Thursday, December 17, 2009

40 Loaves - Review and Giveaway

UPDATE: Sunday, 12/20/09 @ 9:45 pm -- WINNER!

True Random Number Generator
Result: 9

Congrats to Janet Ruth! Email me your address and I'll send the book your way!

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Do you ever have questions about faith or your walk with the Lord? Are you ever hesitant to voice them aloud due to the fear of being looked down upon or judged to be lacking in your beliefs? Then C. David Baker has written a book just for you!

Titled 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day, this book is full of "daily readings to renew a hungry spirit." Each chapter title poses a question and utilizes Scripture to point to the answer along with examples, reflections and teaching. The questions addressed get right down to the nitty-gritty of Christian living and include:
  • Why does God seem silent in my life?
  • Why does grace sometimes make me uncomfortable?
  • Why are some Christians so hard for me to like?
  • Why do regrets have so much power in my life?
  • Why don't I feel safe at church?
Each chapter ends with additional Food for Thought questions and a prayer. Many of the prayers are from the Psalms; others are from Christians who lived long ago, including some in the 16th century.

This would be a great stocking stuffer and would be a good book for a Bible Study group or accountability partners to do together. And at the end of this post, you have a chance to win one of these books!

You can learn more about the book, read an excerpt, or purchase it here.

SUMMARY:

Why don’t I have more faith?
Why am I so bored with Jesus?
Why don’t I feel connected at church?

These are the types of questions the religious establishment often makes it uncomfortable, if not impossible, to ask. And by asking them, C. David Baker, author of 40 Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day hopes to start a conversation in people’s hearts, then with others, and ultimately with God. Many circles of Christianity have led us to believe that certainty and confidence are the proof of true spirituality; questions are discouraged.

But Jesus offered his followers an ongoing conversation—a relationship built around a free, open-ended discussion. Questions were encouraged. They were often impertinent, sometimes alarming, and the religious establishment was distinctly uncomfortable with them … just as it is today.

40 Loaves is something of a collection of the kinds of questions I felt finally free to ask of myself and of my relationship with Christ,” says Baker. “It’s my belief that these questions are shared by many others who long for the freedom to simply ask them out loud. I hope this book becomes a platform that frees others to search their hearts more deeply and be fed with the Bread of life.”

Each “loaf” here is a big question that stimulates discussion, investigation, and contemplation; it will take hours—or days—to digest. Conversational, inviting, disarming, and real, 40 Loaves nourishes self-examination and offers validation for those who feel discouraged, guilty, or even shamed when the realities of their lives don’t match up with the ideals of the Christian establishment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
C. David Baker founded an award-winning business before redirecting his career to write full-time from his small farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He is the author of eight books, including six novels, one of which was nominated for a Christy Award. He has contributed articles to the Christian History Institute’s international publication Glimpses, and to Christian Singles magazine. Baker has a Master’s degree in theological studies from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Learn more about him at his website.



GIVEAWAY!
The publisher has graciously provided a copy for me to give to one of you. Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday night at 8:00 pm CST, and I will draw a winner. US and Canada residents only, please.



Books provided for review and giveaway by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

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17 comments:

Cathy said...

Sounds like a good book. I'd love a chance to win it. Thank you for the opportunity.

Unknown said...

Oh boy! Does this book ever speak to what's going on in my life right now!!! If I don't win it, I will have to buy it for sure!

Thanks for the review! Great job!

Prayers and blessings,
Rebecca

collettakay said...

Sounds like a book we all could read.

pepsi324[at]yahoo[dot]com

♪♪Melody♪♪ and Puddin said...

I also would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity

Patrice and Higgins said...

Pick me...Sounds like a great book!

Kim said...

Thanks for the chance to win! I just am so happy I found your blog. I'm have been finding so many new books to read!

Kim

Patty said...

Sounds interesting.

quilly said...

I am so glad that I had both a Grandmother and a pastor that not only asked me to question my faith, they demanded I do so!

I guess that I have been truly blessed that my faith community never shamed or mocked me when I asked some of these questions. I was startled and saddened to discover that my experience is the odd one out.

I also may have dismissed the book too readily. I considered the readings inadequate in light of the group discussions I participated in. However, where there is no discussion, I can see this book as invaluable.

Jan said...

I would really like to read this book, it sounds awesome. Please count me in.

alongtheway(at)telus(dot)net

2cats said...

This book sounds like it was written for me.
Please add me in.

CeeCee said...

Wow, this books sounds good.It asks some of the questions I ask myself.

Don't enter me for the draw since I just won a book from you this week.

My ADHD Me said...

I need this book. I sometimes get so frustrated with myself. There is no doubt in my faith....but I know that isn't enough.

I am lucky to have Chatty Kelly for a sister as she is a big help on a lot of the questions and thoughts....never-the-less, the book would be helpful too!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

What a great book to have on hand when I sit and talk with women through ministry. What an excellent resource for so many! Would love a chance to win...thanks Linda!

xoxo,
Melissa

Melli said...

LOL! Well... I didn't win it at Quilly's place... so I'll give a try here! Put me in there!

Mary Lou said...

Even though I won a book at the first of the week, I've pondered for a while on this book. Finally decided to put my name in the "pot". This would be great to use as a discipleship tool for new believers or even "old" believers. Thanks for hosting this give away. Blessings on your week end.
mary lou
dlowran1(at)comcast(dot)net

Merry said...

Day to day encouragement is what I need, this sounds like a great devotional. Please include me, thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said...

Thank you for opening this up to Canadian residents as well! :-) I'd love to be a winner :-)

Have a wonderful week.