Im sure you have an opinion on the matter. I wrote this book with Dr. Paul Brand, who was a specialist in physical pain because of his work with leprosy patients. As a retired Mennonite Pastor, I can resonate with many of the stories you use to highlight what is so amazing about grace. Your email address will not be published. It simply was not strong enough. I have just ordered the last one The Question that Never Goes Away. I felt very, very small. Neil Armstrong, For those who have seen the Earth from space, and for the hundreds and perhaps thousands more who will, the experience most certainly changes your perspective. Their 13 lives & testimonies still live to edify so many more through the gift of your book. But to come onto someones website (who I suspect you dont know, obviously) and to misrepresent them and attempt to dictate their livelihood wouldnt come into my definition of loving your neighbour as yourself. Dont know if these are my Top Ten, but they moved me: I thank God for the wonderful inspiration you have. Each time, I rediscover a love for the Bible, and the merciful Father who has gone to such great lengths to bring us into a relationship with Him. . In 2012, I wrote to Queen Elizabeth about the children that were being sexually abused by Anglican priests. Lewis Nunnally, a professor of Hebrew and early Judaism made this statement. what Jesus meant when He said, I am the truth. I come from an insurance and banking backround. Then, I want you, first of all, to pray for them and for me. Just an observation of Jesus message in his parables about the undeserving, contrasted with his strong words against the Pharisees for their legalism. I appealed to AWI Brad Sass and Paul for peace. At age 17, Philip is a student at a fundamentalist Bible college. I insisted and started a generic treatment that I would not have to pay, but I was disappointed as the doctor himself had already alerted me. We live on an invaded planet, and trust that God plans restoration someday. I saw tears running down his face and I knew if they could, they wouldve taken the whole group of kids home with them. She said, Then he saw me out of the corner of his eye. She said to go ahead, so I told her about how my life had changed after reporting illicit activities at work. There are many so many and you are among those who have helped me become me. The loud noise smashes God out of my mind. This past week I told a friend about the terrible living conditions and wishing we could do more. In the command re: how many times do I have to forgive someone, and He says 70 x 7 but that appears to me that the transgressor asked for forgiveness. Is it possible it is taken from Where is God when it Hurts? [3] Although Gords trial is still ongoing, I feel vindicated. I see that you will be speaking in Bristol this weekend as part of the Buechner series. P.S. Nothing came of it. Your essay Rumors Of Another World always serves as a reminder to me about the brevity of life. Pierre Allard with the CSC Commissioner office knew me well and publicly acknowledged me for me excellent work as a Prison Chaplain later said he was sorry he did not keep an eye on what Rev John Tonks and Revd Chris Carr were doing reguarding my 5 year contract, he would not have let them play the games they were playng. And I want to thank you for your career of authorship that helps address a subject that scars so deeply. Youve have a profound influence on countless numbers of readers. If I had spent my time dwelling on the negative that I could not control, as I often do, then I would have been discouraged and depressed as I often am but as it was I was happy, content and fulfilled. He refused to give such inmates Kosher diets. I cant mock those who voted for Trump or suggest that the rise of the know nothing party is complete. I cannot remember in what order I read the next two, Whats so Amazing About Grace and Disappointment With God, but wow what a profound impact those two books have had on my life. Well, here is a feedback of a very happy inhabitant of those countries. The Hiding Place ~ Corrie Ten Boom Blessings. I was hesitant to return to Edmonton due to all the sexual abuse I had reported in that city, and because of the hatred that some powerful people in the church, government and police there had for me. Satan doesnt have unlimited knowledgethe close calls in an attempt to kill Jesus in his infancy prove that. Its an honest representation of what a Christian walk really is. And then you went on to the English version. What would people think of us if we concluded that our epileptic or deaf child was possessed by a demon?! Im a new Jesus follower and your books have been very useful to me. You may remember me from our contact in the early 2000s. I have danced through phases and seasons, and been dragged through others, but my faith is intact, and even maybe even grown, in the process. It has been a great help to me to bringing to realisation my thoughts around what my attitude to many of the issues confronting Christians today should