What do you think?
Rate this book
Our Authentic Selves: Reflections on What We Believe & What We Wish We Believed
“This is one of the best, if not ‘the best' books that I have ever read about recovery! So much of that (recovery), is cooker cutter-like, parrot stuff.” ~ Amazon review
“This book helped change my perspective towards Alcoholics Anonymous and the impact of the twelve steps as well as Sponsorship.” ~ Amazon review
For most of his life, David Hampton could tell you what he believed about anything, anytime, at the drop of a hat. He prided himself in how well he could parrot what he'd been taught about Christian doctrine. At some point, he decided to trust the experts with matters regarding his spiritual formation and he learned to spout their words as his own. In so doing, he flipped off the switch in his heart.
He didn't want to confuse himself with questions. And he certainly didn't want to explore the issues and people that fell outside the grid of what he understood to be truth.
“I knew what the Christian subculture wanted,” writes David, “and how to fit into it. I even knew how to make a living giving it what it wanted. I bought in, signed on, drank the Kool-Aid. I even ended up working at the stand. Most confounding to me is that I thought I was being authentic and genuine. And maybe at the time that was even true.”
It all worked beautifully for David ... until it didn't. Only then was he able to really examine his faith, beliefs, and compare his own ideas of Christian doctrine against what Christ actually said, did, and died for.
Our Authentic Selves peels back the layers of your heart and leaves you transformed, filled with God's truth, and a transparent follower of Christ - flaws and all.
“This book helped change my perspective towards Alcoholics Anonymous and the impact of the twelve steps as well as Sponsorship.” ~ Amazon review
For most of his life, David Hampton could tell you what he believed about anything, anytime, at the drop of a hat. He prided himself in how well he could parrot what he'd been taught about Christian doctrine. At some point, he decided to trust the experts with matters regarding his spiritual formation and he learned to spout their words as his own. In so doing, he flipped off the switch in his heart.
He didn't want to confuse himself with questions. And he certainly didn't want to explore the issues and people that fell outside the grid of what he understood to be truth.
“I knew what the Christian subculture wanted,” writes David, “and how to fit into it. I even knew how to make a living giving it what it wanted. I bought in, signed on, drank the Kool-Aid. I even ended up working at the stand. Most confounding to me is that I thought I was being authentic and genuine. And maybe at the time that was even true.”
It all worked beautifully for David ... until it didn't. Only then was he able to really examine his faith, beliefs, and compare his own ideas of Christian doctrine against what Christ actually said, did, and died for.
Our Authentic Selves peels back the layers of your heart and leaves you transformed, filled with God's truth, and a transparent follower of Christ - flaws and all.
- GenresReligion
132 pages, Paperback
First published July 18, 2013
17 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 25, 2017
I didn't realize when I got it, but this isn't a traditional book. It contains 40 reflections, each 2-3 pages, intended to be taken one per day.
September 28, 2013
Our Authentic Selves by David Hampton
This is one of the few books where the cover is so exceptionally apt!
Written by an American for Americans on daily motivational to assist in Christian Spiritual growth this book addresses aspects I as A Christian have thus far never even considered. I SHOULD have though. Should is a motivational found early in the book and it really hit home.
I said this is written for Americans but issues of faith is universal. I am referring to political references that we, the world might not grasp but trust be this is incidental and have little real relevance.
WaAr
This is one of the few books where the cover is so exceptionally apt!
Written by an American for Americans on daily motivational to assist in Christian Spiritual growth this book addresses aspects I as A Christian have thus far never even considered. I SHOULD have though. Should is a motivational found early in the book and it really hit home.
I said this is written for Americans but issues of faith is universal. I am referring to political references that we, the world might not grasp but trust be this is incidental and have little real relevance.
WaAr
February 27, 2014
"Our Authentic Shelves" comes from the author's spiritual journey when life shattered his faith structure. This book speaks to a truth in much of American Christianity where you learn what to say you believe and yet never taught to question and explore what you believe. A faith that invites you in with all your questions and doubts leads to a much deeper spiritual life and frees you to live authenticly and be really present to those around you. The reflections in "Our Authentic Selves" can help you on the journey.
I won my copy through Goodreads First Reads.
I won my copy through Goodreads First Reads.
October 22, 2015
Great read
Devotions that are timely but that are also of a more thoughtful nature. Definitely worth the time it takes to read it.
Devotions that are timely but that are also of a more thoughtful nature. Definitely worth the time it takes to read it.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews