Alexandra Hoover

Ever felt lost? Scared? Disoriented or discouraged? Overlooked or confused? Then Eyes Up is for you. Articulate and eloquent, this book is firmly anchored in a biblical worldview that’s marinated in grace. Drenched in hope and saturated in truth, it’s simply extraordinary.

The book’s main premise comes from a paraphrased quote by Charles H. Spurgeon: “God is too good to be unkind and He’s too wise to be mistaken. And when we cannot trace His hand, we must trust His heart.”

Packed with practical insights and timely reminders, Eyes Up draws from “Ebenezer” stones of remembrance from the author’s own life as it carefully fleshes out the principles and precepts presented in the text. The purpose of an “Ebenezer stone,” writes the author, is “to trace the places God showed up. To prove to you that God isn’t just good, He is good to YOU.”

Eyes Up urges readers to “Chart your Ebenezers” and “mark you story,” remembering when God showed up and worked in ways both large and small in your own life. It shows how walking in faith isn’t done by seeing but by remembering. And by looking backwards at all the other “Ebenezers” in your journey and where God met you. It gently reminds us that faith doesn’t need sight. It can last in the dark. And that our sight will never be able to take us where faith can.

Because “He will always show up.”

This book doesn’t pull any punches. It asks the tough questions:

“Where was God in this?”
“Where are You, God? Why have you left me all alone?”

It tackles crises of faith and other personal dilemmas head-on.

There are no canned answers or trite cliches here. No pie-in-the-sky, bye-and-bye breezy bloviating. This is rubber-meets-the-road honest. It’s raw and it’s real. Tightly written with a conversational, chatty style, the text overflows with warmth and authenticity. It includes a discussion of spiritual gifts, where and how believers fit in the Body of Christ, and why and how to “multiply your story” and share your “Ebenezers.” Chapters conclude with lists of questions to prompt further thought and personal reflection.

This a wonderful must-read. If you want to know how and why your story matters, dive in. Reading this book is like swimming in an ocean of grace and dancing through a fountain of hope.

Indeed, Eyes Up is an exceptional achievement. I didn’t want it to end. Look for more from this talented author. Cuz this one’s a keeper.… (mehr)