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Summary: Manning focuses on what's real, and what's an act.
Review: If you have even a passing interest in Christianity, but struggle to know what to do with the often conflicting behaviors exhibited by many who claim to all be following the same basic belief system, then this book is an excellent look at what it could and should be. How is it that the message of the Gospel is often acted out on a stage for the benefit of our own ego?Brennan Manning has an uncanny ability to sift through the surface, and dive straight into the places we often do not want to acknowledge exist within all of us. In this book he tackles the "image conscious" Christian, more concerned with how they look, than what they are doing. In it he exposes just how far off the message of love and peace we have often gone. With all of our masks, pettiness, vanity and ego we consume ourselves with, where is our focus on our true cause; to love God and love our neighbor as ourselves? Of particular interest is how he manages to be blunt and direct in many very personal ways, yet all in his usual self effacing style which leaves one motivated not judged. When reading Manning, one is left with the overwhelming sense that they are simply in a conversation with someone who is speaking on their level. While I know a few too distracted with dogma and doctrine to understand his perspective, he writes about the very real struggle to let go of ego and image, and focus on what is really important. His looks into the problems of racism, homophobia, and neglect of the poor among Christians are especially powerful considering they contrast so much with loving and reaching out to others as Jesus did. Although the editing and copy itself is at times a bit distracting with its multi-type fonts on every page, it does allow you to take bite sized bits of information and ponder the meaning behind it. Rarely have I stopped so many times while reading to reflect on my own issues. An excellent read and good insights!
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