Reviews
eoe Preemptive Love is a beautiful and inspiring book about the power of love in a time of war, and the capacity of personal interactions, based on love, to break through all the geopolitical strategizing and local suspicions to build trust and, in the case of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney, to save lives.e, "I could not put this book down. Preemptive Love brings you to the streets of Iraq and into the hearts of children, shouting the powerful message that love has the capacity to remake our world." --Peter Greer, President and CEO, HOPE International, and author, The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good, eoeThis is a wonderful book with a powerful, time-tested message: love wins. But Jeremy Courtney and his wife arene(tm)t just writing about love in theory or theology. They are showing us all the power of Gode(tm)s love in practice evidenced through the love of His people for others very different than themselves. As a former US diplomat and Ivy League professor I highly recommend this book. But more importantly, as a human being looking for Gode(tm)s love in this war-torn and weary world, I thank God for this book.e, "In Preemptive Love, Courtney deftly chronicles his journey to help children obtain life-saving surgeries in battered regions where hospitals had long been gutted and clinics closed. In the process, he finds that his family's strategy of defeating hate and prejudice with unconditional love heals hearts beyond the ones he set out to fix. Courtney's moving story gives us some of the best news to come out of Iraq in ages." -Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, "The story of Preemptive Love is so awe-inspiringly powerful it could rewrite the hardwiring that holds humanity hostage. Our perpetual fears and resulting violence stunt evolution; we are a primitive species, still. But Jeremy and his Preemptive Love cohorts are lights revealing humanity's greater, true self. As living, breathing examples of agape they raze the walls that blind and divide us." --Greg Barrett, journalist and author, "Jeremy Courtney is a prophet who has undertaken the task of reminding those of us discouraged by the brokenness and fear of this world to choose something Greater. Courtney believes in a Real World, the kind of world God always intended for us, one that right now, in the midst of violence and hate, is being remade by Love. And, like a true prophet, he invites us to join him in the remaking." --Micha Boyett, author of Found: A Story of Questions, Grace and Everyday Prayer, "Compelling! While the rest of us fold our arms and complain about the situation in the Middle East, Courtney proves that one family can begin an avalanche of change." -Leigh Saxon, coordinator of Mission Waco/Mission World Health Clinic, This is a wonderful book with a powerful, time-tested message: love wins. But Jeremy Courtney and his wife aren't just writing about love in theory or theology. They are showing us all the power of God's love in practice evidenced through the love of His people for others very different than themselves. As a former US diplomat and Ivy League professor I highly recommend this book. But more importantly, as a human being looking for God's love in this war torn and weary world, I thank God for this book., eoeIn Preemptive Love , Courtney deftly chronicles his journey to help children obtain life-saving surgeries in battered regions where hospitals had long been gutted and clinics closed. In the process, he finds that his familye(tm)s strategy of defeating hate and prejudice with unconditional love heals hearts beyond the ones he set out to fix. Courtneye(tm)s moving story gives us some of the best news to come out of Iraq in ages.e, eoeI'm a cynic. I have to be in my line of work. But the world of cynicism isn't one in which Jeremy and Jessica inhabit. And Iraq's broken children are all the better for it. . . . I am also a die-hard agnostic. And while Courtney writes of his faith as a powerful motivating factor in what he does, he doesn't preach. This is just one man's journey, told from the heart. What Preemptive Love is, above all else, is a book of adventure, tragedy, suffering and hope, and the incredible and indomitable power of human compassion. . . . A thoroughly gripping and moving tale of what motivates one group of people to help the children who suffered the most in Iraq.e, "Compelling! While the rest of us fold our arms and complain about the situation in the Middle East, Courtney proves that one family can begin an avalanche of change." --Leigh Saxon, coordinator of Mission Waco/Mission World Health Clinic, "Preemptive Love is a beautiful and inspiring book about the power of love in a time of war, and the capacity of personal interactions, based on love, to break through all the geopolitical strategizing and local suspicions to build trust and, in the case of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney, to save lives." --Joseph Lieberman, former