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Tables in the Wilderness: A Memoir of God Found, Lost, and Found Again
In Tables in the Wilderness, Preston Yancey arrived at Baylor University in the autumn of 2008 with his life figured he was Southern Baptist, conservative, had a beautiful girlfriend he would soon propose to, had spent the summer living in southeast Asia as a missionary, and planned to study political science.
Then God slowly allowed Preston’s secure world to fall apart until every piece of what he thought was true was his church, his life of study, his political leanings, his girlfriend, his best friend . . . and his God.
It was the loss of God in the midst of all the godly things that changed Preston forever. One day he felt he heard God say, “It’s going to be about trust with you,” and then God was silent—and he still hasn’t spoken. At least, not in the ways Preston used to think were the only ways God spoke. No pillars of fire, no clouds, just a bit of whisper in wind.
Now, Preston is a patchwork of Anglican spirituality and Baptist sensibility, with a mother who has been in chronic neurological pain for thirteen years and father still devoted to Southern Baptist ministry who reads saints’ lives on the side. He now shares his story of coming to terms with a God who is bigger than the one he thought he was worshiping—the God of a common faith, the God who makes tables in the wilderness, the God who is found in cathedrals and in forests and in the Eucharist, the God who speaks in fire and in wind, the God who is bigger than narrow understandings of his will, his desire, his plan—the God who is so big, that everything must be his.
Then God slowly allowed Preston’s secure world to fall apart until every piece of what he thought was true was his church, his life of study, his political leanings, his girlfriend, his best friend . . . and his God.
It was the loss of God in the midst of all the godly things that changed Preston forever. One day he felt he heard God say, “It’s going to be about trust with you,” and then God was silent—and he still hasn’t spoken. At least, not in the ways Preston used to think were the only ways God spoke. No pillars of fire, no clouds, just a bit of whisper in wind.
Now, Preston is a patchwork of Anglican spirituality and Baptist sensibility, with a mother who has been in chronic neurological pain for thirteen years and father still devoted to Southern Baptist ministry who reads saints’ lives on the side. He now shares his story of coming to terms with a God who is bigger than the one he thought he was worshiping—the God of a common faith, the God who makes tables in the wilderness, the God who is found in cathedrals and in forests and in the Eucharist, the God who speaks in fire and in wind, the God who is bigger than narrow understandings of his will, his desire, his plan—the God who is so big, that everything must be his.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2014
26 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
Preston Yancey
6 books55 followersPreston Yancey is a lifelong Texan raised Southern Baptist who fell in love with reading saints, crossing himself, and encountering God in the Eucharist. He now makes his home within the Anglican tradition, but still considers himself a happy-clappy Jesus-lover. He is a writer, baker, speaker, and is in the process of being ordained a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. An alumnus of Baylor University, Preston completed a masters in theology from St. Andrews University in Scotland before returning to the States, currently serving as Canon Theologian for the Anglican Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast. Preston lives in Waco, Texas with his wife, Hilary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
October 9, 2024
O, the sturm und drang of youth! Especially of evangelical Christian youth. Preston Yancey writes of the spiritual crisis of his college years at Baylor University, which, if I'm counting correctly, ended a mere three years ago. Overzealousness and disappointment, inflated and crushed egos, rifts between friends, and girls, girls, girls. His is a pretty recognizable experience.
If you like the writing of Donald Miller or Rob Bell, this is your kind of book. The writing is a stream of consciousness style bouncing back and forth between past and present tense, with strings of one-word sentences and one-sentence paragraphs, every word imparted in a tone of hushed urgency. Mr. Yancey wants you to feel his experience more than make sense of it.
What really characterizes a book like this to me is its emphasis on broad-brush emotional scene-setting in place of a strongly crafted narrative with forward momentum. As much as I try to follow an author like this, it always feels to me like a couple in a ballroom dance, one partner doing whatever steps he wants, the other scrambling to follow his whims instead of the dance steps they've learned together. I find it a frustrating experience. Lead me and I will follow! Do your own thing, and I'm apt to drift over to the side and look for another partner.
But readers questioning the spiritual tradition in which they were raised and whether it fits their adult lives might be perfectly happy to be led down Mr. Yancey's winding path. He departs from the Southern Baptist tradition of his childhood and eventually lands in the Anglican church. Along the way, he tries out a number of mainstream denominations, although it's best not to try to figure out which. Early in his search, he speaks of a seminal moment in a church, "one of the only churches in the area I could find with an Easter Vigil service in the later evening." Characteristically, he doesn't say what church that was. I would have liked to know.
If you like the writing of Donald Miller or Rob Bell, this is your kind of book. The writing is a stream of consciousness style bouncing back and forth between past and present tense, with strings of one-word sentences and one-sentence paragraphs, every word imparted in a tone of hushed urgency. Mr. Yancey wants you to feel his experience more than make sense of it.
What really characterizes a book like this to me is its emphasis on broad-brush emotional scene-setting in place of a strongly crafted narrative with forward momentum. As much as I try to follow an author like this, it always feels to me like a couple in a ballroom dance, one partner doing whatever steps he wants, the other scrambling to follow his whims instead of the dance steps they've learned together. I find it a frustrating experience. Lead me and I will follow! Do your own thing, and I'm apt to drift over to the side and look for another partner.
But readers questioning the spiritual tradition in which they were raised and whether it fits their adult lives might be perfectly happy to be led down Mr. Yancey's winding path. He departs from the Southern Baptist tradition of his childhood and eventually lands in the Anglican church. Along the way, he tries out a number of mainstream denominations, although it's best not to try to figure out which. Early in his search, he speaks of a seminal moment in a church, "one of the only churches in the area I could find with an Easter Vigil service in the later evening." Characteristically, he doesn't say what church that was. I would have liked to know.
