Comments on: John Donne Redone

By: Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 23:50:40 +0000

Thank you for this detailed account of sadness and tragedy. That’s much like what John Donne faced when he wrote this book. Yes, it is in a once-a-day devotional format. May it offer you some of the peace and comfort I’ve received from it.

Philip

By: Berwyn

Berwyn — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 23:03:35 +0000

My copy of Undone (clever title) just arrived, and I’m exited to read it.

How gratifying it must be for you to complete and finish this book after all these years. And to have written so many amazing books before resuming this one. Congratulations.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 03:19:21 +0000

Reading and responding from Vellore, India not far from where Dr. Brand served our Lord and the world for many years.
Thank you for digging deeply into His Word and into his words so that those words can call to us any where in the world.
P. S. … I was blessed to ride a bike from a family home to the area of his loving place of sacrifice to leprosy patients deep in South Louisiana along the MS River. “Pain: The gift nobody wants” changed everything.

By: Emma Agola

Emma Agola — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 04:45:24 +0000

As an English language major in college in East Africa almost 30 years ago, I avoided John Donne, including the cliff notes, like the plague. I wondered how any work written in hieroglyphics, cause that’s what it felt like reading Donne, made it to the so called top 100 works of English literature. I never imagined his work would be so insightful and timeless.
If ever a blog was timely, it was this one. It came as I was grappling with pain & existential questions relating to it. I can’t wait to read Undone. I happened to click on this blog just after I had received news of a tragic accident in Kenya that had killed a missionary couple from Michigan (Dave & Joy Mueller), along with a young nurse practitioner, all of whom had dedicated their lives to doing the kind of great commission work that you describe in Vanishing Grace, which I’m currently listening reading. I did not know these people personally, yet I was so devastated by the news. I felt like “the side” had been let down. As if this wasn’t enough, 18 people were killed in a mass shooting in Maine that night. All this, against the backdrop of the war in Israel. I have sought to understand pain, thinking perhaps, if I do so, then it won’t be so devastating; that I won’t hurt like I did when my brother died of brain cancer in the middle of the pandemic, in a sharply politically divided world. For me, reading Disappointed with God, & The Jesus I never knew & What good is God, put things in perspective; helped to point out to me that God was & still is & will always be. They helped me overcome a state of disillusionment & apathy. Yet, when events unfold like they did last week, the swiftness with which my spirit breaks is surprising to me. In the face of pain, I still find myself questioning God, questioning my faith; asking the age old question- why do such horrible things happen to such innocent or good people. Where is God when the world becomes drunk (as we say in an old African saying). I think one of your books has a title like “Where is God when it Hurts?” Perhaps this should be my next read, along with the books on grace (I think there are a few different ones right?) I’m wondering if Undone is structured in devotional format so I can use it for moments like these when one’s spirit needs some first-aid encouragement.
Thank you for sharing about your recent health news. If I could say or do more for you besides keeping you in prayer, I would get and send you a book by Philip Yancey to uplift your spirits. Alas, you have probably read it already :).

By: Stephanie Smith

Stephanie Smith — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 03:22:19 +0000

Hooray! I’m excited to read this work and grateful you didn’t give up on the idea.
Thank you for continuing to invest in your craft and calling; it makes a difference in real lives, including mine.

By: Betty Smith

Betty Smith — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 04:13:31 +0000

This sounds like another book for life lived well, even in the midst of illness and loss. I look forward to it. My son-in-law, age 29, has aggressive cancer that he is fighting. After removing his colon and appendix, plus 3 months of chemo, he is now still fighting with a different chemo. It has been very difficult and my daughter and he are bravely fighting on.
I loved your visit to our Los Alamos United Church long ago. Irene tells me about your ski trips. I am sorry you have Parkinsons. My Uncle had it and found that yoga helped.

WHAT IS SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE turned my faith around and I enjoy many of your books. Your memior proves God can bring great good out of pain.
Thank you for deeply sharing.

By: Lee Ann

Lee Ann — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 21:58:25 +0000

Wonderful blog post. I followed the link to Rabbit Room and ordered a copy of your new book. Thank you for sharing the story of how it came to be.

By: Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 15:34:22 +0000

In reply to Lynda Mathers.

Consider “A Companion in Crisis” an early draft of “Undone.” Mainly, we wanted to get it published during the pandemic. My rendering/paraphrase of Donne’s work is the same in the two books; “Undone” adds more of my personal reflections.

Philip

By: Lynda Mathers

Lynda Mathers — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 14:51:38 +0000

I have your book “A companion in crisis” which was published by DLT last year, which I have wallowed in. Is this the same as John Donne Redone? Or is this quite different?

By: Peter Reece

Peter Reece — Sat, 28 Oct 2023 08:20:41 +0000

I always benefit from your blogs. This one in particular! I’m looking forward to getting a copy of your book.

May God bless your work Philip.