Forty Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day [Hardcover]

C.D. Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2009

“Why don’t I have more faith?”
“Why am I so bored with Jesus?”
“Why are Christians so hard for me to like?”

There are many questions we’re not supposed to ask when playing by the religious rules. It makes people uncomfortable. So why is it that Jesus invited questions and even asked some of them himself? What is it that you’re afraid to ask God? It’s a risky prospect to begin asking–but far riskier to continue simply trying to get by without knowing. Author C. D. Baker asked himself 40 soul-searching questions which started a conversation in his heart and ultimately showed him more about God than He ever expected.

Can we become more honest with who we really are and find who God says He really is at the same time? Come indulge yourself in daily readings with an honest exploration of your secret fears and thoughts, and know that you will always be welcomed in God’s unconditional love.

Search me, O God … and know my anxious thoughts.
–Psalm 139:23 NIV

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for
Forty Loaves

“Christians with questions? It used to be, in certain circles, that even raising a question disqualified the questioner from the discussion. Any question was taken as a sign of doubt, which called in question the steadiness of one’s faith. Yet secretly, most believers struggle with nagging queries about life and God. C. David Baker, in this open-minded yet faithful book, speaks to doubters who long to believe, and addresses some of life’s troubling issues from the inside out. A great encouragement for doubters and trusters both.”
–Luci Shaw, author of The Crime of Living Cautiously and Breath for the Bones: Reflections on Creativity & Faith; Writer in Residence, Regent College, Vancouver, BC

“C.D. Baker has given a gift to every honest Christian, to wit, profound insight and amazing affirmation about questions honest Christians ask…but sometimes were afraid to express to others.  This book looks at the “elephant in the room” and kisses that elephant on the lips with such gracious, loving Biblical wisdom that you will rise up and call Baker blessed.  And you will rise up and call me blessed for recommending it to you.”
–Steve Brown, professor at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, an author, and president of the media ministry of Key Life Network, Inc.

“In contrast to the easy, trite, and ultimately unsatisfying ‘good news’ that is peddled in pop-Christianity, Forty Loaves provides the space to explore what Christians often feel but are afraid to express. Baker’s timely reflections on the complexities of faith in today’s world will help to nurture integrity within people of faith in a way that can only result in an enhanced relationship with God and with others.”
–Bruce W. Longenecker, W.W. Melton Chair of Religion, Baylor University

“Fresh-baked wisdom for all who’ve dined on the stale, hardened dinner rolls of sin. C. D. Baker serves up a bread that satisfies!”
–Ray Blackston, author of Flabbergasted

From the Author

I have learned to deeply appreciate the freedom we have to challenge everything with honest questions. This book, the companion to '101 Cups of Water,' invites you to walk through 40 questions I've asked myself, or have listened to others ask. You'll find that I don't try to have answers...that's because I don't have many! But I hope the way each question is unpacked will prove to be encouraging in your own life's journey. --C. D. Baker, author

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; 1 edition (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307444902
• ISBN-13: 978-0307444905
• Product Dimensions: 5.1 x 0.6 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #281,069 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

C.D. Baker's first novel, 'A Journey of Souls,' was released in 2000 and re-released in 2004 as 'Crusade of Tears'-- a Christee Award nominee. He has written six historical novels and two books of Christian reflections. He has a master's degree in divinity from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Baker's meticulously researched work is described as authentic and vulnerable, with memorable characterization and thoughtful spirituality. His specialty is the discovery of the untold story.

Baker writes from his small farm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where he raises livestock with an interest in natural/organic methods and a passion for humane treatment.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars makes you dig deeper, December 8, 2009

By 

readaholic (Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forty Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day (Hardcover)

I really enjoyed this devotional. I found it interesting, compelling and moving. Baker really asks a lot of tough questions. Each chapter or slice will give you insight, encouragement and perhaps a renewed sense of worth in your relationship with God. He asks a lot of tough questions with his "Food for Thought" questions, such as why don't I have more faith? or why am I so bored with Jesus? And one that really touched me was why don't I feel connected at church? or Why don't I know what I want in life? I tell ya he covers questions that you didn't even THINK you had an issue with!

It really made me question my motives, and gave me an opportunity to have a real heart to heart with God. It pushed my buttons to think beyond myself and make me move forward with my relationship with Christ and that is so important!

"40 Loaves is something of a collection of the kinds of questions I felt finally free to ask of myself and of my relationship with Christ," says Baker. "It's my belief that these questions are shared by many others who long for the freedom to simply ask them out loud. I hope this book becomes a platform that frees others to search their hearts more deeply and be fed with the Bread of life."

Quite simply to say I loved it.

Thanks to WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for providing me with this book for my honest review!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great devotional, February 20, 2010

By 

Tiffany L. Stuart - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forty Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day (Hardcover)

40 Loaves is an interesting devotional book based on 40 questions most of us ask sometime or another. Questions like "Why am I so uncomfortable with doubts?", "Why do I care so much about my reputation?" and "Why is my life such a mess?".

I read this book out of order as the question/s interested me. That is freeing for me. No rules for this book. Baker used a short devotional style with a conversational voice. I enjoyed the real life examples of what people struggling with the question looked like. I found myself in the pages of this book, which was revealing. Since I am a question-type person, always thinking more than I speak, this book is perfect for me. At the end of each chapter, there were added questions as Food for Thought and A Prayer.

I often give away my books I receive as a blog book reviewer. Not this one. I know I will be asking questions again soon. This is a great reference book, short and sweet in style, with God's Word as the answer.

"In accordance with the FTC regulations, I inform you that I received a copy of this book, Forty Loaves directly from the publisher, WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for review purposes and have stated my honest opinion of this book."

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Honest Response to Normal Struggles, December 23, 2009

By 

Scott Asher "ashertopia" (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forty Loaves: Breaking Bread with Our Father Each Day (Hardcover)

There are so many devotionals available that most of the time I feel I'd rather not try to wade through them to find the one that would fit me. In fact, I can't remember the last time I read through a devotional at all. I know it's been years. Till now.

C. D. Baker's 40 Loaves is different. Very different. How about topics like, "Why are Christians so hard for me to like?" and "Why am I afraid to read my Bible?" When Water Brook sent me this as a review copy I had only one word with which to respond: awesome!

I loved reading through one man's struggles and finding the answers that worked for him. I found that not all of his answers worked for me, but that's fine, because the process of working my way through tough questions about faith, love, the Bible, God, anger, frustration and so on are what grows me. A devotional that moves me along the path God has for me was just what I needed, and 40 Loaves hit the spot.

I recommend this book for anyone who is struggling with so-called deep questions about faith and doubt, any one who also asks questions like, "Why do I only pray in emergencies." An honest book that turns into bite sized devotions the struggles and faith of the author. This isn't some preachy, everything will turn out right devotional. This is real.

This book was provided to me by the publisher as a review copy.