A gentle book with personal anecdotes and bits of humor to guide Christians in finding intimacy with God

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	• Falling for God: Saying Yes to His Extravagant Proposal Gary W. Moon Shaw Books, 2004 - 240 pages average customer review:based on 6 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A gentle book with personal anecdotes and bits of humor to guide Christians in finding intimacy with God

"This book is about life lived in constant, close contact with God," writes Dallas Willard in his foreword to FALLING FOR GOD. He then lists qualities a Christian needs to maintain a life of "grow[th] in grace and knowledge of" Jesus (2 Peter 3:18): information, imagination, persistence, patience, and realism. And these are the faithful qualities that Gary Moon directly or indirectly addresses in this gently provoking guidebook for Christians desiring intimacy with God.

The overriding image of the book is love --- as in "falling in." What does it entail? How does it work? How is intimacy maintained over time? The first chapter, "The Three Cs of Lasting Love," sets up the three-part outline for the book and the elements of the "romantic relationship with God": conversation, communion, and consummation.

Moon --- a well-connected and well-positioned Christian counselor whose academic history is never clearly laid out --- is well versed in classical Christian spirituality and spiritual formation that may be "standard fare" to Catholics attuned to Ignatian or Benedictine spirituality and people committed to 12-step recovery programs but new material for conservative evangelicals.

For starters, the definitions of and exercises regarding prayer center on listening to God as much as or more than on talking at or to God. "Silence is the most foundational of all Christian disciplines." The chapter titled "Learning to Listen" ends with a helpful list of "indications of the voice of God."

Part 2 of the book, "Communion," focuses on fidelity (willingness versus willfulness), transparency before God (overcoming a fear of total commitment), and the meaning and reality of surrender. "Many of us are like the rich young man, unwilling to place our idols in the dumpster. We cannot do it on our own. We need God's help, and often that help comes in the form of pain." We also need the help and accountability of a community of believers.

As I said, this book is written gently --- replete with personal anecdotes and humorous quips; it's clear that Moon is with his readers on this journey --- but Moon, as the saints before him, notes that the intimate relationship with God involves becoming more and more like Christ, who ultimately surrendered his life.

Part 3, "Consummation," first addresses the issue of relational forgiveness, including a powerful example of the salvation of a devastated marriage, with Hugo's "Les Miserables" being the facilitating counseling tool. Moon then turns to spiritual reconciliation before ending with a discussion of "Union with God" and what it means.

Each of 10 chapters ends with more-than-cursory study and prayer "helps": a biblical passage, followed by a short commentary and reflection questions, a meditation exercise, and a spiritual (prayer) exercise. Each of the three book parts ends with a short bio and sample writings of classic spiritual writers: Frank Laubach, a Protestant (conversing with God), Thomas Kelly, a Quaker (communion with God), and Teresa of Avila, a Catholic (union with God).

Moon ends his book with a challenge: "Don't settle for brief encounters instead of intimate dialogue; don't become content with a salvation contract instead of enjoying communion; and don't withhold parts of your heart. Instead, pursue union. Say yes to God's extravagant proposal."

--- Reviewed by Evelyn Bence

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Life changing experience!!!

This book dives deep into the experience of "knowing" Christ. It has been a breath of fresh air to me, an opportunity to hear again the wonderful grace of Christ. Moon didn't write this to be the end all of theological discussion, instead to offer real, practical insight to walking in communion with Christ, dealing with the humanity we struggle with and embracing the love that has been offered us through Jesus. This is a must read, I highly recommend it.

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Book review

I bought this book at the recommendation of a friend. It has really moved me deeply, helping me to increase in my walk with the Lord. There is humor to lighten in places, but also much practical advice. Can't wait for my best friend to read it, so we can compare notes.

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A Book of Great Depth

If you are looking for a book that has a lot of meat of the Word, this book is for you. It is definitely not shallow. It also stirs the heart to desire more of God, and to passionately fall in love with him. There aren't very many books that I think so highly of that I recommend it to others, but this is one of them.

reviews: page 1, 2

Falling in love is one of life?s greatest joys.
So imagine the endless joy of falling head over heels for God.

Falling in love is one of the most magnificent experiences of human life. Remember what it feels like? How it happens? You spend time with that special someone, get to know each other, and then one day find yourselves so intimately connected it is as though your souls have become intertwined.

Compare that experience with your current relationship with God. Why doesn?t it feel just as passionate, just as wonderful? Gary Moon believes it can.

If you?re not head over heels in love with God, you?re missing out on an incredible experience?but you?re not without hope. Falling for God will inspire you to pursue a passionate, intimate relationship with a God who?even though he doesn?t need anything from you?wants more than anything to be united with you.

Through Bible study, personal meditation, and classic spiritual exercises, you?ll discover how to experience this loving connection with the lover of your soul. The journey will take you through honest conversation and active communion to a deeper experience of intimate union with God. Falling for God will move you to embrace an all-out passion for joyful and abundant living.

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