But when I go through a dark valley where I again am troubled with misconceptions of God, I pull your book out again, and it helps to bring the right perspective back into focus. It seems like youre name keeps popping up as weve learned from these folks, so weve been reading Whats so Amazing About Grace. I can barely get out of bed. 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. Darwin says it is adaptation to lifes conditions. I recommend 2 books by Lewis Smedes: Forgive and Forget and The Art of Forgiving. Michael, And this is where we find ourselves struggling. For two years she lived on the streets until finally she made her way to an orphanage. I read your book on prayer (Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?) I understand. All my best to you. Ive been reading your book Prayer, Does it Make any Difference over the last couple weeks. It certainly left me with feelings of disappointment with God! I could tell that I was not going to get a fair hearing with the Warden, so I let it go. Im sure many people can relate to some of your anecdotes. Jesus tells us not to fear. I have finished Part 1: How Sweet The Sound. I have not been honored back. You are doing very important work, Emily, and Im delighted to hear that weve come to some similar conclusions. I examined the envelope, which was pieces of papers scotched-taped together, and knew that it would not hold together for long. I read most of your books and watched youtube videos as well. Since then, Paul hated evangelical Protestants. what truth is? At one of the M2W2 meetings, Jim Shantz commented that the Mennonite Central Committee had just been meeting, and that one of the things discussed at the meeting was how the Israeli government was treating the Palestinians the same way as the Canadian government had treated its Aboriginal people. I miss my kids so much its like a deep grief. A reflexive Christian, (raised Baptist, drifted in and out of different denominations from college years deep into my 40s), I have tried to turn to God and fight through all this with Him, but I realized I didnt know how. I said, Stop shouting at me now. Currently we are working through Where is God when it hurts . Paul expressed no interest in reconciliation. Usually I end up throwing away 100-150 pages from each book, however. This is the last story I need to reference and my book will then go to formatting. Mr. Yancey: Thank you for all the writing you have done and your willingness to share your own struggles and doubts with those of us who read your books. Then, I search the scriptures and I see nowhere are we asked to give blanket forgiveness as a response to those who have done wrong to us. Yesterday she asked for me and said I wish I had your religion now which gave me an opening to share the faith. Im a fellow Protestant who has always held to the traditional penal/substitutionary view. I met some of the characters you describe in my inner-city Chicago church, and some more in Deep South churches. Such behavior is a violation of Canadian and international religious rights and freedoms, since all inmates have the right to celebrate their religious holidays. In my letter, I described all the verbal abuse that Paul had directed against me. Philip. Khaldoun Be blessed, sir! With The Jesus I Never Knew you hit the mark. Thanks for the important reminder, Tom. Thank you Phillip for taking your time in answering. I asked Phil Joy why he had never reported this, and he said that he feared losing his job like I had. "Yancey considers honestly the predicaments of human existence," declared a Publishers Weekly reviewer. I was excited when I read in this bio article that you are called to reach out to those who live in the borderlands of faith. Strangely, I find no record of an Italian translation. Capt Smith contacted all the Bishops and lamblasted me with who knows what all because of my SSA and the deed was done. I wear a hearing aid, and for some time it was not working properly because of malfunctioning batteries. Im feeling a strong pull to Catholicism or eastern Orthodox. But the rest of the Bible sometimes leaves me wondering what the truth really is; or perhaps what certain doctrinal beliefs have to say. I think you spoke at a conference one week but I was unable to attend. Thank you for struggling well and for your gifted, grace filled writings. I was excited to share with him and recommend your books to him. I felt like I was walking on egg shells as far as my faith and practice was concerned. Westman was never charged. Most people,Christians, that is, would rather have Trump because he is not part of the establishment Republicans. When I first came to the Edmonton Institution I asked a Visits and Correspondence (V and C) guard if I could put stamps on sympathy cards on behalf of prisoners who had no money for cards and stamps, and if I could give the cards to V and C for mailing. Philip. This is probably not the book to take along to a spiritual retreat for discussion, mainly because it is far too raw and honest. If you are interested in reading it, you can download a free electronic copy here: https://thefaithjourneyprocess.org/. You quoted the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, as an example of human suffering and tragedy. I have worked in medicine for 30 years. Namely, who is God and what is grace. It is a good read to see the tremendous good that was generated during