You know a book is good when as you are reading it, the book flies into a large pile of soapy bubbles (so maybe I shouldn't read and bathe my nineteen month old daughter at the same time), sinks to the bottom of the tub, is "quickly" retrieved by little hands, and then you proceed to read it flimsy, wet pages and all.
Um, yes. It's that good (Thanks to my bloggy friend, Julie for the recommendation).
In Radical, David Platt poses an important question: Have we manipulated the Gospel to fit the American Dream?
Check out this quote from Radical:
"God loves ME. ME. Christianity's object is ME. Therefore, when I look for a church, I look for the music that best fits ME and the programs that best cater to ME and MY family. When I make plans for MY life and career, it is about what works best for ME and MY family. When I consider the house I will live in, the car I will drive, the clothes I will wear, the way I will live, I will choose according to what is best for ME. This is the version of Christianity that largely prevails in our culture."
Oh David Platt, I hear you. I mean that is the whole focus of my family's journey- to get rid of the me, me, my, must-have attitudes we possess.
But how?
What? Radical lays out a five step plan?
Yes, Platt tells readers about a five step plan and a one year experiment. I like plans, and I really like plans with only five steps. Those are the kind of plans that are actually achievable.
So, I won't tell you every step of the plan (you can click over to Platt's site, and he will though!). However, I will tell you my favorite step of his plan. Ready?
Step 3: I will sacrifice my money for a specific purpose.
David says, "When you 'give to the poor', then you will lack a face on the need that reminds you why you must sacrifice to give."
"The poor" is too vague. See, if you lack a face when you give, then it doesn't make the giving as meaningful, but if you give to the same place for a specific purpose, you become truly involved and the giving is more real.
22 comments:
Amy,
Thanks for the book review. My husband picked up this book and showed me the title last week. I think I need to open it up while I'm taking a bubble bath myself!
You are always one step ahead of me, A. A guy that Steven works with was just telling us about this book. He recommended it, and I have yet to go get and read it. I will now, though!
The whole me, me, me thing is something that is certainly on my radar these days. I don't want to be that way, and I don't want my children to grow up to be that way - always church-hopping because things aren't quite right taste-wise. I hate that kind of thing, but our culture lends itself to that mindset. I could easily go on for days here having worked in the church my whole life. I have many an irritating story to share. The point is, though, that this gives me hope. So, thank you!
Isn't it a great kick in the pants?!! We have started each of the steps...one of the most amazing transformations in my children is praying for the world. We have the Window on the World book. It brings alive the histroy and traditions of all sorts of people groups. It gives prayer needs..etc. It is written from a child's perspective. Now...almost every single one of my children's prayers are laced with prayers for the people of Afghanistan. Albania, Balinese....it's amazing. I feel like we are awakening our children to the world around them!! And it's only been a month. So very cool.
We are on the same track, indeed!
I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, which was the perfect reason to forgo my To Do list and start reading a new book and...guess which one it is? Yep, this one! I'm finding it so motivating. What can I get rid of? Who can I help? How can I change my family's life to better serve Christ?
Amy, what a beautiful blog and a beautiful family goal. I feel like I have all these great ideals and I admire them in action in other people, but the road to becoming something I am proud of - it's sort of slow-going. I'm going to subscribe to you - I'm afraid you'll get lost in my google reader, so maybe by email - because I'd love to watch as you pursue ideas I just can't shake. For me it's starting with trying to get our own lives to more of a blank canvas. No debt, no clutter, etc. That's the basis for the blog post you commented on today. I'm so glad I followed your comment here.
Dear Everyone,
So, so glad you stopped by and took the time to read and comment. If you are looking for another post on the same kind of subject, go check out Serenity (the comment above this one)! A fun new blog find for me!
I haven't heard about this book yet. I like plans and structure too. I'll have to check it out. It's so funny to be around kids all day and hear, "I want, I want I want," when really a lot of us adults sound the same way. If we want our children to stop the "I want" all the time we must lead by example. This book sounds like a great way to step out of that mindset and really be able to lead by example. Thanks so much for sharing!
