Customer Reviews

Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life

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I am writing this review for my mother, Rachel White, in her own words. Below her review is my review for the book...

I finished this amazing book in one day. I was unable to put the book down once I started taking this spiritual journey with Joan Ball. Reflecting on it, I realize that what touches me the most about this book was that despite her fear when the spirit of God initially came over her, she never stopped to question the existence of God after that moment. She experienced her "come to Jesus" moment and embraced Him shedding her past thoughts of atheism at the same time. After that moment, she has only pressed forward without looking over her shoulder. She is now walking the life of a Christian.

With the acceptance of God in her life Joan found the stability that she had been searching for. The process of addiction includes attending meetings but coupled with her belief and acceptance in a higher power--God--she has a better chance at maintaining her sobriety. Accepting God in her life has freed her from those things that have harmed or created the individual that she used to be. The process that Joan seemed to unconsciously fight against has been the catalyst that has allowed her to become the person she is currently.

I highly recommend this book to anyone in recovery, seeking sobriety or spiritual guidance, or who has a personal relationship with God. Joan's sense of humor and honesty flowing from start to finish allow the reader to truly become a part of this wondrous journey. This is a story of survival which was told by a very talented story teller.


My review of Flirting with Faith...


After reading Flirting with Faith, whether you are a Christian, atheist, or unclear about what you believe, you might arrive at the conclusion that it was a great thing that the author, Joan Ball, had her come to Jesus moment when she did. After reading the book, the reader is amazed at the experiences she endured--the death of both of her parents, a friend and a child and her son's illness-- in a short period of time that would bring any Christian, saint, or sinner, to their knees. Faith came to Joan's life, one might say, in the nick of time. Her survival in part depended on it. A Christian might say, "God is always on time." And for Joan Ball, the atheist, He was "right" on time.

I was raised in the church and had been to church through my adult life, but never owned the blind faith that I had always desired. My journey, although different from Joan's, was similar in some ways as that blind faith came over me unexpectedly all at once. I know the power of God and was able to witness it in my life which allows me to believe that the story she has penned clearly reflects her conversion experience.

Ms. Ball will face skeptics who might question her story but my being a Christian allows me to see that her story is valid without having been there beside her when it happened. God comes to all of us in different ways and at different times and that is reflected in Joan's walk throughout the story. When one is truly anointed it is evident to those who know what "it" looks like if that anointing is real. Joan Ball is now walking the life of a Christian and is no longer an outsider standing on her toes peeking in.

This book is well written and clearly reflects the sudden and profound experience Joan Ball had in 2003 that would ultimately change her life forever. I feel that this author's wit, honesty and humor guided this book allowing the reader to think of their own religious views while reading about her being "struck" Christian. Joan has walked with blind faith since that day allowing God to be her guide. She never stopped to question what she was feeling. She just stood up, owned it and has never let it go. That is the most amazing part of the story to me. She, like an infant navigating the world for the first time, embraced God and hasn't questioned what He needed from her. She fervently acquired knowledge through reading the Bible, meeting with her pastor and the monks, and dove into Christianity as she had into her addiction, education and career. She has a great desire for her life to be in order and it is now held together by the one thing--religion--she never thought she'd embrace.

Despite your religious beliefs it is clear that something happened to Joan Ball that day which has affected her life and has changed her view of life since religion became a part of it. I look forward to reading another book by Ms. Ball as she continues her Christian journey.

While all of us might like to find ourselves by traveling the world a la Elizabeth Gilbert, most of us are too busy trying to make ends meet that we can't afford such a trek. In Flirting with Faith, Joan Ball offers a pathway for how the rest of us can Eat, Pray and Love without circling the globe. In particular Joan speaks to those who think they have it all but yet they still feel a restlessness within their spirit that keeps tugging at their soul.

This is such a splendid book. I am so happy my first Kindle book turned out to be one I could not stop reading. Ball describes her conversion and her new life in Christ is such a winsome way. I was drawn into her story very quickly and found it captivating. Her story is pretty powerful (conversion was like a heart attack!) and her new life has had plenty of twists and turns, but all of that is seen as part of her being shaped into the likeness of Christ. She's honest and vulnerable, but not sentimental. There is not a wasted word in this excellent book. I am looking forward to more books by her and will recommend this book for years to come. Highly recommended!

I thoroughly enjoyed this heartfelt and honest story and, like the reviewer above me, my favorite part was the bedroom shoe scene! I didn't just feel like I was a viewing the scene from a reader's perspective but rather I FELT I WAS THERE with her. I think that was the most powerful message I took away from this book, however it wasn't the only passage I marked.

I especially enjoyed the story of the professor, John and I highlighted his quote 'It's not about knowing everything and dispensing wisdom from on high. It is about reaching each student individually, heart to heart. Is about connecting with them as human beings in a way that meets their needs, not your convenience.' How much better off would we all be if we heeded his advice!

I felt that the story and the writing got stronger as the book progressed and you can see that as a first time writer she was really learning and growing as she was writing the book. I appreciated the way she really didn't make the conversion experience itself the focus of the work, but, rather what she did after the event and how she transformed her life and the lives of those around her. She seems to have done this by her example and deep faith without being preachy. In fact, at times it seems that she is about to become arrogant, only to become truly humble in the next moment. You really feel that you are on a special journey with Joan and she has left herself wide open to any and all criticism. I love her honesty, humor and ability to question and laugh at herself but never God. She really shows us that this is not just her special journey but that we all have within us the ability to radically change our lives if we will only give God an ear.

