True Religion: Taking Pieces of Heaven to Places of Hell on Earth
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780781403436 |
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| Publisher: | David C Cook |
| Publication date: | 06/01/2010 |
| Pages: | 208 |
| Product dimensions: | 8.30(w) x 5.68(h) x 0.55(d) |
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True Religion: Taking Pieces of Heaven to Places of Hell on Earth
4.4 out of 5
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7 reviews.
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From the Publisher
A rising voice in the missional movement, Palmer Chinchen challenges Christians to a new kind of spiritual formation-one focused on pouring out our lives for others and radical dependence upon God. When we get out of our comfort zone, our souls are awakened- everything seems more alive and vibrant. So why don't we live our faith that way? Why is it that our faith can easily become an old, tired routine instead of an exhilarating, God-honoring lifestyle? Discover why true religion involves engaging the problems in our world as we go with the good news of the gospel. And in the process of pouring ourselves out for others, we'll see God radically transform our own hearts as well.
Dr Chinchen is the Pastor of The Grove in Arizona. He writes about hell on earth and how, as Christians, we are supposed to bring heaven to those areas.
The book is divided into 5 parts (Expatriate, Conflict Diamonds, Do Work, Desire and Embrace) with 2 chapters in each part. And each chapter is full of personal stories from around the world, mainly Africa, and some parts of America where injustice is occurring.
A group of people travel on missions trips to Cuba, Africa and other parts of the world to share "pieces of heaven". The stories are meant to upset you and cause you to have compassion. This word, Chinchen shares, is meant to be action not just words or pitiful feelings.
Thanks to The B&B Media Group for sending me this book to review.
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I have never read a book besides the Bible that would so profoundly and completely change my life more than the book, True Religion, Taking Pieces of Heaven to Places of Hell on Earth by Palmer Chinchen, PHD who is also the pastor of The Grove in Chandler, Arizona.
To define the meaning of the book in 200 pages is difficult to do but I think it truly speaks to each and every single one of us that know that our lives are meant to include something more meaningful than simply existing day to day.
Here's an excerpt from the book and this is just a couple pages worth, the whole book is dedicated to stories like this one:
Let me tell what this world would be like to share God's shalom and make the world just a bit more like heaven.
Shalom means men would stop their cars when they see a guy pushing his car uphill.
Shalom means babies in Africa would sleep under mosquito nets.
Shalom means mothers in Haiti would make cookies for their children with flour instead of mud.
Shalom means husbands would never hit their wives.
Shalom means women in Ethiopia would no longer be sold for sex.
Shalom means women and children would never be chained to trees.
Shalom means girls would never be raped.
and Shalom means junior highers would never again sit alone at lunch.
God does have a better way, a more beautiful way. And He uses people like you and me to spread shalom.
So go and live that way.
Tell fathers to love their sons.
Tell people to love each other regardless of race and ethnicity.
Tell families who are financially desperate that God has a way out.
Tell husbands and wives who feel like giving up on each other that God can put love back together.
He has a better way.
He has a more beautiful way.
A way that begins with you...
Begin by taking pieces of heaven to places of hell on earth. - Shalom! (pg 196-199).
I received this book compliments of B & B Media Group for my honest review and if you really want to change lives, start by reading this book and see if you aren't inspired to begin somewhere. I would easily rate this book a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
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The timing of Dr. Palmer Chinchen's book that speaks of "bringing pieces of Heaven to places of Hell on earth" is perfect. As I look around everywhere, I am inundated with this perception of self-worth.
Practically everything I see is attempting to make life all about me. From consumer products that begin with "i", to labeling so many things as "personal" like trainers, computers, and ring tones. Our society says it's all about me. Really? I was raised by a single mom who struggled to raise me by herself. I realized as a 27 year old adult I didn't want to be alone. I married a beautiful, God-fearing woman, whom I love very much, and we adopted 2 handsome boys. In Palmer's book he writes, "life is never more complete than when you do it in a relationship". We're not meant to be alone. He goes on to say, "People are life's greatest investments." Isn't that true? I've witnessed the atrocities in this world both near and far, people who are broken, alone and unloved. I have seen the good that comes from reaching out, caring, and putting others' needs before my own. This world can be a better place when I make it less about me and more about those who are hurting. This book, "True Religion", brings that to life with real stories and conviction that says to me, "GO! Leave your mark!"
My Name is: Stephen, Daddy, and Son.
I am: The leader of my family and I am 42 years old.
My dream is to: Bring pieces of Heaven to places of Hell on earth, and to leave my mark for Jesus Christ on this world.
This could be the best book you've read all year. It could also change your life by opening your eyes and your heart. S.H.
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This is a book I literally couldn't put down. The stories are encouraging inspiring and convicting. I find myself wanting to do something. big for God and after reading True Religion I feel more equipped to do it. You will find yourself thinking a lot about what you can do and where you can go by stepping out in faith and I encourage you to do it! I dare you to go get your passport once you are done reading.
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This is a totally mixed review. I was really excited to read this book because of the focus on missions and the importance of missions as part of spiritual growth. The book is well-written - I felt like the author probably writes like he speaks. It was very easy to read. The book is also filled with inspirational tales of the author's missions experiences overseas. The stories express a passion for spreading the gospel and encourage readers to put what they're reading into practice.
However, I had some strong theological misgivings throughout the book. First, the author continually encourages readers to become an "expatriate." Chinchen uses "expatriate" to "describe an extraordinary life, a life of adventure, a life of uncertainty, a life of exhilaration, a life worth living" (p. 51). The Bible's focus on missions is not about a big adventure but rather about spreading the glory of God.
Additionally, each chapter concludes with a suggestion on how to live more like an ex-pat. Some of the suggestions were to rent movies with sub-titles, eat at ethnic restaurants, and studying another language. And these suggestions on how to live like an "ex-pat" are really just suggestions on how to add a little culture to your life. I wish he would have suggested things like read magazines and blogs centered around persecution of Christians, praying for unreached peoples around the world, writing encouraging letters/emails to missionaries, sacrificing financial resources, actually going to another context, etc.
Another chapter focused on the idea that we as Christians are supposed to take pieces of heaven into places of hell. I completely agreed with his supposition that hell-like places/events include genocide, rape, starving children, etc. I strongly disagreed with his thoughts that "pieces of heaven" included things like a Krispy Kreme donut. I realize that we all talk about how great heaven is going to be and how beautiful it's going to be with the streets of gold and the giant mansions, but heaven's going to be great because of GOD. Certainly not because we had a Krispy Kreme donut here on earth and that gave me a small taste of what heaven is going to be like. I pray that when I am in heaven I am so focused on worshiping the creator and savior of the universe that I don't ever want another thing besides HIM.
There was just a real disconnect for me with the examples that the author gave and the thoughts he expressed around them. I would have preferred to see a book more focused on God rather than on our opportunity to have a great adventure doing missions.
Before the theological issues, I would probably give this book a 4 star review. However, with all the theological differences, I would have to give it a 2 star review.
I received this book for free from The B&B Media Group in exchange for my fair and honest review.
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