BOOK REVIEW
'Risking Faith' is a Risk Worth Taking
By Julie Ferwerda
Guest Columnist
CBN.com – So many devotionals on my shelf, so few completed or enjoyed. Cracking open this devotional type book by Dr. Steve Stephens, I wondered if it would land a spot next to the other fifteen or so on my shelf, collecting dust. With this typical experience, I usually prefer sticking with the Bible for my quiet times. But what did I have to lose to give it a shot?
I’m so glad I did. Not only did I read all forty days, but I often found myself anxious to cheat ahead. Risking Faith is consistently challenging, thought provoking, inspiring, and real. It quite apparently explores the deep from the heart of a man who has truly connected with God through an authentic faith journey.
Dr. Steve breaks this forty-day expedition into seven categories in which he explores the questions, fears, doubts, and even joys of a person pursuing genuine, life altering faith while encountering the Holy. You’ll explore such topics in depth such as:
Sail beyond. Set sail beyond an ordinary life and ordinary faith. Believe for the impossible that God wants to do in and through you.
Get real. Drop the pretenses—it’s the only way to survive authentic faith. Choose humility and confession, and you’ll get moving toward the wonder of His presence.
Discover the wonder. Reclaim the childlike wonder of your awesome God. See His beauty all over again as you live in the awe of His mystery and frequent surprises.
Go to the desert. Choose solitude, stillness, and silence for times of seeking God, allowing Him to refresh, reveal, and strengthen you for the journey.
Welcome hardship. Embrace one of the greatest blessings in disguise and watch your character deepen, your compassion bloom, your dependence on God become vital.
Plunge deeply. Discover the mystery that will never grow stale and the passion that will never run dry. He waits longingly for us to come take a dive.
Give back. Complete your journey by offering your newfound gifts freely to others. Reflect a life of risking faith so others will seek God’s love and compassion.
Dr. Steve delightfully incorporates his personal life experiences throughout, and uses many meaningful quotes from well-known wise guides. While most of the quotes add rich depth, a few seem obligatory and don’t add much to the overall impact.
If you’re seeking the extraordinary life of remarkable faith, this is one book that you can open every single day, confident of being challenged, encouraged, and validated in your journey. It’s one devotional that could be used over and over, and would also be great for families with teens!
Julie is the author of The Perfect Fit...Piecing Together True Love and has written articles for other publications such as Marriage Partnership, Brio & Beyond, HomeLife, Discipleship Journal, and Revolve III Biblezine Project for teen girls (Thomas Nelson). To order the book or to find out more go to: www.JulieFerwerda.com.
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