Messy Faith: Daring to Live by Grace

by A.J. Gregory

While most of us trudge toward the cross with the best intentions, at times our lives just don't pan out the way we've planned. Messy Faith addresses the muddled adventure that we call "working out our salvation." It is being sure and unsure, whole and broken, warring, losing, and winning. It is being right and being wrong and having no clue, but believing anyway. And it is trusting in God to perfect the final product of our flawed, human lives.Author A. J. Gregory explores her own personal experiences, and those of a handful of flawed biblical heroes and others who have endured painful or simply ordinary realities in the journey to belief. This honest book will comfort anyone who has had a less-than-straight path to belief and those who continue to struggle.

Genres: Faith

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

A. J. Gregory is an accomplished freelance writer who has helped author seven books. Thought-provoking and meditative, Gregory is not afraid to seek out and expose the truth of the inner life--the good, bad, and ugly. Through asking the tough questions, her transparency is honest, refreshing, and painfully revealing. Messy Faith is her groundbreaking attempt at finding some equilibrium between spirituality and the realities of life. She is a member of The Life Christian Church, a seeker-friendly congregation located in a suburb of New York City.

Reviews

[Acacia Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing read. Really thankful for such a real take on Christianity. Gregory is a wonderful author and I hope to read more of her books after this one.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing. Initially, it was another by A.J. Gregory that I wanted to read but my library system didn't have it. But they had this one so I decided to give it a shot. And I'm glad I did. It was almost like I was meant to read this book, especially at this point in my life. Messy Faith is all about how it's okay to not be a "perfect Christian." Everyone has struggles in life. It's okay to have doubts sometimes, as long as you are honest with God about what you're feeling. He's there. He's listening. He's working for you even if you don't think so. Lots of good quotes in this book that I promptly wrote down to refer back to later. I think I might have to own this book, though.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me wanting more. Even though Gregory begins the book by saying that she doesn't intend the book to be about her life, she spends about half the book talking about her life. As a male, I did not relate to much of what she had to offer. It also seemed like she would write a story to set up the next chapter, when she didn't need the preface. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to be learned from the book. The most poignant is when she says "I don't know how messy your faith is. I just know that God is there."

[jana Blazek · Rating 4 out of 5]

some chapters were better than others - but a great, faithful exploration of addiction.

[Gillian Stokes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it... was drawn to it in the book shop and is probably one of the first books that clarifies for me the battle with Faith

[Melany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I thought it was a really good book. The author is refreshingly sincere and inspiring. While some parts of the book became repetitive, I would still recommend for others to read.