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Love Anyway: An Invitation Beyond a World that’s Scary as Hell
With almost two decades of working in conflict zones like Iraq and Syria, Jeremy Courtney has come face-to-face with ISIS, suffered U.S. airstrikes, spent jail time in Iraq, and had fatwas calling for his death. And yet, he's learned to love anyway.
Nowadays it seems we are all afraid. We fear wars and injustice, government policies and economic ruin, tragedies and the loss of those we love. Our hearts tell us a better world is possible. We can imagine it - and almost taste it - but do we dare reach beyond our fear for it? Could it be that the extraordinary, meaningful lives we dream of aren't found in clinging to what we have, but in walking toward the very things that scare us most?
Founder of Preemptive Love Coalition Jeremy Courtney knows better than most that the world can be scary as hell. With almost two decades of working in conflict zones like Iraq and Syria, Jeremy and his team have come face-to-face with ISIS, suffered U.S. airstrikes targeting the team, spent jail time in Iraq, had fatwas calling for Jeremy's death, and yet learned to love anyway - despite being afraid. Gut honest, Jeremy shares his own journey, taking readers inside the heartbreak - and the joy - he and his family have experienced along the way.
With raw accounts of living with real people amid bombings, war, and terrorism, Jeremy opens the door on what he has experienced and his struggle to understand what it all means. Love Anyway will inspire you to confront your deepest fears and live the courageous life open to you on the other side of fear. By finding ways to respond to our scary world with the kind of love that may seem a little crazy, we can become agents of hope who unmake violence itself and unfurl the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
Nowadays it seems we are all afraid. We fear wars and injustice, government policies and economic ruin, tragedies and the loss of those we love. Our hearts tell us a better world is possible. We can imagine it - and almost taste it - but do we dare reach beyond our fear for it? Could it be that the extraordinary, meaningful lives we dream of aren't found in clinging to what we have, but in walking toward the very things that scare us most?
Founder of Preemptive Love Coalition Jeremy Courtney knows better than most that the world can be scary as hell. With almost two decades of working in conflict zones like Iraq and Syria, Jeremy and his team have come face-to-face with ISIS, suffered U.S. airstrikes targeting the team, spent jail time in Iraq, had fatwas calling for Jeremy's death, and yet learned to love anyway - despite being afraid. Gut honest, Jeremy shares his own journey, taking readers inside the heartbreak - and the joy - he and his family have experienced along the way.
With raw accounts of living with real people amid bombings, war, and terrorism, Jeremy opens the door on what he has experienced and his struggle to understand what it all means. Love Anyway will inspire you to confront your deepest fears and live the courageous life open to you on the other side of fear. By finding ways to respond to our scary world with the kind of love that may seem a little crazy, we can become agents of hope who unmake violence itself and unfurl the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible.
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 24, 2019
44 people are currently reading
803 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Courtney
4 books56 followersJeremy Courtney is co-founder and executive director of the Preemptive Love Coalition (PLC), an international development organization based in Iraq that provides lifesaving heart surgeries to Iraqi children and training for local doctors and nurses, creating peace between communities at odds. Jeremy resides in Iraq with his wife, two children, and an indispensable team of dear friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 16, 2020
While I respect Jeremy's experience in the ME and I liked reading his (relatable) stories, I really disliked his tone towards his former church and pastor. He throws his dead pastor under the bus in the name of being "raw and honest." He writes with a sort of poetic, idealistic writing style and I can appreciate his desire to change "The Way Things Are", but I certainly wouldn't recommend building a foundation on his theology because it isn't biblical from my understanding. I have a deep love for the Middle East and especially Iraq which is why I was drawn to this book. However, he seems to view Islam through rose-colored glasses and has this idea that if we could just show people a better way, they would all choose it, but that's clearly not the case. Humanity needs a redeemer and our feeble attempts at goodness will never be enough. All that only to say that I disagreed strongly with him and I make no assumptions on his heart or character.
September 27, 2020
Let me sort my thoughts into a few different categories.
-As a written narrative, this book is grim. Bleak. To me, this is the writing of a man deeply scarred by trauma of every kind. I don’t think he’d disagree. And that doesn’t make this a bad book. It’s just... tough.
