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Twice Found: Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding God
Bikes. Vans. Johnny Cash. Love. God.
Kyle Duford was a successful executive, mostly because he preferred working overseas to being at home in his broken marriage. But as his life took a dramatic turn, was fired, divorced, and contemplating suicide, he started to feel chased by God. That's when, as he started looking back on his life, he realized that nearly every person with whom he interacted, at nearly every stage in life, was really "Jesus with skin on," showing God's love for him.
After a period of his brokenness in the days after his firing, he knew something had to change, so he hopped a flight to Maui to be alone with his thoughts and whatever the universe, or God-or whatever was out there-had in store for him. It's in those days that Jesus used nearly every person with whom he came in contact to show Kyle he was there, with him, chasing him.
But God saved his biggest surprise for last: a random introduction to his life-long love with whom he hadn't had any contact in twenty-one years. Not on social. Not an email. Nothing. And that encounter would change everything.
A story of life with-and-without God and how he helps us to be ourselves in a unique and authentic way so we can live life to the fullest.
Kyle Duford was a successful executive, mostly because he preferred working overseas to being at home in his broken marriage. But as his life took a dramatic turn, was fired, divorced, and contemplating suicide, he started to feel chased by God. That's when, as he started looking back on his life, he realized that nearly every person with whom he interacted, at nearly every stage in life, was really "Jesus with skin on," showing God's love for him.
After a period of his brokenness in the days after his firing, he knew something had to change, so he hopped a flight to Maui to be alone with his thoughts and whatever the universe, or God-or whatever was out there-had in store for him. It's in those days that Jesus used nearly every person with whom he came in contact to show Kyle he was there, with him, chasing him.
But God saved his biggest surprise for last: a random introduction to his life-long love with whom he hadn't had any contact in twenty-one years. Not on social. Not an email. Nothing. And that encounter would change everything.
A story of life with-and-without God and how he helps us to be ourselves in a unique and authentic way so we can live life to the fullest.
260 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2021
2 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Kyle Duford
3 books3 followersKYLE DUFORD is the Executive Creative Director of The Brand Leader in Greenville, South Carolina. He is a former magazine editor and writer who turned to branding, as well as a speaker and thought leader. He prides himself on being a husband and father first, an athlete second, and then he works to help create unforgettable brands at The Brand Leader with some of his favorite people. He lives with his wife and — depending on the season — varying numbers of their six children and two dogs. He's an Enneagram 3 (that figures).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 3, 2022
In the movie, Shadowlands, CS Lewis’ characters says, “We read to know that we are not alone.”
That is one of the reasons memoirs are my favorite genre.
Every person has a story that is unique to them and special and unique to God. I don’t think I’ve read one memoir where there wasn’t at least something that spoke to me or resonated at a deep level. I’ve read memoirs where the author seemed be boasting on every page and others where they seemed to be sharing their own self-loathing, but there is always something in there that connects, as we are all human and are experiencing this journey we call life. At times our journey is filled with joy and at times we find ourselves in the darkest valleys, but I think many of us resonate with the saying that life all together is a beautiful mess – I know I do.
While I may find something that resonates in each story, the memoirs that resonate the most with me and that have stayed with me over time are the ones filled with authenticity and humility. The ones where the memoirist was willing to open their heart and let the story speak for itself, without trying to whitewash or spin a tale. Kyle Duford’s memoir, Twice Found: Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding God, is one of these memoirs.
At its heart I found it to be a love story.
The subtitle is Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding God. This comes through in every chapter. Kyle’s joy of the celebration of the beauty that springs from ashes pours from every page. I had tears in my eyes when he proposed, for the second time, to his first love; I laughed at times; and I nodded my head, as I connected with many little things in his story along the way. It was a beautiful adventure.
The book was enjoyable to read and was the perfect first book for the New Year.
He offers his own learnings from his story at the end of each chapter. Personally, I found these little tidbits the least engaging part of the book and slightly heavy handed – I would have preferred to just let the story speak for itself – but what I appreciated about these little musings was the joy of Kyle's learnings and the honesty through which he presents them.
I read a lot of memoirs and one distinction I have found is how a writer will portray their life. In some I learn about their story and get sucked into their childhood or trauma or experience, but I don’t really know who they are today (Phil Knight’s, Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, & Tara Westover’s, Educated, are two examples), and in others I come away feeling as though I know the person they are at the moment (Pete Holme’s Comedy Sex God and Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights come to mind). I love both of these styles and one is not better than the other - they are just different and the choice the writer makes. In this memoir it was the second style that came through. Kyle's authenticity was not only apparent in the memories of his journey and what he experienced along the way, but he opened and shared his personality and his interests.
Kyle writes, “We all have a story. Yours may feel worse than mine. It may seem better. But when God breaks us – from David down to you and me – we have no choice but to respond and bend a knee.” This was Kyle sharing who he is right now and as I closed the book I felt as though I got to know the person he is today, in a small way. This is beautiful and is one of the reasons I rate this memoir so high.
“We read to know that we are not alone.”
While I have never had a Chick-fil-A sandwich and I lived in Portland too long to drink Folger’s coffee, I found in Kyle’s story that I am not alone in loving the Ace Hotel, moleskin journals, running and being given a second chance at love when it felt as though my world was ending in brokenness.
I would highly recommend Twice Found: Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding Godand I’m grateful Kyle has shared a little bit of his story and heart with the world. Thank you!
That is one of the reasons memoirs are my favorite genre.
