book data
82 ratings,
4.10
average rating, 32 reviews
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published
March 1st 2006
by Bodylife Publications
binding
Paperback, 191 pages
isbn
0964729229
(isbn13: 9780964729223)
description
What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus original disciples still living in the 21st Century? That's Jake's dilemma...more
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avg 4.10
editions: all | this edition
editions: all | this edition
Read in November, 2005
A most amazing book... it exposes what so many find to be disturbing/unfulfilling/empty about going to church, and shows how to BE the Church, in a very engaging story...!
It's also available, free online:
http://www.lifestream.org/pdf/HeLovesMe....
(scroll down to Table of Contents, and read each chapter)
There's also a pamphlet that the author wrote, that got me thinking:
http://www.lifestream.org/LSBL.May01.htm...
It's also available, free online:
http://www.lifestream.org/pdf/HeLovesMe....
(scroll down to Table of Contents, and read each chapter)
There's also a pamphlet that the author wrote, that got me thinking:
http://www.lifestream.org/LSBL.May01.htm...
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Read in March, 2009
Liking this rec from Nate. I'm in Chapter 4 or 5 right now (tough to keep track on an audiobook) Definitely a great source for some ongoing conversation, thought, and ongoing discussion about the often power-hungry, spiritual guilt wielding "institution" of the church vs. the purpose that God intended. So far I've really liked and been encouraged by the emphasis the author is placing on a thriving, authentic, organic love relationship w/ Jesus that also results in community. It's so ea...more
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Challenges the reader to think about the way we practice religion. Are we just following tradition, and missing out on what God has in mind for us? Or, are we developing a relationship with the Father and letting him guide our actions? Told in the form of a novel, it has propelled me in a new direction in my spiritual journey.
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Read in January, 2009
OK, so you don't want to go to church anymore, don't expect this book to replace several thousand years of church teaching and make you guilt free. This is a book written by two former pastors who were upset with the "institutionalization" of the modern church, and they have a point. Problem is they use the vehicle of a disgrunteled pastor and the mysterious Apostle John, 2000 years after his most likely death to make thier point.
I would love to discuss the points made abou...more
I would love to discuss the points made abou...more
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Read in January, 2008
Wonderful message about making sure you don't place God inside of a box...we often think that God only meets us in one place, church, and only on Sunday's...we get caught up in religiousity and become legalistic in our churches...God isn't like that...He's simple and has a simple message...we make things WAY to complicated...he called us to love one another, encourage one another and to be passionate about the one who gave us life...we need to be different and set apart...we need to be joyful......more
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In my hometown, there is a building, it's steeple pointing proudly to the sky.
Back row and fourth seat down, there is a chair, that through the years became molded to my form.
I grew tired of feeling dead inside, and the guilt thrust upon me.
I wanted love, I wanted life, I wanted Him.
One day I left, closing the doors behind me and discovered a journey like no other.
Four steeples later I'd had enough. My soul was tattered, my heart was broken. My fa...more
Back row and fourth seat down, there is a chair, that through the years became molded to my form.
I grew tired of feeling dead inside, and the guilt thrust upon me.
I wanted love, I wanted life, I wanted Him.
One day I left, closing the doors behind me and discovered a journey like no other.
Four steeples later I'd had enough. My soul was tattered, my heart was broken. My fa...more
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in October, 2008
recommended to Barbara by:
Brian (who else?)recommends it for: anyone wondering if there is more to being a Christian than just going to a building
I have actually read this book twice. The second time was even better. I find that now I go to church for Bible studies because I want to see the people I like best and that's where they tend to be! But I also find that living as a Christian every day is exciting, challenging and so much more fulflling than I thought. I may read this book every 6 months, just because it seems to give me insight each time.
