I read this book when it first came out, and it had aspects of it that I enjoyed. I have recently revisited it, and actually gotten rid of my paper copy afterwards. Bessey's writing style is lovely, but her content no longer interests me, as she has gone too far away from principals that I hold to.

Sarah Bessey is an automatic pre-order for me. I love her writing and really enjoyed this memoir about deconstructing her faith.

I have been both blessed and challenged by author Sarah Bessey’s personal story of her evolving faith. For me the blessing has come in Sarah’s transparency about her life–from what she calls the happy-clappy faith of her youth, to her sober step away from church life, to her rediscovery of Jesus, and a faith with room for those old happy-clappy songs along with on-going questions, lament, and mystery.

This book was beautifully written and spoke directly to my heart. It gave me the language I've always been searching for to shape how I was feeling about my faith and relationship with God. Thank you to Sarah for inviting me to be on this launch team.

Everything you want it to be and more, Bessey's work is sheer genius. I was on the launch team for this book and new it would be worth reading from the very first sentence. Out of Sorts is about Faith for the rest of us - the broken, the disbelieving, the downtrodden, the hopeful, and the dreamers.

Sarah Bessey has wisdom and a writing style that will suck you in. Out of Sorts will encourage you whether you feel "out of sorts" in your faith or not. I got this ebook free to review and bought it for myself anyway.

Sarah Bessey is the best friend I'd love to have. She is witty and so smart - her exploration of faith is meaningful, personal, and relatable.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave me a lot to think about, especially in my own struggles with the church. It had a lot of information that I was not able to fully process at the time so I purchased a copy so that I can re-read it more slowly and absorb the information even more.

For many, the church (and what exactly is "the church"?) has hurt -hopefully unintentionally-their members, whether it be for what they say is the "gospel truth", or for the values they impose (ie we don't drink, dance, swear or go with those who do). Maybe as you went for advice about doubts or why God says this in the Bible, you were told something that made you feel belittled, or that you weren't the "christian" you were supposed to be.

Sarah Bessey(author of Jesus Feminist) has written another book, called "Out of Sorts: making Peace with an Evolving Faith.

This book is truly a gem. I have underlined and highlighted so much, that well, you might think I am a bit pen happy. BUT REALLY.
I have been on this faith journey for 44 years now and from the 19 year old college sophomore to the 63 year old Grammy, my faith has changed, shifted, grown and become much more compassionate, realizing much much more that I don't always know the answers, and that GOD IS THE ULTIMATE GIVER OF ANSWERS AND JUDGE.

There are so many quotes I want you to see, but also realize that might take up another book in itself.
It would be hard to pick a favorite, but one that really captured me was:

" If our theology doesn't shift and change over our lifetimes, then I have to wonder if we're paying attention. The Spirit is often breathing in the very changes or shifts that used to terrify us."

Looking back over forty plus years of walking with Christ, I realize it is really a journey. A journey that has its ups and downs. Those straight aways when you see clearly and are sailing ahead smoothly. Those winding mountains with the curves that can scare us and bring forth our fears, the ones that you don't expect and blurs your vision for a time, and then there is the valleys. Those places where you have been blind-sided, where your hope might vanish, the doubts are debilitating, the grief unending. It could be from an unexpected loss; a death of a loved one, a spouse leaving, a pink slip, a broken relationship. It can be from lingering and unrelenting mental illness. In the valley, you just want a break. A brief respite from the deep pain and often there is nothing. God's silence is LOUD.
And finally there is a break, you begin to trust God again, you make some forward motion steps, and you can see a road-any road, that might lead you out of the valley.

How I have viewed God for now going on five decades has shifted and changed. Some things have remained constant: I know He loves me. I know He is there, even in the deafening silence. I know He cares. But have I doubted? Yes. Plenty of times. Do I wonder if He hears my cries for help. I know He does, but His answers often take forever in coming (or so it seems).
I have seen His hand of protection over a loved one's life when He spared them from a suicide attempt, but I wonder, why some others succeed.
I have wondered if God slept when atrocities are being committed all over and throughout history.
I have many questions that are unanswered.

What I have learned is that God doesn't change. I do.
What I have learned is that God doesn't change. I do.
As the years go by, I have known Him better. Been the recipient of multiple and multiple graces.
I realize that I don't have the answers. That only God does
This is basically what the book, Out of Sorts is about. Navigating your faith through your lifetime.
Sarah Bessey gives us her reasons for choosing to follow Jesus day in and day out. In spite of the messiness. In spite of being hurt and lonely. Cheering us on to be what Jesus envisions us to be.
She considers the Church as a whole and reminds us that we are the church. We are Christ's ambassadors here and now. Are we representing Him accurately?
She writes about the Bible, what we think and believe, how to ponder the questions we have freely and without guilt. She writes about the people in our lives, our community.
What she writes about is FAITH.
Sarah Bessey is real and authentic. She is honest with her questions and how she has been hurt.
She is so genuine in her love for Jesus and others; this fact leaks out page after page.
If you have never heard of her, you need to.
She writes with honesty and conviction. And she blesses the socks out of me. I read her words with a pen in hand. I take notes and ponder her words.
What she expresses over and over again is Jesus's words: FOLLOW ME. And invites and encourages us to do the same. Sarah isn't perfect; none of us are. But she longs for Jesus with a heart that seeks Him diligently. And isn't that what we all should be desiring.

I love Sarah Bessey's beautiful blog. Her writing is exquisite soul food. And this new book is no exception, speaking encouragement into the awkward corners of my faith walk.

Giving me room to exhale, breathe easy, rejoice at not being alone with my questioning. It's one woman's faith journey echoing the experiences of many.

In the very act of wrestling with our faith muscles, they grow stronger. Sarah shows us how God is ready and willing to be found by earnest, honest seekers.

This book may disturb in some ways, especially if you're settled and sorted rather than out of sorts.

It's a personal reflection of an evolving faith, sifting and rummaging in order to hold tight to the best.

Sarah speaks with gentle poetic, prophetic persuasion, seeking not to undermine but to include, encouraging us to be courageous.

To embrace more because God inhabits more than we know. He reaches out to us in numerous ways, beyond all denominations and within them.

Here, you will find: a balm for weary souls, a word of hope for all wanderers and invitation to see how much God loves you.

It's a gift of insight to the body of believers, and a go forth blessing for all honest seekers. This is a book to savour slowly and re-read regularly to mine its depths.

That's not to say that Sarah leaves faith all wrapped up. There is admission of being a recovering know-it-all who is learning to live well with mystery and the not knowing which faith requires of us. Room for another book to come? Maybe... I fervently hope so.

I loved this book! It is written with grace, honesty, and a great love for those who may experience what the author has experienced in her walk with God. This book is tender and left me yearning for a deep relationship with God -one not tainted by judgment but by spending time together, silence, and listening to the still voice. A great read!