Authentic Faith: The Power of a Fire-Tested Life

I'm reading this with a group of women as a devotional for a Mops leadership group and we all recommend it! Gary talks about a host of areas in our lives that we don't frequently dwell on, areas that can be hard to think about much less discuss. There are chapters on selflessness, waiting, suffering, persecution, social mercy, forgiveness, mourning, contentment, sacrifice and hope and fear. Lest that sounds too depressing, take heart! Using many real life examples, he discusses how each of these areas can draw us closer to God. As he says, "what if life isn't meant to be perfect, but we are meant to trust the One who is?" As any human being knows, life isn't perfect but our experiences can help shape our faith, if we allow God to let them. I also highly recommend going on his website [...] for a free study guide to go along with the book. You can also download free chapters of other books as well as study guides to go along with them. This book isn't a light read, but if you really want to grow deeper in your faith, I highly recommend reading and pursuing an "Authentic Faith".

I found the author after a study of When to Walk Away. I will recommend this book to my friends and plan to read others by Gary Thomas.

I love that this book takes biblical disciplines and helps you see how they flesh out in real life. It brings up hard spiritual realities with encouragement and a genuineness of heart that leaves you inspired to adopt the disciplines into your walk with Christ. This one is a keeper to be re-read at least once a year.

The book was full of things every Christian should know and understand. My small group used this as a study doing 1 chapter per week.

This book has been life changing for me. Thomas addresses pain and suffering in a way that I can receive, even as a skeptic who wants to believe.This is book talks about counting the cost of being a Christian which is something many churches avoid in their desire to win everyone to Christ. If we count the cost, and still convert, we will really believe.

Loved reading it in college and again nearly 10 years later. He weaves spiritual truth, great stories and personal life experience beautifully. It's engaging even if you don't really enjoy reading. Convicting and powerful.

Read this for assigned seminary course material. Seemed like the easiest first bite of a 5 book reading marathon. The content and pace of the book are great The incredible challenge comes not from the concepts proffered, but the application of them. Thomas's candour and vulnerability leave the reader no place to hide from the truth that is God's word.

This is one of the best books I've ever read! Thomas address areas of faith that most people never talk about (the difficulties that we can't control). I recommended it to all my friends. We even used it for our women's study bible stuy. Every one of my friends who've read this book has also loved it. It's challenging, and it makes you uncomfortable with the comforts of your own faith. This book is convicting, but it also helps to transform your thinking and test your faith.

This book helps you re-examine your faith, obedience to God. It is well-written and very inspiring. Worth reading more than once!

Deep fellowship with Christ is what matters. No matter the trial or struggle, or pain, knowing HIM is all that matters. May HE be glorified and may HIS will be done.