When the author made a commitment to the Lord at age seven, he believed the Christian life would be simple. Over the years, his beliefs about God were challenged by painful and confusing experiences in church as a teenager, the death of a beloved friend in college, and bouts of doubt and despair in graduate school.
He married the girl of his dreams, yet he was still not happy. Then came the quadruplets. And the author thought God had gone nuts. He was terrified of the disruption that one child would bring to his life, let alone four. God, however, knew exactly what he was doing.
Assaulted by Joy follows the growth and spiritual renewal of a self-proclaimed 'jerk' who discovers the inescapable tension between joy and suffering. Each chapter recounts events---from the suspenseful to the heartbreaking to the hysterical---that teach lessons about God, life, love, marriage, and the assaulting joy of being a new father.
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Full review at http://bookwi.se/assaulted-by-joy-the-redemption-of-a-cynic-by-stephen-simpson/
Short review: This is a short memoir (just the right length) to illustrate a point. The author is trying to show where we should be looking for meaning. He finds that God pursues him, using the daily joys of life, and reminds him why the struggle matters.
This is a good example of a “grow up and be a man” book. Not a Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, kind of man, that tries to be cool and manly. But the good Dad, good husband, person that you want in your corner because he will give his all at helping you kind of man.
