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God Who Became Bread: A True Story of Starving, Feasting, and Feeding Others
The gospel of God is the Bread of the Presence, and it reaches down into the deepest, darkest, ugliest recesses of the human spirit, the places polite chit-chat won’t allow, the places watery juice doesn’t open up, the places where crawfish and other creeping things of the swamps live.
These are the places in which we run to the altar and find the bread, still warm. These are the places we begin to get full. Where our only food becomes God Himself.
And when you find Him, He will pull you close and feed you until you feast until you laugh until you cannot help but pull others close too.
The fed becomes the feeder.
God is Spirit is Roaring Lion is the Very Source of Everything, and we should shake. Even as demons do. Yet this same God has donned an apron and is preparing us a banquet.
In this absorbing literary memoir, Emily Wierenga, author of Atlas Girl , draws you into her intricate and profound world, transporting you from memories of her painful past with anorexia and troubled relationships, to sacred moments as a wife and mother, to a fellowship of suffering in African villages. Her deepest hunger is satisfied by the God Who Became Bread —who welcomes us all to His table so that He can fill us, and then, through us, satisfy the hunger of the world.
These are the places in which we run to the altar and find the bread, still warm. These are the places we begin to get full. Where our only food becomes God Himself.
And when you find Him, He will pull you close and feed you until you feast until you laugh until you cannot help but pull others close too.
The fed becomes the feeder.
God is Spirit is Roaring Lion is the Very Source of Everything, and we should shake. Even as demons do. Yet this same God has donned an apron and is preparing us a banquet.
In this absorbing literary memoir, Emily Wierenga, author of Atlas Girl , draws you into her intricate and profound world, transporting you from memories of her painful past with anorexia and troubled relationships, to sacred moments as a wife and mother, to a fellowship of suffering in African villages. Her deepest hunger is satisfied by the God Who Became Bread —who welcomes us all to His table so that He can fill us, and then, through us, satisfy the hunger of the world.
240 pages, Paperback
Published June 4, 2024
About the author
Emily T. Wierenga
12 books87 followersEmily T. Wierenga is a wife, mother, daughter of Abba, and the author of eight books including the new memoir God Who Became Bread (Whitaker House, 2024). She is a columnist for Christian Courier, and president of The Lulu Tree (www.thelulutree.com), a non-profit preventing tomorrow's orphans by equipping today’s families through the local church in Africa, Asia and South America. To learn more, visit www.emilytwierenga.com.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 11, 2024
Good book. Nice to know the author.
May 7, 2024
Emily T Wierenga's writing has the power to pull me into the presence of Jesus. The book "The God who became bread" has invited me deeper into relationship with Jesus. As I've spend time with Him while reading this book, my eyes have welled with tears as I've encountered Him in new ways.
I love how Emily's writing can transport me from daily North American life to life in other cultures and into the throne room of heaven. Her ability to use story connects her readers to life with Jesus.
I highly recommend this book.
I love how Emily's writing can transport me from daily North American life to life in other cultures and into the throne room of heaven. Her ability to use story connects her readers to life with Jesus.
I highly recommend this book.
May 28, 2024
To read ‘God Who Became Bread’ is to be reminded of two immutable facts of life: 1) We are all united in our hopeless sinfulness and brokenness, and 2) We are all made whole and, what’s more, holy through the boundless, fathomless grace of God in and through the sacrifice and victory of His Son, Jesus Christ.
There are countless books for which this is the thesis, that expound on the Gospel as just stated. Why ‘God Who Became Bread’ and not some other?
This book does not expound. It humbly, gently invites, like Jesus to Andrew and his companion disciple when they asked where he was staying: “Come and see.” Like the risen Jesus to His terrified disciples, not daring to take hold of such an inconceivable joy when He appeared to them in the flesh: “Touch me and see.”
The theme that unites the disparate chapters that leap ahead and back again across time, places and among people groups is food. Not food in the sense of a savory dish as fuel for mere survival with its enjoyment an added bonus, but the communion food commands, the gathering together of the sinful and broken - aware and unaware - to partake together. It’s so common a ritual to us as humans we fail to see the mystery anymore, the unfathomable mystery of ourselves as eternal beings made by a good God who made us for one another. It’s a need that points to that very God and our greater need to be reconciled to Him through that greater mystery of Himself made flesh made bread made wine.
I could go on about the beauty and brilliance of Emily Wierenga’s poetic prose, the way the fractured narrative speaks of our fractured lives that miraculously are revealed as uniquely beautiful in the Hands of the One who makes all things new. It is beautiful. It is brilliant. It wouldn’t do it justice, though. Instead, I’ll leave it to the gentle words of the Savior on whom she relies wholly for those “greater things” He spoke of to a cynical Nathanael accomplished by Him working through her and her organization: “Come and see.”