October 26, 2014
I had high hopes for this book, by Preston Yancey, but just couldn't get into it. In fact, I stopped reading about 1/4 way into it as I was muddling my way through the pages and then just realized "I don't care about reading any more!".
I hate to give a book a bad review, because something I dislike may be another person's favorite book. The fact is, maybe I just didn't need a book like this in my point in life. This book is about growing up in a religious family, then loosing the sense of God in early adulthood, and finally finding Him again. This would be a good book for someone who is feeling that silence from God and having doubts.
The issue for me is that the book reads more like a blog than a book, which isn't a problem except for the fact that it was so disjointed that I couldn't follow along. Good for blog posts, maybe, but not a book where one wants to read a continual story.
Also, while Preston is a good writer he tries to be too poetic, describing things in too much detail. I wanted to scream "Just get to the point already!". Sometimes less really is more.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
I hate to give a book a bad review, because something I dislike may be another person's favorite book. The fact is, maybe I just didn't need a book like this in my point in life. This book is about growing up in a religious family, then loosing the sense of God in early adulthood, and finally finding Him again. This would be a good book for someone who is feeling that silence from God and having doubts.
The issue for me is that the book reads more like a blog than a book, which isn't a problem except for the fact that it was so disjointed that I couldn't follow along. Good for blog posts, maybe, but not a book where one wants to read a continual story.
Also, while Preston is a good writer he tries to be too poetic, describing things in too much detail. I wanted to scream "Just get to the point already!". Sometimes less really is more.
Disclaimer: This book was given to me by BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.
August 2, 2025
i don’t really have words for this book other than that i have already started rereading it and i think it might be my new favorite book of all time
this book never seems to lose its beauty no matter how many times i read it. preston somehow captures the language i long to come up with on my own to describe my mind but can only find in this book and donald miller and wendell berry. a true gift to read these words and to know Christ through the wandering thoughts and conversations between old authors and new friends
this book never seems to lose its beauty no matter how many times i read it. preston somehow captures the language i long to come up with on my own to describe my mind but can only find in this book and donald miller and wendell berry. a true gift to read these words and to know Christ through the wandering thoughts and conversations between old authors and new friends
January 14, 2015
During the time I was reading this book, I kept saying "I don't think I like the book I'm reading." To which my husband would respond "Then why are you reading it?" Honestly, I didn't know. Perhaps I just wanted to see if it would get any better. For most of the book, Yancey sounded so arrogant that I was really put off by him. In the end, I just felt that he is still arrogant, perhaps slightly less than during his college days, but arrogant nonetheless. He seems to be looking for attention and/or pity. I think it telling when his friend asks him why he is always talking about how broken he is, when he's not really broken. I just felt like screaming "Get over yourself, man!" As far as Yancey's writing, it came off a bit pretentious to me. It's as if he is trying so hard to be profound with his one word sentences and his one sentence paragraphs. So I was not impressed at all. Maybe someday I will make myself reread this book and I will see beyond the arrogance to find something meaningful. Maybe, but then again, maybe not.
November 23, 2014
I'm counting this one as finished because I managed about half of it before I just couldn't anymore.
Like every book I read lately, it seems, I really wanted and expected to love this book. It came with high praise. I have liked some of Preston's blog entries. But while the book is, fortunately, better than Blue Like Jazz (which it is often compared to), it is full of equally uninteresting college feelings and drama and poetic language. Oddly enough, all things I like in moderation, but there is not really any moderation here.
It is like reading someone's Livejournal from their college years - and I say that from experience because I kept one at that time. All angst and vagueness and no explanatory details. Names of friends and peers thrown around until you can't figure out who they are, or why you should care. Conversations and things that were Very Important to the person experiencing them because College and Life Transitions and because they know the details and the context that we, as the readers, just don't. I almost said can't, but I don't think that's true. We could have, but this book just doesn't get us there.
Maybe I am too old and jaded to be the target market for this book. But college feels were previously my love language, and I just slogged through this one, thinking, dude, you went to college and had feelings? Welcome to ALL OF US. I agree with Madeleine L'Engle that it's not anyone's job to tell it best but to tell it in their own way, but I never connected with Yancey's spiritual journey here in a way that illuminated mine... or, for that matter, his, because it was all pseudofactual details trying to be forced to have Great Meaning. And one sentence paragraphs. AAAAAH.
I felt as if I was reading a monologue of his. Maybe it would have changed had I persevered through the backstory wedged between the initial silence of God and (I assume) the later discussion of the silence of God, but I just couldn't because after trying for a while I realized I didn't care at all. Having gone through my own college silences, and in the middle of one now, I had to finally admit I had negative amounts of interest in it and give up on this book, which I am still counting as finished, because I deserve that and I'm an adult and I do what I want.
Preston makes one comment that stuck with me because I happen to know, or assume, some of the backstory. He wonders about the things he didn't write down. I am the same way. However, he never describes this. Talking about your (I assume) need to write all things down to remember them would be appropriate here.
I think this could have been a very good book, with some ruthless editing. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
Like every book I read lately, it seems, I really wanted and expected to love this book. It came with high praise. I have liked some of Preston's blog entries. But while the book is, fortunately, better than Blue Like Jazz (which it is often compared to), it is full of equally uninteresting college feelings and drama and poetic language. Oddly enough, all things I like in moderation, but there is not really any moderation here.