-As a Christian, I was disappointed. In Jeremy’s mind, it seems the kind of narrow-minded, combative antagonism is the only version of Christianity that exists that would like to see others (ALL others) convert to follow Christ. I don’t think the deceptive antagonism that he was trained in is the only way to love your neighbors here and abroad and seek to see them become Christians. Jesus receives the barest of mentions in this book and it’s mostly as a recipient of Jeremy’s rage and doubt. I think Jesus can handle all that. I just wish he was given some space to answer back. Frankly, I’m surprised that Zondervan was the publisher for this work. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have been. I’m just surprised they were.
-All that being said, I deeply respect and admire much of the work of Preemptive Love. I find it good and beautiful and true. I would be happy to support work like this and think it’s absolutely necessary in our world. I very much admire what they’ve done. It’s fantastic.
-As a written narrative, this book is grim. Bleak. To me, this is the writing of a man deeply scarred by trauma of every kind. I don’t think he’d disagree. And that doesn’t make this a bad book. It’s just... tough.
-As a Christian, I was disappointed. In Jeremy’s mind, it seems the kind of narrow-minded, combative antagonism is the only version of Christianity that exists that would like to see others (ALL others) convert to follow Christ. I don’t think the deceptive antagonism that he was trained in is the only way to love your neighbors here and abroad and seek to see them become Christians. Jesus receives the barest of mentions in this book and it’s mostly as a recipient of Jeremy’s rage and doubt. I think Jesus can handle all that. I just wish he was given some space to answer back. Frankly, I’m surprised that Zondervan was the publisher for this work. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have been. I’m just surprised they were.
-All that being said, I deeply respect and admire much of the work of Preemptive Love. I find it good and beautiful and true. I would be happy to support work like this and think it’s absolutely necessary in our world. I very much admire what they’ve done. It’s fantastic.
November 14, 2019
Engaging story about life as a humanitarian in Iraq. The book is basically made up of short snapshot stories. Each chapter is incredibly short, but the stories keep you engaged. Jeremy wraps up the book with a compelling message about the danger in "othering" and the us vs them dialogue we're exhausted from in today's "woke era." I wish there was a little more written on this topic at the end of the book. It felt a little rushed at the end as the last chapter hammered home the obvious message of "Love Anyway." But great story and message overall.
It also has a lot to say about evangelical "mission work" and really being critically reflective of its implications on the missionary and the culture their trying to reach. I also had a personal interest in this story since I knew a few of the people and events within the story.
It also has a lot to say about evangelical "mission work" and really being critically reflective of its implications on the missionary and the culture their trying to reach. I also had a personal interest in this story since I knew a few of the people and events within the story.
October 14, 2019
I literally thought for 24 hours how to rate this book. And I might go back and change it to 5 stars. But this was a really hard one for me to decide my thoughts on.
First of all, the good. I have low-key followed Jeremy for years. I’m a monthly supporter. I read his first book. I think they do amazing work in the Middle East, that no one else will do. I can’t deny that the theology behind their “love anyway” message is incredibly convicting and more in-line with the life of Jesus than other organizations out there.
This book is also one I will think about for a long time. The stories are incredible. Haunting. Beautiful and horrid. But there is hope there too. So much possible for the future. The other aspect that will leave me thinking is Jeremy’s honesty. I mean he was so incredibly vulnerable in this book. He seemed to speak more of his failings than his successes. He didn’t hide some of his faults in his broken relationships. He also seemed to write this out of a Job-like PTSD frame of mind. Some of the struggles in themes surrounding faith that he shared openly I expected to be tied up in a pretty bow by the end. I saw hope, but not resolution. There seemed to be more questions than answers. Did it make me squirm? Yes. Was it refreshing? Definitely.
The most trouble I had with giving this page-turner 5 stars, besides making me squirm a little more than I am comfortable with, was that I wasn’t sure who Jeremy’s audience was. Was it Christians that he wanted to be more open-minded and inclusive? Was it Muslims that he wanted to build bridges to? It could have been either... but I almost feel like it was the three to four men in the book that he seemed to have painful conflict with. Sometimes the conflict led him to doubt himself, sometimes to doubt his faith and humanity as a whole. But I wondered if partly this book was written to clear the air with them.