There are countless books for which this is the thesis, that expound on the Gospel as just stated. Why ‘God Who Became Bread’ and not some other?
This book does not expound. It humbly, gently invites, like Jesus to Andrew and his companion disciple when they asked where he was staying: “Come and see.” Like the risen Jesus to His terrified disciples, not daring to take hold of such an inconceivable joy when He appeared to them in the flesh: “Touch me and see.”
The theme that unites the disparate chapters that leap ahead and back again across time, places and among people groups is food. Not food in the sense of a savory dish as fuel for mere survival with its enjoyment an added bonus, but the communion food commands, the gathering together of the sinful and broken - aware and unaware - to partake together. It’s so common a ritual to us as humans we fail to see the mystery anymore, the unfathomable mystery of ourselves as eternal beings made by a good God who made us for one another. It’s a need that points to that very God and our greater need to be reconciled to Him through that greater mystery of Himself made flesh made bread made wine.
I could go on about the beauty and brilliance of Emily Wierenga’s poetic prose, the way the fractured narrative speaks of our fractured lives that miraculously are revealed as uniquely beautiful in the Hands of the One who makes all things new. It is beautiful. It is brilliant. It wouldn’t do it justice, though. Instead, I’ll leave it to the gentle words of the Savior on whom she relies wholly for those “greater things” He spoke of to a cynical Nathanael accomplished by Him working through her and her organization: “Come and see.”
June 7, 2024
I haven’t been nervous to read a book in a long time. I actually worried I might be too disillusioned to enjoy this one- it’s been a tough few years of spiritual recalibration and I wasn’t sure how I would connect with the story. However, God Who Became Bread was grittier than I expected and I was drawn right in. Emily T. Wierenga’s memoir navigates deep hunger, the strangeness of the Eucharist (it was a relief to hear someone else talk about this), astonishing miracles, disappointment and even betrayal. At one point in the story, Emily describes (literally and figuratively) handing over the steering wheel, at which point her future is uncertain. This one of many anecdotes in the book which reminded me of the importance of placing one foot in the front of the other when pursuing a vision/mission, without necessarily seeing the whole picture. God Who Became Bread brings to life these stories of inspiring, ‘normal’ people stepping out in faith and obedience.
I also enjoyed the vivid imagery woven throughout the story from Emily’s travels with The Lulu Tree ministry. The descriptive food passages and rich symbolism were a real literary treat. I underlined far too many quotes while reading to include them all here, but I’ll close with two favourite excerpts from a chapter near the end of the book. Emily shares:
“I’m learning a new kind of Christianity. One that smells like sweat and laughs a bit too loud”.
“God’s holy love holds me, like the earth holds a seed”.
For me- a disheartened, somewhat bruised up member of the Body these days- this feels like a perfect place to start.
I also enjoyed the vivid imagery woven throughout the story from Emily’s travels with The Lulu Tree ministry. The descriptive food passages and rich symbolism were a real literary treat. I underlined far too many quotes while reading to include them all here, but I’ll close with two favourite excerpts from a chapter near the end of the book. Emily shares:
“I’m learning a new kind of Christianity. One that smells like sweat and laughs a bit too loud”.
“God’s holy love holds me, like the earth holds a seed”.
For me- a disheartened, somewhat bruised up member of the Body these days- this feels like a perfect place to start.
June 4, 2024
Emily Wierenga’s new book, God Who Became Bread, is a beautiful memoir of her journey out of an eating disorder where she was literally starving herself, to running a non-profit focused on enabling people to feed themselves. I love the motif of a feast that runs through the book. Each section is split into 7 sections echoing parts of a feast: table, bread, wine, mangoes, fish, oil, and benediction. Emily calls us to the table and feeds us through her stories. She leaves us with koinonia - fellowship, partnership, unity in our identity in Christ. It could also be translated communion, symbolized int he bread and wine that call us to remember Christ and His sacrifice for our healing. Bread and Wine, Body and Blood, we remember. I highly recommend Emily’s book. It will move you as she shares her story, and hopefully you can see some of yourself in her words. I left the book feeling encouraged and uplifted, and also hungry for more of Jesus. I’m pretty sure that’s what Emily hopes will happen.
May 29, 2024
God who became bread. What an analogy! God eternal and almighty, filling people's hunger by becoming bread and wine. Emily has a way with words that kept me captivated and reading as the truths filled my heart. Her honest memoir shares about how she starved herself for years and then found the God who filled her up. How meeting a woman in Africa with an 18 year old baby that weighed about 4 lbs due to starvation, and still believed that God is alive, sent her on a journey to trust God to feed her and then the hungry in many countries around the world both spiritually and physically. It is an amazing true faith story in the One who is able to turn the impossible into an opportunity where love abounds and healing takes place and hunger is stilled. I highly recommend reading this book .