US Senator, author of The Gift of Rest, eoeThe story of Preemptive Love is so awe-inspiringly powerful it could rewrite the hardwiring that holds humanity hostage. Our perpetual fears and resulting violence stunt evolution; we are a primitive species, still. But Jeremy and his Preemptive Love cohorts are lights revealing humanity's greater, true self. As living, breathing examples of agape they raze the walls that blind and divide us.e, "Preemptive Love is a beautiful and inspiring book about the power of love in a time of war, and the capacity of personal interactions, based on love, to break through all the geopolitical strategizing and local suspicions to build trust and, in the case of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney, to save lives." -Joseph Lieberman, former US Senator, author of The Gift of Rest, "I could not put this book down. Preemptive Love brings you to the streets of Iraq and into the hearts of children, shouting the powerful message that love has the capacity to remake our world." -Peter Greer, President and CEO, HOPE International, and author, The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good, "Courtney gives an honest, and at times poignant, account of his efforts to establish the Preemptive Love Coalition in Iraq. Courtney relates his riveting story through the inner thoughts of both patients and adversaries, describing events like the chemical bombing of Halabja and the attack of a roadside bomber from a personal perspective. . . . powerfully inspiring, touching, and, unfortunately, urgently relevant." --Publishers Weekly, eoe Preemptive Love is a story of caring for and bringing healing to those who have suffered violence and war. Jeremy Courtney clearly identifies the need for compassion and forgiveness; spreading this message is his mission. He has shown his love and generosity to many of Iraq's neediest children. Jeremy is moved by faith and acts with grace and love.e, The story of Preemptive Love is so awe-inspiringly powerful it could rewrite the hardwiring that holds humanity hostage. Our perpetual fears and resulting violence stunt evolution; we are a primitive species, still. But Jeremy and his Preemptive Love cohorts are lights revealing humanity's greater, true self. As living, breathing examples of agape they raze the walls that blind and divide us., I could not put this book down. Preemptive Love brings you to the streets of Iraq and into the hearts of children, shouting the powerful message that love has the capacity to remake our world., "Courtney gives an honest, and at times poignant, account of his efforts to establish the Preemptive Love Coalition in Iraq. Courtney relates his riveting story through the inner thoughts of both patients and adversaries, describing events like the chemical bombing of Halabja and the attack of a roadside bomber from a personal perspective. . . . powerfully inspiring, touching, and, unfortunately, urgently relevant." -Publishers Weekly, Jeremy Courtney's story, and that of the Preemptive Love Coalition, will help you redefine and reimagine what love really means. Preemptive Love will inspire you to dream of a love that risks everything. It is the kind of story and radical surrender the world is longing to see in those who profess to love like Jesus., "There's enough intrigue, betrayal, death, bombings, and more to fill a blockbuster novel, but this is not fiction. It's a 'warts and all' look at Christianity in action in the trenches, an honest, unflinching look at the cost of living out what you believe. Complacent Christians be warned: this is not just a book, it's a wake-up call. How many of us are bold enough to 'Love first. Ask questions later'? That is the challenge of Preemptive Love." --Crosswalk.com, Preemptive Love is a story of caring for and bringing healing to those who have suffered violence and war. Jeremy Courtney clearly identifies the need for compassion and forgiveness; spreading this message is his mission. He has shown his love and generosity to many of Iraqi's neediest children. Jeremy is moved by faith and acts with grace and love., "This is a wonderful book with a powerful, time-tested message: love wins. But Jeremy Courtney and his wife aren't just writing about love in theory or theology. They are showing us all the power of God's love in practice evidenced through the love of His people for others very different than themselves. As a former US diplomat and Ivy League professor I highly recommend this book. But more importantly, as a human being looking for God's love in this war-torn and weary world, I thank God for this book." -The Honorable Gregory W. Slayton, author of national bestseller Be a Better Dad Today, eoeJeremy Courtney weaves the compelling, true story of grace in the midst of violence! He and his colleagues risk touching the pain of Iraqi children plagued by heart defects and their families who scramble to get care for them. They all risk betrayal in order to achieve healing. In the process, they