Wide Open Spaces: Beyond Paint-By-Number Christianity

With some beautiful insight on the Christian faith, Jim Palmer tells of his faith journey without the support of the church institution. This book could easily fall into the trap of church-bashing, but Palmer has more of a "that didn't work for me but it could work for others" attitude. Through his own experiences and insights, he encourages the reader to look at his/her own spiritual journey and leads towards a deeper understanding of his/her concept of God and religion. Anyone who appreciates the Don Miller style and depth of writing will enjoy Jim Palmer's new book. This is one of the few books I will keep and reread for many years to come. Happy reading!

Jim accomplishes what might be one of the most difficult tasks in spiritual writing: Exploring faith and spirituality without resorting to impersonal tradition-based jargon. In Wide Open Spaces, Jim explores his struggle to make the Apostle Paul's teaching Christ being the center of all of our relationships. As he did in Divine Nobodies, Jim writes unguardedly. He is honest, self-depreciating and humorous. My own exploration of the issues has led me to, perhaps, some different conclusions than Jim. But Jim nails what matters most-- love. Just two books into his career, and Jim should again be grouped with the likes of Lamott and Donald Miller.

As I read Wide Open Spaces, I found myself recalling my childhood experience of wading into the ocean, progressively further from shore. At a certain point, the breakers begin to wash over me --- it's uniquely, experientially refreshing. Yet, there are several seconds before the next set of waves is upon me. This respite gives one the opportunity to ponder and absorb the invigoration and wonder of it all. Today, as an adult, this experience still has the ability to transform me into experiencing childlike wonder --- one who cannot fathom the thought of ever getting out of the water --- of producing all sorts of questions, curiosities, thanks and hopes. It's magical. My prayer (and my hope) is that this book will have the same effect on you --- producing a childlike wonder for experiencing God in new ways --- that will endure for a lifetime. Soak in this book. Thank you Jim! It is a rare achievement for any artist to follow their first work - one that remains as highly acclaimed as Divine Nobodies, with a follow-on work that is unequivocally better than the first. Jim Palmer has done it with Wide Open Spaces. The reading of Wide Open Spaces is not optional. It's mandatory if you are one who desires to know God and be love in our world today. This book is an epic contribution to the way ahead. It is an indelible blessing. The implications of Wide Open Spaces are clear for the spiritual sojourner and the possibilities for a way of life for those who deeply desire something more in how they experience God on a day-to-day basis: a. Many feel trapped and confined within the belief systems that they have inadvertently adopted as knowing God. As Jim points out, this is an unfortunate reality that can and must be overcome. This book will speak freedom to those who are currently living within the confines of this deception. b. Safe harbors become stagnant waters for marine life. The results of a relationship with Christ based solely upon a dependence upon right beliefs is a relationship with belief systems, not God, according to Palmer. The resultant stagnation for the human species is the same as it is for marine life, confined to similar environs. c. Today, followers of Jesus require voices, like Jim Palmer's, to lead us beyond the man-made breakwaters to the blessing of living in the Wide Open Spaces, exploring the endless possibilities for sustenance and transformation on the open seas of faith. d. Perhaps, it is here, in these waters, where mankind may come to know God and be love. This book will definitely facilitate "dialogue" --- my sense it that it will be most intense from the pulpits of the "people of the steeple" (my term, not Jim's). Palmer challenges us to rethink the implications of our penchant with possessing "right beliefs about God," and the obvious Us vs. them, win-lose behavior this creates. Maybe "God wants love to be our belief system?"(p.7). Maybe that's what God really is anyway. I adored some of the following excerpts pen

Anyone who thinks he or she has God, or anything for that matter, all figured out - whether they are "religious" or totally "non-religious" needs to read Wide Open Spaces: Beyond Paint-by-Number Christianity, by Jim Palmer. I have read tons of books on Christianity and spiritual transformation, but minutes into reading Wide Open Spaces I was scrambling for my yellow highlighter. Wide Open Spaces is packed with wisdom and practical examples of how the Kingdom of God is real to us here today. As Palmer indicates, we miss so much by glossing over people, situations, and even words in the Bible, based on our concrete, preconceived notions. Palmer doesn't offer palliatives or platitudes, but shows us in viable ways, according to the time we live in now, how to go beyond the constraints of the physical and material, to the unlimited possibilities of the spiritual... and then... how to apply that to being and living in the "Kingdom" now, here, with our brothers and sisters. Jim Palmer isn't a "paint-by-number" guy or author. He is like a modern day St. Paul - out among people on the street and on the web, sharing his journey and ours with Spirit and Love. He is real, he is one of us, and he is doing the work thus describing to us how true transformation can occur. He says "It is one thing to feel love and peace within you; it is another thing to be these in the world" Wide Open Spaces doesn't tell me how to achieve Nirvana, or how to be a good person all of the time, nor does it tell me how I should vote. It does tell me I can be, as Palmer says, a "little Christ", and my transformation is one step at a time, as is for this world, one little Christ at a time.

Wide Open Spaces is not Divine Nobodies II. It stands on its on, but if you liked Jim's first book you will love this one. Chasing the rogue theological thoughts many of us have had but buried in the forbidden bins of our heart, Jim writes from a solid theological head but a supple heart. This book is meant for anyone...period. But for long time Christians and leaders who have a sack full of questions about church, their faith, and the world around them, Wide Open Spaces is a great fireside chat type of book. Get it, read it, give some away.