As I mentioned a couple of days ago, I have been reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. It's a pretty easy read though if you take the time to follow all of his footnotes and scriptural references, it would take considerably longer to read.

Now, I have to tell you something ... I have shelves full of books I've not yet read. I buy them with good intentions but then another book, perhaps a newer or shinier one, comes along and I read it instead.

Okay, now here's the other part of that story -- for every book I have that I have never read, I probably have another book that I started to read and someplace between 2/3 and 3/4 of the way through the book, my improvised bookmark (usually an airline ticket stub or a small piece of notepaper) is sticking out, indicating that I never finished the book. There again, I intended to finish the book (in most cases) but something brighter and shinier came along.

I love books, I love the written word, I love reading -- I just seem to have "Literary ADHD".

Anyway, back to Velvet Elvis ... I don't want to spoil the book for you so I won't give you a lot of details but here's my advice ... read the last chapter ("Movement 7" as Rob calls it) first and then go back and start at the front of the book.

Rob seems to go off in some sort of odd directions early on in the book. He has some great details on Jewish history and traditions but even those can leave you wondering why you care and where he's going. Wherever you're at on your spiritual journey, I think there will be reasons you will be tempted to put the book down and quit reading it. There were times when, had I not already blogged about reading the book and were it not really a pretty simple read ( without following all the footnotes), I probably would have quit reading and left it sitting on our bookshelf with a piece of notepaper mid-way through.

"Movement 7," though, is powerful and it brings the first six chapters into perspective and meaning. It is a summary of how we all know that the church ought to be. It paints a picture of love and care for others -- unconditional just like God's love for us. Knowing where Rob is going in the book will, I think, rather than spoil the book, make the other chapters more meaningful. You will see where he's leading and why. And then "Movement 7" will be a compelling conclusion to it all.

Enjoy the read. Let me know if you want to borrow my copy. At the end, though, concentrate on the question of "What next?" That's what I hope to do.