discover opportunities for releasing love and hope into a torn world.e, "I'm a cynic. I have to be in my line of work. But the world of cynicism isn't one in which Jeremy and Jessica inhabit. And Iraq's broken children are all the better for it. . . . I am also a die-hard agnostic. And while Courtney writes of his faith as a powerful motivating factor in what he does, he doesn't preach. This is just one man's journey, told from the heart. What Preemptive Love is, above all else, is a book of adventure, tragedy, suffering and hope, and the incredible and indomitable power of human compassion. . . . A thoroughly gripping and moving tale of what motivates one group of people to help the children who suffered the most in Iraq." --Alex Hannaford, journalist (GQ, The Atlantic, Esquire); author, Last of the Rock Romantics, "Jeremy Courtney weaves the compelling, true story of grace in the midst of violence! He and his colleagues risk touching the pain of Iraqi children plagued by heart defects and their families who scramble to get care for them. They all risk betrayal in order to achieve healing. In the process, they discover opportunities for releasing love and hope into a torn world." -Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, founder of Nuns on the Bus, This is a wonderful book with a powerful, time-tested message: love wins. But Jeremy Courtney and his wife aren't just writing about love in theory or theology. They are showing us all the power of God's love in practice evidenced through the love of His people for others very different than themselves. As a former US diplomat and Ivy League professor I highly recommend this book. But more importantly, as a human being looking for God's love in this war-torn and weary world, I thank God for this book., Preemptive Love is a beautiful and inspiring book about the power of love in a time of war, and the capacity of personal interactions, based on love, to break through all the geopolitical strategizing and local suspicions to build trust and, in the case of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney, to save lives., eoeJeremy Courtney's story, and that of the Preemptive Love Coalition, will help you redefine and reimagine what love really means. Preemptive Love will inspire you to dream of a love that risks everything. It is the kind of story and radical surrender the world is longing to see in those who profess to love like Jesus.e, Compelling! While the rest of us fold our arms and complain about the situation in the Middle East, Courtney proves that one family can begin an avalanche of change., I'm a cynic. I have to be in my line of work. But the world of cynicism isn't one in which Jeremy and Jessica inhabit. And Iraq's broken children are all the better for it. . . . I am also a die-hard agnostic. And while Courtney writes of his faith as a powerful motivating factor in what he does, he doesn't preach. This is just one man's journey, told from the heart. What Preemptive Love is, above all else, is a book of adventure, tragedy, suffering and hope, and the incredible and indomitable power of human compassion. . . . A thoroughly gripping and moving tale of what motivates one group of people to help the children who suffered the most in Iraq., Jeremy Courtney weaves the compelling, true story of grace in the midst of violence! He and his colleagues risk touching the pain of Iraqi children plagued by heart defects and their families who scramble to get care for them. They all risk betrayal in order to achieve healing. In the process, they discover opportunities for releasing love and hope into a torn world., "Jeremy Courtney is doing some of the most redemptive work on the planet, providing life-saving surgeries for Iraqi children. Their motto, 'Love now, and ask questions later,' is a brilliant critique of preemptive war. Jeremy has become a close friend over the years, and many of us have been waiting for this book like kids on Christmas morning. From TED talks,to megachurches, to Congress and the UN, Jeremy's message that 'Violence unmakes the world, and love remakes it' has been transforming hearts and minds. Now that message is in your hands. Share it with the world." --Shane Claiborne, author, activist, and preemptive lover,www.thesimpleway, Jeremy Courtney is a prophet who has undertaken the task of reminding those of us discouraged by the brokenness and fear of this world to choose something Greater. Courtney believes in a Real World, the kind of world God always intended for us, one that right now, in the midst of violence and hate, is being remade by Love. And, like a true prophet, he invites us to join him in the remaking., eoeCompelling! While the rest of us fold our arms and complain about the situation in the Middle East, Courtney proves that one family can begin an avalanche of change.e, "The story of Preemptive Love is so awe-inspiringly powerful it could rewrite the hardwiring that holds humanity hostage. Our perpetual fears and resulting