June 3, 2024
God Who Became Bread is a weighty book that spans decades, continents and concerns. Written in bite size prose, Emily T. Wierenga interweaves her personal memoir (of a childhood eating disorder) with stories of her non-profit, The Lulu Tree, who prevents orphans by equipping families through the local church in Africa, Asia and South America.
Within pages of starting Wierenga’s book, readers will hunger, desiring “..the bread of life” made accessible through Emily’s honest sharing, her struggles lead us right into communion, both with God and others. By the end of the book no one will hunger or thirst again but have become “…well[s] of water springing up to eternal life” and overflowing. Inspired and enriched, God Who Became Bread is the nourishment all Christians need and can benefit from, to be refreshed to pour out again as the hands and feet of Christ.
Within pages of starting Wierenga’s book, readers will hunger, desiring “..the bread of life” made accessible through Emily’s honest sharing, her struggles lead us right into communion, both with God and others. By the end of the book no one will hunger or thirst again but have become “…well[s] of water springing up to eternal life” and overflowing. Inspired and enriched, God Who Became Bread is the nourishment all Christians need and can benefit from, to be refreshed to pour out again as the hands and feet of Christ.
June 29, 2024
The author takes the reader on both a physical and spiritual journey to the poorest, under developed regions of the world. Physically we as the reader travels along and meets the people there, a people in lack and hungry for God. Spiritually as we take this journey with the author we see through her eyes how she learned about who God is through the eyes of these individuals in their hunger sins thirst for God and on their worship and service.
This quote says it all “When you empty yourself of the mundane filling-up and your only go to be ones falling at the feet of the Father, your other senses begin to heighten. You begin to see where you used to only hear. You start to crave what isn’t physical. You begin to listen with the ears of the Spirit. You begin to hear and to see and taste God, who is Spirit”.
Reading this book was eye opening and convicting.
This quote says it all “When you empty yourself of the mundane filling-up and your only go to be ones falling at the feet of the Father, your other senses begin to heighten. You begin to see where you used to only hear. You start to crave what isn’t physical. You begin to listen with the ears of the Spirit. You begin to hear and to see and taste God, who is Spirit”.
Reading this book was eye opening and convicting.
May 30, 2024
I couldn't put this book down. The writing is poetic, thought provoking, and convicting. The author's memoir pieces fit seamlessly into Jesus's table analogy, giving us a deeper understanding of Christ as bread broken and wine poured out to redeem His people. The stories of becoming the hands and feet of Jesus to bring God's love to the poor and lame brought tears to my eyes. Emily speaks of crawling into Jesus's heart to visit His love for the poor and as a result believing in His love for us. In the end, she reminds us that according to scripture, our God is preparing a banquet for us where He will put on an apron and serve us, His people. This is a beautifully written book that I will not soon forget.
May 30, 2024
Each word went straight to my heart. An intimate journey from Emily’s childhood to her present.. I connected personally with the little girl crying out for connection and definition of who and what form God takes in our lives and bodies. And how I resonated with our universal hunger to articulate an ache and deep need to be satiated — one that can be only found in our Heavenly Father Provider. The story takes us from childhood to around the world as Emily recognizes hunger in others and takes us along on an international ministry to offer the bread of life to all.
I recommend multiple reads; it would be perfect for a small group of friends to study and absorb together.
I recommend multiple reads; it would be perfect for a small group of friends to study and absorb together.
April 8, 2024
Wow! What a good read. Emily T. Wierenga’s style of writing transports you from your current surroundings to her table. In this book she invites you to feast with and on the Lord. She shifts your focus from whatever you were looking at-to our great God who is our provider….
I would absolutely recommend this book. One of the things I love most is the way it’s broken up into bite sized pieces. The sections are small so if you have the will power to put it down, it makes it an easy read for a busy lifestyle. But just like lays chips; I bet you can’t eat just one ;)
I would absolutely recommend this book. One of the things I love most is the way it’s broken up into bite sized pieces. The sections are small so if you have the will power to put it down, it makes it an easy read for a busy lifestyle. But just like lays chips; I bet you can’t eat just one ;)
April 22, 2024
I've read many good books in my life, but this one is special. It takes you on a very deep and personal journey with the author and with the Lord, and is beautifully written. Each line, each paragraph draws you in and holds your attention and your breath. As you read each page, you can see and feel the story as if you're there in the room, experiencing it alongside her. This book introduced me to Jesus in a new way, even after 37 years of following Him. I highly recommend making a permanent place for this book on your bookshelf, as you will want to share it and read it again.