This book seemed to be written out of a great deal of trauma and pain. I wonder perhaps if it would be better written 5 years from now, when more time to process and heal? Or maybe part of the beauty of it is that it is so honest and raw. I continue to love Jeremy and Jessica and their jaw-dropping work. I would love a book from Jessica. The bits of her infused into this book were breaths of fresh air. So 4 stars or 5? I can’t decide. I’m going to need to continue pondering on all nuances that are packed into this incredible and challenging book. I will continue following the Courtney family and praying for their community. Thank you for an amazing look into your world.
First of all, the good. I have low-key followed Jeremy for years. I’m a monthly supporter. I read his first book. I think they do amazing work in the Middle East, that no one else will do. I can’t deny that the theology behind their “love anyway” message is incredibly convicting and more in-line with the life of Jesus than other organizations out there.
This book is also one I will think about for a long time. The stories are incredible. Haunting. Beautiful and horrid. But there is hope there too. So much possible for the future. The other aspect that will leave me thinking is Jeremy’s honesty. I mean he was so incredibly vulnerable in this book. He seemed to speak more of his failings than his successes. He didn’t hide some of his faults in his broken relationships. He also seemed to write this out of a Job-like PTSD frame of mind. Some of the struggles in themes surrounding faith that he shared openly I expected to be tied up in a pretty bow by the end. I saw hope, but not resolution. There seemed to be more questions than answers. Did it make me squirm? Yes. Was it refreshing? Definitely.
The most trouble I had with giving this page-turner 5 stars, besides making me squirm a little more than I am comfortable with, was that I wasn’t sure who Jeremy’s audience was. Was it Christians that he wanted to be more open-minded and inclusive? Was it Muslims that he wanted to build bridges to? It could have been either... but I almost feel like it was the three to four men in the book that he seemed to have painful conflict with. Sometimes the conflict led him to doubt himself, sometimes to doubt his faith and humanity as a whole. But I wondered if partly this book was written to clear the air with them.
This book seemed to be written out of a great deal of trauma and pain. I wonder perhaps if it would be better written 5 years from now, when more time to process and heal? Or maybe part of the beauty of it is that it is so honest and raw. I continue to love Jeremy and Jessica and their jaw-dropping work. I would love a book from Jessica. The bits of her infused into this book were breaths of fresh air. So 4 stars or 5? I can’t decide. I’m going to need to continue pondering on all nuances that are packed into this incredible and challenging book. I will continue following the Courtney family and praying for their community. Thank you for an amazing look into your world.
October 21, 2019
Preemptive Love - a concept and world changing organization that has captured my heart for so many years, and yet, was unprepared for the trauma-induced truth that Jeremy shared. The traditions of our churches are outdated if we can’t see the common humanity of our enemies and love anyway.
I wanted more after “Ex Cathedra”, and maybe there is more, but the questions are still real. How can we deal (like I’ve ever come close to seeing what he’s seen) with the depravity of the horrible acts of humanity and not ask, “Where were you?” How are we supposed to deal with the cognitive dissonance?
I wanted more after “Ex Cathedra”, and maybe there is more, but the questions are still real. How can we deal (like I’ve ever come close to seeing what he’s seen) with the depravity of the horrible acts of humanity and not ask, “Where were you?” How are we supposed to deal with the cognitive dissonance?
August 11, 2020
Maybe I’m biased because I know quite about it about PLC & I love their mission, but I really liked this book. I am for everything that preemptive love does, so getting to read more about how they’ve gotten to where they are today, was exciting! Jeremy does not hold back in this book. The stories that he tells are unbelievable, frustrating, eye opening, heartbreaking— but the way that him & his team respond to what they experience is even more unreal. Jeremy is so honest in the way he writes, unabashed when being vulnerable about his heart & his motives in the beginning stages of Preemptive love, even if looking back, it shows his faults and the areas he might have needed to grow. Preemptive love coalition really honors God’s demonstration of His love for us— love that is gratuitous & geared with a servant attitude, and that is given across enemy borders, regardless of the situation.
