this could be a good book.....

Yesterday was one of those days where I just wanted to get away from the office at lunch. I hadn't had a bad day, I simply needed a change of scenery. Although it was about 32 and breezy, I decided to brave the cold and walk downtown for a bite to eat and to spend some time in the downtown library. I've spent quite a bit of time there lately during my lunch, sifting through model train scenery books and taking notes. (So far it's all just head knowledge; I've yet to act on a single idea.)

In the new books section, I found a new book on model railroad scenery, realized it was just a new edition of a book I'd already scanned, and put it back in the rack. The new book section in non-fiction is right next to the Religion section. I decided to look for a Donald Miller book. I've never read any of his writings, but I've heard good things. I found one called "Searching for God Knows What" and sat down to read the first chapter.

You ever have one of those "wow" moments when you're reading something? It's not new to you, but it's so profound. I had one of these moments while reading a small portion of this book.

The author talks about going to a Christian writer's conference in Memphis early in his writing career. He was so excited, felt that he had at least two good books in him (one involved a machete-weilding nun), and he just knew this was going to be a life-altering weekend. Miller hadn't bothered to find out that the conference was for non-fiction writers. His ideas were more along the lines of fiction. In fact, while talking one-on-one with an instructor during lunch, he asked her what the difference was between fiction and non-fiction. The instructors said there were basically two formulas to writing books, and that they would learn them over the next two days. As he listened to both formulas, he realized neither of his books would fit into the formulas.

Some of the ladies at the conference were doing devotional books. One was for reading while sipping tea; another was for reading while drinking coffee. When we got home after the conference, he thought about writing a devotional. Using one of the formulas from the conference, he began his process. After several attempts, he gave up. He realized something - you can't get to know God or about God from a formula. Salvation is basically God's invitation to get to know Him.

Miller said that when he wanted to talk to his best friend, all he does is call him. He didn't have to light candles, start some incantations and sing a song. Same thing with God. Sometimes religions put so much into the production of "church" and the things surrounding church that the simplicity of it all is lost in the shuffle. When we decide to have a relationship with God, He comes to where we are, no matter where that might be, and lets us get to know Him.

And that's just the first chapter. Looking forward to the rest of the book.....