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May 15, 2024This is a beautiful memoir, telling the story of one woman's painful struggle with an eating disorder and the miracle-working God who transformed her pain into purpose. It is written in lovely prose, raw and vulnerable, but also resounding with hope and passion. Divided into four sections: The Hunger, The Feast, The Feeding, and Koinonia, the book tells of the author's journeys around the world, her healing in the Lord, and her commitment to feed others with His word and His provision. I am so inspired by her devotion to God and her great love for the poor. I did not want it to end!
June 18, 2024
God Who Became Bread is a phenomenal read. It's heartbreaking in places but in other places you'll be cheering out loud for the amazing things God is doing through the obedience of the author. This book is a really easy read and will pull you right in. In fact, I planned to just read it for a few minutes on my computer (which isn't a great way to dig into a book) but an hour later I was still engrossed...it's that good. If you need something inspiring that shows just how active our good God really is in this broken world, you need to read this book.
May 25, 2024
Emily Wierenga’s book is absolutely beautiful. I am amazed by the way she hears from God through the scriptures and her experiences. I have so much appreciation towards the author for sharing her journey in such an honest way. The way she hears from God, her raw internal dialogue, and all the people God brings into her life, and how their words and actions speak to her... all of that makes this such an inspiring book.
May 29, 2024
Emily's words are captivating and convicting. God promises to be many things, our light, our life, and yes our bread. God does not shove Himself down our throat, we need to come to Him hungry, desperate and ready to eat.
This book increases hunger and desire for true communion, with Him and with others.
Emily takes us step by step, and she becomes full, she spills into others.
I will regret coming to the last pages, waiting for yet another new volume to devour.
This book increases hunger and desire for true communion, with Him and with others.
Emily takes us step by step, and she becomes full, she spills into others.
I will regret coming to the last pages, waiting for yet another new volume to devour.
June 1, 2024
I found this true story of spiritual hunger compelling and inspirational. I loved the author's "poetic" style, honest questions and thoughtful comparisons/parallels. Her words incite vivid, colorful imagery of a real and raw journey with Jesus, offering profound scriptural insights and applications to everyday life. I just finished the pdf file. Can't wait to get the tangible book in my hands and pour over it again!
June 13, 2024
Poetic and powerful, Emily Wierenga’s The God Who Became Bread will inspire faith, hope, and love in you. It is the story of hunger and need, supernatural healing and amazing provision. Compellingly honest and sometimes raw and painful, Emily’s journey with an eating disorder leads her on a spiritual quest to fill empty bellies in Africa. This inspiring story will open your eyes to miracles and the importance of missions and ministry. I loved every page of it!
March 11, 2024
Emily is a talented author who creates a story that the reader immediately is drawn to and enters into. This book is a very personal story of Emily's journey and as you journey with her, one is deeply aware of our need and hunger for the things of God.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking authentic and vulnerable relationship with the Lord.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking authentic and vulnerable relationship with the Lord.
May 7, 2024
This is an easy read straight from the heart of a beautiful author who loves the Lord and also the people she helps. Emily gives us an insight into eating disorders, her childhood, her great family and the needs in the world. I love the book.
May 29, 2024
This book is a beautifully written personal journey of the author that is deeply personal and touches me in a way that I haven’t experienced from a book in a long time. It is worth the time to read and truly reflect on what is being read.
June 4, 2024
Beautifully written testimony of all the ways God is still faithfully working through His people in forgotten places around the globe.
May 29, 2024
A soulful and amazing journey that gave light to the plight of many people. I want to know more!
May 20, 2024
God who became bread by Emily Wierenga, stirred my soul with beautiful words and brought me into the presence of my saviour. In its short, devotional sections, it is easy to read and has the power to bless others with hope and healing. Through Emily’s eating disorder and life sufferings, God has produced endurance, hope and love. The Lulu tree charity, Emily’s ministry birthed from her suffering, is a testament to Gods invitation and Emily’s “yes, send me”. Not only did this book contain many testimonies of Gods faithfulness, it was also a continuous reminder that the harvest is ready, and to be a worker, like Jesus (and Emily). I would recommend this book to anyone hungering for a good word, and those longing to help in a broken world.
May 30, 2024
Emily Wierenga’s writing style in “God Who Became Bread” is exquisite. Emily draws her reader deeply into each scene, where they experience with all five senses the brokenness in her life and this world, yet richly woven into the hope of eternity. In her memoir, Emily beautifully intertwines her story of hunger with the hunger in Africa, demonstrating the spiritual and physical hunger that only Jesus can satisfy. I recommend this book to anyone hungering for the filling of God Himself.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews