Attention burned-out believers and religious misfits! What if genuine faith begins with admitting you'll never have your act together? Offering a strong antidote for spiritual perfectionism, Yaconelli dares to suggest that "unfinishedness" accompanies true Christianity! Escape the "ought to" tyranny and discover the God who meets and transforms you in the midst of life's messiness. 176 pages, softcover from Zondervan.
What!? You’re not perfect? That’s all right, God loves you anyway. He even loves the author of this book, and he’s really a mess. There is a spirituality for people who often don’t feel very spiritual and it will bring you closer to God. Find it in this book.
Average Rating: 5 out of 5 stars(5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 8 Reviews Showing:
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Donald Lehrian (Seminole, FL), November 20, 2009
It's amazing how many Born Again, Spirit Filled, God Fearing(love and respect) Christians I have shared the message of this book with and the conversation becomes: Hey, that's me too and when I realize that I've slipped in "my" God relationship, I've been dissapointed in me and wondered how this could happen. This book helps me remember that only God is perfect and I am NOT even though God is working His perfection in me.
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Ann Askew (Birmingham, AL), June 02, 2009
This is an excellent read for those of us who need reassurance that we are not alone in wanting to know the God who meets us in all conditions, loves us unconditionally and doesn't want perfectionism.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Corrina Kelley (Lagrangeville, NY), January 21, 2009
What a wonderful book! Michael Yaconelli gets it. He understands grace from the inside out. He understands that we are all messed up and that is why we NEED a Savior! He blows the illusions of some churches and people who want Christianity and Jesus to be neat and tidy. Jesus brought radical thinking to the people of His time and for a lifetime. Christianity doesn't make sense. We don't get what we deserve. Instead we come to the feet of a loving God and He gives us grace, mercy, and compassion. He meets us in our sin and isn't scared to be there with us! And He loves us enough to save us from ourselves.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah Stovall (Buffalo, NY), January 20, 2009
I think this is a wonderful book. I've have not read a book in years that is more realistic than this one. I love to read, especially anything pertaining to the bible. The Title of the book is really why I bought it. I'm so glad I did. Now I don't feel so bad. I'm like a lot of people, that love the Lord, but feel that I miss the mark.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Patrick Timney (Georgetown, On,), January 23, 2008
I've read this book a couple of times, and we're now using it with our small group to provoke thinking and discussion. If you are looking for a knowledge based/intellectual type of book or study, this is not the book for you. However, if you want something that is honest, and straight-forward that will challenge status quo thinking, and will really cause you to think about your relationship with Christ and with others, this is the book for you.
The questions that accompany each chapter are of a more personal nature, designed to provoke discussion and, while some of them are a bit simplistic, are a good jumping off point for groups or even individuals.
I highly recommend this book, particularly for people who struggle with perfectionism, trying to live up to unrealistic expectations or who simply need to be reminded that God loves and works through broken, "messy" people!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by A Keith Turner (Hurtsboro, AL), January 07, 2008
Fantastic outta the box look at Christianity. Great for new church starts and those who do ministry with a fresh outlook
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Stephen Crawford (Stanley NC), October 10, 2007
This is an awesome work of of literary style. Mike knows from vast experience about the pain we go through in churches. We are to love one another, bear one another burdens and pray for one another. This book is absolutely essential to every one of GOD's children, it will give you insight into yourself and how GOD feels about you. Our responsibility is to respond to his ability.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Deborah (Auburn, CA), September 25, 2007
I give this book an unequivocal 5 stars. I have recently stopped attending a church (after almost 18 years!) where I have suffered emotional damage that I KNOW that the church leaders did not mean to inflict. We have obviously had long relationships and loved our leaders very much. Also, and most importantly, God did not release us earlier. In all fairness I've learned so much that although the experience had it's share of pain I would not trade it for anything. We are all here on this earth to learn! Anyway, this book was a wonderful balm to my spirit. The church members were always judged inadequate to lead in any way, only family members had any input in the church, and any of our perceived faults were proof of our inadequacy despite the fact that we old timers showed so much grace to the pastor for his faults! It was a one way street. We were disqualified and expected to keep cheering him on unconditionally. God released us recently and I felt like I'd had surgery and the novacaine had worn off. This book was such a balm for my spirit and has helped me so much. God's strength is made perfect in our weakness but man continues to forget that. I will be buying several copies for friends and relatives who are feeling inadequate. He is using all of us in the middle of our struggles! We will never "arrive" in this lifetime. I highly recommend this book. The enemy seeks to make us feel useless. This book will lead you to God's love for you which is ultimately what empowers us.
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