I told you earlier when I was reading the manuscript that it was going to be a must-read in Christian spirituality.
Now it’s out. Darryl Tippens, former English prof at ACU and Highland elder and now Provost of Pepperdine University, has written Pilgrim Heart: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life
Maybe I’m a bit prejudiced here. Full disclosure: Darryl is a close buddy and has been a spiritual guide in my life for fifteen years.
But this is one incredible book. As my little blurb on the book says, it belongs on the shelf right next to Richard Foster and Dallas Willard.
After chapters on “The Call to a ‘Worldly’ Spirituality” and “The Blessing of Body and Soul,” the book explores these spiritual disciplines (called “practices of the pilgrim heart”):
Emptying: A Fresh Breeze as We Let Go
Welcoming: Opening Doors to Strangers
Resting: The day Sabbath Becomes Joy
Resting: More Sabbath Blessings
Befriending: The Mutual Regard and Care for Souls
Confessing: I Swear to Tell the Whole Truth
Forgiving: The Love That Travels Farther
Listening: Within the Deep Stream of Silence
Discerning: The Gift of Wisdom
Singing: The Way to Heaven’s Door
Creating: The Truth of Beauty
Feasting: Memory and Mealtimes
Reading and Storytelling: How Narrative Builds Faith
Suffering: The Fire That Purifies
Seeking: The End of the Journey
Here’s a taste from the chapter on feasting — a section with the heading “Strawberries, Bread, and Jesus”:
While in college, our older son, Kyle, made a prospective mission trip to Romania. When he arrived at the Bucharest train station, he was unable to locate the missionary who was to meet him. Hours passed, and Kyle did not know what to do. He had no way to reach the missionary. As the afternoon turned to evening, he stood under a streetlight, reading a book, hoping the man would arrive. As night fell, an old woman approached our son. Though she could speak no English, and Kyle knew no Romanian, she gestured to him to come to her house. Lonely, hungry, and a little desperate, he didn’t know what else to do, so he went home with her. In her rather spartan apartment, she prepared him a simple meal that included a few strawberries with a dusting of sugar. Clearly she was offering her best. Later, the woman’s English-speaking daughter came home and learned our son’s problem. Eventually Kyle found his way. I have often thought about that nameless woman who extended such unexpected courtesy to this foreigner, my son, who did not speak her language; and I have been chastened to consider whether I would have done the same had I been in her situation. The one I proclaim to be my Lord said, “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me . . .” (Matthew 25:35).
It is remarkable how simple, material objects can occasion the holiest of moments. A cup of cold water, a slice of bread, strawberries with just a little sugar — through such small things the God of the universe sometimes reveals himself to us.
The theme of journey develops through the book as Darryl keeps exploring the importance of the pilgrim people. Then at the end, these words:
Bob Keeshan, known to millions as Captain Kangaroo, was for decades the beloved host of a morning television show for children. When he began his role as the grandfatherly Captain in 1955, Keeshan was only twenty-eight years old; and so, to look the part, he had to wear a great deal of make-up, fake whiskers, and a wig. But as he played the role through the years, his hair turned white and wrinkles appeared. Keeshan found that he needed less and less make-up. Near the end of his career he could say: “I have grown into the part.” Exactly.
The pilgrim heart will, in time, be shaped in the image of Christ. Initially, the likeness will be faint, hardly plausible at all. But if we walk the road with him, loving as he taught, then we become what we perform in due time. “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). At first we speak these words as a hopeful prayer; one day they will be true. . . . We are changed (Paul employs a Greek word which is the root of the English word metamorphosis) into the divine image incrementally, step by step, “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Furthermore, it occurs through the Holy Spirit’s powerful work in our lives, not through our effort or ingenuity. These two facts lead to patience (for the transformation requires much time, trial, error, pain, and failure) and humility (since it is never our doing; we are recipients of a holy gift).
Get this book. Digest it. Share it.
Sounds like a great book, Mike. I’m especially interested in the chapters on welcoming, listening, and confessing; three things I need to be practicing/passionate about.
Speaking of books, have you read “Nickel and Dimed” by chance. It’s the story of a woman who joins the working class poor by living, working, and essentially starving with them as she works low paying jobs across the country. It’s a great insight into the plight of those in our country that are working 40+ hours/week but still live in poverty.
Wow Mike - Your quote on Darryl’s book at Amazon is before McLaren’s! That’s respect. The book is firmly in my shopping cart - the first step home.
Yes, Chris. Great book — so convicting! (Nice to meet you in Harris’s office earlier this week!)
For others: don’t miss comment 51 from yesterday. Boone had suggested that really Bob Dylan and I were the same person (based, unfairly, on excess sideburns), and Geoff tells about a pick-up basketball game with Dylan.
Thanks for the reflections on Darryl’s book. Spiritual guides and mentors are a real blessing. I am thankful for those of the present and those of the past.
