MrsK Books: Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Miracle at the Higher Grounds Cafe by Max Lucado

by Max Lucado, Candace Lee, & Eric Newman

ISBN: 9780718036171

Publisher's Synopsis:

What if you could ask God anything? What would you ask? And how would He answer?

Chelsea Chambers is on her own. After a public split from her NFL superstar husband, Chelsea takes a bold step out of the limelight and behind the counter of the Higher Grounds Café, an old-fashioned coffee shop in dire need of reinvention. But when her courage, expert planning, and out-of-this-world cupcakes fail to pay the bills, this newly single mom finds herself desperate for help. Better yet, a miracle.

Then a curious stranger lands at Chelsea’s door, and with him, an even more curious string of events. Soon, customers are flocking to the Higher Grounds Café, and not just for the cupcakes and cappuccino. They’ve come for the internet connection to the divine. Now the café has become the go-to place for people in search of answers to life’s biggest questions.

MrsK's Review:

What a Heavenly break! Sometimes you are given a delightful story that is just endearing and a joy. Those types of moments in which you are curled up with quiet music, a great cup of tea, and no one in the house. This novel perfected that moment!

Chelsea is reopening her family's cafe. She grew up in the converted Victorian house/cafe (my dream setting), and now it was her "inherited" chance at running the cafe. She is a single mom (considering divorcing her NFL husband) raising her daughter Emily and her son Hancock.

"Hard to believe it's my home again. So many memories.... buy new rockers for the porch."

With disappointments there is often an open door for success, we just have to be willing to take that leap of faith and trust in God's will. Chelsea will be pushed to the brink with tough decisions. The delight in the story is that she is never alone. There is family, neighbors, cafe staff, and of course her soon-to-be ex-husband (Sawyer). Little did she know that her quick prayer would be so amazingly answered.

Meet Manny, or as Heaven would call him, Samuel:

"It wasn't the black leather cowboy boots adorned with turquoise stones,

nor the bright green pants,

nor the floral Hawaiian shirt,

nor even the Seattle Seahawks cap...."

Chelsea knew him from somewhere, she just couldn't remember. And yet, Manny knew this assignment was going to be delightful battle. Not the most coordinated, nor the best dressed employee, Manny becomes a "grounding" force for everyone at the cafe. Chelsea must get customers... but how? Even though her heart recognizes God's words to ask and seek (Matthew 7:7), she can only offer up seven simple words: "Please, God. Is that too much to ask?"

"Ding! Ding! Two striking figures entered the cafe,

a brawny, dark-skinned man accompanied by a towing woman with blond hair

and blazing blue eyes. 'Are you from the Olympics?'

The woman smiled. 'We're here to upgrade your Internet service.'"

Just a trial service is what Chelsea was told. The truth is... her cafe will never be the same. The only Internet connection her customers will ever get will be through a God Blog. Seriously, such a great connection! Think about it, with one question you could receive a personalized response from our Heavenly Father. What would you ask our Lord?

As Chelsea's story unfolds, there is quite a few stumbling blocks "brewing," she will need to ask her question... so many will be depending on it.

Even with Heavenly connections, Manny must find a way to help Chelsea find her way. Can you imagine how hard it would be to hear and see Heavenly things, yet you can't share any of it until the one you are guarding asks God? Even with family and friends, her customer questions, Divine answers, and a soon-to-be-ex-husband... Chelsea will need a break through that will lead her back to God!

I will not spoil the ending of this most enjoyable journey. I will tell you that every character is someone you might know, maybe someone who touched your life and has been away for awhile, or someone you briefly met once upon a time. The cafe setting is perfectly designed as an invitation to experience a life as it is unfolding. The story line is simply "deliciously brewed."

So... pour yourself a cup of tea... get comfortable... relax and enjoy,

MrsK

Meet the Author:

More than 120 million readers have found comfort in the writings of Max Lucado. He ministers at the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and a sweet but misbehaving mutt, Andy.

"I received this book for free for this review."
Check out my reviews at BookLook Bloggers! beingtheimperfectmom.com # ...

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MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)