Far From Home: The Soul's Search for Intimacy with God [Paperback]

Joseph M. M. Stowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2001

Live out a 'radical reliance' on God.When it is forgotten that God belongs at the center of all we do, Christianity becomes a task maintained by responsibilities and requirements. God becomes a distant figure in our lives. Joseph Stowell has written Far From Home to help readers regain a sense of intimacy and reliance upon the God of the universe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Believing that we have left our first love, God, and feel an emptiness in our lives, Stowell urges us back into an intimate relationship with God. Stowell uses Bible stories like Adam and Eve's choosing to disobey God and the prodigal son's choosing to leave his father with inheritance in hand to illustrate humanity's disposition to leave in search of knowledge and autonomy. He uses these examples, also, to point out the ways that God continues to seek out these lost souls and pursue them with love. Stowell draws upon interviews with noted Christian personalities like Adrian Rogers, Bill Bright and Joni Eareckson Tada as he reveals these Christians' struggles in their search for intimacy with God. Finally, Stowell shares his own search for this intimacy by noting, "I love the fact that Christ pursues intimacy with me.... I am ashamed of my self-sufficiency. And I love the fact that He is still knocking, still keeps pursuing." Stowell's book is not chock-full of steps to follow to achieve greater intimacy with God. Rather, this book is an introduction to, and a rather simple overview of, a facet of the Christian life that Stowell believes is fundamental to Christian spirituality.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Moody Publishers (March 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802410871
• ISBN-13: 978-0802410870
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,155,934 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Joseph M. Stowell serves as the 11th President of Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Comprised of approximately 2500 undergraduate and graduate students, Cornerstone is a Christ-centered university with a passion for global influence through the transforming power of the gospel. The University is committed to creating an environment where students thrive both spiritually and intellectually as they prepare themselves to influence our world as followers of Jesus. An internationally recognized conference speaker, Joe has also written numerous books including "The Trouble with Jesus, Simply Jesus and You, The Upside of Down" and "Eternity." Joe also serves with RBC Ministries, partnering in media productions, writing, and outreach to pastors. His "Strength for the Journey" web ministry, www.getmorestrength.org, features daily devotionals, weekly messages and commentary, downloadable Bible study curriculum, and an audio library of his most requested messages. Joe serves on the Board of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Wheaton College, and has a distinguished career in higher education and church leadership. From 1987-2005, he served as the president of Moody Bible Institute, and as teaching pastor at the 10,000-member Harvest Bible Chapel in suburban Chicago from 2005 to early 2008 prior to assuming the presidency at Cornerstone University. He is a graduate of Cedarville University and Dallas Theological Seminary and was honored with a doctor of divinity degree from The Master's College in 1987. Joe and his wife Martie are the parents of three adult children and ten grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you're looking for the Living God-He's available, August 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Far from Home: The Soul's Search for Intimacy with God (Hardcover)

This book is a wonderful synopsis of the true meaning of a relationship with the living God supported, not just by the author's experience, but based on scripture. Few seek after this type of intimacy and it is sad because few find it as a result and this is stated through out the book. It is a wonderful book of encouragement for those that know or want to know the loving God that we have and how much He has invested so that we can have a relationship with Him. All we need to do is "draw near to Him and He will draw near to us". A simple but profoundly true statement

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Blessing, February 14, 2000

By 

Joel W. Lohr (Jerseyville, Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Far from Home: The Soul's Search for Intimacy with God (Hardcover)

Once again, Joe Stowell has brought the gospel to life! This book came along at a point in my life when I really needed to be reminded of the importance of developing that intimate connection with God. I needed to be reminded that God has not moved, it is we humans who have drifted off of the path that God has designed us for. I appreciate the conversational and heartfelt tenor of this book. A must read for anyone who is looking to recapture the orignal passion of the Christian faith, or for those who are struggling to discover the central issue of the faith... that being finding our home with God and no where else!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes tough, but very true, June 10, 2007

By 

Wolfe Moffat (Franklinville, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Far from Home: The Soul's Search for Intimacy with God (Hardcover)

This was a gift given to me by a best buddy of mine. Hey, the thing's less then 200 pages, I should finish it in about 2 days. WRONG! I think people are going to find that when this points at them, kind of like looking down the barrel of a 44 magnum, it won't be so easy. It made me look at some issues that aren't always so simple. So if you think you have a great intimacy with God, you may be right. But you might not have it all together either, which I knew I didn't. I just didn't realize it would be a little more difficult to face.

Stowell takes a few simple chapters concerning intimacy with God, and combines it the "The Prodigal Son" parable. Like I said, it seems like a real piece of cake, and it isn't always. Sometimes the difference between God's will and our will is like pulling teeth! Stowell took a few lessons from Steve Farrar, which I really enjoyed, and put them in this. He took a few places with King Jehoshaphat, and showed how God was in control. That was pretty awesome! He showed great examples through the life of Job, through the Psalms, and through some great teachers today. The chapter that got my attention more then any other was one called, "Connectedness." Quite frankly, at first I was like, SO WHAT? It was really quite simple, connecting with God, yet it was the longest chapter in the whole book. And it was quite relevant. In that chapter, it had some great testimonies from people like Bill Bright, Joni Eareckson Tada, Dr. Adrian Rogers, and a few others. Good examples the whole way through.

So, are you ready to come home? Do you dare crack the first page and find out a little bit about yourself? You might even surprise yourself. Joseph Stowell has something to say, and he probably has some experience to back it up as well! I really enjoyed this.