I expected a fun frolic of a book that somehow tied into Jesus, and was very pleasantly surprised to find that the book has some serious theological teeth.

The “not-quite true” story starts out in exactly the kind of yuppie Portland, Oregon café I could imagine. As Matt and Jesus hang out with their iPods, a man claiming to be the Apostle Peter comes in and punches Jesus in the face. After a chair-breaking romp, Jesus flees, and Peter explains, “…that was an imaginary Jesus, my friend.” What follows is a fantastical adventure in and out of time with a talking donkey, a motorcycle-riding angel, and countless imaginary Jesuses. My personal favorite was Political Jesus, promising a moral utopia through political activism if we’d just follow him.

What surprised me was the depth of Matt’s message and how much it pertained to my life. Imaginary Jesus opened my eyes to a whole new realm of thinking, in the same way that The Screwtape Letters did the first time I read it. With the introduction of each new imaginary Jesus, I laughed heartily, but began to see some of the fake Jesuses that I’ve created for myself at times. Meticulous Jesus struck a little close to home for me.

With this tongue-in-cheek writing style, it would be easy to cross the line into sacrilegious, but it doesn’t. The humor surrounding our false versions of Jesus stays in its lane and only serves to contrast with the real Jesus. When we finally get to him, the reality of the real Jesus is so powerful and deep, it knocks you off your feet. It was like meeting Jesus for the first time all over again.

I loved the flow of this book. It was complex and thought-provoking, but in short, stream-lined chapters. I read most of it in one day, but mostly because I couldn’t put it down. With the right variables, this would be the best Jesus movie ever.

I can’t wait for Matt’s next book: The Night of the Living Dead Christians. Seriously, who could wait for a title like that?

WHAT GOOD IS GOD? follows in the steps of several of Mr. Yancey’s previous offerings and poses a question that concerns the practical value of belief in God: Does faith really matter? This simple question, though the answer isn’t an easy find, takes the author to some of the most fascinating places one individual could go: from the massacre at Virginia Tech to the terror that encircled the streets of Mumbai; from the underground faith in China to the church at risk in the Middle East; from a conference full of professional sex workers to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Chicago.

I particularly enjoyed the format of the book. The author pulled off the extraordinary task of drawing the reader into ten earlier (and amazingly unique) experiences and propelled them from his past and into our present. He draws us in to the places he visited – as if we are standing directly in the midst of the chaos erupting in Mumbai, India in 2008 or experiencing firsthand the tragedy and the pain that embodied those involved in the massacre at Virginia Tech in 2007 – and gives us, the reader, a chance to hear exactly what he said to the people he met during these difficult times.

I believe you will, as I did, walk away with a clearer understanding of how faith in action works and how grace, when displayed on large and small scales alike, can be presented beautifully, as Mr. Yancey puts it, even in the hands of God’s people. He closes the last section of this book with this exhortation: We who follow Jesus are called to be dispensers of God’s grace, setting loose this powerful force on a weary, violent planet. May the church be known as a place where grace flows on tap: to sinners, to rich and poor alike, to those who need more light, to outcasts, to those who disagree, to oppressed and oppressors both.

WHAT GOOD IS GOD? is a beautiful exploration of one man’s journey to show a lost and dying world that faith really does work, especially when it’s tested to the extreme.

Review by @VinThomas

Marketing guru Seth Godin has done it again. In his newest book Linchpin, Godin discusses the art of becoming indispensable. This book is a call to step out of a robot mentality and start injecting creative personality into the workplace. Being in the midst of a job transition, this book has come at a good time. It has encouraged me to take creative risks and given me a fresh sense of value as I try to learn the ropes at a new company. I’d recommend this book to anyone who’s looking to grow professionally, take risks, and find personal value in the workplace.