August 30, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I got it free in the mail and it turned out to fit exactly with so many things I had focused on in my capstone paper, which was fun to read and also maddening I couldn't use it in the paper. It was a hard, emotional read and although I absolutely loved many of the messages and found the stories impactful, I felt like the ending wasn't as succinct or full of answers as I thought it would be. And maybe that's the point. The thesis is preemptive love, the conclusion is still out there.
January 14, 2020
Wow. Just wow.
October 13, 2020
Wow. This book is a challenge to love anyway. Love regardless of our own feelings & beliefs. The stories and lives of those who serve Preemptive Love inspired me. I foresee re-reading this book in the future!
November 28, 2019
This book will bring you peace by sending you to the war zone.
I loved reading this book, not only it was well written, but also it was really interesting to see what can make a man turn his ways to find and create a better version of The Way Things Are. This man really put his life to service, and I'm glad I'm supporting this cause.
Love anyway really opens your eyes to all the facilities people take for granted. I wish to see them [refugees] getting out of their trauma and being able to life a peaceful life.
I loved reading this book, not only it was well written, but also it was really interesting to see what can make a man turn his ways to find and create a better version of The Way Things Are. This man really put his life to service, and I'm glad I'm supporting this cause.
Love anyway really opens your eyes to all the facilities people take for granted. I wish to see them [refugees] getting out of their trauma and being able to life a peaceful life.
September 23, 2019
3.75 stars
"No one ever denied the very real risks of forgiveness and inclusion. The whole thing was scary as hell. But the vision was bigger than 'me' and 'mine.'"
I'll write a longer review later when my brain stops swirling over this haunting book, but for now, you can have my initial impressions:
-I probably should have read Preemptive Love before this one, but there was nothing in this book that I didn't understand or appreciate in spite of that.
-Breathtakingly audacious grace will always, always draw my attention. I originally heard the story about the water bottle on the Love Anyway podcast, and I wept.
-The raw emotion and pain of Jeremy Courtney's story-telling does nothing to "glamourize" the work and community that PLC is cultivating, and I appreciated that. However, even in the tangle of the hurt that he shares. there is still richness and beauty to be found .
-My favorite quotes were several chapters apart, in a description of the Yazidi refugee community, and the women who had learned with Jess how to make soap:
"Neighbors in the surrounding community called them, 'the refugees.' Other locals called them 'the Yazidis.' But in this town, a world away from their homes now occupied by ISIS, both labels put a lid on their prospects. 'Refugees' were a threat. And 'Yazidis' were 'satanic.' It matters what we call people. So Jess and I called them by name."
And later,
"[This was] before the neighbors dropped the word 'refugees' and started calling them 'the soapmakers.'"
"No one ever denied the very real risks of forgiveness and inclusion. The whole thing was scary as hell. But the vision was bigger than 'me' and 'mine.'"
I'll write a longer review later when my brain stops swirling over this haunting book, but for now, you can have my initial impressions:
-I probably should have read Preemptive Love before this one, but there was nothing in this book that I didn't understand or appreciate in spite of that.
-Breathtakingly audacious grace will always, always draw my attention. I originally heard the story about the water bottle on the Love Anyway podcast, and I wept.
-The raw emotion and pain of Jeremy Courtney's story-telling does nothing to "glamourize" the work and community that PLC is cultivating, and I appreciated that. However, even in the tangle of the hurt that he shares. there is still richness and beauty to be found .
-My favorite quotes were several chapters apart, in a description of the Yazidi refugee community, and the women who had learned with Jess how to make soap:
"Neighbors in the surrounding community called them, 'the refugees.' Other locals called them 'the Yazidis.' But in this town, a world away from their homes now occupied by ISIS, both labels put a lid on their prospects. 'Refugees' were a threat. And 'Yazidis' were 'satanic.' It matters what we call people. So Jess and I called them by name."
And later,
"[This was] before the neighbors dropped the word 'refugees' and started calling them 'the soapmakers.'"
