Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life - Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award Winner [Hardcover]

Karina Lumbert Fabian (Author), Deacon Steven Lumbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2010

2011 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award Winner

Many times one sees Roman Catholicism explained using either closely reasoned theology or an appeal to ancient writers of the Church. While both are legitimate approaches, the average reader looking to explore the faith is often left cold. In their collaboration, Why God Matters, Deacon Steven Lumbert and his daughter, Karina Lumbert Fabian, delineate the Catholic Faith as experienced by a pair of average, everyday people like the great majority who make up the 24 percent of Americans who share this religion. In the stories of this pair, one see both ways people come to Catholicism, by birth ('cradle Catholics') and by conversion. Their descriptions of their separate paths thankfully lack the religiosity of the all too common 'and then a miracle takes place' school of religious experience. Rather than blasts of light, fiery swords, spiritual fistfights, and angelic choirs, theirs is the long religious slog of the everyday. The effort that one must put out each day in the long trek to Heaven. What is Catholicism really like? One would be hard-put to find a better verbal painting of the faith so many call their own.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Each chapter gives an open-minded reader a dose of faith as an active element of a normal Christian's life anecdotes that pose real-life challenges recognizable as something you might discuss with a friend or pastor at your church over coffee and doughnuts. Call it comfortable theology. --Elizabeth Rackover, Catholic News Service

By seeing the ongoing process of becoming holy in ordinary circumstances touched by God, readers are encouraged to be more aware of their faith journey and the ways God speaks to them. The best way to use this book would be on a retreat, coupled with journaling and prayer, taking one chapter a day. --Mary Lynne Rapien, St. Anthony Messenger (AmericanCatholic.org)

This is a great book for people who are really searching for God. --Father Robert Reed, This Is The Day, Catholic TV

From the Author

The Changing Relationship of Father and Daughter
By Karina L. Fabian
From a guest post for Catholic Chicks

The first time I got critiqued was by my dad, Steve Lumbert. I'd made a book cover and misspelled "Bible."  How frustrating to have to redo the whole thing! But I wanted it done right, so I re-did it.

Thirty-five years later, my dad and I switched roles in a similar drama as we wrote our first book together, Why God Matters:  How to Recognize Him in Daily Life.

My dad loves to teach. He taught me to read. He taught me to repair a house. He even taught me why cars don't really blow up like they did on CHiPs. But he also wanted me to think for myself. I remember the moment he stepped out of the teaching role: I had called home for advice on a used car. After the fourth of fifth time he asked me "Well, what do you think?" I shouted, "I'll tell you what I think after I get your opinion!" In the end, I made up my own mind and had mechanic assess the car. Turned out to be a good decision--and a great car.

I graduated, went into the Air Force and fell in love.  I didn't ask any advice--just announced it in a rush of joy. Ironically my dad, a Colorado State Patrolman, had met Rob a couple of years earlier--when he'd given him a speeding ticket. He'd liked Rob even then, he said.  I left the Air Force to become a full-time mom and writer.

Then my dad did an extraordinary thing; a late convert to the Catholic faith, he became a deacon. Since I was a writer, he wanted my opinion of his homilies. This proved a difficult transition. It was one thing to have a mind of my own; quite another to apply that mind to my father's new line of work. The first few times didn't go well--he wanted affirmation; I wanted to treat him as if he had my level of experience.

Over time, however, I learned to be more gentle in my critiques; and he, more open-minded in considering them.  As a result, when I was asked about writing a small book of faith stories and lessons called Why God Matters, I thought it would make a great father-daughter project.

It was a challenge, of course. These are no 15-minute homilies. Our stories had to touch hearts and get to the point fast. We also had a tight deadline. I had to trust that he could take the tough crit.  It was a good thing we worked over the Internet instead of in person. Later, Dad told me how frustrated he'd get as I returned yet another bleeding manuscript with the demand, "What is your main message? Why should readers care?"

But just like when he corrected my spelling, we both knew the project was important enough to do right. He rose to the occasion, not only giving his stories focus and emotion, but also suggesting we add Catechism quotes to enhance the lessons. I have a greater appreciation for the Catechism thanks to our work.

Why God Matters tells stories in our lives that strengthened our relationships with God, but writing the book itself strengthened our relationship with each other. From Daddy-Daughter to writing team, it's been a fun journey, and I'm eager to see where we go next.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 114 pages
• Publisher: Tribute Books (May 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0982256531
• ISBN-13: 978-0982256534
• Product Dimensions: 0.4 x 8.4 x 5.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,035,459 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Little Book June 17, 2010

By Lynn McMonigal

Format:Hardcover

It is easy to see God in the "big" moments of life--protection through a car accident, healing from a disease the doctors say is incurable, the birth of a healthy baby after years of infertility. These are all obviously miraculous moments. In such times, we can't help but recognize what God has done and give Him thanks for it.

