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Review: Virtue of the Most High

Virtue of the Most High book cover on blue background

I'm grateful that I've discovered such beautiful Christian poetry as a result of meeting talented poets online. Virtue of the Most High by Shay McNally is one such collection that I look forward to revisiting again based on how much it brought me to a place of stillness and peace.

Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Book Synopsis

Virtue of the Most High is a collection of free verse, confessional Christian poetry drawn from real experience and real faith. The poems move through family history, breaking harmful patterns, grief, depression, healing, love, marriage, calling, friendship, repentance, spiritual warfare, prayer, forgiveness, and the long path of discipleship formed by the Spirit through the Word. Christ stands at the center as the Lord who speaks through Scripture and stays with His people. The writing holds to this truth and enters both the struggle and the grace with candid honesty.

This book offers companionship to readers who are searching for God's mercy in their lives, and directs their attention to Christ—who continues to lead His people forward.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

What a gift to be able to enjoy the second volume of Shay McNally's Christian poetry. This collection is broken down into four themes, with each section offering reflections of reverence and worship that touch on everything from formation and calling to grief and perseverance. Drawing from the poet's personal experiences, it's easy for readers to be transported into a posture of awe and thanksgiving before the Lord. I love the idea that blank spaces can speak just as much as the text itself, with this book proving that every word is intentional in its inclusion. Between the lines, there is space to breathe and ponder truth, which is truly a gift in such a hectic world.

The free verses in this book lend themselves to a type of meandering journey that is reflective of life—almost taking Christians from the beginning to the end of the story. At the same time, the purpose and outcome of this story are very clear, and they are to demonstrate how God is at work in the midst of every moment. Virtue of the Most High takes on an air of consecration, compelling readers to set aside all other distractions while focusing on words that point to Christ. Readers who are looking for poetry that pulls from the depths of humanity while aspiring to the heights of divinity will be encouraged by words that share the Bible in a fresh and stirring way.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Book Quotes

Babel once shattered our speech.
Families split into nations,
becoming strangers. 
But here,
foreigners heard
the Good News of Christ
in their native tongue.

The curse didn't disappear—
but for just a moment,
the world sounded whole again.

Even now,
the Spirit gathers us.
Different tongues,
different nations,
sinners brought to the altar—
to hear the Gospel,
to receive Baptism,
to live by faith.
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