It is like reading someone's Livejournal from their college years - and I say that from experience because I kept one at that time. All angst and vagueness and no explanatory details. Names of friends and peers thrown around until you can't figure out who they are, or why you should care. Conversations and things that were Very Important to the person experiencing them because College and Life Transitions and because they know the details and the context that we, as the readers, just don't. I almost said can't, but I don't think that's true. We could have, but this book just doesn't get us there.
Maybe I am too old and jaded to be the target market for this book. But college feels were previously my love language, and I just slogged through this one, thinking, dude, you went to college and had feelings? Welcome to ALL OF US. I agree with Madeleine L'Engle that it's not anyone's job to tell it best but to tell it in their own way, but I never connected with Yancey's spiritual journey here in a way that illuminated mine... or, for that matter, his, because it was all pseudofactual details trying to be forced to have Great Meaning. And one sentence paragraphs. AAAAAH.
I felt as if I was reading a monologue of his. Maybe it would have changed had I persevered through the backstory wedged between the initial silence of God and (I assume) the later discussion of the silence of God, but I just couldn't because after trying for a while I realized I didn't care at all. Having gone through my own college silences, and in the middle of one now, I had to finally admit I had negative amounts of interest in it and give up on this book, which I am still counting as finished, because I deserve that and I'm an adult and I do what I want.
Preston makes one comment that stuck with me because I happen to know, or assume, some of the backstory. He wonders about the things he didn't write down. I am the same way. However, he never describes this. Talking about your (I assume) need to write all things down to remember them would be appropriate here.
I think this could have been a very good book, with some ruthless editing. Unfortunately, that didn't happen.
August 23, 2017
This book was recommended to me months ago by a friend of mine and I’m glad that I finally got around to reading it! I wanted to read this in bits and pieces because I knew it would be a lot to take in, so I decided to read it on my lunch breaks at work. I highly recommend reading this is small chunks if you’re going to pick it up. I made the mistake of trying to read larger portions toward the end and didn’t comprehend a lot of it.
The writing style of this is a little much sometimes. Nothing is simple. That got a little overwhelming at times. I also had a hard time sometimes with the timeline and keeping people’s names straight, which is why it only has three stars. I do, however, really recommend this to anyone who is struggling in their faith (however minimal or major it may feel to you).
The writing style of this is a little much sometimes. Nothing is simple. That got a little overwhelming at times. I also had a hard time sometimes with the timeline and keeping people’s names straight, which is why it only has three stars. I do, however, really recommend this to anyone who is struggling in their faith (however minimal or major it may feel to you).
October 13, 2014
This is Preston Yancey’s story about his life within the home of a family whose father is a Pastor of a Southern Baptist Church in Texas. For those who don’t know this is about as Bible Belt as you can get and Preston was raised to know the Bible, to know about God and to understand the doctrine and life of the Southern Baptist Church.
He is not sure when he became a Christian, he states, “My mother says that there was a time when I was about three that she was pushing me around in a shopping cart in the store . . . . . I looked at her seriously and said, ‘I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart.’”
That comment should give you some insight; at an early age he knew the language of the church and the Western view of “asking Jesus into your heart.” What he didn’t understand was what that was going to entail.
This book will document his struggle with the church, with God and with doctrine. It is mostly about the time of his college years when he was attending Baylor University (a Baptist University). He will start attending an Episcopal church as well as the Baptist church and then even work with a few other students to start a church.
But all that searching is really not about being a good church attender, it is about his inability to comprehend truly in his life who God is, who Jesus is and what the Holy Spirit can do.
I’m grateful for his book, but I must say that it describes the life meandering of an immature young man who just wants to discover the truth, but doesn’t realize that is what he is looking for.
Probably the best comment he makes to sum up his book is in the first chapter when he says, “While I intellectually know God is still present, while I intellectually know God will never leave me, while I intellectually know God desires the best for me—my heart and my soul, they don’t seem so very sure anymore.”
The book is written in a way that you will learn about his struggle to “hear from God,” and his frustration with the “silence” that God takes him through. What is interesting is that God told him there would be silence, God told him that he would have to be still and wait for that still small voice to give direction and guidance. But Preston is like most of us, he wanted his way with God on his terms and wasn’t necessarily eager to “wait” for God to direct him.
The struggle is painful to read about, but it is also encouraging because it is the struggle that many young people have with the church. As a former youth Pastor I can say that this book summarizes the life of many students that I taught. Many had this same struggle. I’m sure if they were to read Yancey’s book they would find themselves writing in the margin, “yes, that is exactly what I felt.”
The book is frustrating for me to read, but also true to the core about the struggle that many students have with God.
Read, think, meditate, absorb and then ask yourself, “am I just an intellectual Christian or am I a Christian who fully embraces God with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength?
Enjoy!
He is not sure when he became a Christian, he states, “My mother says that there was a time when I was about three that she was pushing me around in a shopping cart in the store . . . . . I looked at her seriously and said, ‘I wanted to ask Jesus into my heart.’”
That comment should give you some insight; at an early age he knew the language of the church and the Western view of “asking Jesus into your heart.” What he didn’t understand was what that was going to entail.
This book will document his struggle with the church, with God and with doctrine. It is mostly about the time of his college years when he was attending Baylor University (a Baptist University). He will start attending an Episcopal church as well as the Baptist church and then even work with a few other students to start a church.
But all that searching is really not about being a good church attender, it is about his inability to comprehend truly in his life who God is, who Jesus is and what the Holy Spirit can do.
