There were some good nuggets in here, and I really liked Angie's exposition of scripture. She breaks down some of the "big theology" (especially the meanings of Greek and Hebrew words) and puts it into a form that laywomen can understand without watering it down.

Angie is really funny, but she constantly interrupted herself to go on long tangents that were meant to lighten up the text; instead, they were just distracting - her humor and her anecdotes were never related strongly enough to her main topic to be insightful or memorable.

(I got the impression that many people who have read Angie's other books must have not understood her sarcastic, snarky sense of humor, and so she felt the need to over-explain her humor in this book.)

My favorite part was actually the exact same message I heard her give in person last year - she delves into the story of Abraham when he's about to sacrifice Isaac, explaining that Abraham told his son that God would provide a lamb and in the story, it's a ram that is found in the thicket. She relates this back to her own life:

"My eyes were locked on a thicket instead of a cross. I was relying on a promise He never made me. And even when it feels hollow, I force the words because I know there is power in the truth. Satan comes in the most broken moments and he whispers lies and asks me if I'm sure God is for me. Am I sure He is good? Am I sure He provides? There is power in truth, and I shout it with my soul - No. I am not sure about the ram. But I am certain about the Lamb. The enemy of my soul will not convince me that my circumstances reflect the way God is providing for me. It is simply not so." (p. 167) ( )

58618

This is an amazing book. When we think we have everything figured out, we realize that we really do not know Him. And Angie open our eyes for that fact, using a very colloquial language, very simple and easy to understand. She proves to us that we are using the wrong approach to reach God. Many different aspects touched me deeply in this book, while I was reading it. The more we want to be close to God, the more we chase Him e the more we get frustrated for not sensing that communion we seek. But as she stated clearly, "we can't comprehend the truth in all it's wild simplicity, so we create a version of Christianity that appeals more to our sensibilities". How deep this sentence goes. Like herself, I am also a very intuitive person, so I have exactly the same feeling that I did not try hard enough to achieve my intimacy with God. And the capstone came in the form "When we spend more of our time searching for assurance than we do acting our of belief, we are chasing God". How true that thought is! So I start having the feeling that the author had some points on her assessments, and I was identifying myself very much with her thoughts. And when she gave suggestions on how not to chase God, I was devouring the book like it was my last supper. "Don't wait for the miracle you think will make it clear. Confess your belief and then act out of that determination". And every page I turned I read more advises that at the end I was astonished on how far away I was going on my approach to know God.
If you really want to know your God, I recommend you read this book on how to reach him and not incur in the same mistakes I did. Like the author, "I don't want to run anymore. I want to kneel".
Excellent reading, I recommend this book to the permanent library of any serious Christian who wants to improve his relationship with our God, that loves us so much!

This book was written by Angie Smith and published on December 2013 and I received a copy for reviewing from the author (through Icon Media Group (Thanks, Kelsey)). I was not requested to provide a positive review. Opinion expressed here is my own. ( )

Title: Chasing God
Author: Angie Smith
Pages: 192
Year: 2014
Publisher: B & H Books
Before I opened this book, the only concrete knowledge I had was that God was calling me to read it today, so I did. Being blessed with various books to read, it is a rare day to see me not reading. In fact, as I have pondered how I ever got to where I am today as a reviewer and blogger, the thought comes to mind of how God called me to start this blog in May 2011. Yet, the original intentions have grown far beyond my wildest imagination or even dared to dream. Originally, I thought I would write whatever the Lord put on my heart that day to share, but it has become something radically different. Not only am I not doing this alone as I have the best friend a woman can ask for who has answered God’s call to not just read and review, but so much more. Someday we’ll talk about that change.
In her nonfiction writing, the author shares with humor and transparency what the Lord has taught her over the last year, and the radical change that has resulted in her heart. Angie states she started writing this book a year ago, but when asked for the contents page she couldn’t come up with one. No matter how much she prayed and sat down to write, nothing would come forth. All of that was by God’s design because He was teaching her something over time that she would then share in the pages of this book.
Chasing God is how God revealed Himself to Angie about Who He is and Who He is not, along with her struggles to let go of being in charge. Like all of us, there are questions she posed and wanted answers to, but one lesson God wanted her to be okay with is not knowing the answers. Personally, I believe the most freeing words we can speak are,”I don’t know.” Why? There is no way we as finite beings will ever be able to fully comprehend or explain to anyone’s satisfaction answers to their questions about an infinite God. He has revealed some knowledge of Who He is to us, but certainly not all. There will always be an aspect of mystery about God. Are we okay with that?
When you read the book, there will be times for contemplation and other times you will find yourself bursting out in laughter. Women can relate very well to what Angie shares. God loves to unveil Himself before those who seek His face, though not as a culmination of academic knowledge. Angie is like most women; she feels deeply, wants to know the beginning and the plan before letting go and allowing God to truly lead us. Grab a copy, take a little time to read and then share with someone what God speaks to you about what you’ve read.
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )