Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Book Review - Part 2

I just finished Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, and I have to say it made me think. The book talks about "nonreligious thoughts on Christian spirituality." The following points in his book hit home with me:
1. He discussed a girl named Penny who was led to the Lord by her friend Nadine. She said in the process Nadine "never tried to sell Christianity" like an infomerical, "talked about God as if she knew Him, as if she talked to Him on the phone", "she was never ashamed", "she believed God liked her."
2. As Christians we should love people just because they exist. We are living among God's prized possessions. Sometimes we withhold our love from people to change them; instead, we should lavish our love on them. God has never (not even one day) withheld love from us to teach us a lesson. Can you imagine if he did?
3. Instead of serving ourselves in the church, the church needs to start serving the lost and lonely...even if they aren't coming in pretty packages.
4. We are representatives of grace and love, so our communication should be seasoned with love and compassion. Listen, don't judge, and accept people for who they are!
5. He went to school at Reed. Every year they had a party called Ren Fayre (drugs, alcohol, etc.). Christians were a minority on this campus and discussed how to win souls on campus. One year they built a confession booth during Ren Fayre (like a concession stand) and instead of the "party goers" confessing, the Christians would confess their sins to them. They apologized for the Crusades, getting involved in politics, not helping the poor enough, not acting like Jesus, etc. Four different Bible Studies started on campus after Ren Fayre. Powerful, huh?
6. Being a Christian isn't about religion or doctrine, but about falling in love with Jesus. Donald Miller says, "I never really liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve. But sometimes you have to watch somebody love something before you can love it yourself..."

2 comments:

Charla (SHar-la) said...

I'm glad you enjoyed it. I am almost finished with "So You Don't Want To Go To Church Anymore," and I'll let you borrow that one next. I have found myself drawn to books that discuss the idea that being a Christian isn't about the institution but about relationships with believers and non-believers and that the rules that organized religion has put into place often emphasize the RELIGION and not the FAITH, as well as following a set of guidelines instead of the holy spirit's guidings. I'm not becoming a zealot, just interested in a new perspective on organized religion and why so many are turned away from it. I love sharing books with you!

TREY MORGAN said...

I haven't read the book yet. I hope to soon. Your sister really likes it.

I'm just finishing up "the Shack."

I must say "Wow" amazing book.

Blessings

 

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