Because We Love Him: Embracing a Life of Holiness [Paperback]

Clyde Cranford (Author), Henry T. Blackaby (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 6, 2002

What does it mean to be holy? A holy life is the only true way to show our love for God, according to Clyde Cranford, who spent his life perfecting this way of being. Now in heaven himself, Cranford passes on his discoveries about pursuing holiness, revealing two practical steps for the reader to follow in his deep yet simple book: First, strive to know God, then, to please Him. This accessible and life-changing guide offers unique "how-to" sections on daily quiet times, why and how to memorize Scripture, witnessing, worship, forgetting self, dealing with temptation, and knowing God's will. Readers will find inspiration and empowerment to live their love for God out loud.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The late Cranford's passion was discipleship. Having founded a training program in which he spent many years mentoring dozens of men, he worked to distill much of his teaching into this book before his death. Interwoven with countless biblical texts, this book seeks to define what holiness is for fallen human beings and to give many practical steps for those seeking a deeper relationship with God. Cranford challenges readers to a more serious level of discipleship. His critique of the church, that "worldliness" has caused it to become lax in discipleship, will certainly strike a chord with many readers. Yet at times his tone becomes strident and even smug, lacking the grace and humility of other parts of the book. In addition, his antiquated language (people are almost always referred to as "man" or "men") and frequent use of Christian slang will limit the book's audience. Finally, many readers seeking spiritual formation will find Cranford's answers a bit simplistic. In his discussion of temptation, for example, he states that an initial act of obedience will make "our desires toward that particular temptation quickly dissipate." Unfortunately, this is not always the case. With a foreword from Henry Blackaby, Cranford's call to "embrace a life of holiness" will find a market, particularly among very conservative Christians, but its appeal to the larger Christian audience will be very limited.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Clyde Cranford earned his master of divinity degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in 1985. After serving as minister of music in several churches, then spending three years in an itinerant ministry of singing in revivals, Cranford began a ministry of one-on-one discipleship, Life to Life Ministries. He continued this ministry for the last seven years of his life in spite of serious physical ailments. Cranford lived in West Memphis, Arkansas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (March 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576738655
• ISBN-13: 978-1576738658
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.7 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #447,247 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not so!, April 15, 2002

By 

Brian Thomasson (Sisters, OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because We Love Him: Embracing a Life of Holiness (Paperback)

I feel I must respond to the Publishers Weekly review of this title. Here we have an example of pearls cast out for trampling!

In Cranford's book, we hear the voice of a seasoned Christian who knows well how to wield the Sword that cuts to the soul. This cutting is the very thing wanting in Christ's church.

Contrary to the reviewer's opinion, you will find the author's words to be in keeping with the Scriptures upon which he expounds. Will God apologize for his tone when he cries out for His bride to be either cold or hot? Is that too "strident" for us?

As for the "antiquated language," I can only proffer some of the great texts of Christendom from which the late Cranford no doubt draws. Reviewer, have you read John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, The Pilgrim's Progress, Charles Spurgeon? Or, are these authors too "smug" to your politically correct thinking? None of these authors bothered to neutralize their masculine pronouns.

Our Reviewer states that Cranford posits solutions that are too simplistic, citing a passage regarding temptation. Does an act of obedience lessen the power of tempation? Of course it does! It's called "growing in grace." Christians do and must mature. God always opens a "way of escape" in temptation, and he commands us to "add to our faith...self control." God would not command what he cannot enable us by His Spirit to obey. I suppose, for our Reviewer, such biblical principles are too utterly simply.

You see, we don't have time for all this nonsense. We need to hear the truth--unmixed and undiluted. The Lord is coming for a chaste bride, and He is coming soon. I commend this book to your soul's health.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Agree, August 13, 2003

By 

Jake (MSU) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Because We Love Him: Embracing a Life of Holiness (Paperback)

I have to agree with Brian. This book will change your life if you take the time to slowly go through the book while looking up all scripture references and meditating on them along with what Clyde had to say. I find his hard hitting words very necessary and exactly what the church of this age needs to hear!! Conservative...yes! Written with humility...definitely!! The person from publisher's weekly has no clue what he is saying. Clyde had a zeal for the glory of God and keeping the intergrity of God's work.

This book should be read by all who are serious in deepining their relationship with Christ and conforming to his image!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on the planet, May 7, 2009

By 

Kathy L. Clark "Living for Jesus" (Maui, HI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Because We Love Him: Embracing a Life of Holiness (Paperback)

If you are at all interested in Theology this book is for you. Clyde Cranford one-on-one disciples over 200 man and has compliled his teachings in a book. One of the best books I have ever read.