Wow. This sounds absolutely wonderful and I like a good plan, too. I'm going to put it on my must-read list... Thanks for the recommendation!
I also read your Compassion post and yes, I have been following The Gypsy Mama. Wow. We sponsor a Compassion child as well and I realized that I am a horrible sponsor. I am getting my rear in gear...:)
I love your blog - we are frighteningly similar...
Natalie at Mommy on Fire
http://www.mommyonfire.com
Amy, my sis gave the this book right after I finished reading 'Crazy Love' with Francis Chan.I wasn't really finished beating myself up over what was challenging me in that book and this one sits on my lap. It is, as my sis's favorite statement..."hard but good" people including myself have a hard time reaching beyond what makes them comfortable. But the Lord wants us all to stretch and grow in Him. Good stuff Amy!
Stepping out of the me ... It's all for Him and HIm alone. Oh but sometimes the me clings and I hate it, crucify it, push past the flesh ... walking in the SPirit.
Delighted to meet you today! Hope you don't mind if I splash around for a bit. This looks like a refreshing spot.
happy day,
Sara
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. It is my heart's cry as well. Can you imagine the RADICAL revolution that would occur if believers worldwide began practing these biblical truths? We would look a whole lot like the first church in Acts, wouldn't we? Thanks for posting this on your blog. And by the way, David Platt's media secretary emailed me about getting multiple copies of his book from the publisher at a discounted cost to distribute to friends and family, so if anyone's interested, give me a shout.
I mean if anyone is interested in getting multiple copies to distribute, I can give out the info. I'm not looking to sell books! LOL!
Sounds like a life-changing book! You have me very interested in the other 4 steps. I will hop on over to his site and check it out!
So convicted. Trouble is, once we go down that path, it is hard to fight the way out. sounds like this book gives some good sound advice on how to do just that. Hey, you should mail that soapy wet (it's clean!) book this way when you are done :)!
Thanks for this great nudge, Amy. I'm catching up with you (always, always behind) and loving your post about the Compassion child your littles sponsor. The Guatemala posts nearly did me in.
Thanks for visiting my blog the other day! I'm finally getting a chance to visit yours as well and must say I love it!!
I'm so interested in this book...this is exactly what God has been doing or UNdoing in me.
I have read about this book on multiple blogs now. It truly sounds like a good book to read to get out of my own self. Anything to do that! Sold!
That is a great goal! I think the intentional-ness of it is the most important thing. Putting a face to the need makes it real, and makes it hard to put it off for less important things!
Going to read the first chapter now!
I read about this book on another blog -- I even clicked over to read more. It sounds awesome. And interesting, too, that I just decided recently to launch my Shop-Not Project -- one year of no shopping. The money I save I plan to donate to Compassion to sponsor a child overseas (thanks to Ann Voskamp and the other Compassion bloggers for that inspiration!).
I don't know though...I think not shopping for a year will be really, really hard. I love to shp.
I've been hearing a lot about this book. Sounds interesting (and a little scary!). Thanks for visiting my blog. My kids are well aware of the names I give them and see everything I write about them. I get their okay. They seem to like their few minutes of fame.
Love that quote!!!! My husband and I tithe our money to the Church, but also love finding specific charities that do work we are passionate about (pro-life organizations, etc.). I never feel guilty when we indulge in something because I know we are being generous too. I'm going to check that book out!
And, you have a blog award!!
http://allthingsgale.blogspot.com/2010/09/passing-around-love.html
Wow - I'd like to read this book! I wanted to stop by and thank you for reading and commenting on my devotional "Unleashing the Power of Praise" at Granola Bar Devotional. I responded to your comment there. This particular topic is something I'm studying on right now and am thinking about taking a personal challenge to learn to live a lifestyle of praise. I may blog about it and see if others want to join in. We'll see....Anyway, thank you so much for reading my devotional!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Karen Lowe
Sounds like my kind of book...I've been thinking a lot about this sort of thing lately. I don't want to sound too negative about American Christianity (I could digress)...but we really do need some waking up here!
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