David Bowden - When God Isnt There: Why God Is Farther than You Think but Closer than You Dare Imagine

Whether youre preaching to a church or talking over a cup of coffee, Gods presence is an intimidating topic. When God Isnt There will prove useful in either setting. Ive worked with David before, and his talents as a spoken word poet serve him just as well in written form. He wrestles with theological concepts in a down-to-earth way. I believe many will benefit from this very helpful book.

Kyle Idleman, bestselling author of Not a Fan; teaching pastor, Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky

I struggle to describe this book, not because it is incoherent (far from it) but because it is so richly diverse. It is saturated with Scripture, personal experience, analogies and metaphors drawn from every sphere of life, outrageously funny stories, illustrations that make complex truths meaningful, and, on top of it all, really good theology. Davids book has breathed new life into my favorite biblical text: In your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11). Trust me, its a page-turner. And a life changer. Highly recommended!

Sam Storms, PhD, lead pastor for Teaching and Vision, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Nothing debilitates us more than distance from God. When God Isnt There weaves poetry and prose into an insightful exploration of Gods presence, revealing the enduring comfort we can find when we embrace his full nature. A gifted artist rooted in the truth and beauty of Scripture, David has created a must-read for anyone whos felt far from God.

Bobby Gruenewald, LifeChurch Innovation Leader and a founder of YouVersion

Some people fake the presence of God in their lives because secretly they want to fit in. But when they are alone they wonder, Where is God? Why do others seem to feel his presence and I do not? Whether you feel that now or have never felt it, David Bowden explores this important topic with honesty and poetic vision. When God Isnt There will comfort you, deepening your understanding of Gods presence right now.

Mark Matlock, WisdomWorks

David Bowdens When God Isnt There is utterly praiseworthy. Every chapter amplifies the truth about the deep ache and joy that marks the life of a Christ follower. Bowden gives us a new language for communicating the tension between Gods holy presence and sometimes-painful absence. This book indeed reveals how God is farther than you think and closer than you dare to imagine.

Tami Heim, president and CEO, Christian Leadership Alliance

Wycliffe USAs work of Bible translation often brings us to places around the world where it feels as though God is absent because his Word is not available in the language people know and understand best. When God Isnt There is a timely, insightful, and inspiring reminder that God is always present and always at work.

Bob Creson, president and CEO, Wycliffe Bible Translators USA

Ive had the privilege of knowing and working with David for several years, and he is an outstanding thinker and communicator. His passion for Gods Word, his command of the Scriptures, and his winsome life are assets God has at his disposal as he seeks to advance his kingdom and build Jesus Church here on earth! Davids transparency in addressing this age-old question for humanity will help all to better understand that Gods seeming absence is actually an invitation to seek him wholeheartedly and that in doing so one will find him.

J. Todd Peterson, chairman emeritus, Seed Company; NFL placekicker, 19932005

Natalie, nails, idols, Mouse Trap, Proclaimer Boxes, pursuing the love of your life, Corvettes, goats, erasers, five-dollar bills, temple robbers. Absence, presence, darkness, suffering. Abraham, Moses, Job, Jonah, Jesus, Mother Teresa. In When God Isnt There, Bowden weaves together the subjects above to paint a vivid picture of Gods seeming absence and real presence in our lives. Reading this little book reminded me that Gods presence is about God, not me. It made me contemplate that perhaps there are things in my life that I need to absent myself from to be more present with God. It reminded me that God is everywhere, not just in a church building on Sunday mornings. This book is a great reminder that we are created to glorify God and enjoy him forever.

Dr. Dudley Chancey, PhD, professor of Youth Ministry, Oklahoma Christian University

2016 by David Bowden

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

The author is represented by Alive Literary Agency, 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80920, www.aliveliterary.com.

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from New American Standard Bible. Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN 9780718077686 (eBook)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Bowden, David, 1987- author.

Title: When God isn't there : why God is farther than you think, but closer than you dare imagine / David Bowden.

Description: Nashville : Thomas Nelson, 2016.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016004441 | ISBN 9780718077631

Subjects: LCSH: Hidden God. | Spirituality--Christianity. | God (Christianity)--Knowableness. | Spiritual life--Christianity.

Classification: LCC BT180.H54 B69 2016 | DDC 231.7--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016004441

16 17 18 19 20 21 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

For Meagan: the one who reminds me, in word, deed, and prayer, that God is never too far.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy.

J UDE 1:24