A Stranger in the House of God: From Doubt to Faith and Everywhere in Between

John Koessler's ability to write with intelligence, eloquence, humor, and transparency made this book almost as fascinating as his personal story and his relationship with the church within it's pages. Sometimes the book read like a novel and at other times a respected devotional. Altogether, I recommend this book to anyone. I really enjoyed reading it. It's amazing to see the faithfulness of God through John's story, and the beauty of a life fully surrendered to Him. John, thank you for the time, effort, and emotional energy I imagine you must have invested in this project. It is truly appreciated by many, including myself. -Kristen Jane Anderson

This is one of those books that will long remain in my memory. I was touched with Koessler's story. Although our circumstances are different, his reflections and insights struck my soul, leaving a lasting impression.

John Koessler has a magical gift for writing simply and profoundly and beautifully and honestly--a combination not often found in a spiritual memoir. His writing about family and faith sometimes dissolved me in tears and sometimes in giggles. In his particular spiritual journey he manages to connect to a larger, familiar sense of longing. His willingness to share the truth that the church (and life) is often full of disappointments was a refreshing change from a Christianity that sometimes wants to slap a smiley face on the real hurts in this world. His willingness to share the truth that the church (and Christian life on earth) is not the end of the story--we look for a new heavens and new earth--gave a perspective of hope in the experience of longing. A wonderful book worth owning and rereading and sharing with friends.

A Stranger in the House of God is a fiesty, honest, gritty, funny and sad book about faith. John Koessler tears away the Christian facade and tells the truth. I like that in an author. His stories about growing up and growing in faith will break your heart and make you laugh. If you hunger for a non-traditional book about what it means to live for God and enjoy the richness of memoir writing, I would highly recommend this book. It will stay in my bookcase along with Traveling Mercies by Anne Lammott.

Author and former pastor John Koessler offers Christian readers a thoughtful look at the difficulties of the faith life from the opposing vantage points of both doubter and believer. Koessler narrates his life story thus far by the retelling of childhood impressions and vivid memories, and how these faded yet still powerful recollections continue to color his world today. His honesty in detailing the painful family dynamics from which he arose will resonate with readers of all ages and beliefs. More important, though, is Koessler's continuing struggle with the church at large, the dilemma of not feeling at home within its walls. Beginning with his early church background, Koessler shares his first understandings of the subtle and not-so-subtle distinctions between neighborhood Catholic and Baptist churches. He recalls feeling on the outside even then as his immediate family did not attend any church, thus this "outsider" mentality runs deep in his history. Koessler remembers asking his parents if they could convert to Catholicism but was met with raucous laughter. Not to be dissuaded, the young man asks if they are Protestants. Finally, his father offers this cynical reply: "If a Protestant is a protest-ant, someone who protests against the church, then we are." Koessler does indeed "find God" and explores both charismatic and evangelical Christianity despite his parents' lack of belief. Through some painfully comic episodes --- the real stuff of life --- Koessler bounces around between feelings and faith and truth, learning and growing and getting bumped and bruised along the way. He describes the angst he felt as a pastor, the internal obsession to succeed and how God met him at every stage. With a wide assortment of childhood stories intermixed with adult reminiscing, Koessler does a fine job meshing timeless truths through the decades. His college years, marriage and fatherhood all come under the microscope in brief yet intense chapter segments that demonstrate how these parts contribute to the author as a whole. Koessler likewise shares those non-answerable posings believers wrestle with on a daily basis. Prayer, healing, money, motives, contentment --- he touches on each one and more. Not always intending to offer an answer, Koessler simply lays out the pieces of the life puzzle and gives readers an opportunity to poke around a bit, pick up a piece here and there, and make it fit somehow. Despite the text being all about Koessler's experiences, Christians will find themselves drawn in and interacting with the drama. Perhaps this was the author's intention all along. --- Reviewed by Michele Howe