Amazing Grace: The Life of John Newton and the Surprising Story Behind His Song
Author(s):  Bruce Hindmarsh and Craig Borlase
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Price: $2.99      (Ends Feb 29)

Amazing Grace is the surprising true story of John Newton, author of the song that has touched millions. A biography that reads like a novel, it reveals Newton’s dramatic story of sin and salvation as a slave trader before his ultimate transformation to speaking out against the horror of slavery. His story speaks to the brokenness within us all and our need for God’s amazing grace—and reveals the truth behind his song.

Amazing Grace is based on years of research on the life and writings of John Newton. It tells of a prodigal who returns home, and a young love that defies the odds; of a young man whose life is torn by grief and wounded by the cruelty of others, following his descent into deeper suffering and finally into the brutal world of the slave trade. Newton rejects God repeatedly but is rescued by a divine mercy that reaches deeper than he could ever have imagined as he ultimately faces his past and repents.

Newton’s story is shocking, and Amazing Grace does not try to airbrush or excuse his faults. There are glaring contradictions in the life of a ship’s Captain who retreats to his cabin to study his Bible and write tender love letters to his wife while hundreds of slaves lie in chains in the hold below.

The profound lessons from his life are applicable to us today, helping us to:

Discover that the need for grace is universal and offers the deepest hope for overcoming hatred
Be honest about our lives even when we are ashamed and face seemingly unresolvable problems
Look for grace when life is far from perfect and doesn’t match up to our expectations
Trust that our mistakes and regrets, no matter how deep, can be redeemed in the end

Since the first public singing of “Amazing Grace” almost 250 years ago, every generation has been profoundly moved by the song, and now readers can connect with John Newton’s story like never before. In these days of extreme polarization when beliefs about race, church, and politics have all become deeply divisive in society, we need grace more than ever. We need stories like this one that talk honestly about the human condition but even more about the relentless love of God and his forgiveness of sins.

Captured By Grace: No One is Beyond the Reach of a Loving God
Author(s): David Jeremiah
Publisher:  Thomas Nelson
Price: $2.99       (Ends Feb 29)

Timely and encouraging words to initiate a fresh experience of God’s grace.

By following the dramatic story of John Newton, the Amazing Grace hymn writer, and the apostle Paul’s own encounter with the God of grace, pastor and teacher Dr. David Jeremiah helps readers understand the freeing power of permanent forgiveness and mercy.

Dramatic stories and biblical insights highlight the very personal effects of grace and how grace:

wondrously spans all our differences
rescues us from our lostness
helps us overcome our weaknesses,
takes us from victims to victors