But what about the smaller, everyday moments of life? How often do we stop to think of how God is moving in our lives then?

In their book Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life, Karina Lumbert Fabian and Deacon Steven Lumbert share stories from their own lives that show God at work. Their stories show how God can use simple, everyday moments--like sharing a bowl of rice or sending flowers to a friend--to show His love to us. They also illustrate small ways we can show God's love to others.

At first, I was hesitant to read this book. The authors make no secret of their Catholic faith--the cover even sports the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of approval. This book was written by two devout Catholics, for a primarily Catholic audience. Raised in a Protestant home, Catholicism is something I have never understood. The churches I have attended emphasize a one-on-one relationship with Christ. I have never been able to grasp the concept of confessing sins to a priest or asking a saint to pray on your behalf. Why can't you just take your prayers directly to God? When I looked over the book and saw that a portion of The Catechism was used in each chapter, I grew even more nervous. I was afraid that I was opening myself up for a book completely focused on a side of religion that is foreign to me. Even worse, I was worried that I would read how wrong my particular brand of faith is.

I was very pleasantly surprised. As I said, Karina and Deacon Steve make no apologies for their beliefs. I admire that. Throughout this book, they also made no attempt to sway the reader toward sharing their beliefs. They are just very straight forward--"I love God and this is why." They showed how acknowledging God in the everyday moments of life can lead to a deeper understanding of Him.

Reading this book did not really help me to understand Catholicism any better--and that's OK. I don't really think that was what the authors intended. What I did come away with was a better understanding of God and a deep desire to appreciate Him more every day. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to enrich their relationship with God.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Practical, Helpful Short Book! May 18, 2010

By Patrice Fagnant-macarthur VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Why God Matters and How to Recognize Him in Daily Life" is designed for those just beginning to take their faith life more seriously. Deacon Steven Lumbert and his daughter Karina Lumbert Fabian share stories and lessons learned from their own spiritual journeys in the hope of helping others. Deacon Lumbert tells of his own conversion experience. After years of attending Mass with his Catholic wife and children, he was in his 40s when he finally decided to take the big step of becoming Catholic himself. That road would eventually lead him to becoming a deacon. Today, he is the associate director of the Deacon Formation Program for his diocese. Karina speaks from both the perspective of daughter and mother. They both speak of the importance of seeing Christianity as a way of life. They offer this quote from 1 Corinthians 10:31 as words to live by: "So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God."

Perhaps the most important lesson of this small book is that God is always working in people's lives, calling them to a deeper relationship with Him. This holds true in Deacon Lambert's journey. Karina's husband is also a convert. She shares the need to have faith in this when guiding our children's faith lives. Her oldest son doesn't believe. While trusting "that faith comes in its own time," she "respect[s] his right to make his own decision, but insist[s] that he respect the family by accompanying us to Mass and participating in the customs of our faith. In the meantime, I pray for him, especially the Anima Christi, and I make small sacrifices on his behalf. When I feel despair creep in on me, I remember his father and his grandfather, and I trust in God that he will eventually find his way. . . There is a time for apologetics. There is a time for education. Always, however, is the time for example." That is something for all of us to remember.

"Why God Matters" is a perfect dose of encouragement for those seeking a deeper relationship with God. Deacon Lumbert and Karina Fabian offer practical and helpful advice and inspiration.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! November 19, 2011

By Steven R. McEvoy TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was an amazing little book. The physical book is almost 120 pages. The eBook comes in around 40 pages. But while reading the book, I went back and forth and reread many sections. I probably read the book about 4 times through. I read this as an eBook. The nice thing about it was having it with me all the time, on my iPhone, on my iPad, on my MacBook Pro, on my Desktop or on my Kobo eReader. What made it nice to always have it with me was that often I went back and reread sections a few times over, pondering them, meditating on them and absorbing them before moving on to the next point. The book is written as a series of pensees, reflections or meditations called life lessons. Each chapter is a different Life Lesson, which are alternately written by Karina and Steven, daughter and father. These lessons are:

The Reluctant Convert
Love in a Pot of Rice
So Help Me, God, I Didn't Do It
Martyr for the Trivial
Out of the Depths of Despair
Does God Send Flowers?
The Close Call
Bare Feet
Who, Me?
Small Steps, Steady Progress
Cough Up
My Non-Personal Relationship with God
The Patient Friend
Influence

Each chapter begins with a personal story and then the Life Lesson learned from the experience. Each life lesson is supported with a biblical verse and with a quote from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. This book is a little treasure that I know I will go back and reread again to inspire and encourage me in my faith. It is a great book that was very well written. The book also includes a list of books for further reading and a few prayers at the end of the book to help start us along the path of deeper devotion. So give it a try; it will challenge you in your faith and motivate you to go deeper in your spiritual journey!