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Reckless Faith: Let Go and Be Led
'The stories in the chapters that follow aren't chronological. They're not a history of how I found myself living on the side of a mountain in Mexico, and I'm not sure that would interest anyone but my mother and her friends anyway. Instead, I've mined my journals for those moments when God used the very people I thought I was in Mexico to lead, to lead me. Time and again I've been led to trust God, with my little mustard seed of faith, to see how he not only shows up in our circumstance---but he shows off! It's not because he needs to prove himself; rather, he is demonstrating to a forgotten population---the orphans that I serve---that he will be their Father and Protector and Provider.' Beth and Todd established a ministry that helps orphans---the poorest, most defenseless members of a needy populace. And while the stories here are drawn from those experiences, this book isn't a memoir. It's about living with faith, with the certainty that God will show up, exactly where and exactly when He's needed. Beth calls it a reckless faith---a willingness to trust even when you don't understand. And her book---an inspiring collection of true stories about real people who, when faced with real challenges, chose to trust God---is a call to live with Reckless Faith.
224 pages, Paperback
First published July 25, 2008
13 people are currently reading
350 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 17, 2016
A missionary in Mexico begins to change the lives of orphans, however they also begin to change hers. Reckless Faith was a 5 star autobiography by Beth Guckenberger for anyone looking to deepen their faith or enjoys learning about other’s encounters with God. This book begins will a tough decision, should Beth and her husband Todd play it safe or answer the call that God is sending them to in Mexico? They choose to drop everything and move to Mexico, proof of their own “reckless faith” which only grows stronger. There are multiple different stories and people that make up the book, yet they are not in chronological order. Beth says that instead of the stories in chronological order she’s ‘mined (her) journals for those moments when God used the very people (she) thought (she) was in Mexico to lead, to lead (her)’ an amazing example of what the book is. Reckless Faith is filled with not the boring rising action and falling action, but with the plethora of moments when her life was changed, person by person whom she interacted with.
Exciting, powerful, and beautiful are all words to describe Beth’s journey as she writes it. Each chapter has it’s own effect on the reader and the plot of her life. Similar to Miracles from Heaven in the sense that as the writer gains values or experiences, we are exposed to them as well and begin to see something new. Each interaction changes her perspective in some way and as the reader you get to go along for the ride, as the moral of the stories are revealed we learn something new. Many of these orphans are lost or angry and those are feelings almost everyone can relate to, Guckenberger helps connect the mission to the victim so God can meet each one on a personal level. She takes the time to get to know each person and in a natural way. Reading this book won’t just be an assignment, but an experience that will give you new ideas and connections to not only God but the world. She stresses the idea that God’s path is risky, “Following God’s will doesn’t always look logical”(41). Throughout the book she learns that God’s path is not the easy way and that’s why it’s so important to spread the idea of reckless faith, without it God can’t work through us.
Exciting, powerful, and beautiful are all words to describe Beth’s journey as she writes it. Each chapter has it’s own effect on the reader and the plot of her life. Similar to Miracles from Heaven in the sense that as the writer gains values or experiences, we are exposed to them as well and begin to see something new. Each interaction changes her perspective in some way and as the reader you get to go along for the ride, as the moral of the stories are revealed we learn something new. Many of these orphans are lost or angry and those are feelings almost everyone can relate to, Guckenberger helps connect the mission to the victim so God can meet each one on a personal level. She takes the time to get to know each person and in a natural way. Reading this book won’t just be an assignment, but an experience that will give you new ideas and connections to not only God but the world. She stresses the idea that God’s path is risky, “Following God’s will doesn’t always look logical”(41). Throughout the book she learns that God’s path is not the easy way and that’s why it’s so important to spread the idea of reckless faith, without it God can’t work through us.
January 22, 2011
I started this two days ago, I think. A friend had given it to me for Christmas. I had issues putting it down yesterday. I had book in one hand and my other hand stirring tapioca pudding, as tears were streaming down my cheeks.
It is a non-fiction book. At first I was a little wary when it comes to people talking about "reckless faith" because images of going forth and expecting to God to follow (instead of the other way around) go through my brain. But this was not the case. I also tend to be a little cautious and a little more on the conservative side and at the beginning I was thinking that this was going to be going a little overboard charasmatically speaking. But this was not the case.
