I’m going to cut right to the chase: there is a new book coming out tomorrow that I really hope you will buy and read. It’s called “Angry Conversations With God: A Snarky But Authentic Spiritual Memoir,” and I got the chance to read an advance copy of it a few weeks ago. I have already loaned out my copy, and I plan to buy at least ten copies for several friends of mine.

Before going any further, I should offer a small disclaimer: my friend and former roommate Susan Isaacs is the author of this book, and part of why I am so excited about it is that I was living with her during the beginning of the season of her life that ultimately led to her writing this book. As Susan puts it, “God torched my life… and it was the best thing that could have happened to me.” I was there, and she’s right: God really let her go through hell – at least a white, middle-class woman’s hell. But he didn’t leave her there, and that’s the journey we get to join Susan on in “Angry Conversations…” Susan’s journey out of hell.

About a decade ago, Susan and I were in a small group that read “The Sacred Romance,” which compares our relationship with God to a marriage, where we are “the wife” and God is “the husband.” I remember Susan saying once, “If God is my husband, then we need to go to couples’ therapy, because things are not working out!” I thought it was funny (and a little blasphemous) at the time, but as Susan explored this idea, it became the premise of first a comedy sketch (with King Baby, pictured here), then a solo show, and now her first book. 

For much of the book, the key players are Susan, her counselor, and her imagined versions of God the Father and God the Son (Jesus). Of course, it is important to realize that the god in the therapy sessions is not the real God, but rather the god Susan imagined based on her life experiences. The journey she writes about is one of raw honesty that will certainly make some readers uncomfortable, but will also challenge many to examine their own beliefs about God's character and love.

There are two huge things I got out of reading “Angry Conversations…” First, God is faithful, and even when we let go of him, he does not let go of us. Of course, this is scriptural, so that should be enough to believe it. But God knows that we sometimes need to see this incarnationally, through others. Watching Susan’s life over the past ten years, and reading her book, I am convinced that God can redeem all things and bring tremendous good out of even the most painful circumstances. I have loved experiencing God’s faithfulness through Susan, and anyone who is struggling with believing that God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives, talents, interests, and passions should certainly read this book.

Secondly, I was convicted that sometimes we Christians tend to want to have clean answers for things that aren’t clean, and when we are walking with someone through a difficult time, we don’t always need to offer answers beyond “this really stinks, I’m so sorry you’re going through it.” Susan creates a composite of well-meaning Christians in the character of “Martha,” who has pithy scriptures for every situation, which left Susan feeling judged rather than loved. While Susan insists that I am not part of that "Martha" composite, I saw myself several times in Martha, and realized that I want to be a better friend to people who are going through a "dark night of the soul."

Interestingly, Susan’s encouragement came not primarily through her Christian counselors, pastors and friends, but through the Beatles, sketch comedy groups, and non-Christians in her writing class and the entertainment world, who helped her become the actress and writer she was created by God to be. Of course, there were Christians who helped too… but not without the Christians whose zeal had hurt, rather than helped, her.

Susan is very snarky, to be sure, which will be a stumbling block for some people. At a recent reading she gave at the International Arts Movement encounter, there were definitely moments when the audience winced, especially in her handling of God the Father. But those who can appreciate the prophetic function of irony and comedy (and snark) and finish the book will encounter a woman who loves God (Father, Son and Spirit) with all her heart, who has come through God’s refining fire and now embodies God’s love, mercy, tenderness, and hope.

As someone who suffers from “hope deferred,” this book was a relief. I don't need another book of answers for my lonliness and longing. In "Angry Conversations...." I found myself breathing in wonderful, refreshing Oxygen, leaving me tremendously encouraged. I give it five out of five stars.

Buy your copy today!