Customer Reviews

Dangerous Wonder (with Discussion Guide)

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.'"

if you're longing to skip down the halls of the sanctuary that is your heart...

if you're looking for recess for the soul...

if you've kept the faith but lost the passion...

this is the book for you! it will make you laugh. it will make you cry. you will close the book with a new outlook on Jesus and a clearer picture of faith...

a must read!

Hey all,

This is an amazing book. However if you are looking for a deep thelogical description of what a child like faith is this book isn't for you. For that matter if you want anything deep and theological, find a different author. Mike writes for your everday people. He writings are for people who want a break from acadamia and want somthing that is just plain and simple.
This book capture real life examples of childlike faith. It show how boring life is with out the carefreeness of childhood. It makes you want to go out and revive the passion and naivity of childhood. It makes you long to play with God.
I love this book it made me realize that my life is boring and needs some passion in it. I have long ingored the call of My savior to come out and play. I have grown accustomed to the noise of this world and have forgotten what the quiet wisper of God sound like. If you can relate then this book is for you.

Granted, I'm a college student and not a parent, I still appreciated this book for it's attempts to explore "childlike faith" and rediscover that that is where God wants us all to be.

I've been fascinated with the "childlike faith" idea for the past few years now, and this book is a nice glimpse into that idea with a variety of simplistic reflections that don't complicate things, but rather, tell life how it is.

Many people come to Christian living books with expectations to take them deep, deep and deeper, and are disappointed when they don't "feel" like that the book was that deep. However, I don't think Mike writes simply for fun...he does so to help us understand that we don't have to use big words to impress God...b/c a child-sized heart is big enough.

After reading this even part way, I just had to share about it at church just because I think it rings so true. If we can't all be in awe of God every moment of the day, something has gone wrong in us...we have become too comfortable & complacent. Michael reminds us of the innocence and awe of children and that even Christ says that we must have a faith like that to come to Him....and yet somehow we insist on being serious & rigid.

It is sad if someone reads this book and can get nothing out of it.....you might be too far gone if you can't catch the need for us to have awe and amazement for our Creator in daily things from dew on the grass - to the love of a friend. May you take the challenge to find innocence in your heart again!

This book may be an easy read, but it is contageous & is now circulating amongst my friends. This book is good for brand new believers as well as those of us who've been on the path for a while.

This book is an amazing guide for living with Christ as your friend. The power of the book for me though came in the detailed illustrations Mike used. He made all of his ideas come to life and seem atainable through heartfelt stories from his past. I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a friend in God and anyone who can feel their inner-child still longing to come out and play.

There are so many boring Christian books. Thier contents are almost interchangable. This book is FRESH. You will read something that is a little different but you will surely not be bored. The author writes with passion and humor and has a keen eye for the nuances of God's presence in this world.

This book is truely amazing. I read it in three sittings, desperately trying to squeeze in a few more pages when supposed to be working! It left me crying out for more as I reluctantly finished. Yaconelli has a genuine gift in story-telling and illustrates his thoughts with heartwarming tales. Some stories are hilarious, others sad, but you can't help but be moved by these pictures of the simplicity of God's love for undeserving scum like us. Theologically it's sound. The beauty of Dangerous Wonder is the style in which Yaconelli writes - continually finding God in everyday occurances, in creation, in children. This book reawakened my senses to the youthful idealism and energy of childhood, which although I have never lost, is constantly under seige from the dullness of life and the daily routine. Thank you Mike, I feel recharged again, ready to build more sandcastles and enjoy coloring! Never lose the wonder.