I found the book to be a great resource for introducing someone to blogging, with a pretty good emphasis on WordPress as the blogging platform of choice (which I’m a fan of). Even if you already know about blogging, you may still find this work from Martine useful, as I did, for solidifying my own thoughts and giving me more to talk about with clients as others I may be inclined to “sell” blogging to.

Great work, Michael. If you get a chance head over to his blog about blog consulting, Remarkablogger, and take a look at this great ebook.

Rant is the story of a very peculiar man after he has died. The book’s full title is Rant: An Oral Biography of Buster Casey. The whole thing is written as if it’s a transcribed documentary, edited together in a masterful way. If you’re one who can really envision books as movies while you read them, this one might really get you excited.

Palahniuk has a knack for grossing me out and feeling embarrassed for reading something, and at the same time that I feel as if I’m part of a secret club that only a few know about. All of the characters in this book, not only Rant, are disturbed in their own ways and have little quirks that make them unique and disgusting in their own way.

It’s fabulous.

If you’ve seen Fight Club and liked it, I would highly suggest other of Palahniuk’s writing. This is by no means a significant review of this work, but that’s because I wouldn’t want to take anything away from it by offering too much commentary. It’s great, go read it.

A rant is a widespread and distinctive phenomenon of emotional speech or writing in the form of a series of complaints or attacks, about a topic of interest, many times political in nature. Rarely, rants express great praise, defending an idea or a person from attack.

Oh, and Choke and Invisible Monsters are both slated for hitting theaters in the next couple of years. Oh happy day.

Someone over there is thinking. They’re publishing photos of new released books with notes attached to each book that link back to reserve that book on their website. Awesome.

Another great use of Flickr notes that I can remember seeing was this one featuring a lot of web 2.0 logos and notes linking to the relevant website. Any others you know of?

“So, Ryan, what did you do with the money?”

I’m glad you asked. I bought a couple new books from Rob Bell’s suggested reading list, books that you can probably see in my “currently reading” section over to the right. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith has been a great read so far. For anyone interested in Hewbraic and Jewish tradition and how it has influenced the faith we take part in today, it’s worth checking out.

I haven’t dug into the other book, Jesus and Empire: The Kingdom of God and the New World Disorder. I’ll let you know how each of these books turn out the farther into them I go.

First of all the cover art is beautiful. I adore the way they have presented this work. Zondervan Flannel did a great job, even as far as carrying the look through to the book’s related tour website. I love simple artwork when it comes to communication (one of the missions of my business, as well) and both of Bell’s books have pulled this off so far. I can’t explain exactly how they do it – part of me doesn’t want to know – but every time I pick up this book I am excited. It just feels cool.

Maybe I’m going a little overboard.

I don’t want to give a chapter-by-chapter analysis of Bell’s work. I have a couple reasons – one being that I don’t know that I have the energy (nor creativity) to take on a summary of each chapter. I also don’t think I can do his work justice. Bell did the work. Go buy it and find out. Or read the first chapter for more of a taste.

Seriously, go.

Here’s why.

When Bell says “sexuality” he isn’t using the first definition that comes to your mind. More specifically, he isn’t only using that definition. He uses sexuality in its broader, more complete definition; sexuality is found in our connections with other people. Realizing this, his book is much more about relationships than it is about the act of sexual intercourse. He does cover the act of sex, but he also talks about friendships, agape love, and handling heartache.

Bell discusses how we can appreciate our self-worth through the story of Jacob and Esau. He also examines the ancient Jewish understanding of heaven and hell. He looks into difficult Old Testament stories like the one of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel. He takes many fresh looks into the Genesis account, particularly involving the role of the woman. He explores the love and adventure of love through the Song of Songs. In a refreshing move he explains the idea of “mutual submission” in marriage. Bell draws connections between the marriage of a man and woman in the Jewish culture and God brining His people out of Egypt in the Exodus (this was one of my favorite parts). In light of this he presents a particular view on the Ten Commandments.

Excited yet?

These are some of the bullet-point-esque tabs I have sticking out of my copy of the book right now. While I read Sex God I kept sticky-notes nearby to stick onto the front of sections that I wanted to be able to easily find later.

Bell does a wonderful job of interweaving personal stories and scriptural teaching. His use of the Greek and Hebrew languages in his explanation give a particularly unique insight and can make me look at a story I’ve heard a thousand times as if it is the first time I’ve heard it. I love that.

Sex God has rejuvenated me. Bell speaks very inspirational words. He also, as usual, challenged me. He dropped in pieces of knowledge here and there that give me more of an appreciation for historical education. I want it. I see its value. It drives me to tear through his suggested reading list and absorb everything I can about Jewish culture and scriptural interpretation.

Sex God was a great read. If you have similar interests as I do – or similar desires – read this book. If nothing else Bell’s method of incorporating ancient cultures into his interpretation of scripture will give you something to aspire to. If you desire to see the Church (global) of God mature and find itself in this new culture – by reaching back to its roots – then read this book.

I hope Bell helps to show you how YHWH is your Sex God.

Resources

Read the first chapter of Sex God.

