Jessica LaGrone

Out of Chaos is what it is like to sit across from one of the country's leading female pastors when life is too much and you cannot breathe. The book is about more than disorder. It is about pain, suffering, and heartache. What does it mean to be a Christian and feel hurt deeper than words? What type of God would let this happen to me? Will I survive this? Out of Chaos, instead of saying this is how you can deal with it, it says, "Friend, this is what I know. Let us go to God about this together."

While the book is not a manual, it is very structured—three sections with three chapters within each. Not surprising, it lays out like a super approachable epidemiological study on Chaos. Section one is about its origins. Section two is about the nature of Chaos in our lives. The last section is about how we can join God in how he moves in Chaos.

Other books, such as Richard Rice's Suffering and the Search for Meaning, explore theological nuances and present the Theodicy debates in philosophical circles. However, if that academic language overwhelms you, read this book instead. The book is both intelligent and approachable.

Above that, it is practical. When you read one of LaGrone's books, listen to one of her sermons, or meet in her office, you will leave not being so impressed by her but by God. That is the way she wants it. So why read a Christian book that leaves you knowing more about the author than the God they serve?… (mehr)