Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC's of Faith

Front Cover
Harper Collins, May 11, 2004 - Religion - 448 pages

Beyond Words n (1.) Terms or names that point to the realm of mystery and depth that lies beyond our ordinary experience. (2.) The reality that is beyond even the power of beyond words to convey, and that can be known only by experiencing it for yourself.

"A word a day to keep the demons at bay." This is how Frederick Buechner likes to describe this witty and incisive dictionary. A daily devotional from one of today's greatest spiritual writers, Beyond Words offers 366 entries from Buechner's three alphabet books, Wishful Thinking, Peculiar Treasures, and Whistling in the Dark, including a new Introduction and nineteen new entries.

Providing definitions of both sacred and ordinary words, as well as biblical characters, Buechner unabashedly brings his fresh perspective to words, concepts, and characters we thought we understood. This is a great introduction to Buechner's work as well as a library staple for those already well versed in his writing. It is Buechner at his best. Whether readers find themselves tearful from a deeply moving insight or laughing out loud at an unexpected turn of phrase, they will always feel uplifted, illuminated, and enchanted by the wisdom of Frederick Buechner.

 

Contents

Section 1
1
Section 2
12
Section 3
25
Section 4
28
Section 5
32
Section 6
39
Section 7
54
Section 8
71
Section 25
237
Section 26
252
Section 27
265
Section 28
269
Section 29
276
Section 30
290
Section 31
297
Section 32
324

Section 9
73
Section 10
77
Section 11
89
Section 12
100
Section 13
107
Section 14
124
Section 15
142
Section 16
156
Section 17
164
Section 18
176
Section 19
185
Section 20
209
Section 21
212
Section 22
219
Section 23
220
Section 24
229
Section 33
329
Section 34
335
Section 35
337
Section 36
342
Section 37
350
Section 38
357
Section 39
383
Section 40
396
Section 41
400
Section 42
406
Section 43
416
Section 44
418
Section 45
419
Section 46
423
Copyright

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Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 396 - Then he consented. And when Jesus was baptized, he went up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and alighting on him; and lo, a voice from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.
Page 54 - The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Page 404 - Christ has not been raised: if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.
Page 428 - Then I saw a great white throne and him who sat upon it; from his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them.
Page 308 - No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Page 54 - The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit.
Page 129 - Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us...
Page 208 - These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

About the author (2004)

Frederick Buechner, author of more than thirty works of fiction and nonfiction, is an ordained Presbyterian minister. He has been a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award and was honored by the American Academy of Arts and Letters. His most recent work is Beyond Words: Daily Readings in the ABC’s of Faith.

Bibliographic information