I was really looking forward to reading this one. However, NetGalley says that I downloaded it on Jul 22, but I cannot find it in my kindle books anywhere. Now the book is archived in NetGalley so I cannot download it again. If the publishers would give me another copy of the book, I would gladly read it and give a review.

Chad Bird tells the story of his life, of his rise to success as a Pastor, husband, father and Professor, followed by his sudden fall.

I appreciate how Bird focuses not so much on his failures, but on how his struggles altered his faith and his view of God. The story is not chronological, but ordered by topic, opening up different aspects of what Bird’s sin means in his journey with God.

I appreciated Bird’s raw honesty, which was fresh and genuine. Instead of painting over what had happened, or revealing cheap clichéd answers, he digs deep examining the many ways his relationship with God and with others was touched by his choices. This book is a rich gift to all of us, both providing a meditation on what it means to be a sinner, and also insight to help those who are ministering to other people who have fallen in a public way. I would recommend this book to anyone who is travelling the Christian journey.

(I received a copy of this book for review via Net Galley).

I am not sure how i feel about the book. I find myself one minute agreeing with the author and the next going that isn't true of the scripture our God. The book has been a roller coaster ride of my thoughts and emotions.

I would like to read this book but I can't open it on my device. I am disappointed in this.

In Night Driving, Bird writes about his own moral failure and his journey back to God. Wow. I was blown away by this book. The writing is so raw and real, to a point of making you uncomfortable at times. Bird takes you into the heart and mind of a prodigal. All of the dark corners that we like to ignore. If you are in ministry, you need to read this book. I cannot recommend it enough.

Chad Bird, Night Driving: Notes From a Prodigal Soul. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2017). $16.99.

In Night Driving: Notes From a Prodigal Soul, Chad Bird tells his own story as a husband, father, pastor, and seminary professor as his moral failures tore apart his life. Without going into great detail, he explains his struggles against God and ties his own story to that of the prodigal son. If you want to see what it is like to open up and peel back layers of denial, anger, addiction, and grief, then keep reading. Bird walks the reader through his story while at the same time showing how it is similar to all of the stories to some degree. However, he does not stop there, as he demonstrates how the Old Testament, especially Genesis, provides similar examples. In the end, the author brings us back to the author of all things and directs us to the one who can forgive.

Bird's book is a caution and warning to all of us on various levels. First, it is a warning to all people, but most relatable to pastors and seminarians, to never find our identity, purpose, or end goal in anything other than Christ. The roles of pastor and seminary professor generate respect and admiration; it is easy to turn from the heavenly things and deceive ourselves as though we are a cut above the rest. Secondly, Bird's book cautions those Christians who are ready to pounce on the failures of others. There is a proper way to approach the sins of others, and we must be careful to speak the truth in love.

One of the things I appreciated most about Night Driving is Bird's description of the constructed image of ourselves. He begins his book with this concept and describes how he used all the things around him as tools to obtain his personal goal. Through the course of time, Bird admits to pride ballooning and attempts to conceal it outwardly. This image is how we wish to be perceived. It is how we try to cover up our fears and redirect the attention of others. It is vital for Christians to realize that we all tend to fear man rather than God, and because of this we will build various images and work tirelessly to protect them, keeping people from realizing our true nature. In light of this, I appreciated chapter 6, "The Glorious Freedom of Vulnerability." I also liked Bird calling people back to corporate worship as they have avoided the church due to its blemishes.

I do wish Bird would have included a chapter on the process of sanctification. What does it mean for John to state, "And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commands" (1 John 2:3 ESV)? The process of sanctification and putting to death of sin which John and the other New Testament authors describe can be challenging and we've missed out on an excellent opportunity to call Christians to holiness as they have walked the road of repentance.

Whether or not you pick up a copy of Night Driving, remember, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9 ESV).

*I received a temporary, pre-published digital copy for review from Eerdmans via NetGalley