Finding God in Unexpected Places (ISBN 1597371130)

Download Description:
An Atlanta slum. A pod of whales off the coast of Alaska. The prisons of Peru and Chile. The plays of Shakespeare. A health club in Chicago. For those with eyes to see, traces of God can be found in the most unexpected places. In this enlightening book author Philip Yancey serves as an insightful tour guide for those willing to look beyond the obvious, pointing out glimpses of the eternal where few might think to look. Whether finding God among the newspaper headlines, within the church, or on the job, Yancey delves deeply into the commonplace and surfaces with rich spiritual insight.

nice collection of essays:
One of the hardest things about reading or reviewing a book is to accept it for what it is, rather than what it isn't. If you are looking for one of Yancey's highly focused theological/apologetic works, this isn't it. If you want one of the most insightful minds in the Christian community looking at the way God is at work in the world, this book is for you. Largely culled from his back page essays at Christianity Today and revised for the post 9/11 reader, Yancey sees the unexpected places God is at work in the world. Perhaps most importantly for those of us in a pampered, consumer driven culture, he reminds us that grace is found in the hard work of being faithful when God isn't evident and when we are the counterculture. He sees large events such as 9/11, the Cold War and the fall of communism as more than political events, but places where God is doing some of His best work, because god's people are busy doing God's workl in those places. I find Yancey to be most exciting as a writer when he is able to let his mind run free to find the unexpected insight. These columns are where I think he is at his best. Highly recommend

God is God in Tragedy:
Philip Yancey needs to understand that God is everywhere. God is in Hurricaine Katrina. God is in control of the complete destruction of property in New Orleans. There is no place God is Not. It is important for Christians to "Find God in Tragedy." If your loved one died in that mine explosion in Kentucky, you have to humble yourself and find God in that tragedy. A true Christian must be able to pray: "Thank you God in killing my husband in that mine tragedy because I recognize that you are in complete control of the world as the Creator. Give me faith to accept your will for my life." Of course, not all people who go to church are truly born again and it is in times of tragedy that we see who is truly born again. A truly born again Christian will praise God for the death of a loved one, which happens by God's will. Finding God in Unexpected Places completely ignores the character of God as Creator and Sustainer of all things. Philip Yancey needs to re-read his Bible before writing his next book. His books does true Christianity disservice.

Finding God was Good:
I liked this book, however, I've enjoyed other Yancey books far better. With good reason, he concentrates on documenting historical facts & stories of people being generous and selfless and Christlike. It's there in his book title. But I thought it needed more of a "how to" angle. Yancey seems to have a grocery list of stories here, rather than relatable stories of encouragement & instruction. It was good, but it lacks that extra power to make it as outstanding as his other works. I give it a B-.

Yancey-Finding God:
Well written, with a down home type of style that is common to most of Yancey's work. A little slow in developing the point, but a nice read to get to the point.

Meaty-yet-effortless collection of typically, happily Yanceyan essays:
Yancey is, as always, superlatively competent in communicating his sometimes profound reflections on God, humanity, Christianity, society, grace, nature, and heroes (sung and unsung) in this collection of essays culled largely from his periodic columns in Christianity Today magazine. The essays are never hurt-your-head dense, but they are often inspirationally and substantively thought-provoking, which makes this an excellent book for casual coffee table or bathroom reading.