Same Kind of Different As Me: A Review (of sorts) + Giveaway

In the past three days, I finished “Same Kind of Different As Me”.  In fact, I woke up and stayed up early this morning to finish the last few pages my eyes couldn’t handle past midnight last night.  The book was slated for Bloom’s book club in January/February but you saw what kind of stack I had to get through. I finished The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg and started this one Saturday.

This is not a book you can just read and discard to the read pile.  No, this one gets to your core and doesn’t let go.  I actually made a list of what this book covers and it’s no less than 10 huge issues:

1. Homelessness
2. Slavery
3. Racism
4. Sacrifice
5. Movement of the Holy Spirit
6. Voo Doo
7. Angels
8. Prayer
9. Death
10. Grief

For those that haven’t read it, I don’t want to spoil the story, because there is a story there.  There are lots of stories there.  But basically it’s about a homeless man and rich man and the woman that brought them together.  And how all 3 of them made a change for their city.

Like many that have read it, I’ve come away with wanting to do something.  You don’t want to turn a blind eye anymore.  You don’t want to fall into the bystander affect.  You don’t want to miss being a Miss Debbie.  And you certainly don’t want to miss meeting a Denver.

If you don’t want to read or don’t like to read, watch their story that is posted below.

But the bottom line is this.  I will be doing something about it.  I am going to make a difference.

We don’t have a huge homeless problem in our area.  We have them, but it’s not like what I’ve heard about in Dallas or Nashville.  But Scott and I had talked just recently about creating book-bags full of necessities to hand out to those we do see around town.  With all the free stuff I get at CVS, it would be a shame not to share it.  I have in fact shared it before.  There is a women’s shelter in the next town that I would hand off bag fulls to.  But I don’t know, there’s something about handing it to them directly.  Getting a chance to ask their names.  Their needs.  Their stories.  I’ll admit it scares me.  But the really cool thing is Debbie had Ron and I have Scott.  I don’t have to do this thing alone.  In fact, I have an awesome church that is full of people wanting to help.

I encourage you to read over at Bloom. They have some stories up and links to stories of people trying to make a difference.

I’ll close with my favorite quote from Denver

“You never know whose eyes God is watching you through.”

and Ron

“One person can make a difference.”

And finally one of my favorite quotes

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. Helen Keller

The first difference I’m going to make is inspire OTHERS to make a difference.  I’m not being asked to or given these books.  I’m just so convinced people should read this that I’d love to make it possible.  Please email me at amyjbennett AT gmail DOT com requesting a book and I’ll send one to the first 5 people.

All 5 were spoken for.  LOVE IT.  Thanks!!