Every person has a story that is unique to them and special and unique to God. I don’t think I’ve read one memoir where there wasn’t at least something that spoke to me or resonated at a deep level. I’ve read memoirs where the author seemed be boasting on every page and others where they seemed to be sharing their own self-loathing, but there is always something in there that connects, as we are all human and are experiencing this journey we call life. At times our journey is filled with joy and at times we find ourselves in the darkest valleys, but I think many of us resonate with the saying that life all together is a beautiful mess – I know I do.
While I may find something that resonates in each story, the memoirs that resonate the most with me and that have stayed with me over time are the ones filled with authenticity and humility. The ones where the memoirist was willing to open their heart and let the story speak for itself, without trying to whitewash or spin a tale. Kyle Duford’s memoir, Twice Found: Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding God, is one of these memoirs.
At its heart I found it to be a love story.
The subtitle is Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding God. This comes through in every chapter. Kyle’s joy of the celebration of the beauty that springs from ashes pours from every page. I had tears in my eyes when he proposed, for the second time, to his first love; I laughed at times; and I nodded my head, as I connected with many little things in his story along the way. It was a beautiful adventure.
The book was enjoyable to read and was the perfect first book for the New Year.
He offers his own learnings from his story at the end of each chapter. Personally, I found these little tidbits the least engaging part of the book and slightly heavy handed – I would have preferred to just let the story speak for itself – but what I appreciated about these little musings was the joy of Kyle's learnings and the honesty through which he presents them.
I read a lot of memoirs and one distinction I have found is how a writer will portray their life. In some I learn about their story and get sucked into their childhood or trauma or experience, but I don’t really know who they are today (Phil Knight’s, Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike, & Tara Westover’s, Educated, are two examples), and in others I come away feeling as though I know the person they are at the moment (Pete Holme’s Comedy Sex God and Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights come to mind). I love both of these styles and one is not better than the other - they are just different and the choice the writer makes. In this memoir it was the second style that came through. Kyle's authenticity was not only apparent in the memories of his journey and what he experienced along the way, but he opened and shared his personality and his interests.
Kyle writes, “We all have a story. Yours may feel worse than mine. It may seem better. But when God breaks us – from David down to you and me – we have no choice but to respond and bend a knee.” This was Kyle sharing who he is right now and as I closed the book I felt as though I got to know the person he is today, in a small way. This is beautiful and is one of the reasons I rate this memoir so high.
“We read to know that we are not alone.”
While I have never had a Chick-fil-A sandwich and I lived in Portland too long to drink Folger’s coffee, I found in Kyle’s story that I am not alone in loving the Ace Hotel, moleskin journals, running and being given a second chance at love when it felt as though my world was ending in brokenness.
I would highly recommend Twice Found: Getting a Second Chance at Life, Love, and Understanding Godand I’m grateful Kyle has shared a little bit of his story and heart with the world. Thank you!
December 30, 2021
Honest and heartfelt
The book was incredibly open and honest. Full of brokenness and truth about being chased by the Father. A second chance to understand love and experience Love incarnate in a life full of chaos and hurt. Highly recommend this to anyone who has struggled and is struggling with understanding how this life works while also learning more about who you are as a believer. Bravo, Kyle. Beautiful.
The book was incredibly open and honest. Full of brokenness and truth about being chased by the Father. A second chance to understand love and experience Love incarnate in a life full of chaos and hurt. Highly recommend this to anyone who has struggled and is struggling with understanding how this life works while also learning more about who you are as a believer. Bravo, Kyle. Beautiful.
December 28, 2022
Faith on display.
Kyle and my paths have crossed a few times over the years due to mutual shared experiences — both eastern Pennsylvania natives, both Boulderites in graphic design, and both imperfect Christians looking to serve as best we can.
Found this book very inspirational and I can think of a handful of friends who will appreciate it.
Thanks Kyle for taking the time to tell your tale so well. Hoping I can share my faith as well as you have. Peace y'all.
Kyle and my paths have crossed a few times over the years due to mutual shared experiences — both eastern Pennsylvania natives, both Boulderites in graphic design, and both imperfect Christians looking to serve as best we can.
Found this book very inspirational and I can think of a handful of friends who will appreciate it.
Thanks Kyle for taking the time to tell your tale so well. Hoping I can share my faith as well as you have. Peace y'all.
December 30, 2022
honestly wow.
so raw so emotional such a rollercoaster !
i loved it so much it felt so real it felt like i was with him holding his hand and going thru everything with him.
i loved reading this! there were so many good quotes throughout the whole book that made me put it down and think about it and be like “ whoa “
I can relate to the faith journey a lot. being a christian is really not easy! people think it’s easy but it’s a hell of a ride ! this encouraged me and rly made me think about my own journey.
i 100% recommend this and I really hope this masterpiece gets more credit🤍
also love love love Brian & of course Jerushah ! (also what a beautiful name omg)
so raw so emotional such a rollercoaster !
i loved it so much it felt so real it felt like i was with him holding his hand and going thru everything with him.
i loved reading this! there were so many good quotes throughout the whole book that made me put it down and think about it and be like “ whoa “
I can relate to the faith journey a lot. being a christian is really not easy! people think it’s easy but it’s a hell of a ride ! this encouraged me and rly made me think about my own journey.
i 100% recommend this and I really hope this masterpiece gets more credit🤍
also love love love Brian & of course Jerushah ! (also what a beautiful name omg)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews