I read a lot of books. A lot.
Sometimes I'm dazzled.
Sometimes I'm not.
I'm reading one of those not-so-dazzling books right now. The cover art is amazing. The endorsements intrigued me. But after about 20 pages in, I realized I was reading the same book I've been reading for the past ten years. Same old stuff. Nothing refreshing. Nothing deep. Nothing of the gutsy wrestling I saw in Blue Like Jazz. Same old, same old.
I firmly believe what is inside an author comes out on the page. If we are full of cliche-living, or pat-answer-theology, why are we surprised when our words print flat and mundane? Life change begets life change. We as Christian authors long for that, but are we willing to do the painful work to first see our own hearts changed?
Sometimes I wonder if we play at this game called Christian writing. We throw words on the page, though our hearts may be far from the Lord, and we're unwilling to admit the dichotomy in print.
I am tired of trite books that minimize the majesty of God. I'm tired of formulas to get rich for Jesus. I'm tired of books that promote Christianity as a religion of smiley faces and butterflies. It's far more. It's dangerous, revolutionary, counter-cultural, rebellious.
When I find that book or those books, be assured I'll let you know. But for now, I have to get back to reading another lifeless, boring Christian book.
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15 comments:
You're not going to finish it, are you?
Usually I put these down, but I might finish this one. I suppose it's that leftover weird guilt I have, coming from this weird legalism that says something like:
IF YOU STARTETH A BOOK, YOU MUST FINISHETH IT.
You know, I just started Wishing on Dandelions because I spent ALL OF SEPTEMBER trying to read Surprised by Joy. I LOVE CS Lewis and I am not totally bored by this book, but there is something in it...maybe a little bit of triteness (Is that a word?) and not much joy. There's 1/4 of the book left and I figured if the rest of it is the same, I won't be missing much and if it is great, I'll have something good to come back to later. So off to hang with Maranatha (One of my new heroines) and to actually be moved and entertained ;-) I'll get back to you soon.
Mary,
I swear you continue to take the words right out of my SOUL.
Sigh.
I wish there were more books like that, too.
Speaking of living in a revolutionary faith, my former pastor (who is only my former pastor because marriage took me to Florida, far far away from my homeland of California) just published a book about Christ as a revolutionary.
It's called "The Jesus of Suburbia." His name is Mike Erre. You can buy it here:
PS: I bought this book the same night I went on the search for your two books, Mary. Which means I haven't started it yet . . . mostly because I decided Anne Lamott's "Plan B" got to go first, simply because I'd put off buying it for far too long. But reading Mike's introduction, and his naming of all the people who helped him, almost all of whom I know, did bring tears to my eyes. Sometimes I just miss home.
Oops! Forgot to post the link to Jesus of Suburbia. Here 'tis:
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Suburbia-Have-Tamed-Lifestyle/dp/084990059X/sr=8-1/qid=1161458911/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-0468309-7600738?ie=UTF8
But, but, you're under grace! You're free in Christ to put it down! If it's the "same ole same ole" you've read it before anyhow, LOL.
And, from one hottie to another (lol) YES "See the Morning" is excellent.
;)
Cyndi dear, thanks for the grace whisper...
I always don't finish books. What can I say, I'm a rebel.
I'm also a rebel because I like fluffy beach reads! Bwahahahahahaha...
Camy
"We throw words on the page, though our hearts may be far from the Lord, and we're unwilling to admit the dichotomy in print."
Preach it, Sister!
loved Blue like Jazz, too.
I hope I don't ever write trite, in the box, stuff--but maybe my learning curve will be so behind someone else's that they'll think it is . . . maybe not. I don't know. Jesus, help me be real. Help me live in your vast universe, not society's boxes. *sigh*
and looking forward to book recommendation for things that really move you . . . trust your judgement, Mary.
Mary, there is some kind of a deep disappointment that plagues me when I begin to read a book that I'd thought would be good and it turns out to be lifeless or boring. Especially the Christian books. I used to always feel compelled to finish books ("Finish what you start!") but my advanced age has made me aware of my limited time, so I've dumped that baggage. See my blog post of October 6th for news on the latest book I refused to finish! Also, my post today (Oct. 22) is a huge book recommendation. I just finished reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter and LOVED it. It's a great antidote to a bad book! Get it asap!
Dear Mary -
You are so.....so.....so...well, relevant! Just want you to know that I struggled for years with being true to that commandment about finishing books. But as I've gotten older, I've realized there just isn't time for that. For a while, I ended up with a stack of a dozen books with ookmarks in different places - next to the stack that I wanted to read. Finally, I just got brave and got rid of all the books with bookmarks (saving the bookmarks, of course)and moved on. ,br>
Btw, I mentioned you Saturday in regards to the difficulties writers face in writing about the issues springing from family relationships.
If you want to read a life-changing, challenge your faith book, read Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski. You won't be bored.
I used to think I had to finish every book I started but then one day I realized that I certainly wouldn't finish a tasteless sandwich. I'd toss it and find something else to eat.
So many books, so little time.
I won't squander any more time on books that have no flavor.
Years ago, I struggled to finish every book no matter what. No more. Life is too short and I'm too old to waste precious time on books that don't deliver.
Sometimes trite writing is the problem; sometimes the problem is my mood :-)
blessings,
Vicki
PS--your newsletter was great this month!
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