Faith Unexpected: Real Stories of People Who Found What They Never Imagined - Softcover

Mattson, Rick

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0692048995 ISBN 13: 9780692048993

Publisher: Pavement Publishing, 2018

Synopsis

How did Pentagon military strategist Donald Wellington find faith in God? Not the way you'd expect - not through attending church or reading the Bible. In fact, Donald discovered faith in ways that he never expected.

Or Deedra Reyes, Hopi Native American girl - how did she find faith? By traversing the mountains of northern Arizona in search of spiritual truth? No. Nothing like that. It had more to do with evil spirits, a 9mm Glock and a father who . . . well, you can read her story for yourself.

Faith Unexpected is a collection of real stories of people who found faith they weren't looking for - faith, in fact, that they never imagined for themselves.

Detroit native York Moore, for example, was a persecutor of believers at the University of Michigan. He never saw faith in his future, certainly not in the "death wish" he eventually brought upon himself.

Or Sarah Gross. She grew up in a liberal family in San Francisco and learned to hate on Christians for their homophobia, racism and pretty much all the ills of society. Then she visited a spirit channeler . . .

So if you are a believer who loves to read inspiring stories, or a spiritual seeker or skeptic looking to awaken your dormant faith (or find faith for the first time), this is the perfect book for you.

The stories feature ordinary folks from around the country who are diverse in age - from twenties to near seventy - and ethnicity - including Black, Asian, Latino, Native and White.

A reflection guide included will help you think through the implications of the accounts and, if you wish, discuss with a friend.

If you simply cannot imagine a scenario where a certain friend of yours finds faith in God, give that person this book. And if you are trying to kindle your own faith into full functionality, give yourself this book.

Lastly, if you're a person who simply cannot see yourself ever finding faith in God, then Faith Unexpected throws down the challenge: Take a risk. Pick up a copy of the book. Read the stories. Something might happen in your soul that you never imagined.

Intended Audiences:

• Friends who are "on the way" toward God
• First-time church visitors
• Alpha participants, outreach Bible study members, etc.
• Anyone who wants to be inspired by the powerful faith stories of others.

Faith Unexpected Website

faithunexpectedstories.com

About this title

Review:

Rick Mattson has written a book about struggling people who have an authentic and sometimes messy encounter with a delightful and disturbing and wooing God. Whatever your faith background or orientation, you will be inspired and encouraged by these real life and powerful stories!

Dr. Rick Richardson, Professor of Intercultural Studies
Director of Academic Programs, Church Outreach Initiative and Research
Wheaton College and the Billy Graham Center
Author: Experiencing Healing Prayer and The Heart of Racial Justice

"The ten transformational miracles that Rick documents in this book, including his own, were all very inspirational for me, and I think they will inspire ALL who read this book."

Dane Anderson
President and Chief Executive Officer
FAST Global Solutions, Inc., Minnesota

"The ten people in this book are offering us a gift. They have willingly stripped away the usual noise and 'facade' and bared their lives to us by way of their personal stories. Therein they have invited us to a 'pause-point' saying, basically, 'Hey! Take a break! Slow down, give me your attention, and let me share with you something remarkable, something that you might want, and something that you can have!' I think the reader will find it hard to put this book down, and will be compelled to share the stories with others.

Dr. Michael Hein, M.D., Healthcare CEO
Grand Island, Nebraska

About this edition

• Publisher: Pavement Publishing
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 0692048995
• ISBN 13: 9780692048993
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 124