God's Not Like That
Redeeming Inherited Beliefs and Finding the Father You Long For
- Counseling, Grief & Mental Health
- Publisher: David C. Cook
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Publisher's Description
Many of us long for the abundant life Jesus promised, but instead we feel stagnant and frustrated in our faith. More of us cultivate our view of God from our family of origin than from the pages of the Bible—and a faulty view of God will always be a barrier to a satisfying spiritual life. In his unique and interactive book God Isn’t Like That, author Bryan Clark returns us to Scripture on a step-by-step journey to identify and then correct our misconceptions about God. This highly practical book helps us understand: Specific ways our childhood influences our beliefs today The difference between a grace-based value system and a performance-based value system How to distinguish truth from fiction when it comes to personal beliefs Why even a loving and faith-filled family can inadvertently pass on false representations of God What the Bible says about how God intended Himself to be depicted in the home Abundant life has nothing to do with money or prosperity or health. Abundant life has everything to do with a right view of God that sustains us, comforts us, and satisfies us through every season. Notes about eBook licensing: This David C Cook digital product is protected by copyright laws and is intended for non-commercial use only. Your use is subject to the End User License Agreement (“EULA”) and any additional terms or restrictions that may accompany the product. Digital products cannot be returned, sold, or relicensed. See the EULA for additional terms related to replacement files. About the Author Bryan Clark has been a senior pastor for four decades. He is a graduate of the Moody Bible Institute, Talbot Seminary, and Denver Seminary. He has been the Bible teacher for Back to the Bible and currently has a podcast with Dan Whitney (a.k.a., Larry the Cable Guy) called Talk’n Truth. Bryan and his wife, Patti, have been married since 1981.
Endorsements (13)
“In this book, Pastor Clark shows us that there is a relationship between the way we have been treated by our earthly father and the way we view our heavenly Father. He wisely counsels us to think rightly of our heavenly Father and we will receive the forgiveness, acceptance, and self-worth our earthly father failed to give us.”
“With wisdom and realism, Bryan Clark coaches us in understanding how deeply our families of origin have shaped not only who we now are but how we think of God. This biblical and accessible book will help any open-hearted reader peel back layers of misperception of what God is like, layers they didn’t even realize were there. Thank you, Pastor Bryan.”
“Even as Christians, many of us have earthly father wounds that cripple our ability to trust the heavenly Father we endeavor to serve. For over two decades, Bryan Clark’s solid biblical teaching and consistent walk as Christ’s representative have cultivated deep healing for me, both personally and professionally. I’m excited to offer God’s Not Like That to peers, colleagues, and clients as we work together to clarify and heal our misperceptions about the character and heart of God.”
“In God’s Not Like That, Pastor Bryan Clark uses his vulnerability and transparency to help answer a lot of important questions that Christians struggle with. He breaks down each question very practically in a way you can understand it. I highly recommend this book to any Christian wanting a correct view of God.”
“Few books have captivated me with such an irresistible desire to read more, dig deeper, and explore my view of God. In a performance- and consumer-driven society, the revealing truth, that we are God’s masterpieces and He views us that way, is affirming, revealing, and liberating. Reading God’s Not Like That stirred me to reflect deeply, identify underlying messages, and extend grace as other books have not.”
“Bryan Clark has written a must-read for any follower of Jesus Christ. No matter who you are, the book speaks with biblical clarity, insightfulness, and compassion into your life. And as a pastor, I can’t recommend this book enough for giving insights into shepherding people as they wrestle through not just their family of origin but, most importantly, their view of God.”
“Bryan Clark has written a very helpful book that explains how our family of origin forms the basis of our beliefs about God. Coming from imperfect situations and being raised by imperfect people can leave us with distortions and misbeliefs about who God is and how He feels about us. Pastor Clark combines biblical truth and practical insight in providing an accurate picture of our heavenly Father. God’s Not Like That is a valuable guide for all of us on this journey.”
“Bryan Clark connects the dots between our view of God and family of origin. This book is a must-read for every Christian who struggles in their faith and needs answers.”
“Pastor Bryan Clark, in his whimsical, approachable manner, moves our common assumption that God is just like our dad or our worst boss. These impressions run deep for a reason. Prepare for depth and change both personally and communally with Pastor Bryan’s insights and wisdom. This work speaks to new believers and old disciples alike. As our society constantly reshapes, this book couldn’t come at a better time.”
“What do we do when the Bible’s teachings about God do not reconcile with how we feel in relationship to Him? Bryan directs us back to where we learn the most about God: our families of origin. In God’s Not Like That, we study how God intentionally designed the family to reflect different aspects of His character, while concurrently examining how our experiences either affirmed truths about God or created barriers to fully trusting Him. If you have ever struggled with trusting God, this book is for you.”
“I have seen him navigate the challenging, fulfilling, sometimes disappointing, and often unpredictable role of leadership in the church and his own family through many years. His life has demonstrated a deep dependence on God and His Word and shown a keen awareness of our desperate need for God’s grace in everything he has faced. This book provides needed perspective and a practical, solid foundation in our uncertain and turbulent times.”
“God’s Not Like That is a rich primer about God’s creative and redemptive plan for humankind, lived out in a family context. Reflecting on my family’s origin of spirituality, I recognized the tension between our genuine love of God and the tainted legalism we also followed. I believe this book will help us, and many others, grasp a more accurate and healthy view of God.”
Dr. Brad Riddle
“What people are saying about … God’s Not Like That “After decades of studying, teaching, and preaching, Bryan brings a wealth of wisdom and life experience to a timely and significant topic. He helps the reader go beyond the mere acquisition of information to the essential step of practical application. This unique resource has powerful insights that have the potential to make a meaningful difference in any life. It is a book you’ll want to read more than once.”
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