be; the answer is to be graceful of course. I asked Phil Joy why he had never reported this, and he said that he feared losing his job like I had. Dear Philip, Re: When Mourning and Dancing touch each other. I am currently writing two novels simultaneously, one of which is a dark fantasy set in the medieval era. I lived on $644 a month. cs I told him Chaplain Paul had brought in a bag of at least 30. I am happy to have found your website and have signed up to receive your mailings. We just endured an incredibly painful election season, and the hatred and anger engendered by it continues to be expressed across this country. When I refused, I was dismissed without receiving any reasons in writing. Some others, both living and dead: Jurgen Moltmann, a contemporary German theologian; Millard Fuller, who founded Habitat for Humanity; John Perkins, who pioneers racial reconciliation; Ron Nikkel, who took Prison Fellowship to more than 100 countries; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia. I admit I dont know how to pray but want to learn as the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray. Today is the day. So, just how does a man whos been through all Yancey has, draw close to the God he once feared? At Gwen and Mikes encouragement, I filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission in PEI. 1:27) Why the difference? Your books have been so valuable to our family; especially my husband who has read some over again. Some reacted mercifully with peaceful speech while others were hateful with a condemner speech. I would be deeply grateful. I hope to now live worthy of the call. I certainly cannot. Thank you so much for taking the time to write. Now get out of my office! It felt wonderful, but Paul used this later to further discredit me [30], claiming that I had meant my demand to leave my office to be permanent. I am a believer who has been in ministry until I retired; Ive read about Saul being instructed to not even spare the animals of Amalek; Ive read of Joshuas instructions, etc., but I still cant answer thes nagging questions. His books have sold more than 15 million copies in English and have been translated into 40 languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. I remember reading Job and this began to open my heart. During this time, Paul mocked me for being hard of hearing, shouting at me and shaming me. I ve had a few challenges came to know Christ, personally as an adult, husband in prison, later he died of alcoholism, mental illness in my family, yet steadfast in my own life to earn a doctorate and am now associate professor emeritus at a large regional university. Our prayers are that people who ask him the meaning of his name, will read your books, feel understood and rediscover their faith. [8] For three decades Yancey contributed as an editor-at-large, for Christianity Today, and also wrote articles for publications including Reader's Digest, The Saturday Evening Post, Publishers Weekly,The Atlantic, Chicago Magazine, Christian Century, and National Wildlife. However, it does not look as though it will address a question I am interested in. Spilsby claimed that it was my couch, but it was the old urine- and sweat-soaked couch from behind the gym. I just submitted it to a publisher this month, and it should be published in 2021. Im grateful for how your memoir allowed me to reflect on my own journey and recognize His embrace and mercy weaved throughout. Another first. There is so much more I could share but I will wait until another time. Its a beautiful book. Im sorry, but my hands are tied. This year, our Medical Doctor told us that we have an almost nil chance because of my past chronically health problems that never seem to end. It sounds like youre doing great, frankly. Again the British and German Embassy refused to help me even though I pleaded for help . A "sometimes reluctant Christian" who has spent his entire adult life recovering from the "toxic" fundamentalist church of his childhood, Yancey walked away from religion in college. The reaction you must also imagine. Please pray for Bret. He and I had been to the same evangelical Anglican theological college, and we were part of the evangelical wing of the worldwide Anglican Church. None apologized ever even though I sought reconsiliation. Being fairly new to the faith, although old in years, I have a hard time reconciling the fact that Jesus kingdom is not of this world, that we are not to be of the world (or in the world, I can never remember which word means which status) and yet politics would seem to epitomize being of the world. How Chinese traditional ways contrast distinctly with the Western is how it recognises empathy driven parenting absent discipline and obedience to Sacred Authority, whatever the intention, ends up creating miserable narcissists that refuse to recognise inherited duties. I have just had my first article published online with CT, but as I think about writing more for the church, I see how the different parts of the church are speaking