Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith [Paperback]

Michael Yaconelli (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 1998 | ISBN-10: 1576831280 | ISBN-13: 978-1576831281

JUMP FIRST. FEAR LATER.

Remember the thrill of thinking you could fly? The adventure of going places in your imagination? The joy and abandon of running and jumping and playing hard-without worrying about what "might" happen?

In Dangerous Wonder, Michael Yaconelli invites you to recapture the joy of being a child and apply it to your relationship with God. You'll be encouraged to ask difficult questions about faith and take Jesus at His word when He says, "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

If you're looking for the joy and freedom of faith, Dangerous Wonder will open your eyes and your life to the possibility of an exciting adventure in relationship with God.

"Mike Yanconelli has written a book about wonder that is truly wonderful. It made me laugh, cry, and pray that God would help me grow up enough to become a child again. After reading this book, I felt my spirit loosen its tie, kick off its shoes, and run out to play in the sunshine of God's grace."-Dr. Donald W. McCullough, president, San Francisco Theological Seminary and author of The Trivialization of God

"Sea-lover, loner, sky-sentry, gifted writer, faithful friend, Mike Yanconelli awakens and befriends the child within and guides us to a place where Jesus says we all belong."-Brennan Manning, author of The Boy Who Cried Abba and Abba's Child TABLE OF CONTENTS: Introduction: The Place All Children Know About Chapter 1: Dangerous Wonder Chapter 2: Risky Curiosity Chapter 3: Wild Abandon Chapter 4: Daring Playfulness Chapter 5: Intense Listening Chapter 6: Irresponsible Passion Chapter 7: Happy Terror Chapter 8: Naive Grace Chapter 9: Childlike Faith

Editorial Reviews

Review

Playfully written with both humorous and honest stories from his life, Dangerous Wonder provokes readers into looking at Christianity in a whole new light. -- Frontline CBA, January 1999

This book is filled with wonderful stories to remind us what childlike faith looks and feels like, and it challenges the Christian status quo. We are told to take risks, to wonder, to love passionately, and to experience God's indiscriminate grace...Dangerous Wonder is a must-read. Many youths in my church think Jesus never laughed and the Christian life is boring. That breaks my heart. My mission now is to liberate these teens in any way I can. This book will help! -- Youthworker, January/February 1999

The other day I wore my son's board shorts on my head. The cord hung undecorously behind my ear and the legs ballooned out behind. My nearly eight-year-old came down from his room and placed his swimmers on my head while I was eating breakfast and reading Dangerous Wonder. I normally would have removed them and ordered him to get ready for school, but I was reading that book. So I left them on ...If none of this makes sense to you, then you urgently need to read Dangerous Wonder...If people read it they might sell everything and give it to the poor, or dance with all their might in church, or wear swimmers on their head. They might stop what they are doing and, for the first time since they were nearly eight, do nothing but enjoy life. And suddenly find that God is there enjoying it with them. -- Peter Hallett, Alive, May 1999

This is the sort of book which can and will change lives. It is so refreshing to read someone who communicates passionately through words and images. I, for one, hope to find the courage to follow the invitation to childlike discipleship-a "jump-first-fear-later" faith. -- Donald Macaskill, Life & Work, February 1999

From the Back Cover

JUMP FIRST. FEAR LATER. Remember the thrill of thinking you could fly? The adventure of going places in your imagination? The joy and abandon of running and jumping and playing hard-without worrying about what "might" happen? In Dangerous Wonder, Michael Yaconelli invites you to recapture the joy of being a child and apply it to your relationship with God. You'll be encouraged to ask difficult questions about faith and take Jesus at His word when He says, "Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." If you're looking for the joy and freedom of faith, Dangerous Wonder will open your eyes and your life to the possibility of an exciting adventure in relationship with God. This new edition now includes a discussion guide to help you experience an even deeper relationship with God, filled with wonder and awe.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 151 pages
• Publisher: Navpress (February 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576831280
• ISBN-13: 978-1576831281
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,058,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Yaconelli has been in the ministry for forty-two years, both as a pastor and a minister to students. He is the lay pastor of Grace Community Church, owner and cofounder of Youth Specialties, former editor of "The Door", and the author of Dangerous Wonder. He lives in Yreka, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find God through beginning/renewing a Childlike Faith, November 11, 1998

By 

Timothy P. Sandifer "?" (Godfrey, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith (Hardcover)

Through his Youth Specialties publications, previous work in THE DOOR magazine, and other writings, Mike Yaconelli has always tackled issues in very fresh, non-conventional ways. His willingness to challenge us to see things differently has enabled me to continue to believe that God is worth pursuing, even when most Christians were unknowingly persuading me otherwise. The same holds true here in this incredibly powerful book.

If you are tired of hearing the same cliches and thoughtless pragmatism of most current Christian authors (such as "5 Easy Steps to a Happy, Spirit-Filled Life"), let Mike help you rediscover the true nature of what Christianity is intended to be. Mike highlights the importance of doubt, questions, wonder, mystery, passion, honesty, and "wild abandon" to God... themes that are seldom spoken of in Christian circles today but are in desperate need of inclusion. Christians who may have become stale (and boring) in their persuit of God can rediscover the joy and wonder of what drew them to Christ in the first place. And for new or potential Christians who may not be corrupted yet by the current version of happy, quick-fix, Americanized Christianity, here's a chance for you to start on the right foot. Skip the fluffy stuff. Yac is back.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Find God through beginning/renewing a Childlike Faith, February 17, 2000

By 

Timothy P. Sandifer "?" (Godfrey, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith (Paperback)

Through his Youth Specialties publications, previous work in THE DOOR magazine, and other writings, Mike Yaconelli has always tackled issues in very fresh, non-conventional ways. His willingness to challenge us to see things differently has enabled me to continue to believe that God is worth pursuing, even when most Christians were unknowingly persuading me otherwise. The same holds true here in this incredibly powerful book.

If you are tired of hearing the same cliches and thoughtless pragmatism of most current Christian authors (such as "5 Easy Steps to a Happy, Spirit-Filled Life"), let Mike help you rediscover the true nature of what Christianity is intended to be. Mike highlights the importance of doubt, questions, wonder, mystery, passion, honesty, and "wild abandon" to God... themes that are seldom spoken of in Christian circles today but are in desperate need of inclusion. Christians who may have become stale (and boring) in their persuit of God can rediscover the joy and wonder of what drew them to Christ in the first place. And for new or potential Christians who may not be corrupted yet by the current version of happy, quick-fix, Americanized Christianity, here's a chance for you to start on the right foot. Skip the fluffy stuff. Yac is back.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thankful for this book, October 30, 2003

By 

Michael Taulbee (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dangerous Wonder: The Adventure of Childlike Faith (Paperback)

I just learned that Mike Yaconelli died in an auto accident today. His death reminded me of how much I enjoyed his book Dangerous Wonder.

His journey into a "Childlike Faith" was very well written and gave a good insight into some of the missing aspects of today's Christian. I recommend this book to any Christian who is seeking a renewed wonder.

Thank you Mike for your wonderful book, your work with Youth Specialties, and your faithful work. You will be missed.

"A four year old girl leans into her baby sister's crib and whispers 'Baby, remind me what God sounds like, I am starting to forget.'"