Mike Nappa - God in Slow Motion: Reflections on Jesus and the 10 Unexpected Lessons You Can See in His Life

PRAISE FOR GOD IN SLOW MOTION

Italians sometimes say that a good book is read in one breath. God in Slow Motion is just such a book. It whizzes and bursts like a firework, but there is deep biblical grounding, wide cultural engagement, and lasting aftershocks that open up crevices to truth you never knew existed. Youre one breath away from transformation.

LEONARD SWEET, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR, PROFESSOR (DREW UNIVERSITY,

GEORGE FOX UNIVERSITY), AND CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR TO SERMONS.COM

We divert our attention from Christs loving, redemptive intent and focus our eyes only on our own feeble attempts at man-made redemption. Insight like this is what makes God in Slow Motion a great read. Like cool water in a hot desert, it refreshes any of us who may have grown too casual to the all-consuming love of a glorious Savior.

BILL MYERS, FILM PRODUCER AND BEST-SELLING AUTHOR (THE GOD HATER: ELI)

With characteristic eloquence, God in Slow Motion wanders through vignettes from the life of Jesus, looking for the glory that hides beneath the surface of the Gospel stories. In the process, Mike Nappa provides a beautifully fresh perspective on truths about grace and glory that may have grown too familiar.

TIMOTHY PAUL JONES, PHD, ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR ONLINE

EDUCATION AT THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

In God in Slow Motion, Mike Nappa gently lifts Gods truths from the pages of Scripture, giving us a peek at glory underneath the Words of Life. Powerful, poignant stories enhance the journey from manger to cross, through mysteries and grace, strengthening the tattered faith that clings with wonder to the life-giving, mischievous glory of our Savior. Youll find yourself (and your faith) reaching new heights as you move from page to page.

TIM WESEMANN, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR OF JACK BAUERS HAVING A BAD DAY

With elegant simplicity, Mike Nappa brings to life key biblical passages and core aspects of the Christian faith in a manner that feels like a wonder-filled campfire chat. Nappa injects life, mystery, and curiosity into a faith that for many has become stale. God in Slow Motion is that rare Christian book Id feel comfortable handing a nonbelieving friend. It makes the case for Christianity not by way of facts or formulas, nor by claiming that faith in Christ is about your best life now! self-help. It simply focuses on Jesus, that man of sorrows who invites us to follow him even through our pain, suffering, questions, and doubts.

BRETT MCCRACKEN, MANAGING EDITOR OF BIOLA MAGAZINE AND

POPULAR AUTHOR OF HIPSTER CHRISTIANITY

GOD IN
SLOW
MOTION

2013 Nappaland Communications, Inc.

All rights reserved. No part 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 Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

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God in Slow Motion is published in association with Nappaland Literary Agency, an independent agency dedicated to publishing works that are: Authentic. Relevant. Eternal. Visit us on the web at: NappalandLiterary.com

To protect the privacy of those who have shared their stories with the author, some details and names have been changed. Additionally, quoted conversations involving the author, while true to the intent, have been recreated from the authors memory and may not be word-for-word.

Unless otherwise marked, Scripture quotations 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

Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NKJV are from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are from THE ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION. 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.

Scripture quotations marked HCSB are from the HOLMAN CHRISTIAN STANDARD BIBLE. 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Broadman and Holman Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NCV are from the New Century Version. 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version.

Portions of chapter 2, Mysterious Grace, are adapted and reprinted from Thirsty by Amy Nappa, 2008 Nappaland Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Adapted and reprinted by permission. Portions of chapter 3, Criminal Kindness, are adapted and reprinted from Tuesdays with Matthew by Mike Nappa, 2003 Nappaland Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Adapted and reprinted by permission.

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate telephone numbers, Internet addresses, and other contact information at the time of publication, neither the publisher nor the author assumes any responsibility for errors, or for changes that occur after publication. Further, the publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

The publisher assumes no responsibility for any factual errors that may stem from the use of Wikipedia.com as a source for some material in this book.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Nappa, Mike, 1963-

God in slow motion : reflections on Jesus and the 10 unexpected lessons you can see in his life / Mike Nappa.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN 978-1-4002-0462-5

1. Jesus Christ. I. Title.

BT304.N37 2013

232.904--dc23

2012048763

Printed in the United States of America

13 14 15 16 17 RRD 5 4 3 2 1

For Anthony Evangel, who inspires
me to look for God.

God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise;

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

THE APOSTLE PAUL, 1 CORINTHIANS 1:27

CONTENTS

Finding eternal beauty in temporary humility. Luke 2:120

Discovering confidence when youre not in control. John 4:542

Inspecting a life thats marked by change. Luke 5:2732

Abandoning the so-called safety of controlling your own life. Mark 4:3541

Experiencing the compassion of Godeven when hes not looking. Mark 5:2134

Accepting the frailties of human will and the fullness of divine worth. Matthew 11:16

Dealing with disappointment in God. John 11:144

Glimpsing what really matters to Jesus. John 13:117

Witnessing the proof of your life. John 19:142