Stumbling Into Grace: Confessions of a Sometimes Spiritually Clumsy Woman [Paperback]

Lisa Harper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2, 2011

“Lisa’s fine grasp of Scripture and love for the Lord make her a trustworthy teacher, yet we learn from her own hard-earned lessons as well. She speaks and writes from a place of understanding, as she clings to God’s hand, giving us the privilege of stumbling into grace with her.”
—LIZ CURTIS HIGGS, best-selling author of Bad Girls of the Bible

“So, today I’ve been thinking about...things that
bind us. The thought flitted around my mind and then landed for a while, likely because I was wearing a pair of too-tight jeans.”

Women of Faith® speaker and author Lisa Harper relates from experience — life can be uncertain, sometimes even scary. But with a witty twinkle in her eye and a Bible in her hand, she describes what it’s like to find real security in the arms of a Savior who doesn’t just notice us but who moves heaven and earth on our behalf.

Part diary, part devotional, Stumbling Into Grace weaves hilarious and poignant stories from Lisa’s own life with intimate and transformational encounters from the life of Christ. Prayers, reflection questions, and journal prompts help women dig deep into biblical truths to better understand how our Redeemer’s compassion, affection, and constancy make every single moment of life not only  more enjoyable but well worth living!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Lisa Harper is a gifted communicator whose writing and speaking overflows with colorful, pop-culture references that connect the dots between the Bible era and modern life. For six years Lisa was the national women’s ministry director at Focus on the Family, followed by six years as the women’s ministry director at a large church. The author of nine books, with a Masters of Theological Studies from Covenant Seminary, Lisa is a featured speaker with Women of Faith^®.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 2, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0849946484
• ISBN-13: 978-0849946486
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.6 x 8.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #590,044 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Rarely are the terms hilarious storyteller and theological scholar used in the same sentence, much less used to describe the same person... but then again, Lisa Harper is anything but stereotypical! She has been lauded as a gifted communicator, whose writing and speaking overflows with colorful pop culture references that connect the dots between the Bible era and modern life. Her style combines sound scriptural exposition with easy-to-relate to anecdotes and comedic wit.

Best-selling author and pastor Max Lucado calls Lisa on of the "best Bible tour guides around," and speaker Priscilla Evans Shirer adds, "If anyone can help us to hear, understand and receive the truth of Scripture it is Lisa Harper. Her God-given ability to not merely teach the Word but package it in a way that stirs the heart and calls to action is incomparable. When she speaks ears perk up!" Lisa's pastor - Scotty Smith of Christ Community Church of Franklin, TN,​ - sums up her appealing approach with this commendation, "In a day in which people connect with stories and yet too often find the Bible abstract and irrelevant, Lisa shows us that 66 books of the Bible are telling one grand story of personal and cosmic redemption, with Jesus starring as the lead character."

Her vocational resume includes six years as the director of Focus on the Family's national women's ministry where she created the popular Renewing the Heart conferences, attended by almost 200,000 women, followed by 6 years as the women's ministry director at a large church in Nashville. Her academic resume includes a Masters of Theological Studies with honors from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis. Now a sought-after Bible teacher and speaker, Lisa is currently featured on the Women of Faith tour and speaks at many other large multi-denominational events - such as Moody Bible, Women of Joy, and Focus on the Family conferences - as well as at hundreds of church retreats all over the world. She's been on numerous syndicated radio and television programs and was featured on the cover of Today's Christian Woman.

She's written ten books including Holding Out For a Hero: A New Spin on Hebrews; A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have To Worry About Being Good Enough For God and Untamed: How the Wild Side of Jesus Frees Us to Live and Love With Abandon. Lisa's latest book is titled Stumbling Into Grace: Confessions of a Sometimes Spiritually Clumsy Woman. She also served as a key contributor to the Becoming Devotional Bible for Women and as a columnist for Today's Christian Woman magazine.

Yet in spite of her credentials, the most noticeable thing about Lisa Harper is her authenticity. When recently asked about her accomplishments she responded with a grin saying, "I'm definitely grateful for the opportunities God's given me; but don't forget, He often uses donkeys and rocks!"

For more information about Lisa Harper, please check out lisaharper.net!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read December 2, 2011

By S. Mahloch

Format:Paperback

I saw Lisa Harper back over the summer at the Women of Faith conference. She was such a great speaker. So, when I had a chance to read her book, Stumbling Into Grace, I was excited. She writes the same way she speaks, very conversational and so funny. This book was such an easy read. It was funny and spoke such truth at the same time. It was not a super spiritual in nature, but that was a welcome change for me. The book read more like a conversation between Lisa and the reader. I would highly recommend this for someone who has heard Lisa speak and enjoyed her personality. I received this book for free in return for my honest review from Booksneeze.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars SUCH a great book! July 20, 2011

By MaSo

Format:Paperback

Stumbling Into Grace is the diary-devotional of one woman's honest, ongoing, bumbling journey of faith and how she finds encouragement through a deeper understanding of Christ's time on earth. Within each chapter she alternates her often humorous memoir with stirring portraits of Jesus and his own encounters as recorded in the New Testament.
I don't think there's a Christian woman who can't relate to this book. It 'hits the heart' in the right spots. Great book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <[...]> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 <[...]> : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not sure what to think! September 6, 2011

By Laura A. Jackson

Format:Paperback

To be honest, I'm not sure what I think about this book. I enjoyed the spiritual lessons through Lisa's often funny and sometimes poignant life experiences, but I sometimes felt like I was reading more of a memoir collection than a spiritual lesson. I think that may have been the author's intention, but I felt like both parts were missing something. Instead of the personal anecdotes leading into the spiritual discussion, I felt they were disjointed and awkwardly joined. I enjoyed the personal stories, and I enjoyed the spiritual discussion, especially the questions and journal prompts. I just didn't like the combination.

However, fans of spiritual growth books with a good dose of laughter will enjoy this book. The set-up is great for a small-group or Bible study since the chapters are short and already contain reflection and discussion questions.

I received this book from Booksneeze for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.