A Message from Katina Chappell
I recently read an article in the Washington Post about Milky Way’s new “Milky Way On-the Go” bar in which the journalist rightly satirizes our busy modern day society whose need for speed has created the demand for “on-the-go” candy bars. And while I join the reporter in his harmless mockery, I have to look at the root cause, as any good satire will want for you to do, and wonder at what can be done for a society that is so busy that it must market its candy bars as “on-the-go”? The root cause, I think, is harmful. And all this I say, not to be preachy, or to presuppose the answers but only to apologize for letting the book club be lax for as long as it has been. It lies dormant no more!
Even if I didn’t want to do book club anymore, which is not the case, I couldn’t stay silent about this next book because it is so amazing. I have found an author who is so exciting, so refreshing, so compelling, that I must share his work with all of you. Even if you are not in book club for the read, get this book* and just take your time with it, because I think you will find it that rewarding.
The book is called Searching for God Knows What by Donald Miller. As someone who grew up a Christian since birth but continues to have lows and highs in my Christian faith this book spoke to me—giving voice to some of the doubts, fears and disappointments associated with the type of religious experiences I was looking for in the past and countering it with the joy of what I should be looking for. If you’ve been a Christian a long time, it is NOT the same-old thing you’ve always heard. I was first attracted to this author through his book Blue like Jazz which I thought was an interesting title for a Christian book. Throughout that book and Searching for God Knows What, Miller continues with the interesting titles and presents God, the bible and faith in such an interesting and refreshing way that you will feel enlightened. Let me give you some examples of the chapter titles from the book:
Fine Wine: The Failure of Formulas
Naked: Why Nudity is the Point
Children of Chernobyl : Why did God Leave?
Adam, Eve, and the Alien: How the Fall makes You Feel
A Circus of Redemption: Why a Three-Legged Man is better than a Bearded Woman
Religion: A Public Relations Campaign for God
The Gospel of Jesus: Why William Shakespeare was a Prophet
Each chapter is written almost like an essay that could stand alone but they do build on each other and I guarantee you—you will not want to read just one. It took me 4 hours to read 3\4 of the book (but, I do admit the girls were not around)
Okay, so this is not an “on-the-go” book review but I personally wanted to hype this book more than any of the other ones because it has been so inspiring to me.
* This time, there is a special offer for those who wish to participate in reading our book club choice. First of all, if you think you might be too busy to pick up the book or order it, I will do that for you and bring it to church for you to get there. You will have to pay me the cost of the book and whatever the shipping ends up to be once I order for everyone who decides to take me up on this option—but there will be no extra “handlers” fee! Please let me know by email or in person or by phone on or before next Sabbath—Nov. 10 if you want me to do that for you.
Additionally, Rej and I are talking about planning a weekend spiritual retreat of sorts for those who can get away to really talk about this book and what it means, how we can grow ourselves spiritually from what we learn of Jesus in it etc. etc. This will probably take place in February, but we do not have a specific date yet. However, that is the goal ladies! Read it by FEB>!
We still intend on having a December out-to-eat and shopping trip so maybe that date will be a good time to check in with everybody to make sure the book has been acquired.
Okay, I know I’ve taken up enough of your time for one email--but reading these short essays is good practice for the book.
Love and blessings to all!
Katina
You may contact Katina directly at katinac5@MSN.COM
Click here for more details about the book
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