Faith Like a Child
Embracing Our Lives as Children of God
by Lacy Finn Borgo
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Pub Date May 09 2023 | Archive Date Jun 08 2023
InterVarsity Press | IVP Formatio
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Description
Embrace the invitation of childlike faith. A well-known challenge of Jesus to his followers is to become like little children. But it's often difficult to remember the natural patterns of our childhood selves that enabled us to live freely in God's wonder-filled presence. Is childlike faith simply an unquestioning faith, or is it being present with ourselves in a way that invites healing and wholeness?
Faith Like a Child considers Jesus' invitation to childlike faith and explores seven distinct ways of welcoming the child within. Offering wisdom from years of experience as a spiritual director with both adults and children, Lacy Finn Borgo explores practices to welcome and enliven your childhood self. Offering examples of what becoming like children could look like, Borgo invites you to take Jesus up on his offer to live more deeply into a relationship with God.
As we welcome our childhood selves, we allow God to heal our wounds so we can live in freedom with Jesus as our companion.
Advance Praise
"Lacy Finn Borgo has thought more deeply and practiced more fully Jesus' words inviting us to 'become like little children' than just about anyone I know. And now with Faith Like a Child she has brought this vast reservoir of wisdom to us. In helping us 're-member our childhood selves' Lacy gently guides us into a more joy-filled life . . . indeed, into a life more like Jesus. I am delighted."
-Richard J. Foster, founder of Renovaré and author of Celebration of Discipline and Learning Humility
"With a delightful sense of humor, which often brought tears to my eyes, and a profound wisdom of the heart shaped by the wonders and wounds of her own pilgrimage through life, Lacy Finn Borgo invites readers to welcome their own childhood self. As we follow her carefully crafted suggested practices, she helps us to discover what it may mean to live with the faith of a child. We realize afresh that we can never ever be separate from the Great Love who knitted us together in our mother's womb and who hasn't put down those knitting needles ever since. Most especially, Lacy Borgo's words help us to know ever more deeply the truth of Jesus' words that, unless we become like children, we will not experience the joyful realities of God's presence within our everyday lives."
-Trevor Hudson, author of Discovering Your Spiritual Identity: Practices for God's Beloved and Seeking God: Finding Another Kind of Life with St. Ignatius and Dallas Willard
"My friend Lacy Borgo writes with wit, wisdom, and a wonderful Texas drawl. Her latest book, Faith Like a Child, explores childhood as a wisdom way for stepping inside the here-and-now kingdom of eternal friendship with God. I hope you will read this book with the openness of a child, playfully try on each of the welcoming practices she suggests, and be attentive to the Spirit's healing of any childhood wounds that might hinder your ability to hear Jesus' welcoming invitation to play."
-Gary W. Moon, founding executive director of the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Center for Christian Spiritual Formation at Westmont College
"Lacy Finn Borgo explodes the myth that spiritual growth is stuffy. With her trademark wit, sly observation, and earthy humor, Lacy invites us to go deeper with God by remembering all the strengths children bring to exploring the with-God life. Who knows? Maybe you'll start encountering God again, laughing and playing with him instead of just thinking about him!"
-Ted Harro, president of Renovaré
"In my lifetime I have never witnessed a moment when the virtue of humility was more needed for the Christian community. Lacy Borgo's Faith Like a Child wisely and beautifully invites us to rediscover this lost virtue by recapturing wonder and reclaiming our identity as God's beloved children. I highly recommend this timely and significant contribution to the spiritual formation movement by my friend and doctoral professor."
-Dave Ripper, lead pastor of Crossway Christian Church and coauthor of The Fellowship of the Suffering
"Who would have known that formation into Christlikeness could be so fun? In Faith Like a Child, author and spiritual director Lacy Borgo uses Scripture, poetry, and personal stories to invite us to see ourselves as the light-hearted children we were created to be. A helpful framework for understanding Christian spiritual formation, this book is one I recommend to anyone seeking to grow in embracing God as our Mothering Father."
-Kurtley Knight, assistant professor of spiritual formation at George Fox University's Portland Seminary
"Reading Faith Like a Child is like sitting with Lacy Finn Borgo at her kitchen table, drinking iced tea, and watching beloved children play—not just our own children and the neighbors' kids but also the little ones we used to be. She reminds us of what we once knew about the world and the Holy. She reminds us of wonder, safety, freedom, and delight—and then she helps us enter those moments in our lives today. This book is a gift from a mother who sees the world through a lens of grace and gives us a new vision for our lives."
-Linda Taylor, Episcopal priest and spiritual director
"Faith Like a Child is the most practical examination of a childlike faith I have ever encountered. Lacy Finn Borgo's words are grounded and honest as she paints a beautiful picture of a dynamic faith even in the midst of a chaotic world. I found in these pages a profoundly winsome, tender-hearted invitation to let go of my desire for control and be free to roll in the mud and fully embrace the One who calls me beloved."
-Jason Feffer, pastor of The Practice church
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781514003985 |
| PRICE | $18.00 (USD) |
| PAGES | 176 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Rob S, Reviewer
Firstly, it is clear that this book just oozes love, which makes it a pleasure to read. It is written from a place of realness, honesty and humility, coupled with an expertise in psychology that seems to have been gained from a combination of academic study and life experiences. At times it is poetically written by someone who seems well qualified to speak into our lives and address our relationship with the Father, with frequent references to scripture throughout.
We read that children need relationship and connection, especially from a parent. At some point in our “growing up” we decide that we need power, which in fact is a bit wide of the mark. All we ever truly need is that relationship and connection.
The author gives it a very personal touch, sharing her own deep personal journey of faith and as well as her knowing she is a child of God. It is adorned with some very personal testimonies to illustrate the points being made – the bravery in sharing them is really appreciated.
As a Foster carer I have received some training and instruction on attachment theories and practices, the psychology surrounding how people relate to each other and especially how children relate to parents and carers. So it was quite fascinating to read how these theories can also be applied, sensibly, to our relationship with Father God. It is quite helpful in assessing the depth of relationship.
The book covers some psychology, which works to highlight how God has made us thinking, emotional beings with complicated personalities and phenomenally created brains.
I especially enjoyed the chapter on play and its importance. I found myself thinking about being intentionally less serious. If we don’t spend time in “play”, alongside God, then we are missing a major part of our relationship with Him, and “play” includes activities that spark our imagination and creativity, so I will count writing in that category!
It also made me see a passage of scripture (Jesus and Peter walking on water) in an entirely new and refreshing way, which I really appreciated.
It is written in a relaxed, accessible and helpful style with good doses of humour and real life thrown in from time to time. There are some creative, practical suggestions at the end of each chapter to help you take steps into a deeper relationship, to become more child-like in outlook and attitude.
It is written by someone who knows children profoundly, who has seen how precious they are to the Father and how we can all approach Him as children to fully understand our relationship with Him. A true reflection of that immensely profound parent and child relationship.
There is a lovely pace to the book, encouraging us to take the time needed to fully understand and let the truths minister to our souls.
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Christian, Nonfiction (Adult), Religion & Spirituality