I found myself wanting to underline, wanting to write down some of the quotes. It was a fairly simple, easy to read, yet solid book that challenges you. To those who know me, you know that orphans have always tugged at my heart strings and this definitely pulled at them. Scripture was quoted and used throughout (passages in context, no less! ;) ) I personally could really identify with her. I could see myself in some of the situations, and struggling with the questions & issues. Some of the situations were completely heart-breaking. Yet this wasn't filled with cliches.
I would recommend this book even if you don't have a heart's call for orphans because I believe it challenges your faith over all. :) (P.S. I have no idea if it was "well-written", or any of the other technical terms) I just know that it resonated with me. :)
"It takes no effort to look down on people. It's actually the lazy thing to do. When I think of the people I have looked down on in the past, they are usually people whose lives I couldn't relate to. They lived in different times or places, and it was too much work for me to try to understand their point of view."
"Meme sees people for who they are, not what they are, as as cliched as that sounds, it rarely happens. Through her example, I now see a daughter instead of a prostitute, an adult orphan rather than a wife beater, and a desperate mother instead of a drunk. She has taught us to look at the people we serve who live in the most desperate of circumstances in terms of their relationships rather than the labels."
It is a non-fiction book. At first I was a little wary when it comes to people talking about "reckless faith" because images of going forth and expecting to God to follow (instead of the other way around) go through my brain. But this was not the case. I also tend to be a little cautious and a little more on the conservative side and at the beginning I was thinking that this was going to be going a little overboard charasmatically speaking. But this was not the case.
I found myself wanting to underline, wanting to write down some of the quotes. It was a fairly simple, easy to read, yet solid book that challenges you. To those who know me, you know that orphans have always tugged at my heart strings and this definitely pulled at them. Scripture was quoted and used throughout (passages in context, no less! ;) ) I personally could really identify with her. I could see myself in some of the situations, and struggling with the questions & issues. Some of the situations were completely heart-breaking. Yet this wasn't filled with cliches.
I would recommend this book even if you don't have a heart's call for orphans because I believe it challenges your faith over all. :) (P.S. I have no idea if it was "well-written", or any of the other technical terms) I just know that it resonated with me. :)
"It takes no effort to look down on people. It's actually the lazy thing to do. When I think of the people I have looked down on in the past, they are usually people whose lives I couldn't relate to. They lived in different times or places, and it was too much work for me to try to understand their point of view."
"Meme sees people for who they are, not what they are, as as cliched as that sounds, it rarely happens. Through her example, I now see a daughter instead of a prostitute, an adult orphan rather than a wife beater, and a desperate mother instead of a drunk. She has taught us to look at the people we serve who live in the most desperate of circumstances in terms of their relationships rather than the labels."
June 14, 2011
This book is of a young couple who have fallen in love with orphans and feel the calling to help them in any way they can. They have moved to Montery, Mexico to help an orphanage there. Each chapter is titled the name of an orphan who have made an impact in their lives, instead of chronological order. The books is full of miraculous and heart-wrenching stories of children who have touched their lives. I gave this book 5 stars because it had so emotionally involved that I was thinking about it every second I wasn't reading it. These true stories combined with the way she is trying to figure out how God fits the lives of these orphans had me completely absorbed. It was worth every second spent reading this book. Even though the stories of these children are depressing it left me inspired and questioning how I could possibly help.
November 16, 2010
this book is seriously underrated! Living by faith is a reckless abandonment to what the Lord is saying, no matter what circumstances say. She really nails this by telling stories of how she has seen God be faithful in the lives of the orphans she works with, even though their circumstances would try to say otherwise.
"some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God"
"some may trust in horses, some may trust in chariots, but we will trust in the name of our God"
December 22, 2009
I feel that it is important to hear testimony of what God is currently doing in the hearts and lives of people around the world. This book was inspiring and beautiful and I would recommend it to others if they're feeling like their faith is flat and lifeless. This will inspire you to take an eternal perspective on the less fortunate around you.
