Second Hand Jesus

When I read a book I have a habit of keeping the receipt to use as a bookmark. This is because 1) I am cheap and 2) If the book stinks or just does not meet the expectations I have for it I can easily access the receipt and return the book. I am happy to say that I just threw the receipt for this book away, and I am going to buy this book for many, many friends.
I have known Glen Packiam for a few years. He is my former worship pastor at New Life. In that time I have come to have great respect for his singing. However, towards the end of my time there he was given some opportunities to preach, and I ate it up. His mind is just as comfortable writing music or working through theological concepts and ideas. My proximity to the man does not guarantee that I will give him a good review. Anyone who knows me knows I do not mix words. I will tell it like it is because I have to much respect for a person to blow smoke at them.
This book is a great book that reminds Christians to go deeper. Get through the muck and the muddle and the “Christianese” and the “Sacred Cows” and getting to what God really said and doing what he ultimately wants. He wants you to passionately pursue relationship with him and listen to His words and not rely on the church and other “more Godly” then yourself to do the hard work.
This book is part spiritual biography, part theology, part testimony. It brings the life God wants for us into painfully sharp focus by Glen using his honest and candid look at his own life and where he was vs. where he is headed. If we all do the work to get gut level honest with ourselves, there is a Glenn Packiam in us all at some level.
Glenn uses the Ark of the Covenant and some of the facts surrounding it to guide us through 4 rumors that Christians have for the most part bit into hook line and sinker. I am not going to give them away here, but the questions can and should lead you to much introspection, wrestling, and then growth through the process.
I highly recommend this book for those who have been Christians for awhile and are tired of being on autopilot, and I definitely recommend it if you are a new believer. It will open your eyes and challenge you to go to God first in your relationship and to not fall into spiritual apathy and let the Church do your spiritual heavy lifting. There is only one person on earth who can interceed truly and completely for you, and that is you.

