Very few had come to my aid. Is he able, but not willing? But so many of us prayed and then (I believe) God gave us a new candidate McMullin was asked to run at last minute, he is not a power-grabber. One day Paul told me, You were involved in homosexual acts. I saw Reaching for the Invisible God. I am an avid reader with diverse tastes, but I have never bought a Christian book before. The Evaluation Team Blessings and Shalom! We forgive others because He forgave us. He was shocked by such a question, and said there was no security issue concerning me. Although I did not find that the book helped me at all, I have to applaud you on your writing style. Yancey gives humorous as well as pathetic accounts of his early life, including living as trailer trash and getting in trouble in schoolsmost often because of his renegade brilliance. Actually, I really wanted to say, YOUR BOOK CHANGED MY LIFE! but somehow that didnt seem appropriate. And yet, my desire to help others comes directly from the Bible. Thanks for the detailed description, and for not giving up on Christs Body, deformed as it is. I have been looking for a study guide to go along with this book tried Amazon and Christianbook.com as well as your site here, but I gather there isnt one. Gratefully, Philip, For the first time in my 40 uears as a Christian, I am able to give Christian books to non-Christians. My wife and I after 2 years of marriage are still in a discernment process about where to worship. Would you consider coming to Oklahoma City? I didnt feel like a giant. This little girl spent the day helping the little boys get ready by cleaning them up, combing their hair, and wondering which one would be adopted by this American couple. He threw me up against the wall, shouted at me to get out, and pushed me forcefully out of the door and back into the hallway. Pagpalain ka ng Diyos! He blamed them for destroying chaplaincy. I treasure it. Oh God I dont know if I can keep this up. And the one like it? Im from Indonesia, and I love to read your books. You shared how you have learned to not even try to address the why questions but try to help people to see that God does care about us in our suffering. When I read Whats So Amazing About Grace, it feels like Im listening to a gifted story teller, with the occasional commentary or explanation following a story. Please, keep writing friend. You intrigue me with your questions that I myself am too afraid to ask out loud. You see even though I knew the physical work we were doing would not last, I was very happy doing it. . Is he a noble pagan like the Church Fathers viewed Plato and Aristotle? One last thing and a shameless plug I think its really cool that you take the time to coorespond to so many of the people that write you. Thank you for the encouragement. Im 68, a year shy of three times your age, and to hear that somehow my words leap across time and even generationswell, thats a great gift that you gave me. Eventually Barry had enough of Pauls abuse and resigned. He speaks and writes on a very down to earth level, and his examples from his own life make all the difference in understanding what he means. Hello Mr.Yancey! There must be a source somewhere, but after 42 years (the books original date) and four moves, I doubt seriously that Ill be able to put my hands on it. I have honored this pledge by giving my whole life to the vulnerable in this country; to the young, the elderly, the sick, the dying, to prisoners and anyone in need. And all of us Americans are addicted to Comfort. I do not find comfort in a God that hides. And actually, Im not very expressive facially myself, so Im glad that when I speak, not everyone in the audience responds like me. We lost Jacob back in 2009. He claims to believe in grace and to have faith in a "Jesus." So what is grace? Thank you in anticipation of your time and attention. That is very exciting. I have just started reading your book on Prayer. My pain, as I type is palpable. There is nothing in Johns account to suggest she was an amoral woman. Not a d**n thing. One thing that occurred to me (probably way too simplistic, but . Im also glad youve started writing. I dont want to disappoint you, but I dont throw away 10 pages for every 1 page I keep. Prayer: Thank you Lord for Your sacrifice, your unconditional love and for Your hope.
Where the Light Fell: A Conversation with Philip Yancey Jenny, a strict Roman Catholic, complied with whatever Chaplain Paul requested, even when it violated Canadian and international religious rights and freedoms. Hi Philip, Such places of suffering in Slovenia are only 300. Religion still ensures regular mayhem with its confusing messages, ITS strategically chosen alias, is something called Christianity I first met the founder of Bridges of Canada, Monty Lewis, in 1982. Our Homegroup have just studied your book on Prayer and now will start the next bookWhats so amazing about grace. I am 41 and have lived with Major Depressive Disorder since I was 17. We bring up the fact that we ALL deserve judgement for our sins, and everyone is quiet. One evening, in the yard between Unit 5 and the main building, I asked Chaplain Paul to forgive me if I had hurt or offended him, saying that we as Christians need to forgive and to let go of hate and anger. When some staff had asked me to bless their homes, to pray with them and to help them spiritually, Paul told them that I was not a real priest because I was not RC. Thanks so much for your service to the hurting. A few days later he came back to tell me that the book I had given him was awesome. Sitting on my couch in the soft glow of a lamp, I felt a deep desire to do the kind of work you and many others have done and are doinglifting people up with words. We had the privilege of meeting you and your lovely wife a few years ago when you were the guest speaker at Cherry Creek Presbyterian Churchs Chautaqua@Creek event. I have been job searching in my profession and interviewing for months with no success. By the time I had given out about 15 stamps/cards, word had gotten around to Paul. In August that year he completed his goal of climbing all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot (4,300m)-plus peaks, the final three after his accident.