Miles from Millions, and Good with Good
Blog, Featured, Social Justice — By Pete Gall on October 9, 2009 at 12:00 am
In the dedication to A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, Donald Miller thanks his agent, Kathy Helmers, and his manager, Jim Chaffee. That’s my agent, and my manager.
When Philip Yancey reviewed my book (you can download the audiobook for any price here), he wrote, “St. Augustine invented the confessional memoir. Modern examples are shorter and funnier (think Anne Lamott and Donald Miller). Now comes Pete Gall, who somehow gathers the messiness of his life into an enduring account, one both poignant and whimsical.”
Shane Claiborne said, “In this era of American idols, money branded ‘In God we Trust,’ altars colonized by the US flag, and bombs baptized in patriotic prayers, this book is a delicate reminder to denounce all that dazzles that does not look like Jesus. It is an invitation to say no to all other lovers and counterfeit hopes, and to put our faith in the God that is blessing the most downtrodden people of this world, the God whose Gospel is good news to the poor.”
So it was with a sort of “aw shucks” attempt at humility that I prepared for a Zondervan-funded cross-country trip with a men’s ministry called the Samson Society the summer of 2008. I was about to be a big deal. Everyone said so.
How would fame and wealth change me, I wondered. How would I keep names and faces straight? When would I need to unlist my phone number? How much would I need to charge for speaking engagements to keep from being on the road all the time? What threats would my marriage face when the throngs of adoring young Christians showed up on my doorstep?
It’s a year later, and none of that stuff has happened. My second book is out, and yesterday I got a note from my publisher that included, “I love your writing, Pete, and regret that we have not been able to connect with the reading audience that your work deserves.”
I tell you all of this because I want to tell you what happened when I started praying a prayer to keep my priorities straight.
8 Comments
Wow. Just wow. Thank you for sharing this. It brought tears to my eyes more than once and really made me think (to quote Don) about “the story” I’m living and how simple loving interactions with people can transform it into a great one. I’ll be praying for you and Daniel.
That is a beautiful story, beautifully told, and I’m so grateful to have been swept up in it. It was your courage and open-mindedness, Pete, that made the story possible. Thank you. Please give my love to Daniel, and tell him that Allie and I hope to see him again soon. Our best to Christine too.
Pete, this is a great, great story. Emily and Nate have already said what I would have said, only better.
One quibble: The audience that can stand to learn the most from this (conservatives like me) will be put off by snarky comments about Republicans, comments which don’t seem to serve any purpose. I almost stopped reading it when I read the Claiborne quote (I think war is sometimes necessary and not a conflict with Christlikeness, and am insulted when someone condescends like he does in that statement) and the denim-wearing Republican thing. I am thankful I kept reading, but most will not.
Keep that stuff in, and you drive many people away, and you end up preaching to the choir.
See how Paul talks to the people he has disagreements with in Acts 17. He doesn’t stop to insult them in the process. Meets them right where they are, then proclaims what they need to hear.
Thanks guys. I wasn’t able to add my own photos when I wrote the piece (or get back in to change the mistakes), but you can follow this link to see images from the trip.
http://pulptheology.com/?p=129
Loved it.
It seemed a little fragmented, but in a good way, like the way the mind actually thinks.
here’s to hope for a life filled with both straight priorities and smashing success! i will do my part by buying and reading your new book. Good luck.
I just found out you’re coming to Jacksonville! Sweet!