that time. a cell phone in the gutter. I dont seem to feel much sympathy from other Christians and John Stotts comments have not helped in this respect I just feel more alienated. When we learn to operate by faith, open up our hearts and our souls to the Holy Spirit for Him to take the lead and believe that Jesus died for me to pay the debt I owed by couldnt pay, we open our lives to transformation beyond our wildest imagination. They say, We loan because: We care about human beings and understand that it takes people to help people. The Christians say, We loan because: Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world. Would it be possible to receive a donation? You encouraged me to keep the journal and use it as history. Hey watch out for those peaceful protestors! You will see me more because there are questions I really want to ask you and Just sharing my gratitude for all your writing. But one thing that has not changed is the presence of your books in my life, and their ability to challenge and encourage me in my faith. The contents had not changed. Maybe just not as fast as many would like. I have danced through phases and seasons, and been dragged through others, but my faith is intact, and even maybe even grown, in the process. That gave me courage. Ghian I am trying new churches, but I often feel a bit of a loner. 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. Christobel herself refused to stand with me, saying that she was not going to lose her job for me. I loved that book but Im not writing you now for any renumerationI was more impressed (and touched) by your letter. In short, Im a true fan of your work and I hope you continue to write. Jesus would not have had this response, had he been condemning the young man. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedicated service to God. You cant very well save someone with a spirit of condemnation. Yes! The difference in my life as I patiently built a relationship with God on the daily is like day and night. I found the book so helpful, and encouraging in its frank honesty. Ive been thinking about how that affects my relationship with God. I love Korean people, but it hurts me because of the pressure to perform, and the perfectionism that can become a huge burden. I was a scrawny little thing. He compassionately vetted refugees and bravely fought terrorists overseas, worked as Policy head for the Republicans in Congress, and has business experience. Matthew had the best medical care available, a loving church that cared for him and his family, and parents who loved and prayed for him. May He continue to bless you. God provides support and solidarity, yes, but not protectionat least not the kind of protection we desperately long for. Turn the other cheek. As I often say, If I were God, I wouldnt have turned over the mission to the likes of us. I have been struggling with my life. One day I hope to do a book on writing, and then Ill try to figure out an answer to your question. At this point, we seek to see Gods love and reflect that love in our daily actions. Dear Philip. I purchased my first copy about 18 years ago and have since blessed others with copies too. Brand & I was blown away. [T]he so-called parents of the children who were massacred were merely Crisis Actors employed for a government-sponsored propaganda campaign to push for gun-control. As was my habit, I said hello to people passing by. I identify so well with what you write. Hes gotten past his anger, and is open to spirituality, more of the New Age kind. Philip. In The Bible Jesus Read, Yancey challenges the perception that the New Testament is more important than the Old, that the Hebrew Scriptures aren't worth the time they take to read and understand them.Writing as always with keen insight into the human condition and God's provision for . I just wanted to say that your book, Reaching for the Invisible God, has brought me much-needed hope during an unprecedented and unexpected period of doubt in my life. we must trust God with what God already knows. This seems so contrary to your book on grace and, actually, to other comments you make in Prayer. I dont think we have to anything other than open to God. Philip. Almost fifty years, in fact. Id listen to others talk about hearing from God so easily and felt two layers of shame one from my own doubts (is my faith not real?) But Christianity is completely the opposite. But I have questions.so many questions right now. Then Imam Ramazan, who was also in the meeting, added that I had gone into my own office one day, locked the door and refused to open it for them. You make a good point about my pedantic language, and Ill need to watch that. Thank you, Matt. Is he still at the same place he was when you originally wrote the book? My Personal Pilgrimage, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 1998. I have just ordered the last one The Question that Never Goes Away. Sincerely, Dwight. Havent we all? (which has helped us both tremendously). His return to faith was not the product of typical Christian evangelism. I asked him what he thought I should do and he said: Resign. I have a copy that is always in my carry-on and I read it and re-read it over and over, always moved to tears as I zoom my way through. Poisoned carrots are the lure, the gullible receive man-made wisdom And for perhaps the first time, I was able to articulate so many of my experiences or lackthereof with God and the church. 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. This is not helping the Evangelical cause. I used to attend a local Church. Now I am 68yrs old, retired nurse and creative therapist: my husband a clergyman, divorced 17yrs ago but remarried to the same man(!) I was having issues downloading Where is God When it Hurts and had to call Amazon. We found a doctor (Dr. William Norwood) who developed a series of surgeries to ameliorate the defect. Just this summer I have been reading your book and it is speaking to me very clearly and refreshing my heart! I went through a period of reacting against everything I was taught, and even discarding my faith. Evil spirits are definitely present, existing somehow independently of the natural world. Noa, Your words beautifully make the point I tried to express in the blog. Dad inscribed it, saying he thought my reading it would leave me hungry for more in the way of spiritual things, and that has been true. Enjoyed very much your message video to folks in Newtown. Forever thankful for your ministry and help! After I told him what Paul had said, he went to talk to the Warden. May our great God grant you wisdom to write more so that you can continue become a blessing for others in pain and those in great agony. One of the Christian World's Most Thoughtful Writers Offers a Fresh Take on an Ancient Spiritual Practice," p. 48, and review of Prayer, p. 49. This is what the Torah says, and Its requisite to becoming a Christian Christ is there waiting for us to accept Him. Of course that is true, but also rather clinical. Ps. Im reading through Vanishing Grace for a second time right now, and I keep thinking, this is what I want!, sometimes with tears. We both come from a Pentecostal/charismatic background, but we dont really classify ourselves as such, as Since I am only a couple of years older than you (I think your brother was probably in my class at Wheaton, but in a clean-out phase, I no longer have my yearbooks to check! The chapter Why God Doesnt Explain is to me the most profound. In January 2011 alone and hated by homophobic leadership, bullied and lied to by bishops I trusted with my life. Dear Phillip, I am Munir Masih from Pakistan. I loved the guest post by David Bannon in the fall. Where is God When It Hurts and Christian books by Dorothy Sayers were my salvation during my years in Frankfurt. Could you please tell me if this quote is from you and what is the source of the quote? I am not on facebook only email. We searched and searched and prayed and prayed for a solution, until we found In the Likness of God. Your relationship with Dr. Paul Brand and your amazing work together inspired us and acted as our model for Come, Walk with Me. We published Come, Walk with Me in 2020. Welcome to the family, Scott. Chaplain Paul and Bridges Manager Brian Harder knew all this, but this did not stop their verbal attacks against each other and against me. Already on edge because of Pauls warnings, I asked if he wanted me to resign. An old friend reached out to me and invited me to her church to be loved on. You are quoted as having said, I tend to go back to the Bible as a model, because I dont know a more honest book, I believe there is one more honest book in the world than the Bible, and that is The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ. My Dad was a devoted Christian and he never committed the crime he was accused. I lost my job at the prison for reporting abuse of prisoners ,one a guard for having a retarded female North American Indian prisoner naked on the floor in his control room with her legs spread apart and him looking in. As a Mother now, I am very cognizant of trying to avoid my children growing up with that image of Jesus and the gospel that I grew up with. I am so glad I was able to represent my Saviour, my God, on Wall St that day. I walked out of the chapel in shock, to talk to the Acting Warden, Clovis LaPointe. Ted B. I just finished rereading Whats So Amazing About Grace, since my pastor chose it as this years Lenten study book. You cannot know how much encouragement I take from this note. Thats it. Everything has been thrown at me Ive fallen through every crack in some of americas pillar Christians . I looked for a psychiatrist and his diagnosis: anxiety. This year is the tenth anniversary of my accident, and your prayers have been answeredin reverse! I have tried to fit-in with a local church for 9 years, but have recently left because I found no real warmth, or friendship there, even though I was a steward for a number of years and was involved with making coffee on the church rota. His books have sold more than fifteen million copies in English and have been translated into forty languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. I wake up in the early morning and start my day in a quiet house with prayer and meditation on two books the Bible (currently the Book of James) and your book. Instead of talking it through with me and praying ,they reacted by removing me from the mens dorm, . Even though DWG addresses different questions than what I was dealing with, it still helped me immensely. I kept hoping that by the last chapter you would say that Richard finally made peace with God and is walking with him (I didnt make the connection with your dedication at the front of the book). He uses anecdotes from the modern world and from