ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, SportsMatters of Faith 1-29-12 Grace Effect

What does Christianity give us beyond potlucks and basketball leagues??

That's the question Larry Taunton asks in his latest book "The Grace Effect"

As a historian and an apologist.... he says.... one little girl... helped prove his theory of the grace effect.

Sasha Taunton is 13 years old: "I like everything here."

Sasha was adopted by the Tauntons.... from Ukraine when she was 10.

Sasha: "I like helping dogs out."

She has her sights set on working with animals when she grows up....

Her own dog is her best friend.

Sasha found a home here with the Tauntons.... and more than she could ever dream of in the Ukraine.

Her dad Larry Taunton... says her adoption... and bringing her into their home of three boys... was the light of his life.

The contrast of the Ukrainian orphanage and their life in the U.S. ... also proves he says ... his theory of the Grace Effect which he explains in his book.

Larry Taunton: The world Sasha had been raised in was one with an absence of Christian belief so it was a microcosm of the world with out Christian influence in it.

According to Taunton the Grace Effect... is the difference Christians make in the world.

Larry Taunton: " Christianity brings more to the plate than pot luck , televangelist's bad basketball leagues."

 Larry. "It's a Christian belief in receiving Jesus Christ your made a slightly better version of yourself. stats bear this out Christians give 10 times more to charities to non profits than the average atheists. "Psalm 33:12 blessed is the nation who's God is the Lord."

As for Sasha... she can see it first hand... how God works.

 Sasha. "I know he save my life he always with us."