When Bad Christians Happen to Good People, by Dave Burchett

When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: Where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage is a title that may be familiar to some of you. It has been re-released by Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers and updated by author Dave Burchett. Whether or not you have heard of it before, the title alone is enough to push your hot buttons in some form or fashion. It just comes at you with attitude and you, the reader, are left to grapple with it.

Honestly, I really don't know what to say about this book. I feel both amply qualified to talk about it and terribly not qualified at all. (So I feel like I can let my sentences go, apparently.) If you are a Christian, no doubt the book title alone makes you snicker. Or groan. Or both. You know what Burchett is talking about before you even open the book cover. You are likely also confused by the title. Bad Christians? Good people? Who among us is good? We're all sinners saved by grace. How can he write this book? How can I read it? What on earth is this guy talking about?

I asked myself all of those questions and a whole lot more throughout the entire book. I still don't really know why he wrote the book - except he does confess in this revised edition that he wrote it originally, in part, to spout off his frustration with Christians in churches today. The book was vaguely reminiscent of Blue Like Jazz (linked to my thoughts) in that Burchett didn't really care for the way that Christians are acting in the world towards other cultures and non-Christians. He simultaneously complains though that Christians are not different enough from the world and seldom take stands for truth when they should. The way that he presented his arguments and complaints made me want to ask him, "What is it that you want from me!?" It felt rather schizophrenic in its approach.

I was very confused by the flow - or lack thereof - of the message this book hopes to express. Burchett seems to want to reach out to Christians who have been wounded by other Christians. If you can introduce me to a Christian who hasn't been hurt by another Christian somewhere along the way - I will be amazed. I will also wonder what is wrong with the person who has not been "wounded." (I say that because Christ promises that we will suffer in this lifetime and so it shouldn't come as a great surprise when we do! There is not a place in scripture where God promises that you will not suffer. He does, however, comfort and sustain those who are going through trials.So we can expect pain. Although the source of pain might, admittedly, be very surprising sometimes.) I also don't know how Burchett would define a wound. He shared his own wound as a point of reference and I can certainly see how the church would have hurt and frustrated him. He makes a plea that those who have been hurt, asking them not to leave the Body of Christ to go and lick their wounds. (My words there, not his.) Instead he talks about how he might have been tempted to walk away from the church completely but he is pleased to say he has hung around. To which I say: good for him. We're not to forsake the assembling of the Body or reject the Bride of Christ so even the wounded have no business huffing off with threats of seclusion. That's not healthy for them or anyone. (See Barbara H.'s post offering reasons to go to church which is most excellent.)

He writes:

"Bottom line, this book is for Christians living in frustration because of other Christians. It is for those who are frustrated by their own spiritual shortcomings, but especially the shortcomings of others. And is for those who have divorced (or at least separated themselves from) the church because of that frustration. I have talked to numerous believers who are so obsessed with the weaknesses of others that they can't see anything else. And so this book is for those who have been frustrated by others for so many years that they have lost touch with their own relationship with Christ." (from the Introduction)

Ok. Fine. Maybe even great. How are you going to encourage your reader to follow after Christ and recognize that thanks to Adam and Eve we are all born and sin and conceived in it? Tell us that we are always and forever going to be dealing with sin issues until we enter into Heaven - the only place where sin cannot exist. In the meantime, we're supposed to be in a body with one another, learning from the strengths and weaknesses of others, purposing relationships built in a certain degree of humility and angst so that God can make us more holy, just as He is. Based on the title of the book and the stated purpose of it, I would expect to be encouraged and have my faith bolstered by scriptures that talk about fellowship, the proper way to resolve conflicts with one another and the beauty of the church as the Bride of Christ.

I didn't get any of that. I'm not even really sure WHAT I got so I conclude my remarks with a giant question mark. I did think that Dave Burchett had a marvelous sense of humor. I laughed really hard at some of his descriptions of Christians and Christianity - in much the same way that I laughed at Tim Hawkins' when he described the same. There is certainly a great deal to poke fun of when it comes to Christians. However funny it might be at times, the pain and wounds we inflict upon one another isn't really very funny at all and so I would expect that a title which professes to want to heal the church would actively work to do so. I don't think it does that.

As unpleasant as the circumstances might be, the quicker we Christians are to realize that we are flawed and that it is only by the grace of God that we will ever learn to communicate and love one another effectively, the better off we will be. We cannot do this in our own strength and we should probably mentally accept the fact that we will not find our fulfillment in personal human relationships. The only perfectly satisfying relationship that we can ever have is one with God. I repeat: all of the others are flawed. BUT! It is in and through the flaws that God has set up a system designed to bless us. You might say it's ironic truth but it is truth just the same.