I’m grateful for his book, but I must say that it describes the life meandering of an immature young man who just wants to discover the truth, but doesn’t realize that is what he is looking for.
Probably the best comment he makes to sum up his book is in the first chapter when he says, “While I intellectually know God is still present, while I intellectually know God will never leave me, while I intellectually know God desires the best for me—my heart and my soul, they don’t seem so very sure anymore.”
The book is written in a way that you will learn about his struggle to “hear from God,” and his frustration with the “silence” that God takes him through. What is interesting is that God told him there would be silence, God told him that he would have to be still and wait for that still small voice to give direction and guidance. But Preston is like most of us, he wanted his way with God on his terms and wasn’t necessarily eager to “wait” for God to direct him.
The struggle is painful to read about, but it is also encouraging because it is the struggle that many young people have with the church. As a former youth Pastor I can say that this book summarizes the life of many students that I taught. Many had this same struggle. I’m sure if they were to read Yancey’s book they would find themselves writing in the margin, “yes, that is exactly what I felt.”
The book is frustrating for me to read, but also true to the core about the struggle that many students have with God.
Read, think, meditate, absorb and then ask yourself, “am I just an intellectual Christian or am I a Christian who fully embraces God with my whole heart, soul, mind and strength?
Enjoy!
November 17, 2014
Short Review: This is a memoir of 25 year old. And although a generation later, it is hard not to favorably compare it to Blue Like Jazz. Both are well written and comfortable in their youth. But I think Table in the Wilderness is in a healthier place because he is finding his way back to God through the church (instead of in spite of the church). There is some overly emotive writing, but overall it is certainly worth reading. Preston is yet another in that broader circle of people I am aware of that are becoming Anglican (and in his case being ordained). Seems like someone else I know about once a week is starting a new Anglican church or getting ordained or at least joining the Anglican stream of Christianity.
Click through for full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/table-in-the-wildern...
Click through for full review on my blog at http://bookwi.se/table-in-the-wildern...
July 14, 2015
I hadn't heard of Preston Yancey before this book, but I can now say that I'll be picking up any other books by him in the years to come. Tables in the Wilderness is an honest, authentic look at faith and how it can be a major part of our lives even when we can't "feel" or "hear" God.
Yancey shares from his own life experiences and it's these gut-level, honest glimpses into his heart as he seeks a God that he fears has abandon him that call out to the reader and give hope. As Yancey struggles to makes some kind of sense out of what he's experiencing, he learns beautiful lessons along the way that had me thinking long after I put the book down.
Yancey shares from his own life experiences and it's these gut-level, honest glimpses into his heart as he seeks a God that he fears has abandon him that call out to the reader and give hope. As Yancey struggles to makes some kind of sense out of what he's experiencing, he learns beautiful lessons along the way that had me thinking long after I put the book down.
November 22, 2024
I “accidentally” discovered this book by Preston Yancey (not to be confused with Philip Yancey, no relation). A week or so later, I happened upon a used copy at McKays while traveling to see family.
I typically enjoy faith memoirs such as this, but this one gets a new favorite designation from me for sure. I even underlined (in pencil) in this book which I only do if I know it will be a keeper for years to come.
I found the honesty and experiences that life brings as shared in this memoir touching deeper than expected as I read, whether by conviction as I related to Preston’s heartfelt disclosure or by inspiration to grow in my relationship with God.
I was also moved to gratefulness to God as I read “Tables on the Wilderness,” for His drawing me into a church that places God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper in high ranking during each service. Week after week I am reminded of all Christ has done for us, brought to think on Scripture, and to pray alongside my brothers and sisters in the faith. This book only bolstered that as I read.
I typically enjoy faith memoirs such as this, but this one gets a new favorite designation from me for sure. I even underlined (in pencil) in this book which I only do if I know it will be a keeper for years to come.
I found the honesty and experiences that life brings as shared in this memoir touching deeper than expected as I read, whether by conviction as I related to Preston’s heartfelt disclosure or by inspiration to grow in my relationship with God.
I was also moved to gratefulness to God as I read “Tables on the Wilderness,” for His drawing me into a church that places God’s Word and the Lord’s Supper in high ranking during each service. Week after week I am reminded of all Christ has done for us, brought to think on Scripture, and to pray alongside my brothers and sisters in the faith. This book only bolstered that as I read.
September 30, 2014
A special thanks to Zondervan Non-Fiction and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Preston Yancey’s debut, TABLES IN THE WILDERNESS, is a contemporary memoir, you will not want to miss! Preston explores different forms of hearing God—in Scriptures, written prayers, feelings, through others, and silence. A bigger God than imagined.
Tables in the Wilderness is a love letter to people who do not know where they fit in the church, its teachings, or may not particularly want to choose one denomination, over another--- to place their faith. They are looking for more. Many people still down deep--believe in God; however, may not feel His presence at all times.
Through this book, Yancey wants to cause complications and talk about God’s absence or presence. As he grew up in the south (as did I Southern Baptist), you can always hear with prayer, church, and scriptures.
However, Preston takes readers on his journey through the times he felt God was silent. He was challenged, as felt Jesus left him and now it was going to be about trust. Even through this journey, he still believed, but did not think God was present.
Tables—the place where life happens. Where we hear one another’s story--- I feed you and you feed me. We recognize God in one another. The most significant thing God was teaching him through this journey, as well as all of us today------God wants us to look for Him, in one another—the ordinary and common.