[10]. Beyond that, what can I say? Having himself undergone crises of faith, Yancey understands the varying degrees of belief amongst his readers, and he challenges Christians to become less judgmental and more childlike in their faith. Khaldoun A multi headed hydra brilliantly dividing mankind employing sages I have read Prayer and it fundamentally changed my prayer life. Currently I am reading Reaching for the Invisible God. Yes, I would recommend the books by Lewis Smedes, who wrote at least two on forgiveness. Did not one parent pray before their child left for school, God protect my child? Did not one child themselves pray, God protect me? How can you possibly say to a Newtown parent, Yes! Blessings! Nobody was saying a word and looked hopeless. Your courage in confronting difficult subjects, and, when necessary, standing against Christian populism, encouraged me during the difficult task of researching and then writing and publishing a book (something Id not done before). His books have sold more than 15 million copies in English and have been translated into 40 languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. The first such institutions include Nyack Missionary Training Institute, founded by A.B. I also questioned the sincerity of Christians and legalism but, unlike Yancey, music was not important early in my life, mainly because music lessons were forced upon me. Upon arrival at the Edmonton Institution I was met by a Mrs. Cunningham, but not the Assistant Warden of Intervention (AWI). I just found your book Christians and Politics: Uneasy Partners. He responded by screaming at me, Leave my things alone! Philip. I am currently reading your book Whats so amazing about Grace and want to thank you for it. Our church is talking about doing a book study using one of your books in the fall. As dvidas de J foram silenciadas por uma viso de Deus respondendo-o de um redemoinho. We heard about love and grace, but I didnt experience much. I first learned of the tradition in Annie Dillards book For the Time Being. I cannot feel its right to leave her on her own regularly, even though she would never stop me. He began to gain back his life and ministry, in the midst of an uncomfortable and unpleasant life. (Compiler and author of introduction) More Than Words: Contemporary Writers on the Works That Shaped Them, Baker Books (Grand Rapids, MI), 2002. We bring up grace at a Bible study and people dont respond. A few minutes later, tears were streaming down my face and I was trying to hold back the sobs as I finished your description of Babettes Feast and said to myself, Can this really be true? As I searched for other texts to read on the subject (Christology) I found books only written in a bit of a heady fashion. I couldnt finish the Gracia Divina Vs. Condena Humana but this afternoon my dad found the english versin Whats so Amazing About Grace and that tile immediately got my attention, I forgot I had it as a gift from a Pastor I meet in North Carolina, making a long story short I started reading tonight and what a much difference feeling. I am an attorney and father of 6- just wondering.In Christ,Peter. With kind regards Alison Veness, I do indeed get to U.K. now and then, so watch my Facebook site. You are on the front lines; I sit in an office in isolation and write. As for Nigeria, thank you for the invitation! I just cant accept this as a Master Plan. His musings on these questions eventually formed the basis for his book, Where Is God When It Hurts?, an award-winning volume that has sold over 500,000 copies. Thank you for having such courage to write such a book and I want to know how you did it. This truly encourages me. This never bothered me much till I recently read a volume about Darwinism. Any other ideas? I told the Warden that I would buy my own couch; I planned to buy a futon couch from IKEA with private funds I had for my ministry. Even after reading all these books on prayer there is so much I do not understand about it. I didnt write the script to Prince of Egypt. (With Paul Brand) In His Image, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1984. I was becoming uncomfortable around them and the things they said. Our church (House of Prayer, Blairsville, GA) plans to study Whats So Amazing About Grace in January. I have read two (2) books on prayer and have yet to hear from God or to even to have learned to pray. I am disappointed as I come to the end of your books, but Ive also benefited from authors you speak about such as CS Lewis and Jurgen Moltmann. But my son is a delight and has grown into a fine man with a child of his own. Evidence of Gods presence is a teen placing