![](http://www.quakerbooks.org/xfqbk/bb/img/bookcovers/big/0-310-26630-0.jpg)
So, where to start. Ah yes... I don't know. Well first of all, this book has really inspired me to get more involved with the homeless community in Berkeley. Not sure what that means or how that will look when I get back, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to consistently be a presence with the homeless at People's Park or maybe volunteer at a shelter or something. One of the lines that I remember most was one that basically said, miracles are more rare today because there is no need for them. We can go to Safeway to get food, we have a roof over our heads, we can just hit up the doctor if we get sick... Not to say that these things are bad, but they take away opportunities for God to actually show us that he can take care of us in amazing ways. So I dunno about you, but I want to see God work and do miracles.
Another thing about this book is that it has confirmed my frustrations with the Church. Claiborne is never antagonistic (as I have sometimes been) about the way things are done in the American church, but he is still critical of what the church has become. Like I was talking about two or three posts ago (Here Comes the Bride), church for me is all too safe, comfortable, and blah an experience. Claiborne argues for a church like the early church in Acts2, where possessions were shared and the followers of Christ "had everything in common"--struggles, joys, experiences, money, etc.--and where church was a place where crazy Jesus people met up to discuss the amazing things that God had done during the other six days of the week. One of the things that I'm afraid of for FCBC is that, especially with concerns over attendance and numbers, the goal for church service will become keeping the youth interested and entertained rather than challenged... On a side note, I have similar worries with Living Water, my church in Berkeley, that they are becoming a very "flashy" and charismatic church (we have almost doubled in size over the past year) rather than one that really challenges, though I have definitely felt more challenged and convicted there than at FCBC. Nonetheless, I have grown skeptical of growing churches and I hope that desire for truth will always trump a desire for more people. (I know no church is really "perfect" and I love complaining; I'm just pointing these things out)
Lastly, this book has made me think more about what I do with my money. This one is difficult, mostly because what I wear helps me be really really ridiculously good looking.
![](http://www.bangitout.com/uploads/13zoolander.jpg)
So, as you can see, my life is kinda being rearranged. Thank you, Mr. Claiborne. I was pretty ok with the way things were going, but no, you had to freakin write an amazing book and change the way I see things. Great. Thanks... Nah, I'm only kidding Shane. Shaney Shane. Shayborne. Anyways, I wanna do something. I wanna respond. But the thing about me is that I always say that I'm gonna do something (work harder, get buff, do chores, learn how to write left-handed), and I can take a step out the door, but when it comes down to it, I get real scurred
![](http://www.pjlighthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/lesson-learn-sixth-sense-movie-theraphy.jpg)
6 comments:
let me borrow the book. i'll let you read about kissing dating goodbye! your favorite.
dude. 'jayplay'
what an awesome lil saying. i was going to add it to my repertoire..until you used it twice and killed it.
sike
but you make me want to read this book...
you should write a book review for my blog and make everyone want to read that...(but only if you say good things about it! holla...jayplay)
nicely done. i don't think i really liked reading til this year reading books like these. and now i'm almost done writing my post. check mine later tonight!
here's another comment for you!
ally is so not your cousin. you need to speak truth in this blog nate lee.
Duuuuuude Sarah and I just talked about this. Not the book but homelessness in Berkeley.
We should discuss when we get back :]
ive seen this book change a lot of people's perspectives on christianity and such.. and its really cool to see! however, i've also seen a lot of people fall into a sort of disillusionment in terms of the actual REALITY of the gospel. i think claiborne speaks a transforming message to a generation that is sick and tired of being a "typical christian" or mediocre.. and people can latch onto it real quick.. my prayer for people who are convicted by this book is that they will press into jesus with curiosity and joy and passion- and not just pick this irrestible revoltion up as their new cross. i dont know- does that make sense? we've had the answer to a true life of christianity this WHOLE time- but growing up in the church, i think we've dismissed the radical nature of the cross as irrelevant. if we truly understood the gospel the first time, maybe this book wouldnt shake us up so much. but i glad it does. okay i hope that made sense. k bye.
Post a Comment