In summary: I'm not much a fan of this book because I don't think it accomplishes its stated purpose. And also because I know that some of you are particularly aware of sarcasm, (because we have discussed it around these parts before!), the author admits he has a sarcastic sense of humor and he is coming at you with attitude. He makes no apologies for this. I would say that this is a case where I can see that sarcasm has not served the user very well - for the hearer of it is left feeling very bewildered by the attempted communication.

I do appreciate Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers' willingness to send me a copy in exchange for my honest thoughts which I have honestly sought to provide.

Top Ten Classics I Intend to Read . . . Eventually

Got this idea from Bluerose's Heart who posted this same list on her blog a week back. Well, not the same same. Her list looked a little bit different from mine.

Classics cause me reader's guilt. I always feel that I either should have read them, should be reading them, or perhaps that they should be read as the "very next thing." But I either haven't, or am not, or have no immediate, driving intentions of doing so. I need help. Maybe making this list will inspire me.

Oh, and by the way, I refuse to consider Harry Potter a Classic just yet - despite the fact that I've seen lists that include him as a "must read" for classic literature. (Is anyone else insulted just by the mention of that?!)

1. How Should We Then Live?, by Francis A. Schaeffer is a Christian classic which I confess I've always felt the "have to" more than the "want to" when it comes to actually reading it. I feel that I ought to and so I purchased a copy years and years (and years and years) ago. I just haven't read it yet.



Any convincing and motivating arguments to provide me with the proper "want" so that I will truly read it?

2. Stormy, Misty's Foal



I found a copy of this one at Goodwill for $0.99 after I finished reading Misty of Chincoteague (linked to my review.) My friend who recommended the first one suggested I'd like the other books in the series and I have no doubts that she is absolutely correct. (As $0.99 isn't much of a gamble - why not!?) I'm looking forward to it.

3. The Woman in White has been on my To Be Read list (and personal bookshelf) for a very long time.



I go through phases with mysteries. I really like them for awhile and then I want nothing to do with them because I don't like being tense or scared when I read. I have to pick this one up when I'm in a mystery phase.

4. The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky. I read his Crime and Punishment a few years back and LOVED it! I would simply be delighted to spend more time with his writings. I just haven't made the time yet. Which is regrettable because I've no doubt I would enjoy the time thoroughly and such time would be very well spent!



5. Notes from the Underground, by Dostoevsky. Same reasons as above, although I don't think this title sounds half as interesting. I'm just really curious about his other writings now.



6. If ANY classic was going to cause me guilt it would have to be A Tale of Two Cities. There is almost no point in you regulars commenting on this particular title any longer. I hate Charles Dickens as "the regulars" well know.


I have tried to read this particular book a couple of times now. I even made it through the first chapter. And I stayed awake for it! Barely! Jonathan really likes this story though and so I keep telling myself I should read this one. I have the same feelings about training for and running a 10K. Why? Why do something you loathe the very thought of?

Because of the glowing sense of accomplishment? I think the root of that is pride, personally, and since we're supposed to avoid prideful attitudes, I think I should avoid A Tale of Two Cities.

Yes. That sounds like a good and valid argument to me. Yes. Yes. . .

7. Speaking of pride . . . the only reason I have not yet read The Grapes of Wrath is because someone I didn't like once told me I should read this book.

Oh yes, I CAN be that petty.



8. Again with the pride - Variation in C (for Carrie, of course) - is 1984.



I only want to read this one so that I can sound cool and understand what all the cool people who have already read this book talk about. I hate it when people reference it and I have to sit there in stupefied ignorance, wondering exactly what is in this book that makes everyone else sound intellectual.

9. The Great Gatsby. I read the Cliff Note version when I was studying for a test one time. I admit that to hopefully counter-balance all the pride mentioned in my previous three selections. I'm a sad, sad little person.



10. The Jungle Book, by Rudyard Kipling.



Whoops! I mean this one:



I figure if I'm going to pull out The Mom Card and say that you have to read the books before you watch the movies then I should probably read this particular classic. Maybe I can read it with my children. That sounds like fun! And it buys me time.

See? Now just read through that list and the things I've admitted. Guilt, guilt, guilt! I don't think we're supposed to live that way!

But I'm good with guilt. In some situations it is my friend. When it comes to books, it is most definitely my friend and it drives me onward at times, for better or for worse.

What about you? Are there ten classics that you feel you ought to read? Do tell. Make me feel better.

;)

What's On My Nightstand - June

Time again to check in the Nightstand to see how much progress we've made and to set reading goals for the following month. This meme, by 5 Minutes for Books, really is fun. I find it a good way to keep myself on track and set reading priorities for each month.

