Customer Reviews

Fear No Evil: A Test of Faith, a Courageous Church, and an Unfailing God

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In a day when many Christian authors seem to constantly chide / encourage their readers to "overcome" or be "victorious" while ignoring the realities of life's difficulties, Pastor Boyd provides a real life scenario and, against all odds, leads the reader to the expectation of hope and 'overcoming' faith in the midst of adversity. Not a spiritual 'self-help' manual, this easily read book takes the reader through New Life Church's darkest days and shows how God's faithfulness "wins in the end!" My eyes welled with tears through much of the book and I set it down with an unshakable sense of His genuine concern for His children. Very private moments are shared in a sensitive and caring manner.

This book is rich because of the circumspect, candid, down to earth way Brady Boyd told the story of what is possible when we invite God into our lives,especially when we don't know what to do or say and everything feels and looks black. He tells just how hard things got and how God was there, just the same.
One of the most beautiful and powerful parts, to me, is where he tells the story of being bullied, in grade school/middle school, and how when his father stepped in to help him, He was able to prevent the bully's from continuing in their bullying and how it's a picture of what the Heavenly Father feels about bullying of any kind and how He came into those dark days, of December 9th, and prevented an even worse aftermath from happening.
It's a beautiful story of the Gospel, played out in the lives of real people, who experienced the pain of death and the hope of life after.

Wherever you are in your life's journey--whether on a mountain-top or in your own "valley of the shadow of death," Fear No Evil: A Test of Faith, a Courageous Church, and an Unfailing God can be an inspiration and encouragement to you. Pastor Boyd thoughtfully recounts the tragic loss of life on that Sunday morning at New Life Church and then, with the heart of a Pastor, takes the reader through the 3+ years of healing. As the mother of two adult children who were on the New Life Church campus that day--one of which witnessed the shootings--I especially appreciate Pastor Boyd's honesty and sensitivity in telling the story.

On Dec 9, 2007, our 8 year old son chose to join us for the church service rather than attend the Children's Church in the Auditorium (across the hall from the shooting). He was feeling anxiety and preferred Mommy and Daddy time to hanging out with his friends. As a result, we left campus 10 minutes earlier than usual, and walked right past the parking spot where the Works had parked, just a few minutes before this dreadful moment.

This book brings back the painful feelings of this day. I thank God every time the subject comes up that He planted this anxiety in my child's mind, and spared us what could have been a very tragic day for us.

That said, the hope this book instills in the reader is an incredible, tangible modern day example of the truths God has revealed to mankind just as He has through stories throughout the Bible. Pastor Brady carefully and sensitively reveals his own struggles coming to grips with the series of tragedies and leading himself, the staff and congregation through the valley to the next mountaintop. Through his reflections, he has helped me understand some of the feelings I had glossed over in my own journey through these tragedies. I can see this being a useful tool for anyone struggling to come to grips with a tragedy, even if the circumstances are very different as the lessons learned transcend the events.

The messages of hope, redemption and His promise to use everything for good are valuable for all of us. More importantly, this book shares insights that could be particularly useful for leaders in order to prepare for the possibility of having to lead any organization through times of tragedy. I pray no leader has to face such tragedy, but encourage all to embrace this book as a tool for planting the foundation for how they might respond if put in such a position. Your families and communities will benefit greatly from your preparations. Thanks be to God for inspiring Pastor Brady to share the important lessons we have learned from these events, that others might benefit from the wisdom we have gained.

This candid recounting of the unthinkable events that have unfolded at New Life Church reaffirms that our faith in God will lead us through the darkest and longest of valleys with the promise of restoration in hope and joy. Pastor Brady speaks openly of his private thoughts and emotions, leading us through some memories as a young man, his calling into ministry, and throughout the trials and tragedy he and members of New Life have met with. It will bring you to tears, and then fill you with joy.

This is a compelling story of hope and redemption...that we, as New Life Church, have witnessed first hand. I am grateful for Pastor Brady's leadership through our most difficult hours. But this book is more than a story of our church; it is a witness of hope, a signpost that reminds us of God's presence with us through every valley, leading us through it. The lessons the Pastor Brady shares here are sure to bring encouragement to many people facing many kinds of difficulties.

Brady Boyd has given us so much more here than New Life Church's experiences and trusts in the past 10 years. This is an incredible book on the biblical perspective of challenge and crisis. With so much teaching out there now that indicates as Christians we just don't have to suffer...it is refreshing to read what the bible actually teaches in Brady's book. We will have challenge and suffering...but God is most definitely IN the challenge and will be faithful to redeem the challenge! Excellent book!

I've been in church almost 40 years and for some reason (probably my fault) use to think that Disney did Christianity (Ch 5 of the book). I was taught that I am blessed, and I am, but that does not mean that I won't go through trials and tribulations. So I had an incomplete understanding. False expectations (a trouble-free life or that we can deserve one by our faith or sinless actions) can be very damaging to the point where some Christians turn their back on God. And when taking eternity into view, this "turning away" would be life's greatest tragedy.

The main theme of "Fear No Evil" is the devastation and recovery at New Life that occurred as a result of the scandal and shooting there. Integrated into that theme are other stories shared from Brady Boyd's personal walk and pastoral work that provides real life examples of Godly people going through dark valleys. Brady also shares and interprets scriptures to show how God can and does turn mourning into life. I believe this book and a study of the scriptures shared within will produce more maturity (James 1:2-4), more compassion, and a better understanding of God's bigger plan to all those who read it.

I cried alot reading this book, having lost a child by Satan's hand. But the lessons Pastor Boyd and New Life learned gave me hope and thus joy. This book is truly a testimony of how God turns mourning into LIFE!

In the middle of the difficulties of life we have a choice to make - "Am I going to live according to my feelings or according to what is true?" This can seem like we have to ditch one for the other but Pastor Brady shows that our feelings are real and need to be validated but we can still land in truth. To say we must ignore or deny our feelings is to live outside of reality, just as it would be detrimental to think we should let our feelings give direction for our lives. If the Church can embrace the tension that New Life has walked I believe we will communicate a more authentic hope to the world.