Paul Baldwin - Devout in Doubt: Diving into Deeper Devotion

Devout in Doubt

In this life, pain is real and hurt hits us all. The church should be a place where hurting people can share the reality of their pain, the doubts they face, and the struggles that are real in their lives. Paul Baldwin shows how to walk through such pain and doubt with hopeand shows us the importance of being real with our doubts while on that journey.

Ed Stetzer, Wheaton College

Its not often you get a front-row seat to someone who is battling a potentially life-ending disease. I felt like I was there sitting with Paulhearing about the hopeful moments but also the very painful and doubt-filled moments. Im not facing cancer right now, but I do face doubt. I bet you do too. Paul Baldwin has given us a gift of learning from his journey. Buy one for yourself and several copies to hand out to friends who are in the middle of tough times.

Tim Stevens, executive pastor, Willow Creek Community Church

Honest, insightful, inspiring, vulnerable, and real, Devout in Doubt wraps all the pastoral encouragement one needs in the everyday struggle of man living his faith. Whether you are facing cancer or a battle of any other kind, Paul Baldwins personal journey of pain, crisis, and doubt will resonate and encourage your soul to hope in the God that loves you.

Kadi Cole, leadership consultant, executive coach, and author of Developing Female Leaders.

All of us go through storms, but its our choice to grow through them. As Pauls pastor, colleague, and friend, Ive had a front row seat to his battle with cancer. Ive watched him wrestle with God and his faith and emerge stronger than before. Devout in Doubt is a must-read for anyone searching for God in a difficult time.

Kevin Fischer, lead pastor, Miami Vineyard Community Church

Paul has a way of impacting someones life when they least expect it. His walk with Jesus, compassion for others, and unwavering faith are what shine through the most. This devotional touched my heart personally because my brother is a two-time cancer survivor, and I know the struggles and pain that Paul and his family went through. Pauls words in Devout in Doubt are a reminder that with God, all things are possible. When I found out that every bit of profit from Devout in Doubt was being dedicated to the American Cancer Society, it humbled me and challenged me to do more for the world. Not only are Pauls words powerful, healing, and inspiring in this devotional, but they remind us of what is important in life.

Lisa Varga, actress, producer, entrepreneur

With point-blank candor, pastor Paul Baldwin has gifted us with a deep, heartfelt devotional that deftly skips pat answers and trite responses to questions on suffering and doubt. Originally written as informal letters to friends and church members, Baldwins spiritual and emotional journey through cancer treatment graces us with sparks of hope even in the darkest nights of pain and loneliness. Spoiler alert: he emerges with a deeper, richer faith and understanding of the Fathers goodness. Baldwins real-life experience offers an invaluable reward for those who join him on his journey.

Dave Workman, author and president of Elemental Churches Consulting Group

This is a brutal blessing of a book.

Abigail Baldwin, actress and missionary

Paul has given a great and costly gift through Devout in Doubt: companionship in a season of suffering. Cancer is one of the great evils in this world and almost certainly every family will be impacted by it. In this devotional, Paul offers his own storyhis suffering, his faith, and the goodness of Jesus in it allto any who must walk through the valley of the shadow of cancer. If you are walking that path or have a loved one who is, I hope you take Paul up on his offer of companionship along the way. No matter what the diagnosis, you will be better for it.

Rob Wegner, author of The Starfish and The Spirit, director of The Kansas City Underground

Paul has cared for my soul more than any other human has. If he had time to take you to coffee and listen to your story, you would sense Jesus presence in the conversation. Because Paul knows Jesus deeply. The world is broken. We all know that. But what happens when your world is broken? Paul will help you recenter your life on Jesus through a simple but effective daily devotion. Allow the rhythms of these devotions to teach you how to see the Light of the World when doubt brings darkness.

Anthony Taylor, pastor of Students at the Chapel

Spiritual introspection, especially during times of personal tragedy, is undoubtably a difficult task, but publishing the journey for the world to read takes real bravery. In his new book, Devout in Doubt, Pastor Paul Baldwin does just this as he invites his readers to journey with him spiritually and emotionally through his own cancer journal. As someone who is no stranger to heartache and has spent a good part of my career studying what the Bible has to say about suffering, I would encourage anyone to pick up a copy of Devout in Doubt and do the important work of taking inventory of your own heart.

Lucas Miles, film producer, pastor, and author of The Christian Left and Good God

Even when pastors are confronted with a life-threatening diagnosis it provokes the questions, Do I really believe what I have taught others to embrace? Can I really trust that God is good and cares for me? Does faith really make a difference in facing my own death? When Pastor Paul Baldwin was diagnosed with cancer, he found catharsis in shepherding his congregation by journaling his doubts. He found inspiration from the suffering sages of the past and hope from the scriptures as he walked his congregation through his valley of the shadow of death. Paul modeled how to not only go through a life-threatening illness, but how to grow through it. He shows how to remain devout in spite of doubt.

Jim Tomberlin, pastor, author, church consultant

In the corridors of history, we hear the echo of the voice of the Apostle Paul reminding us to glory in our sufferings because it produces perseverance, character, and hope. In these post-modern times, we witness perseverance, character, and hope come alive through the holy writ of Devout in Doubt. Pastor Paul Baldwin poignantly amplifies a voice we all need to hear when suffering unexpectedly knocks on our doora voice that reminds us that when suffering comes... close at hand is the trailing beauty of the transformative grace and unsurpassable peace we all hope to find in the presence of a Holy God.

Charles A. Montgomery, Jr., PhD, teaching pastor at the Vineyard Columbus and associate strategic coordinator with Vineyard USA

I am recommending Baldwins book, Devout in Doubt, to anyoneJesus follower and skeptic alike because they are very often the same person. Anyone who says they have not experienced seasons of gut-wrenching doubt is either self-deluded or just hasnt lived long enough yet. This simple book illuminates one mans real-world struggle confronting fear and doubt and breaking through to experiencing Gods presence. Gaining confidence without certainty is a gift the Holy Spirit is distributing as we trust Gods Word in the midst of the struggle. Who among us doesnt need daily strength for the daily dilemma of life?

Mike Meeks, pastor Emeritus at Eastlake Community Church, San Diego, California

The crucibles of life reveal what lies deep within us. In reading Pauls confessions during his bout with cancer, you will discover the secret of how to be devout in the midst of your doubt. For deep within Paul lies what is most fundamental to life: community. The community of the Father, Son, and Spirit, as well as his spiritual family. When you experience love, it produces faith and hope.