Book Review Friday!

Good morning, everyone! Today I am proud to present Christian Endeavor - Mid Atlantic's FIRST EVER book review! Today's feature is Matthew Paul Turner's newest (&in my opinion, his most profoundly beautiful) release, Churched. I am so pleased to be able to not only review this hilarious tale, but also to suggest that you GET UP and get your own copy- it's that good, my friends.

As I read this book (ahem... devoured it in less than two days is more like it!), it not only reinforced my beliefs (and doubts) as a Christian, but by reading this, I feel less alone in 'growing up Christian.' While I did NOT grow up Baptist, I was (and still am) part of a similarly fundamental church. At times, in my younger years, it has been hard to eloquently express my exact feelings on Christianity, as it's been all but handed to me. Forming your own opinions outside of the church can be hard, and many of us choose to leave the church for some time, as we spread our wings & rebel. I did that for awhile, and upon realizing I couldn't do it anymore, found myself again on the fringe of church, religion, and faith. Finding where I stood, and the continual search for meaning within religion, culture, and where Jesus wants me to be, can be an all-consuming life. But taken in increments every day, it is the breath of life that keeps me going- I'm a learner, and I enjoy these new things, no matter how hard the struggle may be @ times.

This book was absolutely hilarious. Structured into a series of vignettes, Turner is able to give brief glimpses, snapshots even, into his life and what he has been taught. Many of us will be able to laugh with knowledge at the almost extreme ways young people were taught about Jesus, heaven, hell, and salvation- a la burning Barbies.

My favorite part of Matthew's book was the end. There is nothing preachy about Matthew's writing style--no 'prayer' at the end to pray, no epiphany--and yet his final sentence just solidifies why Matthew is an excellent writer. He leaves questions, thoughts, and time for the reader to ponder exactly what is happening, and form their own conclusion. I like that about him- he clearly has learned from his 'turn or burn' younger years, and chooses to create stylistic rhetoric for engaged reading.

If you are looking for a book--whether you are 15 or 50--I highly recommend this book. You will laugh, heck you might cry, and you definitely will be touched. I know I was.

Make sure you take some time to check out Matthew's blog, and of course, hop on over to Amazon and order your copy now.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!