Many Christians (and non-Christians) have a massive trepidation of God. Fearing that He is nothing more than an Old Testament fire and brimstone sadist, droves of folk would rather blindly follow rules or run from their faith than put their hope in a loving Father. Author Sherri Gragg is not one of these believers.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1

Armed with the steady belief that Jesus came to redeem sinners, not punish them unmercifully, Gragg’s new book beautifully depicts the hope Jesus can deliver to the hurting. Published by Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson, Arms Open Wide depicts a more loving savior than many understand Him to be.

Always encouraging, and rooted in Scripture, Arms Open Wide is a thirty-five day devotional that consistently reinforces that we don’t have to have our lives together before coming to Christ. Quite the opposite, it’s Christ’s perfection that allows us to drag our broken selves to his feet and begin transforming in His image.

Lest that last sentence smack of the ever dreaded “Christianeaze,” one only has to check out Gragg’s blog to know that she practices what she preaches. As a mother of five children (three biological and two adopted) Gragg writes prolifically on the topics of forgiveness, tolerance, and transformation. She speaks candidly about the wounds of childhood, the pains of racism, and how God, and God alone, is what can move us from resentment and anger into peace and joy.

This latest book reflects many of the above themes, but gives readers a compact punch in the spiritual gut, encouraging Christians to grow closer to their Dad. Non-Christians and seekers, also, will have a fresh understanding of the times of Jesus due to the fictional narrative form she writes in. Mixing bilical history with Scripture, Gragg creates a setting that transforms readers back in time and places them right in Jesus’ presence.

With this devotional, readers get to walk with the Savior to witness miraculous healings and events. They are able to get fresh insight into His power by thinking and feeling along with people whose lives became instantly transformed by His love and grace. They get the gift of journeying with Jesus and His disciples in the most important time in history.

Features & Benefits of the Book, Arms Open Wide

•  Helps readers experience the kindness and grace of Jesus

•  Instills a deep, lasting impression about the love and forgiveness our Savior offers

•  Will transform readers as they engage in a first-person experience of what it might have been like to walk with Jesus when He was on the earth

•  Brings to life biblical traditions and customs while helping readers experience Jesus’ life and the miracles He performed

In Gragg’s own words, “My prayer for you while reading these pages is that you’ll experience the same living and loving Savior as I have, and that you will truly know He stands with arms open wide to welcome you into His Father’s kingdom just as you are.”

Sherri Gragg is a nationally published writer who was a winner in the 2012 Writer’s Digest Competition. She discovered the beautiful Jewish roots of her Christian faith during the course of a trip to Israel, and now passionately uses her gifts of writing and teaching to share the gospel of Christ through the Middle Eastern cultural lens. She and her husband, Michael, have five children and live in Franklin, TN.

Buy the book!

Arms Open Wide will be in stores nationwide May 6, 2014. You can pre-order through Amazon now.