different languages. I have asked for an apology so many times. It took me a while to finish the book as am I not only a slow reader; I also like to read books like this and then reflect on parts of them before continuing ; so as not to trivialize any one point. And, inspired by some of your words, I began to see faith as not unlike personalities that we have different types, that some people may experience and hear God often (and it is not my place to doubt those experiences), while I may long and doubt and wait far more than I hearand that that is okay that these different kinds of relationships with Him might be something He delights in, something He finds beautiful. I wish I could offer editorial help, but Im so far behind on my own deadlines that I have no time for any other projects for the foreseeable future. That is the grace. And the verdict is in. It was a toxic work environment, with so many people being mocked, bullied and bossed around on a daily basis. But lets restore some balance. So you have chosen to over-emphasis grace, as evangelical churches have been doing for decades and Protestant churches have been doing for centuries. Thanks for the idea. Maybe after that? He considered himself Epicurean and theres little doubt that phrases like unalienable rights, all men are created equal and others stem from TJs understanding of Epicurus. Wish they were more present in the places where Jesus has a stakeand where Jesus really IS. The US and Canada have only a hardback version, which you can get for about the same price as the paperback, which is only published in the U.K. Im not sure if you can order a U.K. edition from Canada. My problem is that, at this age, I dont know where to start. Im reading Disappointment with God again and just wrote a devotional to In the Upper Room speaking from my experience. Education:, Napoli, Donna Jo 1948 Judy. [2] He is published by Hachette, HarperCollins Christian Publishing, InterVarsity Press, and Penguin Random House. You had just spent the morning speaking to a group of ministers of education and, probably, the last thing you desired to do was to provide a free counseling session. Thank you very much. Angela (Alberta, Canada). I have seen lots of miracles. He was then resurrected. what the contract says. Doing so I reached a woman who told me it was her daughters phone. We bring up grace at a Bible study and people dont respond. I wish I could help. I struggle to live each month for all my needs and bills and go hungry most of the time . I was reading through some of your Q&As and noticed the following from you: A Google search shows that this may be more tradition than history, so I accept your correction. This is just to thank you for your conscientious and deep-seated effort to share the faith and love that will not let us go. God keep you publishing and writing and safe in the palm of His hands. I read your book where is God when it hurts, that was not too long after I lost my mother and faced severe persecution from my father. More than anything though, I have grown immensely from your work on the issue of pain and feeling disappointed by God. You make a good point about my pedantic language, and Ill need to watch that. Let humanity directly seek the Maker, shun all pious blackguards This meant the loss of my license. "Yancey considers honestly the predicaments of human existence," declared a Publishers Weekly reviewer. Philip. Hey watch out for those peaceful protestors! They cut right to the truth and bypass all the wrapping and bows. I have friends who work with the organization G.R.A.C.E. The Reason for God ~ Tim Keller Its been an important journey and one that I hope is resulting in opportunity to invite others to a walk with God based on grace and not fear. I was feeling particularly ashamed today and navigating it in prayer. I was raised in a wonderful Christian home but like you, I had many questions about things I had seen in the church and even more questions, as I experienced new churches different from the ones I was used to in the south. Maybe someday Ill get to thank you in person properly this time! You need human contact: a counselor, a pastor, a friend. You know, dont break the connection just hang up and try again. This quote kept returning to me, and I began to ponder waiting on the Lord and in Gods time. You have been influenced by many others, some of whom you know and cite, who were influenced by people you probably never have heard of. Philip, A few days later he came back to tell me that the book I had given him was awesome. But thats not even Scriptural, at least not the emphasis of Scripture. Sometimes, I feel I am serious legalist, especially, when I become slave of small plans and lists. (https://www.netgrace.org/) who have convinced me that many of the accusations are 100% right. Yancey expressed his doubts about the Republican presidential candidate and his Christian supporters during an interview with website Evangelical Focus. Now their daughters have thrown me out of Bridges, all based on a lies and hate . Vanishing grace imacted me in a way it is hard to explain all histories inside the book, all thoughts on it every word of it impacted me a lot. Re: Where is God when it Hurts? Here is a poem from my book: One Secret, 101 Life Changing Poems , WE need to rename an ancient subterfuge passed down the ages Lastly knowing that my good deeds doesnt matter, neither in writing or not writing. Thank-you very much. You and I enjoy similar authors. He did this in part by learning from the examples of others, some of them church figures, some of them outside the churchsome of them even outside Christianity itself. Yancey suffered a broken neck in a motor vehicle accident in February 2007 but recovered. Those Serbs who had so much hatred of my people had ethnic cleansing of Croats, Roma and Jews. Mainly, though, I have looked for healthy Christians to help heal my image of what wholesome faith looks like. I lost my job at the prison for reporting abuse of prisoners ,one a guard for having a retarded female North American Indian prisoner naked on the floor in his control room with her legs spread apart and him looking in. He went back to the United States and she never saw him again. Then, I search the scriptures and I see nowhere are we asked to give blanket forgiveness as a response to those who have done wrong to us. I mean, feel free to believe in the spirits of thetans blown up in a nuclear explosion on earth by the evil dictator Xenu 75 million years ago if youd like. We keep at it because of responses like yours. May your grace journey never end. God bless you. Brand, and Hodder & Stoughton will publish them this coming fall under the title (I think) Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Bearing Gods Image. When I complained about the lack of a contract to the director of Threshold Ministries, he fired me. Hes very in touch with current trends. And, since it was a prayer, might we know if and when this prayer was answered? Hi Phil Here is the story. I am thinking of Andrew Murray, Frank Laubach, George Muller, Thomas Kelly, Brigid Herman, and Rosalind Rinker. Keep writing HONESTLY, because you build bridges to others who are struggling to figure out what the heck the Christian life is all about. I cant think of any argument against God that isnt already included in the Bible. Most atheist point out that we dont take our epileptic child to an exorcist these days but rather to a neurologist. many thanks. Im grateful you took the time to write and I am thankful for the open discussion youre willing to have with all your readers. And feel free to share with any who may benefit from seeing the film. David Stevens and I both live in Bristol as the Christian Medical & Dental Associations has a office and conference center nearby. When God remains silent, impassable, as life crumbles and gets smaller and smaller by the day. If we are right with God, we are right with our neighbor, isnt that what I should count one? I believe they are still in print in Portuguese, although you are fluent in English. I have a favor to askand Ill suggest in advance if its too muchI completely understand. I really was taken back by what you said about skirt lengths and hair length etc. I also told myself enough is enough and finally decided to stand up to Paul. He went on to tell me that he had an affair with one of the female dog handlers, and that wanted to leave it behind him and make things right in his marriage. I am also a social worker. I have nearly read all your books. I keep asking those kinds of questions, and its encouraging to know that some of my readers do too. Very few had come to my aid. He has family values and has a record of integrity. Thank you from the bottom of my heart from being willing to honestly broach subjects that so many wont. The prison held my job for three months while I and others tried to secure my work permit, but to no avail. Philip Yancey: We met at the Bible college I mentioned. I am still struggling on this journey of life and brokenness but have been spurred on to keep laying down my burdens one day at a time. Let the people around you know that you are serious about institutional corruption and the protection of whistleblowers. I am a devout, but doubting, Christian and this is a major hurdle for me. I was excited to share with him and recommend your books to him. The weekend before I was to begin they called me and retracted my acceptance. Without going into too much detail, I cannot help but think that GOD does not care for everyone, only a few: David HE loved. You each speak to the same truth from different directions and style and I am a lifetime reader of something every day. As I sat and listened to the Word I was struck, convicted and in tears. This is the first Philip Yancey book most of us have read so we are excited to explore this new author and his writings, and hopefully gain some clarification on this topic. The whole of my life has been a struggle because of people who hate. (Magyarorszgrl), (google translate) In their book, they recorded an