Behind Esther
Thriving When God Seems Distant
by Chris Altrock
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Pub Date Aug 06 2019 | Archive Date Jan 28 2020
Abilene Christian University Press & Leafwood Publishers | Leafwood Publishers
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Description
Some of Esther's peers, like Daniel, lived with a distinct advantage: they experienced the mighty, miracle-making wonder of God. Esther, on the other hand, was surrounded by extravagant wealth and impiety in the disenchanted empire of Persia. Faith wasn't easy in a place like this, but thankfully, Esther learned there was more to God than what she could see.
Today's suffering and cynicism can leave us feeling that God is long gone. But, in truth, he is still present and active in our lives. In slow, mundane, and even obscure ways, he is pursuing us and repairing our broken world. Follow Esther as she models ten practices that connect us with a seemingly distant God and his unexpected work in the world.
Advance Praise
What a fresh and creative opening-up of the Esther story! In our time - somewhat like Esther's time - God is more hidden in the culture. Altrock highlights twelve spiritual disciplines Esther practiced to engage the ancient Persian culture, which he recommends for us in our time. Engaging and beautifully done!
--Leonard Allen, author of Poured Out: The Spirit of God Empowering the Mission of God and Dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb University
Despite the position evil has on the center stage of history, the righteous God of Esther writes and directs the human tragedy. Though unseen in the depressing play of godless injustice, Esther's invisible God still determines when the curtain falls upon the grand finale of agony. Chris Altrock's book Behind Esther provides realistic hope and longed for inspiration that enlivens endurance in the masked faces of the off script characters of pride, prejudice, and politics.
--Jerry Andrew Taylor, associate professor of Bible and Ministry at Abilene Christian University
All of us long to be more than ordinary. Altrock's fresh and insightful investigation in to the life of an ordinary and ill-equipped woman shows us how powerful ordinary can be. The same God who transformed the Jewish orphan Esther into a world-changing queen is willing and able to transform us.
--Lynne Gentry, author of The Carthage Chronicles
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781684269723 |
| PRICE | $9.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 176 |
Featured Reviews
Megan R, Reviewer
The book of Esther has always been a favorite of mine.
Here we have a girl/woman who is seemingly going to be the lone savior of her people. Except as we read Esther we realize that she isn't speaking to God, and he isn't sending her visions or hints or an active participant at all. And somehow despite being a solitary fighter she manages to save her people.
I took a bible study a few years ago on Esther, as a group we talked about each week's reading. We talked about how faithful Esther was to her people and how her mind was a glorious thing as she thought as a leader. We talked about how unfair the king was, how crazy we thought Vhasti was and how the people that surrounded the king we're worthless, but hardly at all did we talk about how God was working in the background alongside Esther even though we didn't hear him and neither did she.
The reality is that God was working in Esther the entire time, quietly. Just because we don't see, hear or feel God doesn't mean he isn't directing us. It doesn't mean that our trials and tribulations are being taken on by ourselves. Chris Attrock does a fantastic job of pointing out all the ways. that God assisted Esther. Even in the quietest of moments God has a hand in everything. And most of the time we don't even know it..
Courtney B, Reviewer
This book is amazing. I love how Esther's story is broken down and explained and how we can have our own Esther experience in life. He shows us how to find God in the mundane, the ordinary and normal.
Growing up, God always felt close to me, but as time went on, I grew up and God seemed way more distant. I've found myself asking if God was real for me, like he's real for others and sometimes I felt like I was just met with silence. This book helped me find ways to find God in everything and how He is working to heal and mend each spot in my heart.
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