NINE DRAGONS by Michael Connelly

Review by @Vonster

Michael Connelly is a former crime beat reporter from the Los Angeles Times who’s been writing a very compelling detective book series for well over a decade now. The main character of these novels is an LAPD Homicide Detective named Harry Bosch (Hieronymus Bosch). The latest work of fiction is “9 Dragons” an emotional story about the murder of a South L.A. shop owner that leads to the kidnapping of his own daughter by the Hong Kong triad. Even though this is book 15 in the series it stands on it’s own and will captivate you from page one. But if you’d prefer reading them in chronological order, you’ll want to pick up a copy of “The Black Echo” circa 1992. Like myself you’ll end up admiring this character and the way Connelly paints a visual picture for his readers. The stories are authentic, textured with real-world personalities, and brutally honest in it’s approach to crime fighting. But you’re easily offended this might not be the book series for you.

O ME OF LITTLE FAITH by Jason Boyett

Review by @BoLane

Author Jason Boyett brings to surface an area in many Christians lives that is often filled with shame and regret: doubt. It’s a book that focuses on the authors own experience, asking difficult questions and, often, not having any answers. It’s a book that offers hope and support for the struggling believer and will inspire you to push on, asking more questions and learning to live without all the answer. It’s a great little read that will give your summer some much needed freedom.

STRENGTHS FINDER 2.0 by Tom Rath

Review by @ScottFromSalem

StrengthsFinder 2.0 is a book by Tom Rath. As an updated version from Strengths Finder, Rath partnered with Gallup to further the strengths-based research. Operating through your strengths is a way that we can maximize our potential. So often we’ve been told to better our areas of weakness. Instead, the strengths philosophy says to increase our areas of strength. Since taking the Strengths Finder test again after 5 years, I renewed my interest in developing my strengths. This allows me to pursue developing the natural talents that God has given me. Strengths isn’t about learning who you are, it’s about confirming who you are. Then you can learn how to make yourself better through this awareness. If you’re in a time of transition or feeling like you’d like to learn more about how you can be a better you, Strengths Finder 2.0 is for you.

STUFF CHRISTIANS LIKE by Jon Acuff

Review by @KristerDunn

Dad was a pastor. I know stuff about Christians. Lots of stuff. We are just like any other people group out there. Scratch the surface and you’ll see the good, the bad, and the ugly. Maybe even Clint Eastwood. You never know. But dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover the ridiculous, ludicrous, and convoluted. Jon Acuff has found a way to bring to life an ever growing cast of characters pulled directly out of every idiosyncrasy and double standard that can be found within Christianity. It’s like people watching on crack…or caffeine. Christians probably prefer a caffeine reference as it is clearly a better analogy. If you’ve ever done any time in a church you’ll connect right away. Satire, flat out comedy, good old fashioned knee slappers…it’s all in there. But it’s this next part that to me, is the pure genius: there is no anger present. Acuff doesn’t rant. There is no meanness. Slapping people around, taking people out at the knees, shaming people for knowing who Lady Gaga is…these are easy. Pointing out the odd stuff we do in the name of faith and having a laugh…that takes tact, heart and soul, and it’s just plain fun! But then there’s more. There are those times when I pause in the laughter and realize that there are attitudes I need to examine a little further; there are behaviours I need to address. There are those times that I realize Acuff just spoke to me on a deeper level (whether he meant to or not) and if I hadn’t been laughing so hard, I would have never let anyone take me there. Jack Bauer, Chuck Norris, and Jon Acuff walk into a bar… I’m pretty sure Christians like all three of those dudes. As for walking into the bar…is this the right time to insert a Braveheart reference to FREEE-DOOOOOM!?? Buy the book. Read the book. You’re welcome.

ALSO, make sure to check out our interview with Jon Acuff here.

RETHINK MONTHLY: Jonathan, we like Stuff Christians Like. In fact, we love what you’re doing. You seem to understand Christianese so much that often we wonder if you were born and raised in a closet in the back of a old Baptist church. So, we’re dying to know … were you?

JON ACUFF: Good question. My dad actually started a Southern Baptist Church in New England when I was a child. Watching him take the gospel to an area that hadn’t experienced much of the Southern Baptist approach really helped set the foundation for what I write about.

RM: OK, so maybe you weren’t actually conceived in a closet in the back of a old Baptist church but you do get church culture – this is evident by the response you’ve received with your Stuff Christians Like blog. Now that you’ve written a book with the same name, how has the response been? Tomatoes or roses?