a knife under some flowers while days before 16 children and 1 teacher at Dunlane Primary School are gunned down? We help young men from addictive backgrounds with life controlling issues. Its so nice to see someone brave enough to be real. I did continue to worship with the denominational churches I used to belong to but I find myself arguing in my mind against the messages I hear Sunday after Sunday. I can say that suffering taught me my greatest lesson: Empathy! I am ashamed about not having written to thank you decades ago. God does not give up on you, people say. I havent gone back to the book yet, but am hoping that I dont pass out again while reading it. I was particularly disturbed when you quoted your brother who used to quote 1 Chronicles (parbar) and people thought he was speaking in tongues. Noa, Your words beautifully make the point I tried to express in the blog. At last I said, No, Im sorry, I cant promise that. None of us is exempt. You communicate very well in English! Im open to the theophany. So, at the end of the day, blaming GOD (who wants to be loved but does not partake in a two-way conversation) seems plausable. I have never known a kinder, more generous, selfless (and, yes Christ-like) human being in my life than he isand yet, at a recent demonstration (in NYC, the Climate Justice March, and Flooding Wall Street), where I made signs with verses from Isaiah, Psalms, and other places, about our obligation to defend the poor, to be on the side of the oppressed, etcand he held them with mehe said, Christians dont like me. Sad but true. There are some sensitive and controversial aspects to this book that I need help navigating, and Whats So Amazing is just that. I could see Bob was really talking about patience, faith and forgiveness by suspending his judgement. Yancey is a famous writer who has written 25 books and this one should make him even more renowned. Our guest speaker was John Haddad who often shared excerpts of your book, Reaching for the Invisible God. He also shared that you were gracious enough to provide each family with a copy of the book. Thank you. Thank you for taking your time writing this book and share your journey I could tell that you put considerable work and time into it. And, thank goodness, the South has changed quite a bit too. Phil goes on to quote Isaiahs take on a child who would be called Wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, [who] would someday restore justice to the Earth. This, of course, begs the question, When Phil? My HIV-pos. Thank you for taking the time to write these books, share your own journey and bring hope to people who need to noodle over these things. And Perhaps until that fine day, He sees most of us as being just temporarily out of order. Having to create fictional religions has been challenging being a man of faith, history suggests that people from different regions were susceptible to different beliefs, as far fetched as worshiping water its-self. Gah. ha ha . I consider myself a Mark Twain agnostic atheist after a Lutheran upbringingor better, feel as though Ive graduated from churchturning to Buddhism afterward, and most admiring the Unitarians for their inclusiveness. Im reading Disappointment with God again and just wrote a devotional to In the Upper Room speaking from my experience. And how fortunate I am to read your writing & share it to help with that. As a gay Christian, how should I read you concerning same sex relationships? Keep writing HONESTLY, because you build bridges to others who are struggling to figure out what the heck the Christian life is all about. During the debriefing at the end of the evaluation, which included Bridges manager Brian, no issues or major concerns were brought up. This created a big disconnect for me, and I have spent years assuming that the disconnect was a sign of my own unbelief. I saw tears running down his face and I knew if they could, they wouldve taken the whole group of kids home with them. She said, Then he saw me out of the corner of his eye. Im grateful you took the time to write and I am thankful for the open discussion youre willing to have with all your readers. In recent years, though, it embraced more and more of what I term evangelical culture and sadly became quite intolerant both in teaching and in practice. I have weird tastes in movies. Ive thought of a simple little one-room bookstore in my tiny country town where I could sit and read and perhaps interact with the visitors who come looking for books and Jesus. Army chaplains invited me to attend church and I took them up on it. I pray and pray and pray and pray.no response. Though written for an election that now seems eons in the past, I am finding it perhaps even more relevant today. And, as you know, it continues to evolve. Thank you for your gracious honesty. Your writing, at the very least, extends sympathy to the likes of me. -Emily More than 30 years of committed faith coupled with countless hours invested in scripture, bible group study, supporting books and prayer have still led to a frustrating distance from a God who professes unconditional love and acceptance. Thank you for asking and bringing up the questions that are rarely spoken about, and helping me understand that my occasional doubt is necessary for deeper reaches and experiences with God. and Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? Really amazing! You may know that I went back and updated/revised the