had turned to living a story, a story I shall continue to live for the rest of my life. Stanford’s story gives us astonishingly powerful grammar from which we can conjugate life’s losses, sorrows and despairs as well as joys and hopes." Dr. Leonard Sweet Drew Theological School, George Fox University, sermons.com "A few years ago, I was intrigued by the title The Seven Next Words of Christ, one of the many books my husband brought on vacation to read. I quickly devoured it! I loved the book – but even more importantly, I loved the author. I discovered Shane Stanford and I share a passion for hurting people, and over the years, he has become a trusted friend and brother." Kay Warren Executive Director, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Saddleback Church an honest and hopeful journey into the hard and barren places of our lives. There, amid our cry of absence, we confront a Presence who shares the burdens, opens a new future, and joins our journey toward wholeness. When God Disappears is a refreshing spring of living water in a dry and thirsty land!" Bishop Kenneth L. Carder Ruth W. and A. Morris Williams, Jr. Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry Duke Divinity School Shane Stanford writes with power and conviction about real life with all its joys and imperfections. He tells the stories of ordinary and extraordinary people in a captivating way that permits the faith he proclaims to come alive. When God Disappears is a rare book that you immediately want to share with the most dedicated Christian you know as well as those struggling with faith. Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Church Leadership Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington , DC My first encounters with Jesus came in the form of his loving followers. His presence continues to be most visible, as Shane shares in these six encounters, through people who "love like Jesus, touch like Jesus, ,care like Jesus AND BECOME JESUS TO THE MARGINALIZED AND HURTING." Mike Slaughter Lead Pastor, Ginghamsburg UMC, Tipp City, OH While boldly engaging the difficulty and complexity of this world's pain and suffering, Stanford illumines the message of God's steadfast love with and for those in the most desperate of life's situations. With remarkable insight and candor, Stanford offers a refreshing glimpse into God's love for those who have lost their grasp on hope through personal and biblical narrative. This book is truly a gem! Dr. Laceye Warner Associate Dean for Academics, Duke University Divinity School Shane Stanford points us to God's radiant piercing of miseri. He teaches us to recognize divine presence in divine absence, to celebrate the living light of God, and to cherish one another along the way. As we "show up" and engage our spiritual journeys with Shane, we become braver, more honest, more deeply faithful. Bishop Hope Morgan Ward Episcopal Leader, Mississippi Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church I was prepared for When God Disappears to be a beautifully-written book, and it is. However, I wasn't prepared for the way it reached into the depths of my own soul and brought to the surface hurts I had neatly tucked away then exposed them to the light of Jesus' healing love and forgiveness. This is a life-changing book! Dr. Bev Smallwood Psychologist and Author of This Wasn't Supposed to Happen to Me: 10 Make-or-Break Choices When Life Steals YourDreams and Rocks Your World When God Disappears is truly one of the most candid and sincere exposés of trusting God and living life even when overwhelmed by struggles, challenges, and those unexpected curve balls that life sometimes throws you. Shane Stanford masterfully intertwines testimonies of his friends together with his own life experiences throughout these pages––pulling you into an inner chamber and allowing you to understand complex diseases, hurts, and fears at a very 'real' and human level. He presents a commitment to his faith that will stir-up numerous emotions within you from the book's beginning all the way until the end. This very timely piece has been carefully written, and is sure to transcend denominational, ethnic, and social echelons. Vivian Berryhill President/Founder National Coalition of Pastors' Spouses My radio show focuses on where real life and faith come together. Shane Stanford has delightfully illumined that very intersection of real life and faith with very real stories of very real people encountering a very real God. Well done! I am still pondering in my heart Mary, Sophie, and Carol. Their stories will resonate in my soul for years to come. Allen Hunt Host, The Allen Hunt Show |
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