JA: I would say that the response has been 98% positive but like most writers, I take the 2% most seriously. People have been amazingly kind but I get wrapped up in the negative stuff sometimes and let that weigh too heavy.

RM: What’s been the greatest thing you’ve taken away from Stuff Christians Like, the book and the blog? And what else has come out of this experience?

JA: I think the most important thing is that we raised $60,000 to build two kindergartens in Vietnam. That’s something that regardless of the blog and the book will really make a difference. I feel blessed to have done the book, but I know that having hundreds of kids have a place to go to school will make a big impact.

RM: Great, Jonathan. We’re really looking forward to seeing how the book impacts our culture. One last question – anything goes. What has been one thing, whether it’s God or life or Lady GaGa music, you’ve been rethinking lately?

JA: I’ve been rethinking how I define success. As greater opportunities pop up, which are not really cause I’m cool or talented but more because God does crazy things, I am being forced to rethink what really matters.

About Stuff Christians Like
On a whim, Jon Acuff started a satirical blog called stuffchristianslike.net. Acuff hoped this reaction to the popular site Stuff White People Like would start dialog about how silly it is to slap a God-spin on popular secular ideas.

Since the blog started in March 2008, it has had over 6 million page views with over half a million pages views in November alone. Over one million unique visitors from 210 countries (98 percent of the world) have visited the blog and left over 65,000 comments. Out of 112 million blogs in the world, Stuff Christians Like is ranked in the top .01 percent.

About Jon Acuff
Jon Acuff is the comedic genius behind the hit blog Stuff Christians Like which explores the funny things Christians do – including their love for side hugs, crock pots and metrosexual worship leaders. Now, this pastor’s kid, with a mind for branding, a sarcastic mouth and a heart for God is challenging how we laugh about faith in a new book. Acuff is a copywriter and blogger and lives in Atlanta, with his wife and two daughters.

Enter to Win
To be entered to win Stuff Christians Like, the new book by Jon Acuff, simply post a comment on this page. Make sure to include your email address and you will be entered to win 1 of 4 free books. A drawing will be held next Monday, May 3rd, 2010 and winners will be notified via email. Thanks for participating and good luck!

Winners Announced
The winners of our book giveaway have been announced. They are: Elliot, Vin, Krister, and Joseph. Thanks for all who participated in our contest. Look for more contests to come in the future.

After his bestseller, Donald had written a few books which, in his words, has not sold well. With his recent publications failing, he was back in a place of complacency and stagnation. Receiving a phone call one morning, as he was barely awake, he discovers that there were two movie producers who sought to create a film of Don’s life. Well, the Don in Blue Like Jazz anyway. As they progressed through the screenplay, Don comes to find that his life is boring, that he was not living a good Story.

Upon taking a seminar by Story Guru, Robert McKee, and understanding the principles of Story, Don begins to see the relation of how these principles are applicable to real life. Donald begins to explore each principle and how each one connects to life as if God has a pen and is writing our Story, if we choose to follow it.

An analogy used in the opening of this book sets the stage as Don takes us scene-by-scene through his journey. Don paints us a picture of a movie where a young man’s desire is to own a Volvo. There will be scenes of the boy overcoming conflict as he interacts in his workplace at the local grocery store and at the end of the movie when he drives off the lot trying out the windshield wipers, we will not be in tears or offering a standing ovation. This does not make for a good Story. But, as Don displays in the book, we live this Story. We want this car in our driveway, or this house, or that job, or a membership at the local golf club and we live as if that is our goal in life…our Story.

Don has, once again, captivated the world as he explored the vulnerable and the face-front realities of his life. Don engages with us to seek and begin to live a better Story. From losing weight to hiking a very difficult trail to biking across American to watching a friend pass away, I highly recommend going on this journey with Donald Miller in his new book A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Let us begin to live a better Story.

Freddie Teague is an author and speaker, as well as a book reviewer for Thomas Nelson Publishing. Freddie resides with his wife in Springfield, Mo.