Smiles... Prayers... Grace!

My deepest thoughts on spirituality and life lessons.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

What do you do when God won't answer?


Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night
What to do when God won't answer?

This is a wonderful book, I highly recommend! It was written by a dear friend, the pastor who married Leon and me, Dr. Gregory L. Hunt. He pastored churches for over 30 years, and is an amazing writer, speaker and biblical scholar. He now has a non-profit, Directions, Inc. which serves organizations and individuals through speaking, consulting, counseling and more. Throughout the last few decades of my father's life, Greg was my dad's best friend and confidant. I've always considered Greg to be for me an encouraging source of wisdom and an example of authentic Christ-following.  I am so grateful for what Greg and his family have meant to our family. And I am thrilled to share with you a book he has written (and I was privileged to preview) which is available to download or pre-purchase now, and will be available for purchase October 3rd!
Gregory L. Hunt

For a Christian leader of this caliber to be so open and show such raw honesty is rare, and extremely refreshing! In his book, Greg takes you through the darkest time of his life – a time when, while still leading his church, he found God silent, wrestled with the big questions of life, and wondered if all he thought to be true was even real. He clung to the “red letters” of scripture, committing to daily meditate on the words of Jesus himself, as a last-ditch effort to rediscover his faith.

While reading his journal-style book, I was brought to tears many times as I identified with his thoughts, his misgivings and even his anger toward God. I journeyed with him through the red letters of Christ, down into the depths of his pain and desperation, and ultimately emerged with him into a renewed spirit.

The book is set up as a great read over 40 days - one chapter per day - giving time to chew on and wrestle with each day's entries. And, even if like me you're unable to put the book down at the end of a day's entry, the short chapters provide good places to stop and pick the book back up when you're ready.

Whether you are caught in the throes of doubt, denial and frustrations about God and the church, or if you simply have had times when you feel like your prayers have gone unheard, Blackbird Singing in the Dead of Night will speak to the depths of your soul with understanding and ultimately a restoring Hope.

My prayer is that this book will be one that pastors, ministers, missionaries, and anyone entrenched in Church-ianity will read and relate to. I pray that it will serve to free them from the pedestal of perfection and allow them to be real with their own struggles. I pray that it will open the doors for them to share their doubts and difficult times with their congregations, organizations, fellowships and small groups. And I pray that ultimately this book will help those who have lost their joy and their passion find their way back to who God truly created them to be, and restore in them an authentic, hopeful relationship with God.

I encourage you to read Blackbird yourself, then share it! Share it with friends who are in a "wilderness" time of their lives. You could even read it together through the 40 days of the lenten season. Get copies for your pastors and ministers. You never know what they may be going through and how it might help them (or one day help them) to know they are not alone.

Go take sneak-peak at it OR download or pre-order it today!

This book will be a blessing to you and all who read it!