I'm not a holy roller by any stretch, not really claiming any particular religion as my own, and I don't like anyone preaching to me or trying to convert me to their beliefs. Never once does the author do this. In fact it seemed to me that she was very diplomatic when she recounted the events that took place at her church. She didn't point fingers or assign blame to any on person, yet she conveyed her disbelief in the events unfolding with humor rather than anger or hate. She seems to have taken the high road with her writing when she could have been scathing and criticizing.

While this book will definitely appeal to Christians, it's message is more broad and it's story engaging enough on it's own that it could appeal to a much wider audience. Anyone with a faith in a power greater than themselves will find inspiration and hope in Flirting with Faith. I would recommend this book to recovery groups, self-help and spiritual book clubs particularly as there are many points for debate and discussion. I look forward to reading more from Joan Ball.

I'm a sucker for an unlikely conversion story. Always have been.

Saul's transformation from Christian killer to flaming evangelist on the road to Damascus. Ex-reporter Lee Strobel's journey from atheism to faith after investigating Christian claims and finding them persuasive. Brian "Head" Welch ditching the metal group Korn and a host of self-destructive habits upon following Christ.

When I first heard Joan Ball would be publishing her story, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. I had been reading her [...] blog for a while and only knew snippets of her story. "Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-Filled Life" filled in all the gaps -- and much more. Joan's first book is a terrific read that conveys, in moving detail, the costs and rewards of an authentic Christian life.

After her startling 180-degree turn on an ordinary Sunday morning in 2003, nothing is ever the same. Faith provides new lens through which to interpret her past and a moral compass for moving forward. Though radical changes ensue, her faith holds fast through career changes, illness, betrayal, and more. She knows little of Christianity's history or the current landscape of the faith. But she credits the Holy Spirit with helping her get up to speed and, like a divine switchboard operator, helping her make serendipitous, lasting connections with others.

The final chapter, which deals with the tyranny of perfectionism, particularly hit home with me. It opens with Joan doing something I've done about a thousand times: standing knee-deep in my closet in a "thick stew of shoes" -- unable to find the footwear I want and exasperated that I can't will my life to be more orderly. More... perfect.

"The foe was this," she writes. "There was and always would be a chasm between what I hope to do and what I actually do. No matter how devoted I am to this new life, I am never going to be perfect, and sometimes, even though I know it is not right, that really sets me off."

I like where she ends up. I can't wait to get hold of her next book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I particularly enjoyed "Andrea's" review above and would encourage you to read it.

Joan's conversion story is a great example of how God pursues individuals as He seeks intimacy and fellowship. In certain cases, like Joan's, such pursuit can be quite dramatic.

On finding her faith, it was fantastic to read how she was filled with a desire for both encounters with God and knowledge, so much so, that she read far and wide in gaining a better understanding of God. I kinda believe we all should do this. I also loved how she described situations where her new relationship with Christ led to changes in the way she thought and acted. Indeed, this is another indication of Christ's love molding Joan more into the person He has created her to be.

The fact Joan didn't limit herself to only backing the one denomination was also greatly encouraging. So, for example, I so appreciated Joan finding a monastery to spend days in silence, in simply being still and communing with God. I've had this upon my heart for a little while now and in reading Joan's story has given me the impetus to seek something with God. Yes, sure we don't all need to go to monastery's to have communion with God but too often many of us limit ourselves by not looking beyond our own denominations.

Congratulations Joan and I hope we get to read the sequel.

Flirting with Faith is the story of a woman who takes God seriously. From the moment God catches her attention, Joan is aiming to go where God leads her, neither whining nor becoming smug about it. I got the sense she was just constantly surprised by what was going on in her new life with God, but that she didn't turn away, no matter how weird it got.

As a person who's very much culturally atheist, I resonated with Joan's experience. I came to faith by a similar route to Joan's, sans attack-of-the-heart. I'd also been a seeker, then an atheist, then a believer in a higher power, an "anything-but-Christianity" spirituality. Unlike the Joan we read about here, though, I have a tendency to put up spiritual walls when I get scared or confused. I don't want to sit quietly and listen. I start doubting. No, not doubting; I wonder what the &#@% could have ever made me think God is real. My sense from Flirting with Faith is that Joan doesn't waver much, and somehow that brings me comfort. If you tend to bounce back to atheism when under stress, maybe it will bring you comfort too.

I recommend Flirting with Faith, especially for one who is astounded to suddenly find herself "a believer." It was definitely a shot of sanity in a world where, often, neither my old atheist world nor my new Christian world seems to make sense.

The most refreshing faith stories are those that confront the complexities of life and unflinchingly face the paradoxes of faith formation. Joan's spiritual experiences, recounted in Flirting with Faith, invites one to journey with her as God gently and at times startingly guides her life and family from a place of self assurance to God assurance. There are no easy "quick fix" answers in her book, but rather an honest recounting of her unfolding journey in faith. I was deeply blessed by her journey and pray God's continuing blessings be upon her and all who Flirt with Faith.

I received my book in excellent condition. It took a little longer to get here than I expected but it got here safely. Denise Faulkner