lazarus Awakening explores the tale of the third follower – Mary and Martha’s brother, Lazarus. We never hear him speak, we never see him serve. The only thing of any significance that Lazarus did was to die. And yet, the Bible is clear. Jesus loved Lazarus. And He loves you and me as well. Lazarus Awakening looks at different aspects of the story we find in John 11. We learn what it means to be a friend of God and begin recognizing the tombs we spend far too much time in. Find out more here.

I really did enjoy this book.  I love how she pulled directly from the Bible to illustrate God’s great love and grace for us.  She really illustrated how we will always fall short of perfection, but it is because of God’s great love that we are able to still have a close, fulfilling, and meaningful relationship through Christ. 

I also loved that the book had a 10 week Bible study at the end.  It is Bible-based (which, surprisingly, can be rare in a Christian study…. but this one is solid!) and full of intriguing questions and helps lead you to the answers from the Bible.  I think I’m going to seek out her other books inspired by the sisters of Lazarus, Having a Mary Spirit: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out and Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life.

More on Joanna Weaver:

Joanna Weaver is known the world over for her transparent and life-changing books, Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World and Having a Mary Spirit. These two books have sold over a million copies and have been translated into several languages including Spanish, French, Dutch, Chinese, German, Korean and more. Joanna has appeared on a wide variety of nationally syndicated radio and television broadcasts. Past appearances include: The Harvest Show, At Home Live With Chuck & Jenni, Midday Connection, HomeWord, and Janet Parschall’s America. She is also a highly sought after speaker and shares her message at intimate gatherings and several high profile events each year. But Joanna’s greatest joy is found in being a wife and mother and her role as a pastor’s wife. For more information about Joanna, please visit her website. www.joannaweaverbooks.com.

 One grand prize winner will receive:

    * A Brand New KINDLE with Wi-Fi
    * Having A Mary Heart in a Martha World
    * Having A Mary Spirit
    * Lazarus Awakening

Joanna will also select two additional contest entrants to receive copies of her trilogy. Enter soon by clicking the icons below and then tell your friends. Hurry the contest ends April 16th. The winner will be announced on Joanna’s blog on April 18th.