Last month I set the following goals (the titles are all linked to my reviews):

A Meal With Jesus - I thought it was a rather thought-provoking read. I didn't agree with all of it, but it's definitely interesting.

Praying for Your Future Husband - Read it. Loved it. Highly recommend it.

Made to Crave - Read it. Loved it. Had a hard time talking about it.

Unbroken - Didn't get to it.

This month I purpose to read the following:



I received a copy of When Bad Christians Happen to Good People: Where We Have Failed Each Other and How to Reverse the Damage from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing and I rather suspect that a good many of us will have a few things to say about this title.

Speaking of having things to say . . .



I couldn't resist reviewing a copy of God Behaving Badly: Is the God of the Old Testament Angry, Sexist and Racist? when it was offered. This one just beckoned to me and I'm sure it will be interesting.

From my home book shelves I am planning to read Anna and the King of Siam because I keep saying I want to and I just haven't done it yet.



It's a short and easy read, easily doable. I just need to do it.

Mostly though - I intend to spend the majority of July focusing on various books in (and about) the Chronicles of Narnia series.




That starts up THIS FRIDAY and I'm so looking forward to it! I've been reading books with Bookworm1 and we watched the movie for the first time together. Very much looking forward to sharing our experiences and reading about yours during July!

What do you all plan on spending your summer months reading? I look forward to finding out when I go out checking on your nightstands later today.

Happy Reading, All!

Made to Crave, by Lysa Terkeurst

I really kind of had to read Made to Crave: Satisfying Your Deepest Desire with God, Not Food because Stephanie said to. (Well, she didn't say to but she said to which is pretty convincing.)

Let me go on record as saying that this is the only book I have read twice through before writing up a review of it. I also have to go on record as saying that I'm not quite sure I'm really ready to write a review.

As Stephanie said, (and the subtitle suggests), the basic idea behind this book is that instead of satisfying yourself with food, you should satisfy yourself with a deeper walk with God. Cue the "blah, blah, blahs" that are probably running in your head. Oh, you might as well admit it! I can hear them because the "blah blahs" were in my head as well. You want to know what the big deal is (or should be) turning your eating habits into a spiritual matter. Should that even be the case? Well, I think that Lysa Terkeurst makes a pretty compelling argument for exactly why that should be the case.

Just ask yourself this:

- When you are upset about something, how frequently do you indulge in "just a little treat" (i.e., chocolate?) to help yourself over the emotional hurdle?
- When the baby won't quit crying, how many times have you stormed into the kitchen and grabbed a coke to sit and relax with?
- When your friends are telling you "it's ok" to break your diet "just this once", how often do you allow yourself to indulge, even when you know you shouldn't?
- When you are ecstatically happy about something, how many times do you go out to eat and order greasy (but fun and oh so delicious!!) food to celebrate with?
- When is ice cream called upon to act as a soothing balm?
- When you are uptight, tired, emotional drained, etc., how often do you turn to food to cover up your emotions?

Ask yourself those questions. And if food is your go-to source on any level for calming you down or carrying you through any type of upheaval, you might want to read this book.

I picked up Made to Crave before birthing Bookworm3, thinking it would be a kick-start to the post-baby weight diet. I just assumed it would be a gentle nudge which would motivate me to drop the baby pounds (which are merciless, let me tell you!) It did that. Surely, it did. However, it motivated me in unexpected ways. Made to Crave is most emphatically not a diet book and Terkeurst is very clear on that point. She is not on a diet and she is not encouraging her reader to be on a diet. What she is doing with this book is making the reader examine their relationship with God and answer honestly how many times they turn to Him to help them through life's victories and disappointments in comparison to how many times they turn to food. It is a very convicting read and I re-read it (immediately upon finishing it) because I would really like her message to sink in.

I do not rely on God as much as I ought.

I do not turn to Him first to praise Him for victories.

I do make a grab for the chocolate when the children's noises have disrupted my peace and I feel the need to de-stress.

I do think of how I want to treat myself at the end of a hard day.

I do not always turn to scriptures or prayer first when emotionally challenged.

I forget that I am a child of God and He can see me through my darkest hours.

I like food. Sometimes I like food more than I like being a Child of God. It is obvious that I do because I turn to it first more often than I'd care to admit.

So I read this book. And then I thought, "PPpwwhhht!!!...Stephanie's going to wonder what I thought of it and I'm going to have to tell her." Then I thought: "Furthermore, I mentioned on RtK that I was reading this book and I feel like I have to follow up on that."

I didn't want to write this post. I don't want to talk about this book. (And actually, in some ways, I'm not doing so, truth be absolutely told.)

