As a pastor and teacher, Anthony Weber tried to help people deal with the grief that accompanied the death of a loved one. In 2003, he experienced that loss for himself when his father, a minister and counselor, died of pancreatic cancer while still in his fifties. Suddenly, Anthony's personal experience challenged his carefully crafted theological understanding of pain and grief.
Anthony had to revisit a lot of big questions that he thought were resolved: Why is life so hard? What kind of God allows this, and why? Why do I feel so disconnected from others? How do I handle the roller coaster of emotions? Why am I now consumed by fear? How should I view the presence of pain in the world? How do I, as a pastor, teach my congregation how to pray when I can't pray anymore? Can I doubt? How long can I cry? And how long will God put up with me?
Learning to Jump Again allows us to grieve at the ripple effect of death, grief, and loss but not without hope.
I read Learning to Jump Again straight through except for the times I had to stop and wipe away the tears. Refreshingly honest, Anthony's insightful and winsome writing style helped me process some of the emotions of my own father's death twelve years ago. I hope this fine book finds its way into the hands and hearts of millions dealing with death and the grief that accompanies it.
Nick Twomey, Founding/Lead Pastor, Bay Pointe Community Church, Traverse City, Michigan
An unusually candid account of a man of faith wrestling with God through the death of his father. Anthony Weber brilliantly articulates the raw realities of being enshrouded with grief and the struggle to get beyond.
Jacquelyn Kaschel, Mlitt, PNH1, CEIP-MH
