I LOVED this month’s tour book: Imaginary Jesus, by Matt Mikalatos. I really had no idea what to expect, other than it involved Jesus and was probably pretty funny. And it was. VERY funny! I found myself laughing out loud quite a bit, startling my husband and children.
Paul’s reaction: raised eyebrow.
Veronica’s reaction: laughter, even though she had no idea what I was laughing at.
Jacinta’s reaction: tears. I think I scared her.
But not only was it funny, it also addressed something that I think I’d always realized in the back of mind, but had never seen spelled out before (at least not quite like this). We as humans, and specifically Christians, have the tendency to make Jesus into what is convenient for us. Instead of picking up the cross and following him like He asks us to, we create an “Imaginary” Jesus that approves of the things that are important to us and shares our interests, whatever they may be. So instead of us following Him, in a way we make Him (at least, the Imaginary Him) follow us. Seeing this illustrated in a fun story, or parable if you will, made it very clear to me that I do this quite often in my own life. And I even know some of the Imaginary Jesuses from the book!
More to come over the next two days, but in the meantime, check out Matt’s blog, which is hilarious.
And don’t forget the rest of the tour:
Brandon Barr
Keanan Brand
Grace Bridges
Beckie Burnham
Valerie Comer
R. L. Copple
Amy Cruson
CSFF Blog Tour
Stacey Dale
D. G. D. Davidson
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Andrea Graham
Tori Greene
Becky Jesse
Cris Jesse
Jason Joyner
Julie
Carol Keen
Krystine Kercher
Dawn King
Rebecca LuElla Miller
John W. Otte
Donita K. Paul
Crista Richey
Chawna Schroeder
Rachel Starr Thomson
Steve Trower
Fred Warren
Phyllis Wheeler
Jill Williamson
KM Wilsher
Tori, I'm so pleased that you liked Imaginary Jesus. And please give Jacinta my heartfelt apologies that my book caused you to laugh and scared her!
ReplyDeleteI guess I got to buy the book. It's been a while since I laughed out loud reading a book.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book too. Poor Jacinta! Maybe one day she can return the favor! :) I read this in a matter of a few hours sitting outside, soaking up the sun, watching my children play. They kept looking at me like I was crazy because I was laughing so much! :) Cute blog you have here too!
ReplyDeleteTori, my reaction was almost identical to yours. What a joy to find a book that had such humor and yet made me think. Loved it.
ReplyDeleteBecky