November 11, 2019
This type of book must not be for me. I think people that read and love books by Bob Goff, Jen Hatmaker, and possibly Shane Claiborne will love this book. The concept and challenges are inspiring. I have always heard very positive things about the difficult work Preemptive Love Coalition has done. I have even donated money to its cause.
And I appreciate that he addresses the truth about how the alpha-male, white, western mentality and maybe "colonialism", and the destruction it has caused for centuries and still does. I don't know if it's the intensity of his writing and others like him or just a genre that doesn't resonant with me. I want to like this book, but I don't. Again, I think there is a lot of truth in this book that most of us Americans need to hear and to not turn a blind eye to; however, there seems to be a depth lacking or an authenticity. I am guessing that Jeremy Courtney is genuine himself, but there seems to be a level of performance (as in "being on" or "acting") in this book (and others like it) that doesn't sit well with me.
And I appreciate that he addresses the truth about how the alpha-male, white, western mentality and maybe "colonialism", and the destruction it has caused for centuries and still does. I don't know if it's the intensity of his writing and others like him or just a genre that doesn't resonant with me. I want to like this book, but I don't. Again, I think there is a lot of truth in this book that most of us Americans need to hear and to not turn a blind eye to; however, there seems to be a depth lacking or an authenticity. I am guessing that Jeremy Courtney is genuine himself, but there seems to be a level of performance (as in "being on" or "acting") in this book (and others like it) that doesn't sit well with me.
December 18, 2020
My first book of the year.
I have a deep love for the Middle East region and this book is a beautiful tribute to the raw and intrinsic beauty of this place.
This is the story of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney. The story of their undoing as missionaries sent out to "Save Muslim people". What they found was war, pain, trauma, and friendship. They found that the enemy doesn't look like who we were taught to look for. In fact, sometimes the enemy is ourselves.
They now tun Preemptive Love which is consistently the first to show up when the most tragic of war crimes oppress their neighbors, because they haven't left.
They've been bombed, attacked, assaulted, and arrested.
But they've stayed.
Because the More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible, is always worth the risk of defecting from the Way Things Are.
Even if that means death of reputation.
Death of donor perception.
Physical death.
I hope my life intertwines with Preemptive Love at some point, somewhere.
Inshallah.
I have a deep love for the Middle East region and this book is a beautiful tribute to the raw and intrinsic beauty of this place.
This is the story of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney. The story of their undoing as missionaries sent out to "Save Muslim people". What they found was war, pain, trauma, and friendship. They found that the enemy doesn't look like who we were taught to look for. In fact, sometimes the enemy is ourselves.
They now tun Preemptive Love which is consistently the first to show up when the most tragic of war crimes oppress their neighbors, because they haven't left.
They've been bombed, attacked, assaulted, and arrested.
But they've stayed.
Because the More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible, is always worth the risk of defecting from the Way Things Are.
Even if that means death of reputation.
Death of donor perception.
Physical death.
I hope my life intertwines with Preemptive Love at some point, somewhere.
Inshallah.
May 22, 2020
An interesting read for sure. I appreciate the passion that keeps Jeremy and his family in the Middle East. I appreciate the love they have for Yazidis and Muslims. I appreciate the humanitarian work they are doing. However, I did take issue with his tone throughout the book. It seemed he had a bit of a god-complex or savior mentality at times. That his way was better than anyone else’s way. He didn’t mention actually listening to the members of the community and what they wanted except for once or twice. Rather, he spoke passionately about the change he wanted to see in Iraq. An interesting read nonetheless with a different look into humanitarian work in Iraq.
December 29, 2022
I re-read this book because I wanted to read it with a new perspective in light of some changes in the Preemptive Love organization. I still loved the way the Courtneys process and live out Jesus’ commandments regarding loving others in a radically obedient way. Courtney also takes us on his journey regarding evangelism and how their perspective changed significantly from their church’s view and their own previously held views. I appreciate their desire to respect and celebrate different cultures and people groups, but felt like the Gospel was viewed more as a disruption of a culture or religion than a gift to be offered. Overall, I love a lot of the themes in this book!
November 27, 2021
First of all, I love and support the work of Preemptive Love. That’s why I decided to read this book.
Several of the stories brought me to tears. I flew through the book at a much quicker pace than I read most nonfiction.
But I also felt it was quite disjointed, skipped years at a time with barely a nod and Courtney waxed poetic on too many occasions for my taste. It read like the journal of someone in need of counseling. He has suffered a lot of trauma and I often felt like a peeping Tom on his unresolved pain and bitterness.
Several of the stories brought me to tears. I flew through the book at a much quicker pace than I read most nonfiction.
But I also felt it was quite disjointed, skipped years at a time with barely a nod and Courtney waxed poetic on too many occasions for my taste. It read like the journal of someone in need of counseling. He has suffered a lot of trauma and I often felt like a peeping Tom on his unresolved pain and bitterness.
July 6, 2021
Love so many parts of this but it ended like the author had something to prove. It was as if he was justifying his decisions and the ending became more about him than the beautiful movement he started back in the beginning. I loved the transition from evangelism to practical love and support, but I wanted more Jesus. What happened after his meltdown with God? How was his relationship with God restored? Maybe it wasn’t. It needed more at the end but lots of good messages along the way.
June 30, 2021
This narrative is messy, honest, hopeful goodness: amidst the (literal) wreckage of war. This is an invitation into a better way of being and engaging with each other and the world. Can't recommend enough.
Full Review at: https://www.convivium.ca/articles/bey...
Full Review at: https://www.convivium.ca/articles/bey...
June 6, 2020
I really hate the fact that i didn’t like this book that much.
December 19, 2021
This book is tough to rate. Especially, due to the allegations of abusive leadership involving the Courtney’s that were made public while reading this book.
First, the book gets you hooked. The Courtney’s first came to the Middle East after 9/11 as Christian missionaries. Jeremy recounts an event where he was incredibly frustrated with his lack of success as a missionary. It becomes an example of what true love should look like from Christians. It was so impactful and I will take that chapter with me for the rest of my life.
The rest of the book recounts of the humanitarian work the Courtney’s and Preemptive Love did during the Yazidi Genocide in Iraq. He has encountered ISIS. The stories are horrific and heart breaking and challenge the notion of how to love anyway. However, after awhile it begins to drift away from the theme of the book. It becomes a constant reliving of Jeremy’s trauma. There is a moment where Jeremy let’s put his anger at God. He has every right to. Through all the heartbreak, terror, and injustice he had on a daily basis, he has every right to get mad at God. However, there seemed to be no resolve after the incident. The reader is left wondering what his views now are of God and is wrapped up quickly.
If you are not aware of the Yazidi Genocide or have little knowledge of the terror it caused, read this book. I live in Lincoln, NE, home to 30% of USA Yazidi refugees. They are refugees from this horrible event. Learn about what your neighbors could have gone through.
I believe the work Preemptive Love did throughout this book was impactful for the community. However, it seems the lack of resolved trauma from the Courtney’s have lead to their need for control. I hope they are able to get the help and accountability they need
First, the book gets you hooked. The Courtney’s first came to the Middle East after 9/11 as Christian missionaries. Jeremy recounts an event where he was incredibly frustrated with his lack of success as a missionary. It becomes an example of what true love should look like from Christians. It was so impactful and I will take that chapter with me for the rest of my life.
The rest of the book recounts of the humanitarian work the Courtney’s and Preemptive Love did during the Yazidi Genocide in Iraq. He has encountered ISIS. The stories are horrific and heart breaking and challenge the notion of how to love anyway. However, after awhile it begins to drift away from the theme of the book. It becomes a constant reliving of Jeremy’s trauma. There is a moment where Jeremy let’s put his anger at God. He has every right to. Through all the heartbreak, terror, and injustice he had on a daily basis, he has every right to get mad at God. However, there seemed to be no resolve after the incident. The reader is left wondering what his views now are of God and is wrapped up quickly.
If you are not aware of the Yazidi Genocide or have little knowledge of the terror it caused, read this book. I live in Lincoln, NE, home to 30% of USA Yazidi refugees. They are refugees from this horrible event. Learn about what your neighbors could have gone through.
