Brokenness. We deny it, but our innumerable doubts and fears reveal its constant presence. We try and hide from it, but it's lurking behind every concealed corner. In Searching for God Knows What Donald Miller explores the countless ways that we try to fix our brokenness, which work about as well as the attempts of the king's men to put Humpty back together again, and clearly guides us to the fix we've been frantically looking for: redemption. Through clear biblical teaching and witty, engaging stories, Don Miller will help us to confess our brokenness and find the fix we've been searching for.
In Searching for God Knows What, Donald Miller’s provocative and funny book, he shows readers that the greatest desire of every person is the desire for redemption. Every person is constantly seeking redemption (or at least the feeling of it) in his or her life, believing countless gospels that promise to fix the brokenness. Typically their pursuits include the desire for fulfilling relationships, successful careers, satisfying religious systems, status, and escape. Miller reveals how the inability to find redemption leads to chaotic relationships, self-hatred, the accumulation of meaningless material possessions, and a lack of inner peace. Readers will learn to identify in themselves and within others the universal desire for redemption. They will discover that the gospel of Jesus is the only way to find meaning in life and true redemption. Mature believers as well as seekers and new Christians will find themselves identifying with the narrative journey unfolded in the book, which is simply the pursuit of redemption.
"Miller . . . writes on faith with candor and passion reminiscent of Frederick Buechner and Anne Lamott." -The Oregonian
"Like a shaken snow globe, Donald Miller’s newest collection of essays creates a swirl of ideas about the Christian life that eventually crystallize into a lovely landscape . . . [He] is one of the evangelical book market’s most creative writers." -Christianity Today
"For fans of Blue Like Jazz, I doubt you will be disappointed. Donald Miller writes with the wit and vulnerability that you expect. Sharing stories of his upbringing and his journey in more recent years, he perfectly illustrates important themes in a genuine and humorous manner . . . For those who would be reading Miller for the first time, this would be a great start. -Relevant
"Whenever people ask me about Donald Miller, I notice the first thing I say is, ’That guy can write.’ Having met Don, I also know he seeks to live what he writes, or better said, he writes what he lives. That, I think, is the top credential for a person who writes about ultimate concerns-spirituality, meaning, purpose, life, God, and joy. In Searching for God Knows What, you’ll find more of his great writing, honest feeling, and spiritual insight to help you on your journey. -Brian McLaren Pastor, Author-www.anewkindofchristian.com
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Charles Costolo (Fairview, PA), August 03, 2009
Don Miller connects with me. This book took a lot of "loose ends" in my life and pulled them together. I thoroughly enjoyed his illustrations and the vulnerability with which he shares. This book took me further up the "mountain". I have a broader view and a better understanding of the people and events that have had an impact on my life and why. I have purchased many copies of this book as gifts for the people in my life...It's a very good book.
1.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sean (Chesapeake, VA), May 13, 2009
I read this book at the high suggestion of my brother, whom I love dearly. But, unfortunately, I came away from the read with a less than positive view of it. Miller seems to be an author who wants to focus on the "romance" Christians should be having with Christ, instead of seeing our relationship with Christ as one of servant and Lord. Christ's message was one of complete self denial and focus on Him only. His desire is for us to follow Him alone...why? Because He knows what's best for us. How can we know what He desires for us? By living in the Word. And I found Miller's book lacking in balanced Scriptural references for many of the points that he tried to illustrate. Proof texting is dangerous because it can be used to make the Word ONLY say what the user WANTS it to say. It is an absolute truth that many people have done great harm to the world's perception of Christianity in the name of Christ, but if you analyze their actions against what Christ would have us do, you'll find them far from Christ's example and leadership. Christians should always cross check ideas against the Scripture, in a larger capacity than simple proof-texting, to reveal the wholeness of Christ's message. As Christians, we profess to follow Christ...His nature, His teachings (all of them), and His desire for our lives. Miller appears to be following the trend we're seeing to move away from the hard truths of the gospel, and only focus on the soft loving ideals associated with Christ. Both parts make up the whole, and they need to both be present in a discussion of Christ's life. Christ demanded nothing short of a new way of life in Him. New creation, born again...however we look at, it is clear that following Christ asks of us much more than many of us have really considered. Let us continue to count the cost...and always recognize that grace through Christ is free - but we must believe in Him. So now...define believe!
2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David R Bess (Charleston, WV), October 28, 2008
This book is an entertaining, fresh perspective on Christianity. The author makes some insightful, amusing observations, rambling from one topic of the Christian life to the next. I found myself smiling often as I moved through the pages, wondering how in the world a person could make such a profound point in such a rudimentary way. I would have given the book four or five stars if it had possessed more content. Still, for an entertaining, fresh perspective on a relationship with Jesus, it is worth the price and the read.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jennifer Benedetti (Santa Rosa, CA), July 07, 2008
I loved Blue Like Jazz, just had to get this one. Love the way Don Miller writes...I get him. I recommend it!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Lee Harris (Indianapolis, IN), July 06, 2008
My church gave a copy of this book to every man in the congregation for Father's Day, 2008. This book is incredible. Many times I had to stop and reflect, return to material, etc. Miller put Jesus into a 'light' that truly had escaped me. Never really approached my relationship with Him quite this way. I recommend this book to others and am sharing my copy with other family members. It would be a tremendous small group study.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tylor Long (Guthrie Center, IA), January 04, 2006
For anyone who is sick of formulaic religion and longing for a true, close relationship with God, this book is must read. Through personal and biblical examination and with gut wrenching honesty, Miller shows us that formulaic religion taken out of the relational dynamic is not only harmful, but an insult to the Creator. "Searching for God Knows What" is an excelent work that I would highly recomend.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marc Miller (Woodland Hills, CA), October 27, 2005
Donald Miller's "Searching for God Knows What" and Robert Lewis' "The Church of Irresistible Influence" should be required reading for any Christian who wants to renew their love for Jesus Christ. These two books have recently rekindled my faith in the person and work of Jesus and has given me a new direction in my Christian walk. I was so tired of the dozens of formulaic approach books that I've read over the past 10 years that I was ready to just scream. I grew extremely weary of the so-called culture war and was looking for a reason to just "Love" people into the kingdom. Both these books showed me why Jesus redeemed me and why He wants to redeem as many as possible.
If you want to return to your first love, give these two books a read. Read them together, or in any order you prefer, just read them! The 21st century church in America needs to wake up.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Parker Duffie (Austin, Texas), August 28, 2005
This is Donald Miller's best book yet. He looks at the gospel of Jesus in a new way. He brings the focus back on the man that died for every one of us. This book will change your view on Jesus and make you fall in love with him all over again.
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