Made to Crave goes beyond the food choices and discusses why you make the choices that you do. Not in a Jillian Michaels, "I'll scream in your face until you do what I say!" sort of way. Rather, Lysa Terkeurst is meek, humble, and honest as she presents her own journey of learning self discipline and self control in a way that is easy to relate to, identify with and be easily convicted by.

I highly recommend it.

But I have to then (honestly) say that I recommend it because I want you to be equally convicted that you need a closer, honest, more trusting relationship with God so that I won't look so deficient. I want you to feel bad so that I'll feel better about myself. Which is totally not the point of the book but it is how I feel about it! Go! Read it! Make a change WITH me.

Scripturally based, God-oriented, and prayerfully directed, this book will take you far beyond thinking about your diet choices. I think it will rock your world. And you might just re-read it a time or two yourself!

Thanks Stephanie for this read. I'm genuinely appreciative. Pphhhwwwwt!!!

****

By the way, "the other" Stephanie also read it and you can read her review at Simple Things. She didn't really want to write about it either.

So You Think You Know Narnia?

The second annual Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge is coming right up! Are you ready for it?

The rules for the challenge are simple and easy - read as much or as little in or about Narnia as you can during the month of July. The challenge starts on July 1st when I will invite you to write up a post on your own blog saying that you are joining in on the challenge. If you do not have a blog, feel free to join in simply by leaving a comment so that we know you are playing along. Then you have the entire month of July to read whatever you can that relates to Narnia (or watch the movies!) and write up posts on your thoughts and experiences in doing so. The challenge will end on Friday, July 29th.

How well do you know Narnia? Have you ever been before?

Here are some questions, gleaned from So You Think You Know Narnia?: Over 1,000 Quiz Questions About the Magical Narnia Books for you to try and answer going in. Ready to put on your Narnia thinking cap? We'll start easy and move on to some potentially more difficult questions for you.

I have two copies of Knowing Aslan to give away to two of you who make a go of answering these questions. Just leave your answers (or your guesses!) below and I'll select a winner via random.org and will announce the winners at the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge Start-up. (July 1st!) That's a week from today! Get ready to dive on in!

Without further ado, here we go with 10 Narnia-related questions.

1. Who wrote the Narnia books?
2. Was Trumpkin a dwarf, a faun or a mouse?
3. At the beginning of The Magician's Nephew, who climbs over the wall into Polly's back garden?
4. According to Puddleglum in The Silver Chair, are giants good shots at throwing things?
5. In The Horse and His Boy, what is the first talking animal Shasta meets in Narnia: an owl, a badger or a hedgehog?
6. In which book is there a Sunless Sea deep underground and a prince under a spell?
7. What item did Mr. Beaver show the children to prove that he knew Mr. Tumnus?
8. What was the strange name of Jill and Eustace's school, mentioned in The Silver Chair?
9. Who received a new sewing machine from Father Christmas?
10. Eustace learn to shoot a bow and arrow while voyaging on what boat?

Answers revealed next Friday, July 1st along with the names of the winners! Have fun!

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED

Books, Books, Books!

I'm thinkin' that more than one of you can relate to this sentiment. After all, you're here -- reading this blog.

The books that we choose to read are most often carefully selected as being ones that we will either find enjoyable or beneficial (if not hopefully both!) given whatever period of time we have to read. My guess is that you don't want to waste time reading worthless books. (And yes, I do believe in such a thing as a worthless book.)

A few months back I read Tuck Everlasting (linked to my review) and at the end of this particular edition, there was an interview by author Natalie Babbitt in which she expressed a desire that the publishing industry wouldn't publish quite so many books because there were plenty of older titles just waiting to be read. (I'm paraphrasing her remarks.) However, she said, authors (like herself) keep spitting books out and so they keep on coming and we readers are given more and more reading options.

I do consider reading time to be very valuable and I do guard it rather ferociously. I do so in a few ways. For one thing, I have always staked out my children's nap times as my own private time. If I am going to be able to read at all, it usually happens between the hours of 2 and 4 p.m. That time is for me and the books (and whatever housework or meal prep work is waiting for me.) Occasionally I do like having a visitor during that time frame, where I can engage in some sweet and uninterrupted fellowship with a friend. Every so often that's a lovely thing and I look forward to it because it's a treat! The majority of the time though, that's my time to engage with stories and spiritual instruction.

I also have become even more choosy about the books I select to read. I used to accept a great many more review copies, for example, than I do now. But as Babbitt said, there are so many older titles that are very much worth a read that I don't want to spend a lot of my time reading what is (more often than not) modern fluff. I'm very happy - and personally entertained - by a good middle grade adventure story and my reading time there serves the additional purpose of my building a good home library for our children to make use of when they are appropriate ages.