When the absence began, he was scared thinking it would always be this way; however by the end, he realized it was actually the beginning and foundation point ----a journey to a new richer and fuller understanding of God. God can prepare a table in the wilderness.
TABLES IN THE WILDERNESS,will take you on an engaging journey with twists and turns, keeping you turning to find answers, as Preston explores God’s voice in different ways. Deeply moving and personal, you feel a sense of peace knowing God has laid out His tables for us, even when we are broken and in those desolate places—Grace comes and reaches into those cracked places. It was the loss of God in the midst of all the godly things that changed Preston forever.
Filled with emotion, honesty, and humor,Yancey shares his story of coming to terms with a God— much bigger than he thought possible. Much larger than the one he has worshiped in traditional ways —a God who makes tables in the wilderness.
While books and reading, play an important role in shaping Preston’s perspective on Christianity, his theology was shaped largely not just by the places he worshiped, but the people he worshiped with. Sam, Grant, Antonia, and Jerry all play significant roles in Preston’s life throughout the course of Tables in the Wilderness in specific ways, particularly focused on refining and shaping his spirituality.
Preston’s fresh approach, to traditional devotion--- reiterates our place at God’s Table--we are welcome guests, as he prepares a table in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. He takes you on an intimate journey of the discovery and goodness of God.
A big-hearted, wise beyond his years, this talented writer, Preston Yancey writes honestly with clarity and feeling—a coming-of-age journey to a table set in the wilderness between he and a triune God. As he journeys he questions and stumbles his way toward an understanding that faith is not a linear path but a series of leaps (lily pads)--forward and backward, side to side. God (water) is there to sustain him along the way.
Many of us have struggled with faith and desperately desires and seeks hope. Preston comes to know a God who is bigger than he dreamed possible, Hope is there, after struggling to find his relationship and faith.
The Eucharist, Communion, is particularly important to Preston’s spiritual journey and is a significant factor in where he ultimately decides to make his denominational home. He learns to hear God by other people. To hear in the small and quiet things. God makes them everywhere, if we’d only learn to look. Preston demonstrates we can be still and find God within our wilderness. Highly Recommend!
http://www.judithdcollinsconsulting.c...
Preston Yancey’s debut, TABLES IN THE WILDERNESS, is a contemporary memoir, you will not want to miss! Preston explores different forms of hearing God—in Scriptures, written prayers, feelings, through others, and silence. A bigger God than imagined.
Tables in the Wilderness is a love letter to people who do not know where they fit in the church, its teachings, or may not particularly want to choose one denomination, over another--- to place their faith. They are looking for more. Many people still down deep--believe in God; however, may not feel His presence at all times.
Through this book, Yancey wants to cause complications and talk about God’s absence or presence. As he grew up in the south (as did I Southern Baptist), you can always hear with prayer, church, and scriptures.
However, Preston takes readers on his journey through the times he felt God was silent. He was challenged, as felt Jesus left him and now it was going to be about trust. Even through this journey, he still believed, but did not think God was present.
Tables—the place where life happens. Where we hear one another’s story--- I feed you and you feed me. We recognize God in one another. The most significant thing God was teaching him through this journey, as well as all of us today------God wants us to look for Him, in one another—the ordinary and common.
When the absence began, he was scared thinking it would always be this way; however by the end, he realized it was actually the beginning and foundation point ----a journey to a new richer and fuller understanding of God. God can prepare a table in the wilderness.
TABLES IN THE WILDERNESS,will take you on an engaging journey with twists and turns, keeping you turning to find answers, as Preston explores God’s voice in different ways. Deeply moving and personal, you feel a sense of peace knowing God has laid out His tables for us, even when we are broken and in those desolate places—Grace comes and reaches into those cracked places. It was the loss of God in the midst of all the godly things that changed Preston forever.
Filled with emotion, honesty, and humor,Yancey shares his story of coming to terms with a God— much bigger than he thought possible. Much larger than the one he has worshiped in traditional ways —a God who makes tables in the wilderness.
While books and reading, play an important role in shaping Preston’s perspective on Christianity, his theology was shaped largely not just by the places he worshiped, but the people he worshiped with. Sam, Grant, Antonia, and Jerry all play significant roles in Preston’s life throughout the course of Tables in the Wilderness in specific ways, particularly focused on refining and shaping his spirituality.
Preston’s fresh approach, to traditional devotion--- reiterates our place at God’s Table--we are welcome guests, as he prepares a table in anticipation of Jesus’ arrival. He takes you on an intimate journey of the discovery and goodness of God.
A big-hearted, wise beyond his years, this talented writer, Preston Yancey writes honestly with clarity and feeling—a coming-of-age journey to a table set in the wilderness between he and a triune God. As he journeys he questions and stumbles his way toward an understanding that faith is not a linear path but a series of leaps (lily pads)--forward and backward, side to side. God (water) is there to sustain him along the way.
Many of us have struggled with faith and desperately desires and seeks hope. Preston comes to know a God who is bigger than he dreamed possible, Hope is there, after struggling to find his relationship and faith.
The Eucharist, Communion, is particularly important to Preston’s spiritual journey and is a significant factor in where he ultimately decides to make his denominational home. He learns to hear God by other people. To hear in the small and quiet things. God makes them everywhere, if we’d only learn to look. Preston demonstrates we can be still and find God within our wilderness. Highly Recommend!
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May 11, 2019
Tables in cultures around the world symbolize welcome, shared life, celebration, and provision. In the Biblical context, they represent all of that and so much more, summed up in the word "grace."