January 17, 2009
This book has found me at just the right time. Those are the best books to read, aren't they? I am working on being reckless in my faith by taking a walk out on the ledge, and to be more childlike in my faith and acceptance of others and new situations.
January 22, 2010
Worked with Back2Back in Mexico this winter (jan. 2010). Totally amazing "Reckless Faith" in action and worth reading just for the realness of the story. BTW, did not read the kindle edition but can't find the paperback.
December 4, 2012
4-1/2 stars. Beth Guckenberger is amazing. Written largely as excerpts from her journal which left me often wondering just how the story ended, but that was also kind of her point. Am still thinking about this book months after finishing it. I love the honesty in Beth's writing.
December 2, 2014
This book is a collection of Beth and Todd Gukenberger’s story of being missionaries in Mexico (read: Katie Davis in Mexico). The Lord has used their ministry to do some cool things and reach some neat places.
September 5, 2008
Hands down my favorite book of the year!
A Christian woman telling about her and her husband's ministry to orphans in Mexico.
Absolutely LOVED it!!!!!
A Christian woman telling about her and her husband's ministry to orphans in Mexico.
Absolutely LOVED it!!!!!
September 11, 2008
This book is great! The author actually came to our church and spoke. She is a missionary in Mexico and this is a compilation of different true stories and encounters.
October 10, 2008
Excellent bio.
January 19, 2013
I saw this book at my Church's book store - it is by a girl I went to high school with so I grabbed it!
It is very touching and emotional so far. Really makes you look at your faith.
It is very touching and emotional so far. Really makes you look at your faith.
May 22, 2009
An amazing story of people who are devoted to God
May 4, 2010
I believe that Beth's life story will and has changed me, and revived my heart to work with orphans around the world.
June 24, 2010
God's plan is not necessarily your plan. I sailed through this in a few days...I heard Beth speak and she writes as down to earth as she speaks....a must read.
August 8, 2010
After reading Beth's collection of "true stories about real people who, when faced with real challenges,chose to trust God." It definitely gave me an me an urgency to live with Reckless Faith.
September 13, 2010
read it...i hope that i am able to live by example a reckless faith. solidifies my support in foster care & adoption. continues my love for missionary work and mexico.
June 22, 2011
Couldn't put it down.
January 4, 2013
Amazing book. I spent a week in the orphanage with Beth and she is an amazing person who wrote this truly beautiful and heartbreaking book.Totally worth reading.
August 17, 2012
Amazing!
September 30, 2012
If you have any interest in orphan care, this is an excellent book to read! Hear first hand the story of how Back2Back Ministries began 15 years ago !
Want to read
October 9, 2012Erin and Thad Recommendation.
December 30, 2012
Inspiring
July 5, 2013
Very good book. I love Back2Back!
December 7, 2013
Love for serving orphans in Mexico leads the author to humbly recount lessons learned from lives of poor who depend on a mighty God. Well worth reading for inspiration and challenge.
February 23, 2025
Could not this book down. Great help for adoptive parents in better I understanding our kids, especially if they were adopted as adolescents. Beth is a wonderful storyteller.
December 10, 2016
I liked this book, the way it have short stories of this family.
January 16, 2019
I'd like to think I was just not in the right mood (or the right audience) for this book. I wanted to like it, but found several things off-putting.
First, you are free to disagree with me, but I take genuine theological issue with The Message interpretation of the Bible. It is not a translation, which begs the follow-up question, Is God's Word really so inaccessible or 'uncool' that we need to dumb it down? Do we even have the right to alter The Most Holy God's Word? Keeping that in mind, when Mrs. Guckenberger quotes more from The Message than she does the actual Bible, I immediately feel disconnected from and distrustful of her faith. I can't just settle in and learn at her feet, because I have to sift each paragraph and wonder if she herself is learning from Jesus or learning from editors trying to make God more 'hip.'
Secondly, the entire book had sort of a "blog post" feel to it for me. Instead of letting the experiences and characters of her life speak for themselves (and instead of giving me the freedom in the Spirit to mull over how God wants to use these testimonies in my own life), most chapters were 40% testimony and 60% preaching at me. Because of what she has been through, she clearly felt that she had a right to tell me how to think and feel about just about everything in my Christian faith, but I never felt like she had sufficiently established that right in my eyes.