I believe the work Preemptive Love did throughout this book was impactful for the community. However, it seems the lack of resolved trauma from the Courtney’s have lead to their need for control. I hope they are able to get the help and accountability they need
January 9, 2021
I have long admired the work of Preemptive Love. In this book, Jeremy Courtney tells the story of the birth of the organization and with candid vulnerability his making and unmaking along the way. His story hits close to home for me in so many ways, particularly his talking about being raised in conservative Christianity and being deployed as a missionary to save people's souls, and how that has shaped his life and worldview even long beyond his decision to leave. I think that changing your mind and admitting you were wrong is one of the most powerful ways to be a peacemaker, and is probably why this coalition can continue to do the work it does with a commitment to love anyway. Sometimes our greatest lessons and wisdom come from the things we got wrong, not the things we did perfectly. My recommendation to read does come with the warning that this is a book about survival in a place of war, and at times is graphic in depictions of loss and violence. It is also not a book about neat and happy endings, but about the messiness of life and the persistent holding on to hope in spite of it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2020
I really wanted to love this book, but I had trouble connecting to the story and the author. His writing seemed fragmented and jumpy, going from one story to the next with little transition. You get bits about a court case/arrest, then ISIS and the Yazidis, but very little detail or explanation before jumping to a new topic. Overall, in a very general and vague sense, the story follows some sort of timeline, but it didn’t make cohesive reading for me. If you just want the broad strokes of humanitarian work on the frontlines, you may enjoy this book, but I guess I was just hoping for more. The best chapter by far, for me, was the author’s honest frustration and dismay at God in the cathedral. Otherwise, I’m very sad to say I didn’t get much from it, and definitely not what I was hoping for, which is the inspiration and courage to take bold steps into the hard places to love others who are different from ourselves. The first couple chapters tie into that, but the rest of the book left me a little cold.
May 20, 2020
If you really want to know what's happening on the other side of the world then this will rock you, convict you, and have your wheels turning. It left me feeling like our generation is missing another Holocaust. We can't help where we don't know there's need, but if we educate ourselves and we see, then we can never unsee. Jeremy's willingness to be completely transparent with his own wrong prejudices, perspectives, and pride allows you to receive everything he's reporting to get in and leaves a lot of room for your heart to be convicted. The path of love is not an easy one, but it is worth pursuing. We cannot accept what has always been. We must move toward creating a more beautiful world. And to do that we have to see beyond our own knowledge and biases and be willing to see how someone else see's the same situation. This is a challenging read that we of the Western world all owe it to humanity to read.
November 16, 2020
This is a 1st person narrative written by the man [Jeremy] who started the charity Preemptive Love in the Middle East. This is really and truly a train wreck, divulging the humanity of life in Iraq under Al Qaeda and ISIS. Terrifying and raw. Yet showing the resilience and integrity of the everyday people who are living under the worst conditions in the world, perhaps. Jeremy started out as a missionary from Texas. And eventually took a very different path, and I so admire all that he has done. This one ended with a message of hope and unity. Near the end of the book, when he is describing a particularly harrowing personal experience with ISIS, he makes it ultimately clear, speaking of victim and oppressor simultaneously:
"They are my sons. They are my daughters. She is my mom. He is my dad. We belong to each other."
He speaks often of 'The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible' And honestly, who can argue with the idea of that? I want that world. Here. Now.
"They are my sons. They are my daughters. She is my mom. He is my dad. We belong to each other."
He speaks often of 'The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible' And honestly, who can argue with the idea of that? I want that world. Here. Now.
June 4, 2023
I started reading this and assumed it was a book about applied faith, focused on following the principles of Christian love to their logically radical conclusions. But Courtney lands his ending upside-down from this, expressing a purely humanist perspective rather than a religious one.
My first reaction was to be mad about this switch, since it makes the middle sections of the book feel deceptively written in hindsight. Though, I could be very mistaken in that accusation. Perhaps I just started on a bad assumption and missed the clues that should have corrected it. I may need to reread someday and find out, but it probably won’t be soon.
