Monday, August 25, 2008

7/7 Day Seven: Dave Schmelzer's NOT THE RELIGIOUS TYPE

I saved a fun book for last in our Seven Books in Seven Days giveaway. It's by a genuine friend of mine (as opposed to an author I stalked and/or offered my teeth to meet), and it's the very first book I ever "blurbed" as an author myself, which was (as you can probably imagine) both terrifying and thrilling.

If you've read my memoir, you'll remember Dave. He's the exceedingly tall pastor who took the stage the day I wandered into his church. I sat towards the back, scanning the room for cute guys, ready to bolt the minute anyone said anything judgmental or horrifying. But instead, Dave suggested an oddly hopeful approach to God and faith and life, as if he honestly believed we're created to experience things beyond what we might even think to ask for. For obvious reasons, I was captivated. If you've ever read Anne Lamott and wondered where one might find the open-armed, low-pressure/low-rhetoric, Jesus-ey brand of spirituality she describes, NOT THE RELIGIOUS TYPE is a great place to start.

What I love about this book is that Dave does a great job of combining his unique story with wise and thoughtful musings on various topics. I think he's the only pastor out there celebrating the vital contribution of the New Atheists to American society, or admitting in a chapter title that he wants lots and lots of sex. As the jacket copy says, "Dave suggests a new, unexpected way of seeing the world and our place in it." I've know Dave and his wife long enough to know that this isn't just some show he's putting on--it's the real deal. If you're a spiritual seeker, this will be a fun addition to your collection.

(Plus, my blurb on the back will make it worth millions someday!)

If you'd like to win, leave a comment....tell us something you love and appreciate about one of your friends.

Happy Monday :)

9 comments:

hckygrl said...

Oh,Trish, please tell me you will also be writing a note inside of the cover?

I bought multiple copies of this book for friends and family. My mom, Lee, LOVED this book!

I would treasure an autographed copy!

Grits said...

I love and appreciate my friend Kelly's never fading optomistic attitude. No matter what is going on she is always able to make the best of any situation and offer and cheerful chat at the end of the day.
(Pick me, pick me!) :-)

Chesh said...

I love my sister's (she's one of my best friends) love for books because most of my other friends don't. We love to read and share what we have read with each other.

Melanie said...

I love that I have good friends who still love me even when I don't make the wisest decisions. And they remind me that there is grace, it never went away or ran out. I probably just ignored it. This book sounds great, by the way.

Krissy said...

I, too, have already bought multiple copies of this book so don't put me in the drawing, but I highly recommend it!

Kristen said...

I saw this at B&N a few weeks ago and almost bought it, so please include me in the drawing! I'm hoping I can share it with my husband, too.

Something I love about one of my friends ... Alicia's genuine caring and interest in everyone's else lives. She is so great at making people feel at ease and special and she remembers everything you tell her. She is mom, sister, and best friend to almost everyone she meets. I'm blessed and lucky to have met her 18 years ago!

Katie said...

I'm in on this one too...

I love that I can go years without seeing friends face-to-face and when we get the rare opportunity to see each other, it's like we've never been apart!

Patti said...

i'm gonna put my blogger friends into one basket and say that i love them all because of how they have embraced a goober such as myself. they offer writery advice and give me kicks in the pants when needed.

i love them all (you as well).

LEstes65 said...

Oh man, I second everything you said about Dave. I did the same - walked into that church ready to bolt the minute someone pissed me off. And even YOUR testimony that same day didn't chase me off (haha). I can't wait to read Dave's book. He really is my favorite speaker. So I imagine his book will be just as good.

I don't need to win because I intend to buy this book anyway.

But something I love and appreciate about you is how you never balked at me or my attempts to shock or "be cool" or whatever I did in Alpha or small group to hide my fear or insecurity. And how you totally loved me and stood in the gap for me during my hell year of 2007. God gave me a very very special gift when he pranced you up to that podeum back in Feb 2005. Thanks God. She rocks.