Chasing My Father

by Agatha Nolen

Chasing My Father is about my journey to find rest in a chaotic world. My new life started in Soweto, South Africa where I learned the real meaning of forgiveness and love. Returning home to Nashville, Tennessee, I finally found freedom and rest. Your life can be different, too. Chasing My Father is your invitation to join me on this journey. Everyone I have met has brought me one step closer, or one step further away, from God. All the lessons are valuable, and I’ve had untold opportunities to receive and give love. With my fellow conspirators, we have great expectations of the coming of the Holy Spirit as we see glimpses of God’s Kingdom through the great power, wonderful light, contagious love, and holy fire that is all around us. I have not sailed a straight course on my journey, but I’ve learned to put God first in my life. When he is my Commander, decisions become easier, and His whispers become crystal clear invitations to join Him in His work. This book is dedicated to the countless people who have inspired me and held me up when I stumbled. It is their example and wisdom that has made me hungry to help others take those first tentative steps to a new life. I pray that you will find healing in your relationships by putting God first, and allowing all other relationships to flow from your first love.
Blessings,
Agatha

350 pages, Paperback

First published November 25, 2013

Reviews

[Rebecca Carnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book

This book grabbed me from the first. It is very thought provoking and has caused me to stop reading and really think about the spiritual principles being presented. There are so many levels on which I can really identify with her journey to understanding, enlightenment and faith. Finding a church home and family to unconditionally accept her and lift her up as a fellow Christian is a powerful part of understanding what it means to be a child of God.

[Kakkyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

An honest, candid book that I couldn't put down. She dealt with illness, divorce and life's choices with refreshing frankness.

[Adrian W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.

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This was a frustrating read, mostly because it wasn't like reading a memoir, as I expected. Instead, it was like reading chat transcripts from the author's life and recollections.

I was especially put off by the initial scene: the author details an entire two-way conversation she is having with her deceased parents. I pressed on, thinking it would be a one-time thing (though the detail was beyond the scope of credibility, something that's important to me when reading a memoir), but there would be more very detailed conversations like this to come.

I especially didn't enjoy the confusing juxtapositions presented by the author of other people. On one page, she would describe herself as thinking a person to be a "mentor" or a "man of God" and then offering to pray for them on the next because they had made some sort of mistake. The whiplash was too much for me.

The most interesting part of this book was the author's honesty about her affairs, something I wish was written about more. Unfortunately, these scenes were provided, but the depths of their meaning were left to the reader's imagination, as they served as little more than stepping-stones to the next scene in the book.

I only rate books I didn't finish as 1-star, so this one received 2-stars (but I wanted to give it 1 and didn't want to finish it).

There are many memoirs worth your time. This isn't one of them.

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love my friend—she is a brilliant writer, resilient human, & faithful servant!