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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.
I have recommended the book to several other people and they have all liked it. I read this book in two sittings. It was funny with a terrific, life-changing message.
Palmer also explains that in order to have the compassion and character of Jesus, we must practice his ways on a DAILY basis, not just in church or depending on what mood we're in when we want to be "nice" for the moment. Mr. This book greatly helps ("helps" is an understatement) in teaching the important lessons of God's Word with regards to institutionalized Christianity (church); along Mr. Palmer's life journey, in each of his encounters with different children of God (who by the way all believe in Jesus as the son of God but they do not go to church), in each of his experiences he learned that church is NOT the only place to receive the full presence of Jesus.
I'd recommend reading this book (his first, written in '06) and then read his second ("Wide Open Spaces" that came out in '07). If you are a seeker, you truly will resonate with Jim's spiritual growth and his "living in the questions". Repeatedly (and necessarily so), he writes "He is what you've been looking for." Not a religion, not a belief system, not a set of do's and don'ts, not 4 walls and row after row of pews.
Almost 40 reviews w/ 5 stars (as of the writing of this review).that says it all. Then I received "Wide Open Spaces", his second book. Wow.
Again, excellent. To read more from him, check out his website and blog at www.divinenobodies.com. Jim Palmer has nailed what you are spiritually seeking on the head: "shedding religion (belief systems/doctrines) to find God (in relationship)".
I got this book at the library (it sort of jumped off the shelf at me).and I was taking so many notes on it, I gave up and went to my Christian bookstore and bought it.
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