Tony Kriz - Aloof: Figuring Out Life with a God Who Hides

PRAISE FOR ALOOF

In these days when chaos seems to drive the evening news cycle and broken relationships seem to be more the norm than not, when we stop for a minutejust stopthe souls reach for God breaks through. That longing to touch and be touched by God rises from the soul of every human. Even so, God often feels unreachable. Tony Kriz offers a new generation guidance on its journey to encounter God. Raw, honest, and wise, Krizs narrative reminded me to cherish those awe-inspiring moments when God came in close. Remember them. Soak them in. They are fuel for our journeyespecially when God feels aloof.

LISA SHARON HARPER, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MOBILIZING, SOJOURNERS & SOJO.NET

Tony is a prophet of our times. His story is mixed with reality and hope that draws you to know God in a deep and realistic way. This book presents the mystery so that it appeals it to those who may find themselves questioning where to find it and into a space to actually find him.

LEROY BARBER, GLOBAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WORD MADE FLESH

Like having a late-night conversation with a good friend where no topic is off-limits, and no question is too difficult to ask. Krizs engaging candor offers an invitation to travel with him on lifes journey with the Silent Divine, a mysterious yet merciful God who often seems to hide.

SARAH THEBARGE, AUTHOR OF THEINVISIBLEGIRLS

Televangelists and preachers make out that God is ever-present and easily accessible, but the stark reality is, at best, we perceive God fitfully, partially, and mysteriously. Tony Kriz, brutally honest and sincerely compassionate, invites us into the mystery of the God who appears aloof, but who beckons us through the fog of life.

MICHAEL FROST, MORLING COLLEGE, SYDNEY

Tony Kriz writes like he lives. He tells the truth and then lives it.

DR. ANDREA COOK, PRESIDENT OF WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE

Tonys raw and compelling storytelling drives the reader off the beaten path of intellect and into the rocky terrain of our hearts greatest pain, loss, and unorthodox hope. This book is liberating in that it asks the questions so many of us have about the not-so-tangible-presence of God, yet find ourselves too fearful to ask. Tony doesnt offer all the answers, but gives us the freedom to see, experience, and communicate with God in ways we wouldnt have considered. A must-read for us everyday folks committed to stumbling toward Jesus.

JON HUCKINS, COFOUNDING DIRECTOR OF THE GLOBAL IMMERSION PROJECT AND AUTHOR OF THINPLACES: SIX POSTURES FOR CREATING AND PRACTICING MISSIONAL COMMUNITY

Its a breath of fresh air to come upon a book like Aloof. Tony Kriz challenges paint-by-numbers conventionality with brave honesty about doubt, struggle, and the elusiveness of Goda struggle many Christians experience but few are willing to acknowledge so candidly. Just as Tony has made a friend out of a doubting Thomas like me with his kindness, openness, and infectious new ways of seeing things, he is bound to make legions of literary friends with his remarkable new book.

TOM KRATTENMAKER, USA CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST AND AUTHOR OF THEEVANGELICALSYOUDONT KNOW

Tony Kriz unlocks memories, mystery, and imagination in this invitation to see the divine breath which is invisible to so many, though it surrounds all of us every day. A masterful storyteller and whimsical writer, Kriz provokes his readers to live into the reality of the silence of God, and wait in anticipation for the times when were surprised by the tangible realities of Godwithus.

MICHAEL KIMPAN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE MARIN FOUNDATION

One of Tony Krizs greatest gifts is navigating complexeven confoundingconcepts like theology and theodicy in relatable, digestible ways. He does so once again with grace, humor, and vulnerable transparency in Aloof.

CHRISTIAN PIATT, AUTHOR OF POSTCHRISTIAN: WHATS LEFT? CAN WE FIX IT? DO WE CARE?

Honest, transparent, and relevant, Aloof is one of the rare books that, while telling someone elses story, helps unpack your own spiritual narrative along the way. A must-read.

KEN WYTSMA, AUTHOR OF PURSUINGJUSTICE AND THEGRANDPARADOX: THE MESSINESS OF LIFE, THE MYSTERY OF GOD AND THE NECESSITY OF FAITH

If you are looking for perfect, sanitized stories of people who make all the right choices or who never waver in the face of tragedy, this is not the book for you. If you gain strength by stories of others who search for God and sometimes still feel like the kid who is losing at hide-and-seek, this book will encourage you that you do not search alone.

MICKY SCOTTBEY JONES, TRANSFORM NETWORK, PATHEOS EMERGING VOICES BLOG, RED LETTER CHRISTIANS

Tony explores the mystery behind the presence of God in our lives, pulling apart the expectations of Gods presence that have potentially been taught to us. A truly transparent, thoughtful, and honest memoir, Aloof is Tonys account of the seasons and journeys of Gods presence in his life.

RACHEL GOBLE, PRESIDENT OF THE SOLD PROJECT

Tony takes us on a powerful, vulnerable journey through his spiritual life, from a young boy to a man. We are invited to walk with him as he wrestles with a God who at times does not seem near enough, tangible enough, or intimate enough. His unnerving honesty reveals the questions found deep in our own hearts, and will ultimately help us find hope in the mercy of God who remains constant through our struggle and invites us to rest.

KEVIN PALAU, PRESIDENT OF THE LUIS PALAU EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION

Reading Aloof is a pleasure. People will debate the ideasis there a God or not?but no one will put this book down feeling cheated. It is a work of art.

FRANK SCHAEFFER, AUTHOR OF WHYIAMANATHEISTWHOBELIEVESIN GOD

Beautifully written, heartbreaking, revealing, and honest, Aloof gives us hope that in the end, God will reveal himself and take each of us by the hand.

MATT MIKALATOS, AUTHOR OF THEFIRSTTIMEWESAWHIM

Tony Kriz articulates his experiences of Gods aloofness so the rest of us can find the language and freedom to articulate our own. Like our best poets, prophets, and mystics, he looks into the darkness and tells us what he seesand what he doesnt. The result is a searingly honest but ultimately hopeful book about a God who hides but then is occasionally, suddenly, briefly, mysteriously, and wonderfully there.

JOHN PATTISON, COAUTHOR OF SLOWCHURCH

With raw honesty, disarming vulnerability, and faith-filled hope, Tony Kriz creates a space for us to rediscover the divine mystery that God is at times perhaps most powerfully and intentionally at work in the moments when it feels like hes left the building.

JOSHUA RYAN BUTLER, AUTHOR OF THESKELETONSINGODS CLOSET

Can you really trust God when he is silent? Its an age-old question. Easy to answer for those whove not experienced silence. With the precision of a surgeon and the tenderness of a wounded spirit, Tony walks us through his prism to find where God really lives.

HON. JASON A. ATKINSON, OREGON STATE SENATOR, PRODUCER OF ARIVERBETWEENUS

An anguished search for the hand of God in the raucous uncertainty and redemptive community that otherwise attends us.

STEVE DUIN, COLUMNIST FOR THEOREGONIAN

The ordinary doesnt usually feel sacramental, but that doesnt mean God isnt closer, much closer than you think. Im grateful for this wise and honest memoir that is more than a reminder, its a literary companion on the winding journey of life with God.