So I’m reading this amazing book that was recommended to me by a co-worker! I think it’s funny actually because I’ve always been more of a fiction reader but in the last year or so I’ve picked up more than a few non-fiction books and actually finished them.
This one is definitely a little more challenging as far as what I’m going to choose to do with the conviction in my heart to actually follow through with some of the points the author is trying to make. What I love most about this book is the no nonsense approach he has and the truth he speaks. He refers to scripture accurately and asks many of the questions I believe our generation has been thinking for some time now but feel intimidated to ask. His heart is the heart of all Christ-followers who yearn for something more but fear seeking it out and what it will mean. His style of writing is unique in that it’s challenging without holding a tone of condemnation or judgement, as many authors tend to do. He makes me want to seek what God is doing and take part in it and affirms a few ideas that have been purcolating in my mind over the last few months.
I haven’t finished it yet but here are a few snippets that have made me think and laugh all at the same time:
“I’ve seen people gather around and lay hands on the sick. Others anoint people with oil. But when Jesus wants to heal a blind guy, he picks up some dirt off the ground, spits in it, and then wipes it on the dude’s eyes (John 9:6). That’s weird. No one else did that. Can you imagine the other religious leaders? ‘Rabbi, could you hack me up a holy loogie?'” (p.40)
“Rich [Mullins] stood up in chapel and said, ‘You guys are all into that born again thing, which is great. We do need to be born again, since Jesus said that to a guy named Nicodemus. But if you tell me I have to be born again to enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you have to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, because Jesus said that to a guy too…But I guess that’s why God invented highlighters, so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest.'” (p. 98-99)
The last comment I’ll share really did strike the deepest nerve for me in my “comfort” level and the sacrifice my Savior has made for me.
“True, the cross is not always seeker sensitive. It is not comfortable. But it is the cornerstone of our faith, and I fear that when we remove the cross, we remove the central symbol of the nonviolence and grace of our Lover. If we remove the cross, we are in danger of promoting a very cheap grace. Perhaps it should make us uncomfortable. After all, it wasn’t so comfy to get nailed there.”
I’m sure I’ll have a few more great quotes to share as I continue reading this book and being challenged. Just a side-note that I have tried to be diligent in picking up the bible first and doing some “straight from the source” reading before returning to this latest find and I’m consistently amazed and inspired that God honors that with words that I need to hear or thoughts that I can journal and reflect on how my life is changing and maturing.
If you want some inspiration for yourself and would rather read everything in context I really encourage you to pick this up and delve into it. It’s called “Irresistable Revolution” by Shane Clairborne. It’s published by Zondervan and copyrighted 2006.