2024 the best place on earth book review

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When He came to earth, Jesus Christ was rejected in every quarter in which He stepped. The Creator was rejected by His own creation. “He came to His own and His own received Him not,” said John. For this reason, Jesus Christ had “no where to lay His head.” There was one exception, however. A little village just outside of Jerusalem named Bethany. Bethany was the only place on earth where Jesus was completely received.

God’s Favorite Place on Earth is a retelling of Jesus’ many visits to Bethany and a relaying of the message it holds for us today. Frank Viola presents a beautifully crafted narrative from the viewpoint of Lazarus, one of the people who lived in Bethany with his two sisters. This incomparable story not only brings the Gospel narratives to life, but it addresses the struggle against doubt, discouragement, fear, guilt, rejection, and spiritual apathy that challenges countless Christians today. In profoundly moving prose, God’s Favorite Place on Earth will captivate your heart with its beauty, charm, and depth. In this book you will discover how to live as a “Bethany” in our world today, being set free to love and follow Jesus like never before.

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Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars

375

4.7 out of 5 stars

279

4.5 out of 5 stars

752

4.6 out of 5 stars

386

4.5 out of 5 stars

221

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ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0781405904
Publisher ‏ : ‎ David C Cook (May 1, 2013)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780781405904
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0781405904
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.75 x 8.25 inches
Reviewer: Terese Schoen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: A must read!!!
Review: Incredible book! Insights never really discussed. Greater, deeper, and unbelievable a gratitude for Jesus. He came for more than I realized. His friendships were so endearing. Loved!

Reviewer: Debbie
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Another beautiful work of art from Frank Viola
Review: As Romans 12 tells us "In His grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to..." (fill in the blank)...then do it "with as much faith as God has given you." Do it "well...encouraging...generously...seriously...gladly." God has given Frank Viola the gift of using words to bring scripture to life as a gifted artist uses paint or charcoal or marble or clay to bring a masterpiece to life through his hands and heart. Frank has faithfully expressed that God-given gift in every single one of his books. You will find it obvious from reading his books that his writing flows from a heart that is in a love relationship with our Living Creator. God's joy in creation of beauty flows from Him through Frank's heart and spills onto the pages of Frank's books. Frank responds to praise for his writing by pointing you to Psalm 115:1 - all the glory to God! Amen!I love all of Frank's books, but this one in particular is especially beautiful to me because I have always loved the scene in the Bible where Mary of Bethany anoints Jesus with her most valuable possession; because it expresses the beautiful, natural response of a faithful follower of Jesus. As Frank points out, Mary's favorite place is at the feet of Jesus. She saw His worth and knew with all her heart it was beyond measure. She LISTENED to Jesus and through faith BELIEVED Him and THANKED Him with everything she had for His grace and truth, while others around her were trying to figure out if they would be first in His kingdom or how what he talked about would play out to bring about their personal, individual desires. She was Jesus-centered instead of self-centered -- the mark of a true believer. As the reactions of others offered offense to her, she didn't do anything or say a word to defend herself, rather, she humbled herself and left it at the feet of Jesus who honored and defended her and memorialized forever her precious gift to Him. We would all do well to learn from Mary of Bethany. I will never again think of the Passion of Christ without remembering that Jesus "smelled the perfume" - what an encouragement for a believer to remember!Frank brings this story of Bethany to life in a way that teaches and shows a believer how we can bring comfort and joy to our Lord and Savior. The name Bethany means "House of Figs". The book's illustration of the cursing of the fig tree on the way to Jerusalem as the result of that tree's bearing false witness helps us understand how Jesus responds when we choose to pretend we are His followers but in reality lie and keep our gifts/fruit to ourselves and not share them with Him and his children.Choose not to be a fruitless fig tree bearing false witness, but rather choose to be a Bethany to the Lord. As Frank writes: "Bethany--His favorite place on earth--the town where He was welcomed, loved and worshiped during his short life. In Bethany, the heavens opened up to Him. Spiritual Bethanys are what the Lord is after and what will bring Him back. When the Lord sees spiritual Bethanys all over the planet, He will return for His own because His own will receive Him. Jesus is looking for a Bethany in every heart, in every home, and every church." As Frank writes, through Lazarus, the narrator: "So take the high ground and be a Bethany for the Savior. He is worthy of nothing less." May we all experience the unfathomable love that our precious Lord and Savior has for each one of us - as our brother Frank obviously experiences and has faithfully expressed to us in the best way he can.READ THIS BOOK (and all of Frank Viola's books)!! - I promise, it will bless your heart and bring you closer to the heart of Jesus.