Some other reviews of Sex God:

• http://www.somareview.com/hippuritansex.cfm
• http://believingthomas.wordpress.com/2007/02/01/god-wears-lipstick/
• http://lambonica.typepad.com/soul_renovatus/2007/02/sex_god.html
• http://anonymousjohn.voxtropolis.com/2007/02/13/introduction-to-sex-god/

First off, we showed up at 6:15pm at the University of Michigan. We are very good at arriving on time; of course being on time means being early. After finding out that we truly couldn’t get inside we took a walk over to “Great Wraps” and had – you guessed it – great wraps. Around 6:45pm we started walking back to the building everything was going down in, and there was a stream of people flocking toward the doors. Go figure.

We weren’t too worried. Doors opened at 7pm, Bell wasn’t going to speak until 8pm. We did know, however, that we were going to pick up his book before he spoke, since the signing would be right afterward. Who wants to wait in line for a book when you can be waiting in line to have it signed?

 The Q+A was very interesting. My pictures aren’t online – I’ll update this post when they are(Update: pictures added). However my notes from the Q+A are up – I hope they help in some small way to capture what it was like in that auditorium. The only part that is lacking is the part of my notes that was going to be for the Nooma video. I decided not to take notes on it.

Notes – Q+A from Sex God Tour with Rob Bell in Ann Harbor, Michigan

I think I may have been one of the only ones typing away in there. Kind of funny – everyone asking questions and me clicking away…but those kind of opportunities are once-in-a-lifetime, really. Those kinds of questions may never be asked again, in quite that way or with quite the responses. I know these experiences will have a great impact on me – another reason I take notes.

The questions asked weren’t bad. Every now and then you get a bad nut asking crazy questions that may be frustrating, but we really didn’t have that tonight. It makes me wonder whether Bell draws a more intelligent crowd…or maybe we were just lucky. They were different questions than were asked at the Isn’t She Beautiful? Q+A, but it was still very good.

One of the best questions (due only to the response, really) regarded Bell’s stance on pacifism. Bell responded that he didn’t favor war or pacifism – in fact he said the only reason people choose pacifism is not because they don’t want to do anything, but it is seemingly their only option besides war/fighting. Instead he proposed a third way.

 Bell used a couple of volunteers to demonstrate what exactly is going on when Jesus talks about “turning the other cheek.” But he didn’t go the way that is usually gone with this passage. In those days there were two ways you could hit someone – the first way is to slap, the other way is to hit. Slapping was done with the back of the hand and was done to show that you were above the other person. A master would slap a slave, for example. Hitting, however, was done open handed and signified you were of equal stature with one another.

So, with that context imagine the person being slapped across their right cheek. This would mean the “slapper” was using their right hand. The right hand was the hand used for greeting people, eating, and normal everyday things. The left was used for…well, guess. In this case, by turning the other cheek (literally turning your head to them, offering your other cheek) the “slapper” is no longer able to slap you. Their only option is to hit you.

Get it yet? The idea behind this seems to not be “hit back” or “do nothing” but instead position yourself in such a way that you are an equal with the person attacking you. Don’t just take it – make a move. But make a move in such a way that you give the other person a chance for redemption, as well as one that demands respect.

Sweet, right?

Bell also talked about the overused “if you are asked to carry a pack one mile, go two.” Oftentimes this is used to express the idea of “going the extra mile.” Instead Bell talked about it this way. Roman soldiers could only, by law, require someone to carry their pack for one mile. While they could demand this of anyone anywhere, it was only a mile. So when Jesus tells them to carry it two, imagine the scene that this would cause. Instead of relinquishing your pack after a mile, you continue walking with it. Now you are no longer obeying the soldier’s command; in fact you are offering yourself over and above. But it is just that - you are offering yourself.

I can imagine the soldier at first not taking it seriously, and then becoming worried. If his superiors found out he would be in trouble – it was against the law to demand this much from someone. Can you imagine, then, a Roman soldier pleading with someone to give him back his pack? It’s a beautiful scene. And once again, who is in control? Who has the respect? These things are a far cry from simply “taking it” or otherwise being passive. What Christ suggests is very active indeed.

It makes me feel good to see how much of a smartass Jesus was.

 The Nooma was very well done. It takes a slightly different approach than past Noomas, but I think it’s something his viewers are ready for. Watch for “You” coming in the next few weeks.

One more thing – and this is my little schoolgirl moment. Leaving the auditorium we found we were in exactly the right location to step right into line for our books to be signed by Bell. How perfect! We really were schocked. We must have been the 20th people in line or something.

In any case, walking up we were all getting somewhat excited. Ashley made fun of us. We were talking about what to ask him. After a few seconds, I knew what I wanted to say. Here’s what happened.

“Hi, I’m Ryan.”

“Hello, how are you.” (shaking hands, handing him the book)

(looks at my shirt) “What’s that say?”

(opening my coat) “I got Marx on my shirt.”

(Bell throws his head back and laughs)

At this point the book is signed and someone Bell knows walks up behind him. He stops to hug him. Then he turns his attention back to the line and takes my friend Justin’s book.

(looking back at me, pointing to the shirt) “That’s brilliant.”

(smiling) “We’re from Fort Wayne, and we were just talking about what it might take for you to come down there for your next tour…”

“Actually we are talking about an Indianapolis stop, but don’t hold me to it.”

That would be exciting.

So Bell laughed at my shirt. Makes me proud. It also makes me look kind of silly, but it’s an exciting thing – similar humors, it’s a conversation starter – is it now? I was joking with my friends about how I would have to wear that shirt every time there was a chance I might see Bell. Hey, it couldn’t hurt, right?

I’m off to read a good book. Today was a good day.