What does a Hip-Hop artist, Waffle House waitress, tire salesman, and disabled girl have to do with discovering spiritual truth? What if embracing authentic Christianity is a journey of unlearning? Welcome to Jim Palmer's world!
Don Miller meets Anne Lamott meets Brian McLaren in this tale of shedding religion and plunging into uncharted depths of knowing God. Jim Palmer, emergent pastor, shares his compelling off-road spiritual journey and the unsuspecting people who became his guides.
"Perhaps God's reason for wanting me," writes Palmer, "is much better than my reason for wanting him. Maybe God's idea of my salvation trumps the version I am too willing to settle for. Seeing I needed a little help to get this, God sent a variety pack of characters to awaken me." For all those hoping there's more to God and Christianity than what they've heard or experienced, each chapter of Divine Nobodies gives the reader permission and freedom to discover it for themselves. Sometimes comical, other times tragic, at times shocking, always honest; Jim Palmer's story offers an inspiring and profound glimpse into life with God beyond institutional church and conventional religion.
"I am tempted to say that Jim Palmer could well be the next Donald Miller, but what they have in common, along with an honest spirituality and extraordinary skill as storytellers, is a unique voice . . . Divine Nobodies is a delight to read, and it was good for my soul to read it." -BRIAN MCLAREN Author of The Secret Message of Jesus
"You hold in your hands an amazing story of a broken man finding freedom in all the right places-in God's work in the lives of some extraordinarily ordinary people around him. You will thrill to this delightful blend of gut-wrenching honesty and laugh-out-loud hilarity, and in the end you'll find God much closer, the body of Christ far bigger and your own journey far clearer than you ever dreamed." -WAYNE JACOBSEN Author of Authentic Relationships
"Divine Nobodies in Wide Open Spaces"November 23, 2008 Wow! Almost 40 reviews w/ 5 stars (as of the writing of this review)...that says it all! Jim Palmer has nailed what you are spiritually seeking on the head: "shedding religion (belief systems/doctrines) to find God (in relationship)". I got this book at the library (it sort of jumped off the shelf at me)...and I was taking so many notes on it, I gave up and went to my Christian bookstore and bought it! Then I received "Wide Open Spaces", his second book. Again, excellent. Repeatedly (and necessarily so), he writes "He is what you've been looking for!" Not a religion, not a belief system, not a set of do's and don'ts, not 4 walls and row after row of pews! If you are a seeker, you truly will resonate with Jim's spiritual growth and his "living in the questions" . I'd recommend reading this book (his first, written in '06) and then read his second ("Wide Open Spaces" that came out in '07). To read more from him, check out his website and blog at www.divinenobodies.com.
Finally....October 1, 2008 What a refreshing read! Christianity involving other people in their lives as opposed to the stage of a church. We can read this and realize that God lives outside the Sunday morning gatherings also. As we learn from the New Testament, Jesus and his disciples did their teachings out on their feet in the towns, villages, and countrysides. Thank you Jim for sharing your experiences and stories, the story about the girls in Asia and the young man who was alone particularly brought the seeming lack of focus of our christianity or religion into focus. What does Church mean if we forget those who can't get there? Brilliant book!
Humor best left to othersJuly 21, 2008 2 out of 6 found this review helpful
I have been reading this book for about five days. I usually burn through a book rather quickly so this one is a slower read for me as it is not a long book.
I believe the primary purpose of a book is to open our minds for learning- expansion. Some do it through being a truly enjoyable read- I do not find that to be the case with this one. Don't get me wrong, I like the concept of sharing the insights of one flawed human with another. Misery loves company and seeing that I am not alone in my ineptness provides some relief.
What I struggle with is Mr. Palmer's use of humor. For me, it is way to predictable and pulls from the overall work. As an example, Robert Fulghgum says, "Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you." That is slightly ironic and humorous-it adds to his work. Mr. Palmer's are not up to the same level.
It probably sounds like I am panning this book- not the case. I am glad I am reading it. Dealing with life's everyday grind- more importantly sharing the experiences with others is invaluable. This book does that very well.
Back To The Roots Of The 1st Century Christian ChurchJuly 14, 2008 ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! This book is a "must read" for anyone searching for deeper meaning in their walk with God. It opens the christian's mind and eyes to a lifestyle and not a belief... something that the 21st century church needs desperately.
DIVINE NOBODIESJuly 7, 2008 A MUST IF U ARE GOING TO GROW AND HAVE A INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
