"40 loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day," by C.D. Baker

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 .

What I have to say...When I read the summary for the forty day devotional 40 loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day, by C.D. Baker, I was skeptical. It starts, “There are many questions we’re not supposed to ask...” Oh boy, I thought, what in the world is this book about? Honestly, I don’t know of a devotional book I would more quickly recommend to every Christian, no matter how long they’ve known Christ. Each chapter starts with what could be considered an “uncomfortable” question in any Christian circle. I’m pretty sure though, that God can handle my questions. Maybe even those questions, that may make others uncomfortable, will draw not only me, but anyone that learns the answer, closer to God! This book has given me insight to things that I really never was comfortable enough to figure it out on my own. It is heavily scripture filled, very biblically based. Why should we not ask a question because “we’re not supposed to,” or because “it’s not culturally acceptable?” When questions are not asked, answers are not discovered, and things never change. Why should someone else say what I can or cannot ask God? He welcomes our question! I strongly encourage you to read this book!

*This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.*


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