eyewitness account of a miraculous resurrection of a woman died in an auto accident. As for the extravagant promises on prayer, along with C. S. Lewis I do see some of these as given to Jesus disciples, who became the apostles, and who had certain powers specific to their calling and time. I would love to go back to school but dont know if that is the right route or what kind of schooling is necessary. While living in the Chicago, Illinois suburbs, in 1971 Yancey joined the staff of Campus Life magazinea publication directed towards high school and college studentswhere he served as editor for eight years. I may well have misinterpreted what was going on. Philip, Philip:I went to see you at Walnut Hill Comm. We both knew then, and still know, that God brought us together, and it was not a coincidence., The pastor led me to Heartland Baptist Bible College, where I enrolled in the Practical Bible Training extension program. Turn the other cheek. We heard about love and grace, but I didnt experience much. The other side of the coin is that while art today is here and present, it lives on, not necessarily as a piece (or artist) itself, but in the minds of those who encounter it and the influence they have on others, who in turn influence still others, and so on. I believe that is the biblical definition for a non-believer. You asked at the end Why doesnt God do what we want Him to? and Why dont we act the way God wants us to? I have changed quite a bit since then. is that one difference in Job and Richard is that Job did not have Jesus! Thank-you very much. Only after they were deeply convicted of their crime and asking how they might be saved from its consequences did they hear that word of amazing grace, the offer of baptism, and the promise of forgiveness. Its been on my shelf all this time, and I didnt think to crack the cover until recently. His musings on these questions eventually formed the basis for his book, Where Is God When It Hurts?, an award-winning volume that has sold over 500,000 copies. I also asked Bridges of Canada Manager Brian Harder for advice about it, but he never offered any. Usually I end up throwing away 100-150 pages from each book, however. I dont know why, but it made me emotionalI had to walk outside for embarrassment because I couldnt stop the tears. Thank you for having such courage to write such a book and I want to know how you did it. I like your book title, so Ill definitely try to check it out. I dont know enough to attempt an answer to your excellent question. The dream of Nelson Mandela is still only halfway fulfilled. I saw that you are on the schedule to speak this semester during our chapel. I was first introduced to your work through my dad, who has been an avid fan of yours since his days as a college student. I am a minister that read your Book Whats so Amazing about Grace the year it was published and have never recovered. Bravo! I prayed for him all through the book especially when I saw that he was still choosing not to believe at the end. Thank you. I, too, grew up in Dekalb county GA though ten or so years later than you. I just found your book Christians and Politics: Uneasy Partners. May he who set the galaxies ablaze keep your heart burning for him. Thankfully all is well and nothing much happened other than cause a lot of concern on the plane and having to spend the night at an ER in Charlotte. The doctor declared her status free from cancer, post operation and surgery. The work too hard and too much for me lifting 100 lbs of Soap and I weighed maybe 80 lbs, I ended recking my stomach and have a 14 inch scar down my stomach today from lifting too heavy a load, they never said sorry. Never. Blessing to you and whatever chapter you are in. At least I feel warmth and love in your writing. It would make an intriguing subject. Thanks for your kind words. I was never bothered by stories of drugs, although alcohol was a big part of my fathers life. Barry Rose, the chaplain that I had come to replace. There are few Christian books that I have read that uncovered my own personal and emotional responses like this one. A small tact team, form Legal Ministry mostly lawyers, voluntarily supported Dad for legal advice. We each attended a Bible college, though the school I attended has closed its doors. Putting the pieces together, I got the impression that he had ended the affair and that the dog handler blamed me for it. Fortunately, since the same guard had checked the envelope both before and after it left the Institution, he was able to confirm that there had been no unauthorized transfer of goods out of or into the prison. I have just discovered Philip Yancey and am blown away by what I have read. Born 1939, in Chicago, IL; married Roger Winter (an artist); children: Jonah, Max. I am just wondering what topic has seized your interest during the pandemic and if there is a new book in the pipeline. Please visit our website if you can. We are going through you book and study materials, Whats so amazing about Grace? I am finding it a profound experience.