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He learned some hard lessons and came out a much more real and authentic christian for it.He tells of him background and heart breaking childhood, but doews not make himself a victim, No excuses.This book is funny, real and aught to be required reading for all stuffy people everywhere.Thanks Jim for opening your heart wide. This book is right on. Jim gives it like it is and does not pull any punches with himself.
I've shared it with several friends already. My heart was blessed by the stories of ordinary people - some like me - whom God used in extraordinary ways. Each story was short and to the point.
I have been a Christian for a long time,and burned out on the "church" and all the legalism long time ago.I have found my way back ,but not through the church.I am going to buy several copies of this book for anyone I know to read.It was awesome.I purposely read it slow(I am a very fast reader)so I could digest every thing he wrote about.Thanks Jim.It was a huge breath of spirit filled air.
If you are certain there is a better way to your Creator, and would like to follow the story of one regular unspectacular but highly insightful pilgrim this is probably the book for you. This is written for the disillusioned, the confused, the cynical, and the restless relentless but frustrated God-seekers among us. The Spirit of the living God always manages to break through the theological concrete poured by well-intentioned but misguided "professional" ministers to contain it. It cannot be contained.
He transparently describes the life and thoughts of pastors and church leaders with such surgical precision and accuracy it is often painful to read. These nobody people matter ever so much more than anyone thinks, especially since Jim Palmer took the time to present them to us.Thanks Jim, for talking me off the ledge. I know it is completely cliché these days to attack the "established" church and all that goes along with it. We old denominational folks don't have a clue how things really are "out there." Yeah, okay, I know full well that much of what passes for Christianity and pastoral ministry is little more than religion management and not even very good religion management at that. I have my own list of wonderful nobodies who have done exactly the same for me over the years. I know all these things, I've heard all these things and, most importantly, I live these things every day of my life. None of this is news to me.And yet I must say, Jim Palmer's book exposes and refreshes me still.
I loved these stories. His stories must be listened to because we know they are true - and true stories must never be ignored.In the book, Palmer walks through a series of stories about nobody people who taught him good stuff about following Jesus without stumbling into dead, dull religion.
I get it. His is a conversation borne along by painfully personal experience; we must listen to what he says because we know Palmer isn't talking at anyone louder than he is talking at himself.
We poor, dumb, seminary trained pastors just don't get it. I kept looking for some sort of anesthetic along the way, but Palmer offers very little.
From one nobody to another, I truly cherish your efforts. It is neither Christian nor pastoral.
These are the very beasts making my life difficult.
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