violence stunt evolution; we are a primitive species, still. But Jeremy and his Preemptive Love cohorts are lights revealing humanity's greater, true self. As living, breathing examples of agape they raze the walls that blind and divide us." -Greg Barrett, journalist and author, "Jeremy Courtney's story, and that of the Preemptive Love Coalition, will help you redefine and reimagine what love really means. Preemptive Love will inspire you to dream of a love that risks everything. It is the kind of story and radical surrender the world is longing to see in those who profess to love like Jesus." -Ken Wytsma, founder of The Justice Conference, author of Pursuing Justice, president of Kilns College, "I'm a cynic. I have to be in my line of work. But the world of cynicism isn't one in which Jeremy and Jessica inhabit. And Iraq's broken children are all the better for it. . . . I am also a die-hard agnostic. And while Courtney writes of his faith as a powerful motivating factor in what he does, he doesn't preach. This is just one man's journey, told from the heart. What Preemptive Love is, above all else, is a book of adventure, tragedy, suffering and hope, and the incredible and indomitable power of human compassion. . . . A thoroughly gripping and moving tale of what motivates one group of people to help the children who suffered the most in Iraq." -Alex Hannaford, journalist (GQ, The Atlantic, Esquire); author, Last of the Rock Romantics, "Jeremy Courtney is doing some of the most redemptive work on the planet, providing life-saving surgeries for Iraqi children. Their motto, 'Love now, and ask questions later,' is a brilliant critique of preemptive war. Jeremy has become a close friend over the years, and many of us have been waiting for this book like kids on Christmas morning. From TED talks,to megachurches, to Congress and the UN, Jeremy's message that 'Violence unmakes the world, and love remakes it' has been transforming hearts and minds. Now that message is in your hands. Share it with the world." -Shane Claiborne, author, activist, and preemptive lover, www.thesimpleway, "Jeremy Courtney is a prophet who has undertaken the task of reminding those of us discouraged by the brokenness and fear of this world to choose something Greater. Courtney believes in a Real World, the kind of world God always intended for us, one that right now, in the midst of violence and hate, is being remade by Love. And, like a true prophet, he invites us to join him in the remaking." -Micha Boyett, author of Found: A Story of Questions, Grace and Everyday Prayer, "Preemptive Love is a story of caring for and bringing healing to those who have suffered violence and war. Jeremy Courtney clearly identifies the need for compassion and forgiveness; spreading this message is his mission. He has shown his love and generosity to many of Iraq's neediest children. Jeremy is moved by faith and acts with grace and love." -Imam Mohamed Magid, Imam of ADAMS Center Virginia and President of Islamic Society of North America, This is a wonderful book with a powerful, time-tested message: love wins. But Jeremy Courtney and his wife arent just writing about love in theory or theology. They are showing us all the power of Gods love in practice evidenced through the love of His people for others very different than themselves. As a former US diplomat and Ivy League professor I highly recommend this book. But more importantly, as a human being looking for Gods love in this war-torn and weary world, I thank God for this book., "There's enough intrigue, betrayal, death, bombings, and more to fill a blockbuster novel, but this is not fiction. It's a 'warts and all' look at Christianity in action in the trenches, an honest, unflinching look at the cost of living out what you believe. Complacent Christians be warned: this is not just a book, it's a wake-up call. How many of us are bold enough to 'Love first. Ask questions later'? That is the challenge of Preemptive Love." -Crosswalk.com, "This is a wonderful book with a powerful, time-tested message: love wins. But Jeremy Courtney and his wife aren't just writing about love in theory or theology. They are showing us all the power of God's love in practice evidenced through the love of His people for others very different than themselves. As a former US diplomat and Ivy League professor I highly recommend this book. But more importantly, as a human being looking for God's love in this war-torn and weary world, I thank God for this book." --The Honorable Gregory W. Slayton, author of national bestseller Be a Better Dad Today, eoeJeremy Courtney is doing some of the most redemptive work on the planet, providing life-saving surgeries for Iraqi children. Their motto, e~Love now, and ask questions later,e(tm) is a brilliant critique of preemptive war. Jeremy has become a close friend over the years, and many of us have been waiting for this book like kids on Christmas morning. From TED talks,to megachurches, to Congress and the UN, Jeremy's