This is a review of Karen Spears Zacharias‘ book, Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide? (‘Cause I need more room for my Plasma TV), scheduled to release March 1, 2010, by Zondervan.*
Synopsis:
Author Karen Spears Zacharias believes Christians have been paying good money for a false doctrine—the Cash and Cadillac Gospel. With humor and wit in Will Jesus Buy Me a Double-Wide?, Zacharias unpacks story after story of those who use the name of God as a means to living their own “good life,” as well as some unlikely folks whose genuine faith has led them to a different understanding of wealth.
Review:
Like a visit to a small town theater–complete with buttered popcorn–for the spiritually seeking soul, Karen Zacharias provides readers with the right mix of entertainment and truth that leaves them searching the dusty corners of their hearts for the humble, servant Jesus abandoned there long ago. Exchanged for a “Genie-in-a-jug-Jesus,” Americans are lost in the false promises of popular evangelists who, “suggest . . . the material blessings we enjoy are the result of our merit or our own faithfulness.”
Zacharias says “phooey” to that in the most loving way possible: through stories. True stories of people who have the faith of Moses and still suffer pain; through people who live and breathe Jesus’ teachings, but suffer loss; through people who give away all they have for the sake of the Gospel, yet receive nothing–by prosperity standards–in exchange. As Zacharias writes, “What good, pray tell, is their Genie-in-a-Jug-Jesus when children lay dying?”
I loved this book. Told simply and written well, it’s an easy read with poignant quotes and a Southern edge that sticks hope to your ribs–and your heart–thicker than a Dixie barbeque. And in these uncertain, despairing times, that’s a book worth reading.
Bio:
Karen Spears Zacharias had her first kiss in a trailer, smoked her first and last cigarette in a trailer, asked Jesus into her heart on bended knee in a trailer, fell madly in love in a trailer (a couple of different times), and gave birth to her firstborn child in a trailer.
Karen is a former crime beat reporter, wife, mom, Tennessee Volunteer, Georgia Peach, Beaver graduate of Oregon State University, sister in faith, water moccasin bite survivor and 25th Infantry Gold Star daughter. Her commentary has been featured in the New York Times, Newsweek, and National Public Radio. Karen and husband, Tim, plan to raise any grandchildren in a double-wide trailer with a plasma TV on an acre of land in Point Clear, Alabama.
“If Fanny Flagg got religion she’d be Karen Spears Zacharias. Karen is trailer trash wonderful, a guilty pleasure; like eating chicken fried steak with mac & cheese during Bible study.” Susan E. Isaacs, author, Angry Conversations with God.
I LOVE the philosophy of this book!