Peace.
Thanks for not wearing makeup Mike.
You look the part.
Nice to “officially” meet you as well, Mike. I feel certain that our paths will cross again in the coming years. Maybe not during a marathon, but there seem to be other things we have in common as well.
I love to read Leonard Sweet and Lauren Winner. This passage from Darryl Tippens has the same affect on me. When we live the ordinary as extraordinary the simple things really can become sacred space for us.
Oops, wanted to say that part of the power of this short passage seems to be his ability to pick the perfect words. Not that this should be a surprise from an English teacher but it seems to be more than technically correct. The words themselves emote. Now if we could just get Steve Weathers to write a book!
I got chills reading about the welcoming woman in Romania. That tells me this is a must read for sure. And I second the idea of Steve Weathers writing a book!!
I have always believed in “fake it till you make it”, but Darryl’s analogy with Captain Kangaroo makes it sound more like what I want my life in Christ to become. My sinful nature doesn’t want me to act like Jesus so I must sometimes “fake it” until I grow into the part! (But faking it with sincerity!!!)
Ah, Captain Kangaroo.
Sounds like a great book. I’m off to Amazon….
…. just back from Amazon. 1 to 3 weeks to ship! Hmph. Now I’m off to Leafwood Publishers maybe they’ll ship quicker from there.
For those who are interested, Steve Weathers is currently writing a book that should be published sometime in the next couple of years.
(This information came via his loving wife and my boss, Dora Weathers)
I just hope you left those sideburns at an animal shelter so they could go to a good home.
Mike,
Thanks for sharing this. I have so many, many books to read..but that’s okay, this one just shot up the list!
The simplicity of the living Christ in us, is life.
Peace.
It will be next in line after “Gilead”. Thanks for the heads up! If you get a chance to read McLaren’s latest, do so.
A quick but powerful read.
DU
Mike,
Have you read Jayber Crow? It is about the way of Jesus in everyday life.
You’ll thank me when your done and I don’t recall much cussin.
This is the one book I bought at Pepperdine. No comments yet — I want to read the whole book with each part in context — and AFTER the flurry of end of semester. But, I did sneak a peak at the chapters on Resting, Singing and Creating. It looks amazing.
David U — Gilead is one of James’ favorites — it’s been “the gift” all this past year — he keeps raving about it. I think he’ll let me read Darryl’s first — but not sure.
But first — I’m one of the 3 people left in the world who hasn’t read the Da Vinci Code — I’m afraid that’s next before the movie. Anyone see “Brian McLaren on the Da Vinci Code” at http://www.sojo.net?
I haven’t read the Da Vinci Code either, but I pose a question: Do you think any “press” about Jesus is “good press”, even if it’s not accurate?
One of my favorite topics: books! I was in overload at Pepperdine and didn’t buy any books, but “Pilgrim Heart” looks and sounds excellent. I heard a review on “Gilead” earlier this spring and may read it. I did read “The Da Vinci Code” and thought it to be interesting fiction; it reminded me of the movie “National Treasure.” (BTW, did anyone else get the hellfire and brimstone forward regarding the upcoming movie release of “The Da Vince Code”?) I’ve also read “Nickel and Dimed,” although it was a while ago.
The book I keep recommending to people: “Peculiar People,” by Richard Soule. It’s fiction, but historically and Biblically based. You’ll feel like you are living with the 1st-century Christians, or at least wishing you could.
oops — I didn’t mean to “change the subject” — let’s let Mike bring up this topic when he wants to — maybe after the movie comes out — I don’t speak about things until I’ve read them or seen them.
SORRY!! Let’s get back to Darryl’s great book — and other spiritual writings . . .and forget I mentioned a novel.
Darryl Tippens (almost) walks on water. Seriously.
Thanks Mike for sharing a “must read”. I look forward to reading Darryl’s book.
I also love Gilead : A Novel
, a book which I’ve blogged about before. Amazing!
I’m loving all these book recommendations. Like Michele, I’m afraid they’re making my “to-read” pile even bigger. It’s awful trying to figure out which one to read first! It’s a good dilemma though.
Thanks for the review–I can hardly wait to read it. I am sure it so like the man I admire tremendously.
Mike…I couldn’t agree more. I read it at Pepperdine, and told Leonard Allen I thought Pilgrim Heart may be the best book of its kind ever written by a member of Churches of Christ. What sets it apart is Darryl’s use of stories, images, etc. from the world of literature–as well as his use of the English language.
It’s an uncanny experience reading others’ comments about my new book, Pilgrim Heart. I do want to thank each one of you for your words. I have been praying that the book will do someone a little good as he or she makes the daily journey. God bless each one of you. Darryl Tippens
I’m finally getting a chance to read this book. Our church is using it as a basis for our Sunday morning adult classes. It’s a great book. I wrote a critique on one of the chapters on my blog recently.