Yancey shares his spiritual journey through loneliness, brokenness, depression, confusion, questioning and longing--discovering in retrospect that all along the way God has indeed been faithful to set tables of grace before him, even when he was unaware of the provision. "God prepares a table in the silence. He prepares a table in the growing pains. The God of the cosmos prepares a table for you and me" in our personal wildernesses. He invites us "to sit, to eat, to learn, and to laugh."
Yancey spent a lot of time at corner tables at Common Grounds, a "shabby house-turned-coffee shop which became his home' in Waco, near Baylor University, as he took up a quiet spot to read, write, think, and question himself and God. I felt as if I were sitting at his table, participating in his conversations.
Because of his vulnerability and honesty, Yancey's tone is that of a fellow pilgrim and struggler, sharing a cup of coffee, while asking big questions and challenging his own presuppositions, yet growing through every shift and season.
Reading someone else's faith story is an encouragement to me. I was caught up in Yancey's story from the opening page.
Yancey shares his spiritual journey through loneliness, brokenness, depression, confusion, questioning and longing--discovering in retrospect that all along the way God has indeed been faithful to set tables of grace before him, even when he was unaware of the provision. "God prepares a table in the silence. He prepares a table in the growing pains. The God of the cosmos prepares a table for you and me" in our personal wildernesses. He invites us "to sit, to eat, to learn, and to laugh."
Yancey spent a lot of time at corner tables at Common Grounds, a "shabby house-turned-coffee shop which became his home' in Waco, near Baylor University, as he took up a quiet spot to read, write, think, and question himself and God. I felt as if I were sitting at his table, participating in his conversations.
Because of his vulnerability and honesty, Yancey's tone is that of a fellow pilgrim and struggler, sharing a cup of coffee, while asking big questions and challenging his own presuppositions, yet growing through every shift and season.
Reading someone else's faith story is an encouragement to me. I was caught up in Yancey's story from the opening page.
November 26, 2014
Expect to see a lot from Yancey in the years to come. He is a profoundly gifted writer and storyteller as Jeff Bethke notes in the foreword. Stylistically, one cannot help but be reminded of Donald Miller. However, there is a theological depth and reverence present with Yancey that is - only on a second glance - absent from Miller.
The first chapter of the book drew me in. I found myself highlighting, making notes, and feeling as if Yancey and I very nearly shared the same soul. I even shared some of these notes with friends when describing my own relationship with Jesus. I cannot say that this sense continued throughout the entire book though. I think if a lesser writer had told the same story, I may have grown bored with this book. I guess part of what seems strange is the concept of writing a memoir about one's college years when one is only three years removed from them.
The book may unintentionally create an air of self-importance (about the author). I really hesitate to say that and I sincerely doubt that he actually thinks of himself this way. I suppose that's the inherent danger of writing 240 pages about yourself, your ideas, the books you have read, and your journey with God.
Yancey is a couple years younger than me which makes him a very, very young guy. We are both relatively early on in our stories. Maybe its okay to publish a book about that stage. Personally, I don't think I have enough clarity to do so right now. Yancey seems to grasp for that in the themes he draws out but I'm sure even he would admit that these aren't crystallized. In part, that's precisely his point: Sit in the tension. Soak in the mystery. Pray your questions.
The first chapter of the book drew me in. I found myself highlighting, making notes, and feeling as if Yancey and I very nearly shared the same soul. I even shared some of these notes with friends when describing my own relationship with Jesus. I cannot say that this sense continued throughout the entire book though. I think if a lesser writer had told the same story, I may have grown bored with this book. I guess part of what seems strange is the concept of writing a memoir about one's college years when one is only three years removed from them.
The book may unintentionally create an air of self-importance (about the author). I really hesitate to say that and I sincerely doubt that he actually thinks of himself this way. I suppose that's the inherent danger of writing 240 pages about yourself, your ideas, the books you have read, and your journey with God.
Yancey is a couple years younger than me which makes him a very, very young guy. We are both relatively early on in our stories. Maybe its okay to publish a book about that stage. Personally, I don't think I have enough clarity to do so right now. Yancey seems to grasp for that in the themes he draws out but I'm sure even he would admit that these aren't crystallized. In part, that's precisely his point: Sit in the tension. Soak in the mystery. Pray your questions.
November 24, 2014
This spiritual memoir resonated with me in ways big and small. Though our lives look very different, I related to the ways Preston looked to hear from and experience God. God went silent while Preston attended Baylor University and this loss ultimately teaches Preston what it is to hear.
This called to mind a dark night of the soul that happened in my early 20s, a season where I did not hear from God and had to grasp every bit of faith to believe He was still present in spite of His perceived absence. I wish I could have read this then.
Wisdom and grace permeate the pages of this beautifully written book.
We can find God and lose Him in many ways throughout our lives. We are worn down by life at times and this can make it that much harder to sense Godhead in the mundane. We may trust He is there, even if we no longer sense Him, but when the days turn into weeks turn into months, the longing turns into an ache. And then what?
Each time I've set out into the unknown, I have eventually landed where I was meant to be all along. It never looks like what I imagined and very rarely do I have anything to do with the result. I am changed by the process and more aware of my smallness and God's vast mystery.
I suppose this then is why I recommend Preston's memoir. Tables in the Wilderness serves as a guide through the unknown. Through Preston's story, we see ourselves. We remember our smallness and God's vast mystery.
We remember what it is to be lost and then found. We remember what it is to be welcomed at the Table.
This called to mind a dark night of the soul that happened in my early 20s, a season where I did not hear from God and had to grasp every bit of faith to believe He was still present in spite of His perceived absence. I wish I could have read this then.
Wisdom and grace permeate the pages of this beautifully written book.
We can find God and lose Him in many ways throughout our lives. We are worn down by life at times and this can make it that much harder to sense Godhead in the mundane. We may trust He is there, even if we no longer sense Him, but when the days turn into weeks turn into months, the longing turns into an ache. And then what?
Each time I've set out into the unknown, I have eventually landed where I was meant to be all along. It never looks like what I imagined and very rarely do I have anything to do with the result. I am changed by the process and more aware of my smallness and God's vast mystery.
I suppose this then is why I recommend Preston's memoir. Tables in the Wilderness serves as a guide through the unknown. Through Preston's story, we see ourselves. We remember our smallness and God's vast mystery.
We remember what it is to be lost and then found. We remember what it is to be welcomed at the Table.
July 11, 2018
http://pagebypagebookbybook.blogspot....
In Tables in the Wilderness, Preston Yancey chronicles his spiritual wanderings as a college student at Baylor University. He enters as a Southern Baptist, but soon begins to question his denominational identity and how he best connects with God. As he asks hard questions and desperately searches for answers, it becomes quite clear that Yancey is a talented storyteller. He writes poetically with honesty and passion, while not adhering to a strictly linear train of thought. I enjoyed following along as he ably incorporated and intertwined interactions with friends, parents, professors, the Bible and other various literatures into the telling of this beautifully relatable narrative. Tables in the Wilderness will surely resonate with individuals who have wrestled with aspects of their faith or felt God a bit too far away. Readers of spirituals memoirs, do not miss this one. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Tables in the Wilderness and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
In Tables in the Wilderness, Preston Yancey chronicles his spiritual wanderings as a college student at Baylor University. He enters as a Southern Baptist, but soon begins to question his denominational identity and how he best connects with God. As he asks hard questions and desperately searches for answers, it becomes quite clear that Yancey is a talented storyteller. He writes poetically with honesty and passion, while not adhering to a strictly linear train of thought. I enjoyed following along as he ably incorporated and intertwined interactions with friends, parents, professors, the Bible and other various literatures into the telling of this beautifully relatable narrative. Tables in the Wilderness will surely resonate with individuals who have wrestled with aspects of their faith or felt God a bit too far away. Readers of spirituals memoirs, do not miss this one. I highly recommend it.
Thanks to BookLook Bloggers, I received a copy of Tables in the Wilderness and the opportunity to honestly review it. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. (I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”)
February 11, 2015
I struggled through many parts of this book. I felt like the author was a little whiny about his journey. But then, I would run into some beautiful statement, or a a phrase that would make me think.
For example, "The action of grace in our hearts is secret and silent", or a friend's thought "To tell a story is an act of worship. . . to be entrusted with a story is an act of holiness".
There is what I think is a beautiful prayer that is shared with him by Mother Andrea during communion, that I think I will steal for myself and those I love: "May God defend your heart, strengthen your spirit, and bring you into life everlasting. Amen".
In many ways I feel like the author was on a tortuous journey towards his desire to hear God again. I say tortuous because it seemed like it took him so long to get there. I felt like he was throwing up his own roadblocks on the way. To be fair, I think, as he wrote the story he realized this--so, I have to give him points for being honest.
For example, "The action of grace in our hearts is secret and silent", or a friend's thought "To tell a story is an act of worship. . . to be entrusted with a story is an act of holiness".
There is what I think is a beautiful prayer that is shared with him by Mother Andrea during communion, that I think I will steal for myself and those I love: "May God defend your heart, strengthen your spirit, and bring you into life everlasting. Amen".
In many ways I feel like the author was on a tortuous journey towards his desire to hear God again. I say tortuous because it seemed like it took him so long to get there. I felt like he was throwing up his own roadblocks on the way. To be fair, I think, as he wrote the story he realized this--so, I have to give him points for being honest.
May 3, 2016
Something that I have realized about Mr. Yancey is that everyone I have spoken to has taken his book completely differently. I appreciate that. While I understand that the long descriptions made it difficult to read at times, I found him to be an incredible writer with enormous potential that I can't wait to see more of.
This book came to me in an hour of need, while I was in a place very similar to his. I have found myself in the Anglican tradition as well, even before I read the book, and was able to relate to him on a deep level. "Tables in the Wilderness" is not a demand for pity or desire to be relevant, the heart of the book is that we will all face our wilderness. And even when we are too arrogant, bitter, or afraid to see it, there is room for us at the Table. There is room for us in the Kingdom. Even for me.
This book came to me in an hour of need, while I was in a place very similar to his. I have found myself in the Anglican tradition as well, even before I read the book, and was able to relate to him on a deep level. "Tables in the Wilderness" is not a demand for pity or desire to be relevant, the heart of the book is that we will all face our wilderness. And even when we are too arrogant, bitter, or afraid to see it, there is room for us at the Table. There is room for us in the Kingdom. Even for me.
October 11, 2016
I agree with some of the reviews I've read of this book...Yancey's tone seems fairly arrogant and pretentious at times. He writes as though from the distance of great maturity, when in reality, he's less than 5 years past the time he's writing about. It's difficult for me to take a 20-something's memoir super seriously. That said, there are things in the book that spoke to me. While I think the person writing still has a lot of maturing to do, (and I found myself rolling my eyes at his "wisdom") it wasn't a totally unhelpful read.
July 8, 2018
The summer before starting my freshman year at Baylor University, I just happened to stumble across this book at a bookstore in northern Virginia. The minute I saw the author was a Baylor grad, I decided I wanted to read it.
