Welcome, friends, to our first-ever Summer Read-Along! This post is gonna be short, sweet, to the point, and all that jazz (click here for the reasons I chose this book). There’s no reading due today–we’re just popping in to say howdy to each other. So if you’re just now finding out about this, THERE’S STILL TIME TO JOIN THE FUN!!
(In fact, if you click this link and buy the book rightnow on Amazon, I think I get 13 cents of your purchase. Cha-ching!) EDIT: It’s 41 cents!! FORTY-ONE!!
Speaking of getting rich, a huge thank-you to my husband who spent 9 hours on jury duty today for a whopping TWENTY DOLLARS, then came home and designed this fun little read-along logo for me for a whopping ZERO DOLLARS. You’re a champ, G.
It’s summer, friends. And summer is all about laid-back, carefree, come what may (or so they say). So, in the spirit of our footloose and fancy-free read-along, here’s all I need from you today if you’re planning on/thinking about/probably, maybe joining us for the next few Tuesdays:
1. Your name (as much of it as you’re willing to share).
2. Your place o’ residence (I’m thinking more city/state, less house #).
3. What intrigues you about this book (in 25 words or less–this is going to be SO hard for some of you, so I’ll extend grace in advance to the wordy).
4. Your favorite picnic food.
Oh, and your homework for next week:
*Read the Preface and Introduction. Come back next Tuesday (June 12) ready for some discussion.*
If the assignment seems a bit light to you, there’s a reason. Three actually. 1.) I don’t want to scare away our more commitment-phobic friends. 2.) I know several people still haven’t gotten their book yet, and there’s still time to invite your friends! and 3.) I underlined over half of the entire introduction, so there’s plenty to talk about.
The reading assignments will be much longer in the weeks to come, so feel free to read ahead (if you haven’t already read the whole thing).
The plan for next Tuesday:
1. Stop by at any time during the day (my posts usually go live at 12:01am the night before, if you’re a night owl or a west-coaster), read the post, and comment as you feel led.
2. Stop by as many other times as you’d like to see what people are saying/respond in a KIND, RESPECTFUL manner, even if you vehemently disagree.
3. Write your own post (if you feel like you have way too much to say in a comment) and let us know about it. In the past I’ve done a link-up, and I wasn’t going to do it this time, but if enough people want it, I will.
And that’s it.
So, in the comments section below, just answer the four numbered questions above the three numbered statements above. (Tee hee hee.) Here they are again so there’s no confusion.
1. Name.
2. Location.
3. Why you’re here.
4. Fave picnic food.
See you back here Tuesday for what should prove to be a lively discussion on faith, doubt, God, and monkeys!
1. Tara
2. Troy, Ohio
3. Working on having a relationship with the God of the universe, and not just complete a religious to-do list.
4. Any big messy, sloppy sandwich
1 – Deb T
2 – Living in Northern Virginia for 10 more days, then moving to Washington State.
3 – I’ll be listening to the book this time while I drive and unpack- I read it last fall with a friend from church, but I’m looking forward to hear different perspectives.
4 – Chocolate chip cookies that have been sitting in the sun for a while…
1. Nina
2. Asheville, NC
3. Skeptic–nah, pretty much an atheist now. Tired of thinking I’ll magically start believing if I go through the motions. I’ve quit church (never fit in with that culture). Visited this blog today for the first time in months. I always wanted to read Rachel’s book back when I was going through the motions of Christianity, but I never got around to it. Rachel seems to have some understanding of what I’ve gone through (based on her blog), so maybe she (and this reading group) will help me to see “God” in a new light.
4. Wine and cheese
So glad you’re joining us, Nina. Like really, really glad. And if I haven’t told you before, I love your name.
1. Paula
2. Houston metro area, Texas
3. Love Rachel’s blog and your sense of humor (recognized in just one page!)
4. Hot corn on the cob covered in butter and salt!
(Will be out-of-town next week, but will try to catch up.)
1. I’m Kristin
2. I have lived in Los Angeles for 15 months (but who’s counting) and ….
3. … other than the fact that being out here messes with your head and it’s easy to find a church but SO difficult to find a church HOME, I have been searching to better understand what I believe for myself when it comes to who God is and what living with him daily truly looks like, not just what I’ve been taught growing up in the bubble of Christian sub-culture. (I’m one of the wordy who needs that grace, lol.)
4. I LOVE strawberries!
1. I’m Ruth, been reading your blog for a long time but have never posted on it. My daughter went to Cedarville with your sisiter and told me about you several years ago. Been following and praying for your family for a long time.
2. Warrington, Pa, ( suburb of Philadelphia)
3.I was intrigued by the book’s title and when I read the introduction there seeemed to be so many comparisions to my own life, Grew up as the daughter of a very conservative Baptist pastor in rural New England.
4. Hmm, thats a tough one. I love just about all picnic foods, maybe a little too much since I am dieting for my son’s wedding right now.
Thanks for praying for my family, Ruth. That means so much to me.
1. Kelly
2. Washington, D.C.
3. I read the book about 5 months ago and loved it. Rachel’s story of doubt so deeply mirrored my own and I found myself agreeing with nearly every word. It inspired me to seek and trust God again. Now, I’m taking a step back and thinking about some of the theological claims a little more seriously, and would love some companionship along the way.
4. Strawberries