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On Sale: 2021-11-30
Pages: 224
List Price: $26.99
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Kathie Lee Gifford talks faith with celebrities, entertainers, and spiritual leaders in new book, The Jesus I Know, now available for purchase.
Former Today show host Kathie Lee Gifford has, for decades, had deep conversations about her faith with anyone who is interested in talking about it. What she discovered early on is that most people want to talk about Jesus: atheists, agnostics, Scientologists, Catholics, Baptists, Pentecostals, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Hindus alike. While some do not share her belief that Jesus is the Messiah, they nonetheless have a universal fascination with Him.
In The Jesus I Know: Honest Conversations and Diverse Opinions About Who He Is, Kathie Lee has assembled a diverse collection of conversations about Jesus, ranging from avowed Christians to those more casually interested in Jesus’ example of living. She begins The Jesus I Know by sharing her earliest memories of Jesus’ role in her life, and often returns to the topic as she asks artists, actors, and faith leaders about their relationship with Him, including such names as journalist Megyn Kelly, actress Kristin Chenoweth, and musician Brian Welch.
“Many are still struggling, just like I am, to overcome our weaknesses, unhealthy dependencies, bitter memories, or deep- seated disappointments,” said Gifford. “Some have suffered through trials and tribulations. Others have dreams that have not yet come true, and many of their questions remain unanswered. No matter where my friends are in their own spiritual journeys, they joined me in my favorite cozy chairs while I asked them, ‘What does Jesus look like to you right now?’”
Publishers Weekly notes that, “Gifford emphasizes the individuality of each person’s story and stresses the diversity of God’s kingdom. She discusses with architect Roger Charles how his attempts to affirm atheism led to a surprise faith, how ‘trying to keep God in my life’ allowed Kris Jenner to overcome the death of her husband, and the long-term process of healing from sexual abuse with actress Cynthia Garrett. Gifford’s probing interviews consistently surprise, entertain, and do a great job of locating themes of personal faith among figures working in industries known for secularism.”
In The Jesus I Know, Kathie Lee presents captivating conversations about a singular Man who lived more than two thousand years ago, never traveled more than one hundred miles from where He was born… and yet managed to change the entire world in His short thirty-three years of life.
“These are people God brought into my life, and they mean a great deal to me for many reasons,” said Gifford. “Each one has a profoundly personal and powerful story to tell about Jesus, a story that cannot be tied up neatly with a bow. Why? Because their stories aren’t finished yet. Neither is mine, and neither is yours. If we are still breathing, we’re not done yet; it’s as simple as that!”
My Review:
I remember watching Katie Lee Gifford alongside Hoda Kotb when they cohosted the Today show. I can't say I was a fangirl, but respected both women for their entertainment value.
I was excited to read Kathie Lee Gifford's newest book, The Jesus I Know, and had it finished in just a few days. I liked how the stories were done in interview form, with Kathie asking the questions and people answering them. In this book, Kathie talks to 23 people and asks about their journey in faith. She delves into the topics of how someone was raised in the church, what moments made them question or firmly believe in their faith, personal hardships a person has went through, and more. Each story is almost like sitting in on a conversation between two people and learning more about them. People of different professions and different walks in faith are featured in this book. Kathie does a good job of engaging conversation and I enjoyed learning about each person's version of Jesus.
I received book for review. The opinions within this post are of my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please do your own research before purchasing products or using services. Your opinions and results may differ.