Ultimately, if I had to boil my selections down to a specific reason, I would have to say that I want to be choosing books that cause me to do the following:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I don't want to be filling my mind with explicit scenes or foul language. I do not want to immerse myself in false doctrine in such a way that might persuade me that it is true. I want to read things that excite the imagination, engage the senses and thrill me to think noble and courageous thoughts. I want to be very purposeful to engage with things that are pure in purpose - where the message of the book is not so garbled that you cannot make heads or tails of it and its virtue is speculative. If reading time is short - I don't want to waste it. I would like it to be as profitable and satisfying as it can possibly be.

When reading time is so very limited - how do you go about selecting your books? Do you put conscious thought and effort in to it, or are you more of a "fly by the seat of your pants" kind of reader? Do you read anything that is recommended to you, or are you a person who investigates their reads before agreeing to spend time with them?

“The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading; but a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep freighted with truth and beauty.” Theodore Parker (1810 - 1860)

“The reading of all good books is indeed like a conversation with the noblest men of past centuries who were the authors of them, nay a carefully studied conversation, in which they reveal to us none but the best of their thoughts.” Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650)

“No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting.” Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689 - 1762)

Tugg and Teeny and Jungle Surprises (giveaway!)

Tugg and Teeny: Jungle Surprises has been released!

A few months back I introduced you to Tugg and Teeny (linked to my review), two characters created and presented in an early reader form and given to us by Sleeping Bear Press. Tugg and Teeny: Jungle Surprises is Book 2 in this four book series.

The kids were excited to have this book arrive on our doorstep last week. They loved the first book. I'm not sure which they enjoy more - the stories and adventures that Tugg and Teeny get into together or looking at all the jungle animals which illustrator Christopher Denise brings to life.

In this new book, Tugg and Teeny are "jungle detectives" on the hunt for various items that the different jungle animals have lost. They also discover what "wind fishing" is and have a good time with their fellow jungle pals.

If you haven't yet explored the world of Tugg and Teeny, we highly recommend them. You'll be happy to know that once again I Am a Reader (Sleeping Bear Press) has generously offered a copy of BOTH Tugg and Teeny books to one reader here at Reading to Know. If you have not yet had the opportunity to look into this series, now is a good time!

To win a copy of these first two books in the Tugg and Teeny series simply leave a comment below. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only and will be open through Tuesday, June 28th.

THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED. THE WINNER, as selected by Random.org, IS #13 - Stephanie @ Simple Things. Congrats!

Thank you, I Am a Reader, for sending us a copy of this new book and for offering a copy of these books to one of my readers.

America the Beautiful

This past weekend we spent some time with friends during which we were able to enjoy some of America's beauty and so in honor of our pre-holiday holiday I thought I'd share these titles with you as you begin (possibly) to make plans for your 4th of July celebrations.



I first stumbled across America the Beautiful, (words by Katharine Lee Bates and illustrated by Chris Gall), at the library. I was disappointed to discover that this book had been out of print for a bit and was hard to find a copy of. I noticed recently though on Little, Brown kids website that the book had recently been re-released in paperback form. HURRAH! This title is awesome. First of all, the text is entirely made up of the words to this very familiar song. The illustrations by Chris Gall have a very retro-1950's feel to them which makes the book a delight to look through. Not only can you read the words, you can sing them, and while you are doing that you can gaze at the various landscapes that Gall has created. I love the way Gall evokes a spirit of pride and sentimentality, showing us pictures of World War II fighter pilots, immigrants, lighthouses and farm yard scenes. America the Beautiful is a beautiful piece of art and I highly, highly, highly recommend it for any age.



AMERICA: The Making of a Nation is currently listed on Amazon at a bargain price and so I'd say to definitely take a peek and check it out! Designed for grade schoolers, this book takes a look at various historical aspects of this amazing country. Each page spread contains either lift-the-flap, maps, journals, historical documents, etc. This book is a feast for the eyes. A bit on the busier side of things, this book just feels like there is a lot to explore about America. Since that is the case I think it's rather fun and fitting! The pages are scattered with maps of the White House, pictures of political buttons, paintings of the Founding Fathers, a brief history of the American flag and so much more.

As you know, I love history and I love finding creative and applicable ways of teaching it to children. In both of the books above I think there is some fun to be had in not only exploring the country but inspiring a sense of pride both in where America has been and where it is going. For the purpose of building patriots - I recommend these books!

Thank you, LB-Kids, for sending these copies our way. We will enjoy these both for years to come!