message that 'Violence unmakes the world, and love remakes it' has been transforming hearts and minds. Now that message is in your hands. Share it with the world.e, In Preemptive Love , Courtney deftly chronicles his journey to help children obtain life-saving surgeries in battered regions where hospitals had long been gutted and clinics closed. In the process, he finds that his family's strategy of defeating hate and prejudice with unconditional love heals hearts beyond the ones he set out to fix. Courtney's moving story gives us some of the best news to come out of Iraq in ages., "Jeremy Courtney weaves the compelling, true story of grace in the midst of violence! He and his colleagues risk touching the pain of Iraqi children plagued by heart defects and their families who scramble to get care for them. They all risk betrayal in order to achieve healing. In the process, they discover opportunities for releasing love and hope into a torn world." --Sister Simone Campbell, executive director of NETWORK, founder of Nuns on the Bus, "Jeremy Courtney's story, and that of the Preemptive Love Coalition, will help you redefine and reimagine what love really means. Preemptive Love will inspire you to dream of a love that risks everything. It is the kind of story and radical surrender the world is longing to see in those who profess to love like Jesus." --Ken Wytsma, founder of The Justice Conference, author of Pursuing Justice, president of Kilns College, Jeremy Courtney is doing some of the most redemptive work on the planet, providing life-saving surgeries for Iraqi children. Their motto, 'Love now, and ask questions later,' is a brilliant critique of preemptive war. Jeremy has become a close friend over the years, and many of us have been waiting for this book like kids on Christmas morning. From TED talks,to megachurches, to Congress and the UN, Jeremy's message that 'Violence unmakes the world, and love remakes it' has been transforming hearts and minds. Now that message is in your hands. Share it with the world., Preemptive Love is a story of caring for and bringing healing to those who have suffered violence and war. Jeremy Courtney clearly identifies the need for compassion and forgiveness; spreading this message is his mission. He has shown his love and generosity to many of Iraq's neediest children. Jeremy is moved by faith and acts with grace and love., Courtney gives an honest, and at times poignant, account of his efforts to establish the Preemptive Love Coalition in Iraq, whose aim is to save children with life-threatening heart defects by selling klash, a locally made Kurdish shoe. Courtney relates his riveting story through the inner thoughts of both patients and adversaries, describing events like the chemical bombing of Halabja and the attack of a roadside bomber from a personal perspective. Ending with the building of the Remedy Mission, which allows children to receive life-saving surgery in Iraq, this true story of people coming together to live the doctrine of 'love first, ask questions later' by building bridges and saving lives is powerfully inspiring, touching, and, unfortunately, urgently relevant., "In Preemptive Love, Courtney deftly chronicles his journey to help children obtain life-saving surgeries in battered regions where hospitals had long been gutted and clinics closed. In the process, he finds that his family's strategy of defeating hate and prejudice with unconditional love heals hearts beyond the ones he set out to fix. Courtney's moving story gives us some of the best news to come out of Iraq in ages." --Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, "Preemptive Love is a story of caring for and bringing healing to those who have suffered violence and war. Jeremy Courtney clearly identifies the need for compassion and forgiveness; spreading this message is his mission. He has shown his love and generosity to many of Iraq's neediest children. Jeremy is moved by faith and acts with grace and love." --Imam Mohamed Magid, Imam of ADAMS Center Virginia and President of Islamic Society of North America, Theree(tm)s enough intrigue, betrayal, death, bombings, and more to fill a blockbuster novel, but this is not fiction. Ite(tm)s a 'warts and all' look at Christianity in action in the trenches, an honest, unflinching look at the cost of living out what you believe. Complacent Christians be warned: this is not just a book, ite(tm)s a wake-up call. How many of us are bold enough to 'Love first. Ask questions later'? That is the challenge of Preemptive Love ., There's enough intrigue, betrayal, death, bombings, and more to fill a blockbuster novel, but this is not fiction. It's a 'warts and all' look at Christianity in action in the trenches, an honest, unflinching look at the cost of living out what you believe. Complacent Christians be warned: this is not just a book, it's a wake-up call. How many of us are bold enough to 'Love first. Ask questions later'? That is the challenge of Preemptive Love .