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Water To Wine Some of My Story edition by Brian Zahnd Religion Spirituality eBooks

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Water To Wine Some of My Story edition by Brian Zahnd Religion Spirituality eBooks

This book was an absolute joy for me! Thank you Brian Zahnd! From the opening chapter to the last page it felt like I was opening a gift. I truely appreciate what you have generously shared here.
For those of you who are familiar with Brian Zahnd's work - his books, blogs, and sermon-podcasts - you won't be disappointed! In fact get ready to be overwhelmed. The poetry alone, included here, makes it worth ordering the book, but there's so much more. And for those who don't know Zahnd's work, I can tell you, you've been missing out! Brian Zahnd is a pastor, a poet, prophet and theologian. A true craftsman in the art of the written and spoken word.
You may think you came across this author by random chance. Maybe so. Or you may sometime down the road come to see, as I have, it wasn't random chance at all, but Grace. Since I found Zahnd 4 years ago on the internet I can't come close to adequately expressing how much he has, with the heart of a pastor, helped me navigate my own spiritual transition and lead me into a much richer walk of faith.
As prophets do, Zahnd here in Water To Wine offers critique of the church. Specifically the Christian church of North America. He has seen clearly and lived through many of the ills of the church which he addresses. Begining with "certitude" Brian points out how many Christians today have abandoned authentic faith for the easier, yet superficial walk of certainty, where wrestling with doubt (part of the fabric of faith) is considered back-sliding. He calls out the consumer-christianty he sees where suffering is avoided at all costs... the entertainment-oriented, partisan-political agenda, motivational seminar, you-can-have-it-all, success in life brand of christian chuch so previlant today. He looks at all of this, not with a pointing finger but with the invitation to let it all go. There is so much more than that watered-down way, there is still the Jesus Way - the robust, fascinating, beautiful and mysterious Jesus Way.
Water To Wine is a hope-filled story. The door is open. Get this book. Enjoy the ride!


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Water To Wine Some of My Story edition by Brian Zahnd Religion Spirituality eBooks Reviews

This is the first book I’ve read by Brian Zahnd, although I’ve been a follower of his blog for quite some time now. I’ve enjoyed his writing and the theology he embraces, so when I heard him announce he had published a portion of his life’s story, I eagerly ordered the book to learn a bit more about him. I’m glad I did… This book has been one of the more affirming and encouraging books I’ve read in a long time. While it’s not my intent to pontificate about me in this review, I will say without reservation Water to Wine is also some of my story. Even more intriguing than Brian’s story being so uncanny in its similarity to my own, is that this same path traced by Brian Zahnd seems to be a common thread in the journey of so many Protestants.

This portion of Zahnd’s story begins with the desire to truly connect with the deep wisdom and mystery of the center of Christianity, the God-man, Jesus. Brian speaks of his ministry success and expresses his disenchantment with a “paper-thin Christianity propped up by cheap certitude.” He was yearning for something deeper, richer, fuller… What follows is an epic and eye-opening exploration to the ancient paths of the Christian faith and the discovery of traditions of deep-wisdom forged by the original apostles and disciples of Christ and continued by the saints who have followed them through the ages. This is The stuff of true disciples of the Way of Jesus Christ.

Chapter by chapter, Zahnd interweaves some of his story with the history and experiences of those faithful followers through the ages who left the breadcrumbs of faith for us to follow. There is nothing that I do not absolutely love about this book, but there are several chapters that resonate so deeply within that I know it is the affirming nod of the Holy Spirit. One of these affirmations comes from chapters three, four, and five where Brian reflects on his reintroduction to the discipline of prayer…and perhaps even the redefining and rediscovery what prayer truly represents and can be. As I mentioned earlier, so much of what he “found” in this chapter was an echo of my own discovery with fixed-hour prayers, ancient prayer books, contemplative prayer, and more wrapped up in this richness of unity with the Godhead and with the fellowship and communion of the saints.

Another chapter that is among my favorites and maybe my very favorite is chapter seven, Grain and Grape. In this chapter, Brian shares a wonderful exploration and treatment of the Eucharistic celebration that is the Table of the Lord. I love the connection he makes with the Incarnation of the Lord and the sacrament of Communion, the Eucharist. He writes; “The more deeply we are influenced by the sacred mystery of the Incarnation—that God became human—the more seriously we will take the sacraments of Baptism and Communion.” What proceeds for the remainder of this chapter following those words is an exhilarating journey into the realm of sacred mystery and earthbound glory.

Zahnd concludes this portion of his testimony with a bit of an apologetic…not an apology. This is an explanation and invitation to “come and follow” on this incredibly rich ride that is the Christianity that has been born out of those early followers of Jesus. No, this is not a return to the old, but an honoring of the ancient as we stand on the shoulders of those who have faithfully journeyed before us. We walk side-by-side in the age we live, building on the traditions that have been time-honored methods of forming disciples of Jesus.

There is much more that I could detail about this book, but I have been deliberately vague in the specifics of what Brian shares. If you are the slightest bit intrigued, I strongly encourage you to buy the book. If you have felt that following Jesus and the promises of your faith have fallen short of what you have believed it should be, buy the book. You might find a door opening that will set the course for the greatest adventure of your life…and ultimately be the faith that you have always believed was calling to you all along.
This book was an absolute joy for me! Thank you Brian Zahnd! From the opening chapter to the last page it felt like I was opening a gift. I truely appreciate what you have generously shared here.
For those of you who are familiar with Brian Zahnd's work - his books, blogs, and sermon-podcasts - you won't be disappointed! In fact get ready to be overwhelmed. The poetry alone, included here, makes it worth ordering the book, but there's so much more. And for those who don't know Zahnd's work, I can tell you, you've been missing out! Brian Zahnd is a pastor, a poet, prophet and theologian. A true craftsman in the art of the written and spoken word.
You may think you came across this author by random chance. Maybe so. Or you may sometime down the road come to see, as I have, it wasn't random chance at all, but Grace. Since I found Zahnd 4 years ago on the internet I can't come close to adequately expressing how much he has, with the heart of a pastor, helped me navigate my own spiritual transition and lead me into a much richer walk of faith.
As prophets do, Zahnd here in Water To Wine offers critique of the church. Specifically the Christian church of North America. He has seen clearly and lived through many of the ills of the church which he addresses. Begining with "certitude" Brian points out how many Christians today have abandoned authentic faith for the easier, yet superficial walk of certainty, where wrestling with doubt (part of the fabric of faith) is considered back-sliding. He calls out the consumer-christianty he sees where suffering is avoided at all costs... the entertainment-oriented, partisan-political agenda, motivational seminar, you-can-have-it-all, success in life brand of christian chuch so previlant today. He looks at all of this, not with a pointing finger but with the invitation to let it all go. There is so much more than that watered-down way, there is still the Jesus Way - the robust, fascinating, beautiful and mysterious Jesus Way.
Water To Wine is a hope-filled story. The door is open. Get this book. Enjoy the ride!