Regardless of beliefs or philosophies or storytelling tactics, Courtney and his team have done some astounding work by these accounts. I do love his commitment to boldness and to risking all in pursuit of The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible.
My first reaction was to be mad about this switch, since it makes the middle sections of the book feel deceptively written in hindsight. Though, I could be very mistaken in that accusation. Perhaps I just started on a bad assumption and missed the clues that should have corrected it. I may need to reread someday and find out, but it probably won’t be soon.
Regardless of beliefs or philosophies or storytelling tactics, Courtney and his team have done some astounding work by these accounts. I do love his commitment to boldness and to risking all in pursuit of The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2020
A lot to take in, in 286 pages. A Christian missionary couple are sent to the middle east to “save” Muslims. Their worldview is completely challenged from top to bottom as they experience real people, families, and life. Their story chronicles their experiences in Iraq, raising a family, starting organizations to aid those in need amidst the war between ISIS, Iraqis, and the U.S. They’ve witnessed more horror than most anyone can possibly imagine and have emerged on the other side with a new way of looking at things, and the reader is invited along for the ride. The stories are tough to stomach and it will definitely challenge the way the reader looks at the world, and the middle east in particular.
November 27, 2021
Man, if only we could all think and act like this, we actually could make The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible - just like Jeremy posits in this breathtaking recounting of his time in the Middle East over the past 20 years. From missionary to man of true love for neighbour, repairing what war has torn apart and trying to prevent future war, the work that Jeremy and Preemptive Love have been doing in Iraq and around the world is definitely for the better. This book will unsettle you in the best ways. There is much hope for the future through the lense of this family and incredible organization. If you are sick of The Way Things Are, then read this book and join the movement that could change the world.
February 15, 2020
This book might surprise you. In chapter one, the author says, “because, like most wars, this story starts slowly” right before taking us on a thrill ride with more twists and turns than the Steel Dragon 2000. I guess I missed the slow part.
The author tells the story of moving his family halfway around the world to learn how to live like Jesus alongside Muslims. In telling his stories, he pulls no punches, sharing successes and failures in equal measure, and each story is easy to read.
If you are happy living with The Way Things are, this might not be the book for you. If your heart longs for adventure and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible, this is a must-read.
The author tells the story of moving his family halfway around the world to learn how to live like Jesus alongside Muslims. In telling his stories, he pulls no punches, sharing successes and failures in equal measure, and each story is easy to read.
If you are happy living with The Way Things are, this might not be the book for you. If your heart longs for adventure and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible, this is a must-read.
February 22, 2020
I'm not entirely sure how to rate this book. It was perspective changing and I would highly recommend it to everyone. It was also heavy, uncomfortable at times and ignorance correcting for me. I'm so thankful to be able to access and read things like this. Is it the most well written book I've ever experienced? No. The author's perspective and at times, aggressive storytelling and narration of the audiobook (which is how I absorbed this book) took more than a few sittings to get through. Read it. Absorb it. Dwell on it. This is a heartbreakingly beautiful culmination of stories and journey that should be shared. Thank you for this, Jeremy.
August 21, 2023
"Accept that the world is violent and unfair and scary as hell... and make a commitment to love anyway."
This book is so heavy... Holds too much honesty, too much fear, too much love, too much reality. Jeremy, Jessica, their family and their crew seem to be sometimes so brave and sometimes plain crazy. I recommend it for all the people who believe there is another way of living, who can't settle for "The Way Things Are", and for pretty much everyone who needs a new perspective on life.
-Be aware- that it contains many and very graphic/explicit descriptions on war and death. Note that IT WILL make you uncomfortable in so many (some necessary) levels.
This book is so heavy... Holds too much honesty, too much fear, too much love, too much reality. Jeremy, Jessica, their family and their crew seem to be sometimes so brave and sometimes plain crazy. I recommend it for all the people who believe there is another way of living, who can't settle for "The Way Things Are", and for pretty much everyone who needs a new perspective on life.
-Be aware- that it contains many and very graphic/explicit descriptions on war and death. Note that IT WILL make you uncomfortable in so many (some necessary) levels.
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