two books in one volume: Fearfully and Wonderfully. I dont know enough to comment very lucidly. I was amazed at the odds of meeting his wife in a park where she does not even live, the same week as he took my couch. I was tempted to stop writing and look for another job to provide to my family, because, you know, sometimes is not just enough that you feel your job as writer is useless, its also the Spains political and economical crisis; its look threatening poverty into the eyes. make booking inquiries, Phil tries to reassure me over and over that just faith that God is in control offers great comfort and peace. Phil, You should have my e-mail, and I would love to meet you. As a Protestant, I believe youre right that God wants us to keep digging, and in doing so to emphasize the universals (love being at the top) more than any set of dogmatic beliefs. Thank you for writing these books, and I hope that you will continue to use your gift for words to walk alongside those who struggle with doubt. BARTH, KARL (18861968), Swiss Reformed theologian, described by Pope Pius XII as the greatest theologian since Thomas Aquina, Most ancient societies and religions had an idea of an afterlife judgment, especially understood as a "weighing of souls," where the gods would rewar, Nicholson, William 1948- For whatever it is worth, I have passed this perspective on and tell you quite honestly that I have and do pray for you. Where Is God When It Hurts?, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1977, revised edition, Walker and Co. (New York, NY), 1996. I finally got permission to bring in bins with lids for the garbage, to cut down on the flies buzzing around. Its impossible to read your books, though, and not sense some of the underlying pain that you feel about your early years. Most of them said, Forgiveness is disappearance of sin. Romans 8:18-25 is fairly clear on that. FYIO, Ill give here one good source for checking the numbers. I had paid dearly for following the Deputy Wardens teaching to report illegal activities. Philip. Of course God will protect you. My two most common phrases are I dont know what to believe and Lord, is this really you?. I do not remember now for which publication. (Wish I could post the pic) This is my 3rd time reading Rumors. Im sorry I came across to you as bitter and cynical. Traveling widely for speaking engagements, he has visited over 85 countries. The book is almost in the tenth hand and everyone has the same testimony My salvation is full of grace than before! A class in writing here and there can help, yes, though I wouldnt necessarily plunge into an English degree; these days what you learn in university doesnt always translate easily into popular communication. It appears to me that nothing, from Elizabeth Fritzl to Stalin to the 2004 Tsunami, will force a real discussion. That said, I felt like you sold yourself short in some ways as you described this transient nature of art. Christobel herself refused to stand with me, saying that she was not going to lose her job for me. At Gwen and Mikes encouragement, I filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in PEI.
PHILIP YANCEY: Why I Don't Go to a Megachurch In 2012, I wrote to Queen Elizabeth about the children that were being sexually abused by Anglican priests. Jesus can deal with the details in his life, just as he deals with the details in all of our lives. It oftens brings me to tears when I read it because I see my own history in that woman, thats what is so amazing about Jesus, his Grace. I am the president of a Bible college and a seminary. Audible downloads are great for myself but not easy to give as gifts. Couldnt all of that money have been better spent? God has never seemed more distant and this passivity doesnt seem to be doing it for me any more. Isnt it more important that he embrace Jesus first? Never my friend, never stop doing what God gave you as gift, never stop fascinating people with your wise words. Am I an anomaly and a monster because of this? I wanted to check in on your blog today just to thank you for helping me through an incredibly distressing time in my life. Sherlock Holmes once said that when you rule out the impossible, you are left with the merely improbable. She tried to raise her little girl as best she could until the rejection became just too much. The doctor declared her status free from cancer, post operation and surgery. You honor and humble me to hear that I helped you back on the path that I found with such struggle myself. My prayer for him is that he may have a Damascene encounter and emulate the dramatic change that took place in Pauls life. I am honored to call you my brother in Christ. I complete the one-year, graduate level thirty hours in four months with no grade lower than an A.. Struggling with anger towards divorce? The following year, in 2016, Gord Dominey was charged with over 30 counts of sexual abuse. When I became a Christian at 16, your book The Jesus I Never Knew was the first Christian book I read. Ive been to your great country three times, and wish it were more. By the way, I have read all your books, I think. No doubt youve heard me say that no one now worships Poseidon, Zeus, Ra, Odin or Quetzalcoatl. Not long after the Korean War, a Korean woman had an affair with an American soldier and became pregnant. It is much needed in our Christian world today. It seems apparent they feel waiting for Gods intervention is misplaced.