Review Of The Book When Faith Fails by Dominic Done

On page 9 it says " This big God created us. An incomprehensible infinite God created something. Like an artist standing before a canvas, he splashed boundless layers of color, life, beauty, fire, water, earth-and our world was born. Seven times in the creation story, God called his world good. He made the mountains, rivers and seas...joy, beauty, virtue, flourishing, harmony-are all enveloped in this ancient understanding of goodness. When God spoke, the universe was vibrant and alive, humming with his presence..
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On page 14 it says " God didn't create Adam and Eve with all the answers to life's hardest questions. He allowed a space for them to explore, question and learn. He cultivated a garden in which mystery could coexist alongside faith. That means when we doubt, God isn't disappointed with us, he understands. Doubt is a natural response to the limitations of our knowledge."

On page 29 it says" I see Jesus in every human being. I say to myself , this is hungry Jesus, I must feed him. This is sick Jesus. This one has leprosy or gangrene; I must wash and tend to him. I serve better because I love Jesus."

On page 40 it says " Psalms of disorientation. These songs came out of a place of unexpected disruption, when anger, despair, suffering and tragedy eclipsed the authors faith in God. In Psalm 130 says out of the depths I cry to you. I needed from God was no more directions and maps but closeness, intimacy, and a relationship. He reached out his hand and said follow me. And when I took his hand, things began to change. Personally I chose to trust God. And I'm doing my best to follow the way of Jesus. It's often hard, unsettling, and confusing, but it's also mesmerizing, breathtaking,and full of joy. Two men looked out from prison bars. One saw mud, the other saw stars. "

On page 81 it says " the Bible is honest about the human story. It's awkward,messy and weird. Why? Because that's what people do. People are awkward messy and weird. So, of course there is scandal, adultery, sexism, violence and war. The Bible is true to life. It doesn't gloss over our imperfections. It confronts us in the mud and mess of life. It's about people with real issues, insecurities, weakness's and flaws. "

Many stories about doubt in the Bible. Abraham and Sarah doubted God's promises, Gideon doubted his calling. Job doubted God's character. John the Baptist , who Jesus called the greatest of all the prophets, doubted Jesus was the Messiah. Peter doubted his faith. Thomas doubted the resurrection. It's doubts are it's authors. They were bewildered, perplexed, and often unsure. Yet, they figured out a way to flourish in the tension of an imperfect faith. And God was okay with that. Not only okay, but he gave them the biggest platform the world has ever known. If you are doubting the Bible, the best thing you can do is read the Bible. It gives your doubts a place of belonging. It articulates your struggle.far from being preached at, you'll join myraid sourjourners who have been in your shoes. They know what it's like. They've experienced times when the sun went dark. Their feet have slipped too. But somehow they kept believing. "


On page 119 it says " sometimes the only appropriate response to suffering is boundless brief. Lament is the cry of a heart that is shattered,raw, and largely unhealed. David screamed how long Lord? Jeremiah overwhelmed by the opression he witnessed , implored God to intervene. Job despaired. Jacob wrestled. Moses challenged . Abraham doubted. Mary questioned. Jesus wept. God still runs to us, and weeps with us there. . "

On page 130 it says" if he promised that he would never leave me or forsaken me, why am I so lonely. I read the Bible and see stories of God speaking to his people. Why doesn't he do that for me? When I pray, it's like my words fall o deaf ears. Where are you God? I'd God disappointed in me? Have I done something wrong,? Why is he holding me back?. "


Be still and then you will know God. The only way I can hear the whisper of God is if I silence the noise around me and within me on page 137.: On page 152 it says " deep faith is an intimate , tenacious, all of life, sweaty, bloody, sometimes clumsy, and always real encounter with God . It means taking in a your fears,sins, and insecurities and doubts and going head to head with God. You'll probably be get bruised, broken and list your swag. But it's better to be an authentic mess before God than a fake religious person. Faith means going all in. You'll be transformed because you've wrestled with God . You've encountered him in new and intimate ways. Your not the same person that you used to be. You've died and come alive. And now you only want more of him" page 161."

On page 174 it says " when the ancient Chinese cracked a valuable dish or jar , rather than throw it away, they adorn it with a gold leaf. This wasn't done to hide the break but draw attention to it. We're not going to pretend the brokenness doesn't exist. Instead were going to own it, share it, and turn it into something beautiful.  Someone called out to Jesus Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Jesus heard him. He didn't send him away, lecture him for his less than perfect faith. He answered his prayers, stepped into the brokenness and healed hid troubled son."

Disclosure of Material Connection. I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255. "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." Disclosure of Material Connection. I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, part 255. "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."