Book Review - Full of Grace, by Christine Watkins

I just finished reading Full of Grace: Miraculous Stories of Healing and Conversion through Mary's Intercession, by Christine Watkins. I think this is a great resource for anyone needing hope because they're facing serious life challenges.

Watkins tells the stories of six individuals - including herself - who were not exactly on the right path in life. We hear her own story of struggling to find peace through New Age techniques, such as yoga and psychics, that of a stripper, that of a drug addict, and others who had life experiences which would have brought many of us to the brink.

Through essentially miraculous events, each of these individuals comes to find a better way through the intercession of Our Lady, becoming testimonials to the power of faith in God.

The stories are in the first person, which I found to be a little awkward, since I know it was Watkins writing them, but in reading this book with the heart I also found some of these stories brought me to tears. Watkins provides a great reminder that God wants to have a personal relationship with us and that He will never, ever give up on us.

I recommend adding this to your library if you're seeking a reason to believe or know someone who is. You're able to read the back cover and a few pages by clicking Amazon link, to the left (Click "Click to Look Inside", when you arrive at the site).




Erik Haan
Medjugorje Book Reviews

Medjugorje Day by Day - December 31st Reflection

Today's reflection, from Medjugorje: Day by Day, by Richard J. Beyer:

December 31

When you hear the bells at midnight

The Mother of God speaks of peace in the new year:

Next year will be a year of peace - not because men have named it so - but because God has planned it. You will not have peace through presidents, but through prayer (LJM 12-31-85).

At the same time, to another of the little seers in Jelena's prayer group, Jesus said the following:

When you hear the bells at midnight, you shall fall on your knees, bow your head to the ground, so that the King of Peace will come. This year I will offer my peace to the world. But afterwards, I will ask where you were when I offered it (LJM 12-31-85).

Five years later, on New Year's Eve in 1990, the Gospa said to Ivan's prayer group:

Dear children, tonight your Mother invites you to go together with me to the church in joy and prayerfullness (there was a special Mass at 11:30 p.m.). In tonight's special joy, pray in church for the intention of peace (VPG 12-31-90).

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And in Romans, Paul echoes the Virgin's call to peace:

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding (Rom 14:17-19).

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Reflection: The Queen of Peace fittingly closes the year with a call to peace. This has always been her central message, the primary reason for her apparitions in Medjugorje. And, with the prayers of her children, what wonders she has achieved! The fall of the Berlin Wall, the liberation of Eastern Europe, the collapse of Communism, the rebirth of the Russian republics, the rise of both democracy and the philosophy of human rights.

     A new age of peace has dawned "Not through the presidents, but through prayer." All of us who have helped Our Lady through prayer, fasting, and sacrifice; all of us who have tried to live her messages; all of us who have believed in her and trusted her - we too have had a part in ushering in this new age.

In decades to come historians will puzzle over the cataclysmic events of the 1980s and 90s, trying to figure out how it all could have happened. And most will be unaware that it was the work of a young maiden on a hillside in Yugoslavia, who wept for peace. Gathering the faithful from every land, she worked miracles. She continues to this day.

Application: On New Year's Eve in 1985, Jesus said "When you hear the bells at midnight, you will fall on your knees, bow your head to the ground, so that the King of Peace will come." Let us live that message tonight.