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Read in March, 2009
Ignore the opening mystery of Jesus' disciple living in modern times, which is clumsily introduced and concluded. ignore this, and you have a readable and challenging book about being part of the Church. This is a series of conversations, with a little story added to keep up the interest level. Some will consider this book a dangerous thesis against organised religion, and for an experience of Christianity only on an individual level - separated from churches. And perhaps it is. But perhap...more
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Read in February, 2009
This is such a great book! I think its a great read for every believer. Its such an eye opener on your relationship with our father. Its been such a experience for me to realize that having a relationship with my lord is the first priority and how it is so freeing to know he loves me and he wants to have a relationship with me. A lot of us go throught the motions of being "believers because of what we do for the church and how we commit to church but we are sometimes left feeling so empty ...more
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organic spirituality.....answers the question..."why is institutional religion so dry?"
shouldn't it be more simple? :)
shouldn't it be more simple? :)
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Read in May, 2008
recommended to David by:
Amazonrecommends it for: All Christians, and those wanting to understand better what Jesus wants of His people
To my surprise, this turned out to be a novel, albeit an inspirational novel. The lead character, Jake, is taken through a series of steps starting with a position in an "institutional" church, by a man he knows only as John. Jake has no address, phone number, or email for John; John just appears in Jake's life from time to time and takes on a role as counselor and guide.
The counsel John gives makes a lot of sense, but it gives up altogether on the organization of the chu...more
The counsel John gives makes a lot of sense, but it gives up altogether on the organization of the chu...more
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Read in November, 2008
recommends it for:
those who are hurting
Important, challenging, gentle, and relevant. Author gives a glimpse into the thoughts and heart of a disillusioned church-goer who's had it with the masks and games. He does so in a way that honors the Church and doesn't tear it down. A great book for those who prefer depth and relationship to surfacey and easy.
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06/17/09
Stacy
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Read in June, 2009
This is another potentially controversial book depending on your view of church, religion and God. But again, it felt like someone had read my mind and put into words the ideas I had about God and church but had not yet figured out how to eloquently explain on my own. Another excellent read.
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Read in September, 2007
recommends it for:
those who feel obligated to attend church
This book was given to me by my mother. It is written from the perspective of a minister, Jake, who encounters a man named "John". John bounces in and out of Jake's life, causing him no amount of trouble with his advice.
If you go to church because you feel like it pleases God, or it makes you a better person, or it makes your mother happy, you need to read this. If you think the program your church offers will bring people to faith, you need to read this book. If you stay ...more
If you go to church because you feel like it pleases God, or it makes you a better person, or it makes your mother happy, you need to read this. If you think the program your church offers will bring people to faith, you need to read this book. If you stay ...more
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Read in May, 2009
Inspiring. Teachs faith grace and love of God. Love of God is living in His will day by day. Witnessing is to share relationship with God with others in everyday settings.
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Read in February, 2009
I didn't like this book as much as The Shack, but like The Shack, it got me to thinking about religion from a different perspective. Also, like The Shack, I plan to read this book again a little later.
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Read in March, 2009
Not the best writing but the content and the message of this book are absolutely phenomenal. Thought-altering and life changing, in fact.
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Given to me to read by a friend I attend church with.
Written in novel form with interesting beginnings--mysterious stranger who might even be the apostle John appears in the main character's life. However this part of the plot never advances, but just repeats again and again as a vehicle to expound on the problems with the institutional church and commentary on how one might live as a believer outside the church as we know it.
Criticisms are aimed mainly at evangelicals--definitely giv...more
Written in novel form with interesting beginnings--mysterious stranger who might even be the apostle John appears in the main character's life. However this part of the plot never advances, but just repeats again and again as a vehicle to expound on the problems with the institutional church and commentary on how one might live as a believer outside the church as we know it.
Criticisms are aimed mainly at evangelicals--definitely giv...more
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Read in June, 2009
Amazing! One of the best reads on the subject of the individual's relationship with Jesus and how the church as an institution hinders that. Eye-opening.
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Read in October, 2008
A minister in the funks meets a guy named John who reminds him of the apostle John. They discuss faith, church and the spiritual life. Basically this book is a sermon barely disguised as a novel, and it is pure "have faith, not religon" and "the church won't save you". The minister's church is the basic American Protestant church and "John" points out that all its strenghts are weaknesses. However, John doesn't lead him to the truth that is the Eucharist, but ra...more
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