his own spiritual search to highlight the issues facing Christians today, such as how to find a relationship with God in an increasingly hectic and secular world. Ive been mainly working on a memoir, but sometime in 2019 (probably Fall), will release a newly redone version of my writings with Dr. Pauls Direct Push for My Resignation The body usually wins. It should be to, number two, the family of man, and number one, the planet at large. Increase your biblical knowledge or pursue a career in ministry. Despite having traveled a vast distance from my conservative Christian origins, Ive never ceased to be moved his books. at a time I too was having many struggles with prayer; still am, but hopefully getting better. My prayer for him is that he may have a Damascene encounter and emulate the dramatic change that took place in Pauls life. Several times the Epistles urge us to bring God pleasure. Peace, I have spent my adult life in ministry, raised a large family, but recently went through a nasty divorce after 30 yrs due to my wife having mental health illness. I have read your books over the years and gained from them. Or punched a hole in the wall. I was also never given a full tour of the Institution and therefore had to try and find my way around as best I could. But my faith is in God and I will continue to pray, not so much for my wants and petitions, as to grow in knowledge and relationship with God. I have been struggling mightily with the New Testament worldview of demons as opposed to our modern worldview. 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 just wanted to get away from the many bad people in the church, government and police in Alberta who had ruined my life. I have read a couple of your books and it has catapulted me to beautiful planets beyond this life. My position on the Board of COPE was terminated and my reputation was dragged into the dirt. May he who set the galaxies ablaze keep your heart burning for him. It has been a great help to me to bringing to realisation my thoughts around what my attitude to many of the issues confronting Christians today should be; the answer is to be graceful of course. You always ask the biggest questions and tackle them in challenging, thoughtful ways. Please do let me know! Miracle during her surgery the doctor could not find the cancer spread as per their prediction. We dealt with this story in church yesterday and I feel I have to defend the Samaritan woman at the well. To sum up, the natural world is what we live in and we are a part of it. And Lynn Green justified her actions by saying it was what she was taught. The misrepresentation of grace is actually the death of truth. Perhaps He knows something we cannot understand that most of His children who are not believers yet are actually Future Believers? It has been such a blessing in my life. Salutations. Thank you. At the time I was in the midst of finding my way through young adult life in NYC where I had moved to forge my own path away from Arkansas, where I was raised. Philip. Doing so I reached a woman who told me it was her daughters phone. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. Bless you in your honest journey. This ongoing pandemic has combined with unrelated health and economic setbacks to really take a severe toll on my family. And I now have an entirely new perspective on Him, what he promises me, and what its like to know Him. So I am looking you up to ask for your feedback. For the first month or so I had a running commentary on Pauls hatred for evangelical Protestants in general and Barry in particular. We love your books and DVDs and use your Grace Notes each morning to start our day. I hope you keep on writing. Mere Christianity ~ C.S. He shook my hand, and said twice said, Father Richard you are a good man.. Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?, Zondervan (Grand Rapids, MI), 2006. Keep quiet. Nevertheless, Monty, Frank and I had an ongoing close relationship, both personally and professionally. What Good is GOD is another heart touching book in my hands now. It came at a very important time in my life. As for C.S. Her mussle was tickened-stiff and blocked the joint, so she could not move the way normal people move. My Church is experiencing a major challenge shaking us to the roots. And when God did not answer our pray the way we wanted, it did not mean He leave us alone in our struggle. Thank you. Let humanity directly seek the Maker, shun all pious blackguards Thank you so much in advance for your patience and sorry for making it so long but I feel its so important for me. She had called ahead and warned them this queer as she saw me was on the way. Editor at large, Christianity Today. Youve have a profound influence on countless numbers of readers. Barry Rose, the chaplain that I had come to replace. The earth must become as it appears: blue and white, not capitalist or Communist; blue and white, not rich or poor; blue and white, not envious or envied. Michael Collins, Gemini 10 & Apollo 11. Please let me know if you would like copies for review. Right there and then Paul informed me that he had no intention of helping me to get oriented or settled in. I believe the assault was targeted at me because it was widely known at the time that I was one of the staff that had been interviewed by the federal correctional investigator, Ivan Zinger. However, the date of retrieval is often important.