Review: Faith and Other Flat Tires: Searching for God on the Rough Road of Doubt by Andrea Palpant Dilley

Faith and Other Flat Tires: Searching for God on the Rough Road of Doubt

Andrea Palpant Dilley

Genre: Religious/Memoir

Publication Date: February 14, 2012

Publisher: Zondervan

ISBN:031032551X

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Description:

At age twenty-one, Andrea Palpant Dilley stripped the Christian fish decal off her car bumper in a symbolic act of departure from her religious childhood. At twenty-three, she left the church and went searching for refugein the company of men who left her lonely and friends who pushed the boundaries of what she once held sacred. In this deeply personal memoir, Andrea navigates the doubts that plague believers and skeptics alike: Why does a good God allow suffering? Why is God so silent, distant, and uninvolved? And why does the church seem so dysfunctional? Yet amid her skepticism, she begins to ask new questions: Could doubting be a form of faith? Might our doubts be a longing for God that leads to a faith we can ultimately live with?

Review

Rating:

I actually really liked this book, which, surprised me because I usually am not that much of a fan of memoirs, but I wanted to give this one a go. 

I thought that a lot of the authors stories, points of view, etc were great. As a sort of agnostic myself I can relate to her stories because quite honestly, I've pretty much been there 1000 and one times. I grew up in church my whole life, much like she did so I know exactly what she's talking about.

Overall this is a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has doubts about their faith, believing in God, or have just ever felt like things didn't make sense with religion, God, and the human condition.

*The BBB's received a copy of this book for review purposes only. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.

Review: Awakening by Stovall Weems

Awakening:

A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom

Stovall Weems
Genre: Religious/Non Fiction

Published: December 4, 2010

Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group

ISBN: 0307459535

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Description:

Would you describe your walk with God as fresh and exciting?  Would you describe your spiritual life as vibrant and passionate?  If not, would you like these attributes to be the norm in your everyday relationship with God? 
 
Are you ready to experience an awakening?
 
Awakening helps you stir up your slumbering soul.  You’ll discover how to break out of your season of dryness or get off to a great start either in the New Year or the next season in life. Take your faith-walk from a “going through the motions” or “have to” mindset to the stimulating, fresh “want to” experience of enjoying God’s presence—24/7. 
 
Weems encourages you to surrender fully, to discover the right kind of fuel for the journey, and to learn a new way to pray and fast. This lifestyle is not based on rules or religion, but on a deep, satisfying, motivating relationship with God.
 
Included in Awakening is a 21-Day Plan that will guide you through the principles that ensure a lasting, fresh relationship with God—even in a world where everything quickly becomes stale.  
 
“It’s time to wake up and put an end to spiritual sluggishness! I promise this year will be the best of your life if it is your best year spiritually.” – Stovall Weems

Review:

Rating:

Awakening, A New Approach to Faith, Fasting, and Spiritual Freedom written by Stovall Weems makes the claim that it is a 21 day plan to revolutionize your relationship with God.  This book is a step-by-step plan to change how you feel about God.  He writes that every believer should be a passionate Christian that every person who seeks God with his whole heart will find Him in a new way.  The book begins with several chapters about how God wants to be available to us and how we can grow closer to Him through prayer, Bible study and fasting.  Personal anecdotes about the author's journey to a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God are scattered throughout the book.  These stories make the quest that the author embarked upon to find a true relationship with a loving God even more meaningful.  Pastor Weems spends a great deal of time teaching the reader about fasting and the benefits to both our bodies and our spirits.

The second half of the book is a 21 day devotional that guides the reader through a meaningful fast that is specifically tailored to the lifestyle and health concerns of each participant.  The devotions each contain commentary, a Bible reading plan, a prayer focus, and an optional book reading plan.  Quotes from notable people throughout the devotions add to the depth of the plan.

Awakening was an eye opening read and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to grow closer to God and learn more about himself in the process.

*The Book Blogging Beauties  received a copy of this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Blogging For Books Program in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are that of the reviewer. We were not compensated for this review.