Under the Overpass by Mike Yankoski

Mike and Sam, two young men, take a break from comfort and familiarity of upper-middle class collegiate life to live lives on the streets of big American cities. Why? Conviction from God, the state of the American Church and how we don't care for the unwanted like we should, and to grow in the Lord by giving up what they know to depend on Him. I would like to warn you that you should not read this book if your desire is to simply read a book about like on the streets.

Mike and Sam start out in rescue missions in Denver, CO as a transition to street life. They quickly learn the magnitude of their decision, but they do not give up. Instead they trust God all the way (for five months) for provision. They did not do this for show or attention. Rather, their desire was to know God deeper. This played itself out on the hard streets of America.

I had a hard time both putting the book down and reading it. It was such an interesting mix of emotions and reactions. They had me crying and laughing all at once. They raised questions in me that I knew I had to tackle, and that's why I wouldn't recommend this to a casual reader. Honestly, the purpose of the book would be wasted on you.

Topics that aren't covered in the book, are covered on their website or in the Q&A at the end of the book.  Mike wrapped things up and answered questions I had while I was reading.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who wants their sense of comfort, of faith, of life challenged. I wouldn't recommend this book if you aren't willing to consider stepping outside of comfort (not necessarily choosing homelessness) and putting your faith into action. In fact, Mike states that doing what he and Sam did isn't the best way to reach and help those who are unwanted. It's asking yourself  what you would do for God in your everyday life if you weren't concerned about what you were going to wear, what you were going to eat, or where you were going to sleep.

Yes. Read this book and be challenged. Be changed. Grow in God and see the unwanted as images of the Almighty King.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

 

Bonhoeffer: A Review

I think the quote that hit me in gut the most was:

[Just before the execution] "I saw Pastor Bonhoeffer kneeling on the floor, praying fervently to God...so certain that God heard his prayer...I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God."

This book reads like you’re talking to a friend. It seems nothing is left is out, and you close the pages of this book a good friend of Bonhoeffer. You see letters, interviews with friends and family, pulling from previous biographies and Bonhoeffer’s works.

I would not recommend this book to a person looking for the feel good story of the year. It does not offer a picture of what Westernized Christianity offers (cheap grace). Bonhoeffer lived a live of costly grace, and he suffered well until his very last breath.

Hard questions are asked with answers we may only get answered in heaven. Bonhoeffer stood for Truth and paid the ultimate price. He was not about to live a life of legalist rules, but a life of humility and devout worship of Christ that lead him to (one of those hard questions) a plot to assassinate Hitler. To pull from a follower reviewer:

“How Christianity and assassination plots can be reconciled is hard for many to fathom--especially those who have lived only in peace and safety. We must consider Bonhoeffer in the context of his life, his country, and the war that he had no choice but to be a part of. Ethics, once so clear, become unclear. Do we lie to the Nazis, or do we give them information that leads to the deaths of innocents? Do we obey our nation's laws, or do we defy them by leading Jews into safety? Do we fight in Hitler's army, or do we refuse, knowing that we will be beheaded and leave our family destitute? These are some of the questions Bonhoeffer faced.” (John A. Bird)

Metaxas artfully places us in cahoots with Bonhoeffer as we learn to sympathize with his cause and feel the rush of his illegal studies and the joys experienced with his close-knit family. We see a human so broken yet he doesn’t let that brokenness undo him when it comes to Christ.

Metaxas's "Bonhoeffer" is one of the best books I’ve read. Trust me on this one; you won’t regret reading it. We see true Gospel living amidst a seemingly hopeless world. Through Metaxas, Bonhoeffer’s life gives us hope of a better world one day. Nothing is sugar coated; can certainly see ourselves in the life of Bonhoeffer. Or at least we can hope for just an ounce of the courage he had. In the end, you’ll close the book with a renewed sense of what it means to be a Christian. Aside from the Bible, I hope this book wrecks your world view and changes more than just your life.

More on the author: http://www.ericmetaxas.com/

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”