I don’t know how to describe this book other than it is the kind of book I want to carry with me wherever I go because the words in it bring me peace and reveal to me a new thing every time I read them. I am thankful for Preston’s honest and true words and would recommend this book to anyone.
I don’t know how to describe this book other than it is the kind of book I want to carry with me wherever I go because the words in it bring me peace and reveal to me a new thing every time I read them. I am thankful for Preston’s honest and true words and would recommend this book to anyone.
October 30, 2014
This is beautifully written. Yancey truly has a way with words. It took about 8 pages to adjust to his writing style, but once I was in the rhythm the book soared. He describes my own thoughts and questions about religion in a way I haven't been able to. In particular, it helped me embrace the positive aspects of different denominational styles. Thought provoking.
It's pretty heavy on theology and church jargon so someone unfamiliar with Christianity might get bogged down a bit.
It's pretty heavy on theology and church jargon so someone unfamiliar with Christianity might get bogged down a bit.
November 29, 2014
Very interesting book about how an evangelical baptist meandered his way into the Anglican Church. Preston starts as a self assured evangelical college freshman and then doubts his ability to hear God and tries to regain that faith. My favorite analogy was of hearing or seeing God as a kaleidoscope, the materials are all the same but sometimes the image shifts. Yancey (no relation to Philip Yancey) is a gifted writer and very pleasant to read. The book felt a bit long but I enjoyed it.
September 29, 2014
While I am trying to remain unbiased, as this IS an advanced reader’s copy, I must say this book was very difficult to get into. It seemed to hop all over the place. I kept plugging through hoping it was just the beginning, but quickly became bogged down and had trouble ‘keeping up.’
September 18, 2014
Very disappointed in this book.
December 31, 2014
I feel like this could have been titled, "Todd Foley, here's a book you need to read this year." What a humbling, inspiring way to wrap up 2014 and look forward to the rhythms of stillness in 2015.
January 22, 2025
Going to have to sit with this one for a while.
September 4, 2018
I bought this book because I wanted to hear more from someone about losing faith and finding it again; maybe even because I wanted hope drawn from someone else’s story. This book has some beautiful writing, and much self-obsession I could do without. The author is young, so young - and it comes through. I would like to read his writing in 20 years and see what he has to say then. Lots of quotes from books and readings from his studies; the ideas yet not fully fleshed out by his life. I felt like the first few pages were the clearest and everything else was a disjointed attempt at a memoir-style explanation of something he still can’t explain. Less “I failed at a church plant when I was 18” and more about the questioning please. It felt privileged and esoteric; unresolved in the end. I appreciated the effort he took to be honest about his experiences and perceived flaws. I was left wanting something at the end of the book.
July 18, 2019
To be honest, I never finished the book. Got about 1/3rd through it, trudgingly defiant in my resolve to finish it - which speaks more to my neurotic need to finish books than to the quality of this one - but I just can’t do it. To put it plainly, it hurts my heart to think of picking it back up: that is time I’ll never get back & it just isn’t worth the read in content, style, or structure.
The book lacks purpose, perspective, & authenticity. It felt vapid, self-obsessed, & over-inflated to me. I hate to say that about a brother-in-Christ’s personal account of his walk with the Lord, but it’s how it read to me. There just didn’t seem to be any application or buy-in for the reader, beyond peeping into the irrelevant entries of a college kid’s journal.
Maybe one day, the guilt will get to me & I’ll finish it, but I’m walking away for now.
The book lacks purpose, perspective, & authenticity. It felt vapid, self-obsessed, & over-inflated to me. I hate to say that about a brother-in-Christ’s personal account of his walk with the Lord, but it’s how it read to me. There just didn’t seem to be any application or buy-in for the reader, beyond peeping into the irrelevant entries of a college kid’s journal.
Maybe one day, the guilt will get to me & I’ll finish it, but I’m walking away for now.
May 26, 2017
I was so excited about this book. I've been following Preston Yancey around this internet thing for a while and enjoyed the twitters and blogs and such. So, when I saw this book he had written, with a great title, I was eager to read.
The first half of the book showed a know-it-all who really didn't know much at all. The author's awareness of his own ignorance from a HUGE distance of...a couple years...just seemed too convenient for the purposes of this book. The more I read this book, the sadder I got.
By the time he began to offer hope and some real insights at the end, I had already given up on the book.
The first half of the book showed a know-it-all who really didn't know much at all. The author's awareness of his own ignorance from a HUGE distance of...a couple years...just seemed too convenient for the purposes of this book. The more I read this book, the sadder I got.
By the time he began to offer hope and some real insights at the end, I had already given up on the book.
September 16, 2017
This memoir takes you on the journey of one man's "dark night of the soul" and his emergence from it. Interestingly, I would have only given this book 3 stars about half way through, which was over a year ago. Now that I have finally finished it, I absolutely adore this book. I felt like Preston was a bit whiny and indulgent as he processed his feelings and beliefs throughout his college years, which he writes about, but in the end I realized that all of us go through that process internally, not many of us speak it out loud. I am thankful Preston was willing to share his journey.
March 18, 2022
It wasn’t a long book but took a while to read. I think because it was meant to be read slowly. It deals with the silence of God and discovering new ways of seeing, knowing. You have to enter silence and read slowly, not tear through it. It was beautifully written and deep, a book to read a few pages and then think about what you read. I think it came along at a time when I needed it, when I needed new ways of seeing and knowing. I feel deepened and enriched for having read it, more peaceful and hopeful.
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