Reviewer: Greg Gordon
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Engaging Read and Encouraging Exposition
Review: This volume came as a surprise from the writings of Frank Viola. Essentially its 20+ years of his christian experience being chartiably shared to help others along the journey. I found maturity, grace and encouragement in many of the expositional points. The narrative was enjoyable to read and I was surprised at times how engaged I was into my kindle, what was Lazarus going to say next... ! It is well worth reading, this volume will help you in your personal walk with the Lord in many ways to be engaged with local churches but to be freed from the hurt that comes when we get into close human contact with others. Also there is a prophetic edge to the book to call our gatherings as bethany's where the Lord is welcome. For those open-minded there is benefit to be reaped greatly in the book, this my recommendation.

Reviewer: Papa
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book!!!
Review: One of the best books Bible-based books I have ever read. I loved the historical references and the flow of the material. Get it and read it!

Reviewer: Randi J. Rooks
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Deepened my affections so much for our Lord Jesus!
Review: Viola introduces this work with "narratives anchor people to a unified vision. May this book give you a unified vision that will govern the rest of your life".The Lord used this writing in my life in exactly that way!!! I couldn't put this book down.The story part of this work of art is unforgettable, really. I will always remember the way this book made me feel and the mental pictures it gave me of Jesus - fully human - as I imagined His interactions with others.As a personality who operates from the heart primarily - I know my tendency to be lead by my emotions & not the Spirit... but I had over corrected of recent in trying to ignore my emotions and the Lord used this book to bring me back. Like a spring of water poured over a dry land, I felt His love just drown me as it has so many times before. He stirred my heart's affections for Christ so much that I literally feel the warmth of His love back in me.Visualizing the stories I've read so many times in the NT and focusing on the Lord's heart....looking at the bigger picture and storyline behind it all.... has opened my heart up in ways I was yearning for. It changed the way I read the NT accounts of Jesus. It did exactly what I was desiring the Lord to do in my heart - help me know Him more intimately - as Lord, as Savior, as fully God and fully man, as friend.Drawing me in to the heart of our Lord Jesus, God used this book to help me truly partake from the spring of living water and be quenched. It lead me back to the place of reverent awe & worship I always desire to stay in! Through this book, God helped fuse the disconnect I was feeling between my heart, emotions & my journey with the Lord. Though our feelings & emotions can trick us and we must be sure not to be lead by them or even focus on trying to "feel" a certain way......... the truth is He DOES make us feel and He uses our emotions perfectly to draw us to His heart! LOVE does FEEL. We can't expect them or lean on them.....but praise God He has gifted us with feelings and it all fits right when He helps us bring them under His reign! We can't make the mistake of trying to disconnect our emotions from our faith... and we must never desire to give the Lord anything less than our whole heart.I am sure that the Lord will use this book for other personalities in different ways... there are so many practical lessons in how we relate to God, how we journey with Him... and others. But I wanted to share what He did in me through it.This is one of those works I know I will continually come back to. Through this story & lessons following, He has imprinted many lessons & visuals in my heart & memories to draw from in future dry seasons.I see so much clearer what the Lord is desiring in His people and I have been reignited in my vision to "waste my life" on surrendering to the Lord Jesus and giving Him lavishly my whole heart, soul & mind.Praise by to the Lord on the throne! He is so worthy of all our praise!!! I can't wait to see Him in person and look in His eyes and feel His embrace!! I can't wait to see every knee bowed at His name and SEE Him in His place of King!! I am so EXCITED for Him!!! To get all He deserves!!! For all the glory & honor for ALL to see!! For the full redemption He is going to feel of all He endured for me and you!! For the amazement of everything set right!!!!To look in His eyes and SEE the pure LOVE and acknowledgement, it was worth it, it was worth it!!! OHHH Lord Jesus!!! I can't wait to see you on the throne and to see your heart satisfied, your longings met in your beautiful Bride that you have presented to yourself radiant without blemish!! I see glimpses of it among this groaning and I am yearning to see the conclusion!!! I LOVE YOU JESUS!

Reviewer: ronbchamp
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Right on track.A good read.

Reviewer: Mr. G. J. Pike
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A book written in a different style, yet deeply moving to those who want to know how God wants to be a close friend, the number one in your life. He brings the deep satisfaction and contentment many are seeking. This book presents this excellently. I have purchased more copies to give away to my friends and others I meet who are hungry to know God intimately.

Reviewer: Hallel777
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Wunderbarer Blick auf eine ungewöhnliche Freundschaft mit dem, der das Leben ist! Einfach schön zu lesen. Bereichernd - ermutigend - befreiend!

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Excellent book especially good to read during Lent. It brought the place of Bethany alive and provided some really thoughtful questions at the same time. Would recommend it to anybody that wants the scriptures bought alive.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I have really enjoyed reading this work. Very refreshing. I am deeply encouraged to pursue a closer relationship with God.