aaron conrad (dot) com

If you’ve been around this blog any time at all, you probably know a few things about me. First, I review a lot of books. Second, I have given more than a few of them 4 or 5 out of 5′s. Lastly, “Quiet Strength” by Tony Dungy has spent an unbelievable amount of time at the top of my favorite all-time books. As a matter of fact, I think it’s undefeated. A lot of books have run past my eyes but Coach Dungy remained strong with very little challenge. Until this week…

Mr. Dungy…you are now number two. I would like to congratulate and celebrate the new number one slot on my list, Mr. Bob Goff and the book “Love Does”. I don’t have any shiny awards and I’m pretty sure the New York Times Best Seller list is a tad more exciting, but hey, it’s my list and I’m proud to make this announcement. Really, I just want you all to know how strongly I feel about the book I just read the last words in.

Best. Book. Ever.

I’ve told my wife on a few occasions that if I never woke up in the morning, I have lived a crazy full life. When I say that, I mean it. I’m not talking about college educations or jobs held. I’m talking crazy “luck” (if you want to call it that) and insane journeys. I have trouble making a bucket list because there have been remarkable opportunities that have already happened. It’s what Carlos Whitaker (name dropping) and I discussed once.  I don’t say this to brag, I say this because I connect with “Love Does” on this and so many other levels. Bob Goff has LIVED. I mean REALLY LIVED. “Love Does” will show you just how much.

From the opening chapters, I was laughing so hard I literally cried. If there was ever a book I connected with from the opening words, it is “Love Does”. Each chapter reads like a mini-sermon, but Bob’s not preaching. He’s telling stories about a life lived and how it intertwines with his faith in Jesus. It’s lessons he’s learned while being willing to try what others would say is impossible. By living a “why not” life, he experiences a faith and a love of Jesus that many of us may never experience. There are far more underlined words in my copy of this book than there are not. I will refer to it over and over again.

Let me leave you with three things. First, what other author would drop his cell phone number on the last page of a book for ANYONE that would like to give him a call (I’m SOOOOOO tempted)? Second is what might be one of my favorite quotes from the book:

I used to want to fix people, but now I just want to be with them

I love that quote on so, so many levels. Last, is another quote, but I believe it’s a charge to us all. You’ll need to read the book to understand the context, but he simply said:

Be Awesome

That’s it. No big religious theories or tied up manuals. Follow Jesus and when you live this life to the fullest, “Be Awesome”.

Bob, I think you are doing just that. Thanks for writing your story. Thanks for sharing your heart. Thanks for “Love Does”. Thanks for “Being Awesome”.

No disclaimers needed on this one. I didn’t review it for any group. I read it on my own and it. was. awesome.

I always find it rather amazing how these things happen. Yesterday morning at Rock City Church we had the privilege of having Lee Powell from Cedar Creek Church as a guest speaker. He continued our series on “I AM” which discovers the bold statements that Jesus made. Lee spoke specifically about various religions views and some of the theories which exist. He also spoke to the tension between science and scripture. All very interesting. All worth wrestling with.

Last night we sat down to preview the new DVD movie from Dove Foundation called “The Genesis Code”. Little did we know this film would pick up where Lee left off earlier in the morning. This was our first opportunity to review the DVD and it fit perfectly into the theme of the day. Based in a college setting, “The Genesis Code” is a film that speaks to this tension of Genesis and science. With acting that is believable and a relatively good story line, “The Genesis Code” does a good job of bringing the two together.

Continue Reading…

Well now, that was certainly interesting. I received the book “My Imaginary Jesus” by Matt Mikalatos a couple of months ago and due to a packed schedule, I just now got to it. I had no idea when I received it what I was actually getting. You see I don’t usually read a lot of fiction books. It’s just not something I find all that interesting. I’d rather watch the movie. When it comes to books, I would much rather read something non-fiction. It makes me feel smarter or something.

As I read the first chapter and then the second and third, I kept waiting for the analogies to be over and the educational part of the book to begin. It never happened. Maybe if I would have paid more attention to the outside of the book, I would have realized that this is a fictional book wrapped in a parable of sorts. My Imaginary Jesus is a very humorous modern day story about a guy (Matt) literally chasing after the guy he thought was Jesus in his life. Matt is joined by the Apostle Peter too. It is quirky, funny and yet creates a natural pause to think about what you’ve created as Jesus in your life.

Matt Mikalatos has a gift of story telling. As I said, I’m not a fiction reader, but I was pulled into this story due to the fast paced, comedic writing. In many ways, Matt writes like I think. So for guys, it’s an entertaining read. Think Donald Miller and CS Lewis with, as the cover says, “Monty Python” as well. While I enjoyed the book, it is not really my style. If you’re a fiction reader you will really enjoy it. If you are just looking for a book that is both entertaining and challenging, it will also fit the bill. Here’s the official trailer for the book:

“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”