Tag Archives: bookish
Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins
I’m on vacation!!! So, while I’m away, I’m going to be posting some things that I wrote in the past. Below is a review of the John Perkins book, Let Justice Roll Down, originally posted on my book blog. A great book about justice and what true justice in Christ looks like. If you have a chance, you should read it!
“They were like savages – like some horror out of the night. And I can’t forget their faces, so twisted with hate. It was like looking at white-faced demons. Hate did that to them.
But you know, I couldn’t hate back. When I saw what hate had done to them, I couldn’t hate back. I could only pity them. I didn’t ever want hate to do to me what it has already done to those men.”
If anyone had a reason to hold on to hate, it’s John Perkins. In this biographical book, he outlines some of the major incidences where he witnessed and was faced with injustice. The way he handled these situations were surprising and thought provoking.
The beginning opens with the story of how his brother was killed. He continues by explaining the state of the church and his life (as well as his spirtual views), he shares his beliefs and how his experiences shaped his faith and ultimately his reaction to those around him. While standing up for the blacks in his community, he was wrongfully jailed and beaten, almost to death, yet he kept on living a faith-filled life.
This book was quite the emotional journey. It sheds light on the injustices of the not so distant past, a very important reminder for me and a way for me to better deal with the present. Let Justice Roll Down is a stark reminder of how we can hurt one another, even under the disguse of religion and truth. The quote above resonated deeply within me, and seemed to me to be a large theme running through the entire book. Hate turns a person into a savage. It’s easy to hate, to lash out and try to destroy those who hurt you, but how do you love them? And how does justice – the idea of fairness – fit into this?
His story leaves the reader with a lot to reflect on. I can’t stress how much I recommend that everyone read this book. It places you in an uncomfortable place, but I think that’s its worth.
BEDA – August Edition!
It’s August first, which means, blog every day in AUGUST! The last time I did something like this was in April of 2011… I was inspired, and I wanted to blog every single day in April. I missed it this April, so I’ve been waiting for the next “A” month to come along and it’s here!
Throw the confetti, sound the trumpet, let BEDA begin!
To begin let’s talk about books! It’s no secret that I love books, but I don’t think I was ever aware of my bookish love until a few years ago when I realized that there are people out there who don’t read for fun – or at all. I’m not certain how the love developed, but, I do know that reading has become an integral part of my life. I have a book blog, I attend book events, I dabble in writing; the written word is important to me.
There is one thing I want to talk about in regards to books, that is, the importance of fiction.
I know quite a few people who turn their noses up on fiction, it’s not real, so why waste time reading it. It’s true, fiction, by definition is not real, but I tend to believe that people write based on experiences – even the things they imagine have a thread of reality running through it. However, the idea of fiction – to me – isn’t to find reality, it’s to take a step away from reality.
Fiction can engage the mind, stimulate the senses and stretch the imagination; and I love it.
The book to read is not the one that thinks for you but the one which makes you think. – Harper Lee
Eat. Read. Blog 