The author sought to paint a picture of faith that appeared radical and catchy, as contrasted with a stuffed-up, narrow-minded, close-fisted sort of faith. But wait... do those adjectives even apply to genuine faith, ever? Again, we're butting heads over theology here. Moreover, why does she write to me like I'm coming from that angle and am shocked at everything she has to say to the contrary? I wouldn't mind if she explained that was her background and her realizations during this time, but you lose your audience pretty quickly if you act like you know exactly who is reading your book and then try to preach at them for it.
So... I give it two stars (as opposed to one) because the stories she had to tell did have an impact on my faith with God, for the better. But I could have read those stories in an hour or two and just done away with the rest of the book; it wasn't helpful or encouraging for me.
First, you are free to disagree with me, but I take genuine theological issue with The Message interpretation of the Bible. It is not a translation, which begs the follow-up question, Is God's Word really so inaccessible or 'uncool' that we need to dumb it down? Do we even have the right to alter The Most Holy God's Word? Keeping that in mind, when Mrs. Guckenberger quotes more from The Message than she does the actual Bible, I immediately feel disconnected from and distrustful of her faith. I can't just settle in and learn at her feet, because I have to sift each paragraph and wonder if she herself is learning from Jesus or learning from editors trying to make God more 'hip.'
Secondly, the entire book had sort of a "blog post" feel to it for me. Instead of letting the experiences and characters of her life speak for themselves (and instead of giving me the freedom in the Spirit to mull over how God wants to use these testimonies in my own life), most chapters were 40% testimony and 60% preaching at me. Because of what she has been through, she clearly felt that she had a right to tell me how to think and feel about just about everything in my Christian faith, but I never felt like she had sufficiently established that right in my eyes.
The author sought to paint a picture of faith that appeared radical and catchy, as contrasted with a stuffed-up, narrow-minded, close-fisted sort of faith. But wait... do those adjectives even apply to genuine faith, ever? Again, we're butting heads over theology here. Moreover, why does she write to me like I'm coming from that angle and am shocked at everything she has to say to the contrary? I wouldn't mind if she explained that was her background and her realizations during this time, but you lose your audience pretty quickly if you act like you know exactly who is reading your book and then try to preach at them for it.
So... I give it two stars (as opposed to one) because the stories she had to tell did have an impact on my faith with God, for the better. But I could have read those stories in an hour or two and just done away with the rest of the book; it wasn't helpful or encouraging for me.
September 12, 2023
Read this with my kids as we frequently try to read books about the lives of missionaries and the way God meets His children: we all loved it.
It's not the best writing you'll ever find stylistically, but Beth's heart for orphans and her passion to live out her reckless faith had us all wanting "one more chapter."
It does cover real-life brokenness that led to some really deep but challenging discussions. Sex trafficking, abortion, self harm, abuse, addiction, neglect. . .these are the realities kids at risk often face. But Beth speaks powerfully to the promises of God to the orphan and that hope that He does have a better end in mind, a hope and a future permeates every chapter. My 9 year old was frequently cheering over the God stories, the miracles, detailed in this small book.
As adoption is part of our family's story, it was a powerful conversation starter for some hard topics that was presented bathed in Biblical truth. Even if it's not part of yours, it's still a definite must read.
It's not the best writing you'll ever find stylistically, but Beth's heart for orphans and her passion to live out her reckless faith had us all wanting "one more chapter."
It does cover real-life brokenness that led to some really deep but challenging discussions. Sex trafficking, abortion, self harm, abuse, addiction, neglect. . .these are the realities kids at risk often face. But Beth speaks powerfully to the promises of God to the orphan and that hope that He does have a better end in mind, a hope and a future permeates every chapter. My 9 year old was frequently cheering over the God stories, the miracles, detailed in this small book.
As adoption is part of our family's story, it was a powerful conversation starter for some hard topics that was presented bathed in Biblical truth. Even if it's not part of yours, it's still a definite must read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews