Short review:
I really enjoyed Sarah's exploration of her own spiritual journey and was challenged to examine my own acceptance of the spiritual status quo.
Long(er) review:
I was unsure of what to expect as I opened up "Picking Dandelions". I knew the author as a friend from my college days and that it was written as a memoir. That's it, so I braced myself for a dull history lesson of a really nice person. I was quite sure there were not going to be any juicy, scandalous revelations which would be sad to read, but would certainly spice up the reading experience. I am glad to confirm that there are no scandalous tell all moments, and I am even more excited to say that I was engaged and challenged throughout Sarah's honest and insightful look at herself.
I found it to be just the right length, long enough to draw you in a provide a solid background on the upbringing that helped form her journey, yet not extended with irrelevant stories as filler. I found her writing to be fun and clever, full of 80's pop culture references (the BEST kind of pop culture references), and also honest about the short-comings of her own faith. I really admire her strength to ask those closest to her to identify her biggest weaknesses and her courage to try to change in order to become more like Christ.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who may be looking for a great read about someone who may not be unlike yourself and anyone looking for a bit of a push to re-evaluate where you stand in your faith.
You can find out more about Sarah @ http://www.sarahcunningham.org (she's also on my blog roll)
You can purchase "Picking Dandelions" @ http://www.amazon.com/dp/0310292476/ref=cm_sw_su_dp
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Picking Dandelions: the Interview
I have a friend named Sarah Raymond Cunningham. I met Sarah about 9 years ago as students on the campus of Spring Arbor University (then College). I've always admired Sarah, she has an obvious passion for her faith and for living that out in real ways to impact people. A few years ago Sarah wrote a book titled “Dear Church” in effort to raise here voice about what she felt the church was missing, a church she loves dearly and wants to see meet the challenges of a new era of faith and culture.
Sarah just released a new book, “Picking Dandelions”, a personal story about her own faith and the path upon which she is being led.
Before I give you my take on the book, I asked Sarah a few questions to help you, dear readers, to get to know her better. You should read it because it's my best interview on this blog:
1. Thanks for sharing your time the readers of The Best 3 Minutes. What are the best 3 minutes of your day?
During a snow, it'd be the three minutes it takes for the news to get around to announcing the school where I work is closed. Don't get me wrong. I like my job, but few people in their right minds would turn down a free day off.
My all-time favorite minutes (in any weather) are the minutes when Justus (my ten month old son) erupts in hysterical laughter over something simple. It happens like ten times a day. Its awesome to witness someone enjoying life at that level.
2. We met back to SAU and as your friend I was interested in your book, why would someone who doesn't know you want to read this book?
A. If they are avid readers, they might get into it as a piece of literature. Its a collection of stories. Some of them are funny; almost all of them are quirky. Its a pretty easy read.
B. If they are non-perfect humans (as opposed to the perfect kind), they might relate to my plight in life--to see faith as something that prompts me to grow through my ever-present flaws and dysfunction.
C. They might pick it up just so they can claim they read a book by someone who went to school with the infamous Alex Teal.
3. What's the deal...are dandelions a simple, misunderstood flower or an invasive weed?
Haha. I think that it depends on a person's perspective. You can see a dandelion and think, I hate this weed. Its ruining my landscaping. While another person (often a little person) can see the exact same plant and pick it and give it to their mom with a sense of pride.
I identify with the dandelion that way. Its a bright, intense flower that brings wonder to children who blow its feathers into the air, but in the end, it has some characteristics of a weed. I can be the same way, intense, energetic, trying to nurture love all around me, but in the end, I'm still very marked by my own weaknesses. The great thing is, in the light of Eden, even the dandelions end up looking pretty snazzy. :)
4. Picking Dandelions is written as a memoir, but aren't memoirs reserved for old people? Why write one now?
I think memoirs used to be seen that way--as something that 80 year olds wrote in the last years of their life. Or as celebrity tell-alls about adventures in Hollywood. But in the last five, or even ten years, memoirs have grown into a larger genre of books that are just "based in someone's personal observations". Hopefully all of us, especially those who follow God, are living ongoing stories that constantly teach us things worth sharing in every stage of life. Writing is my way to bring what God is stirring in me to expression.
5. In your book, one of the key steps to initiate change in your own life was to ask people about your weaknesses. How did you get people to open up about the hard to hear truth rather than just tell you some mild bad habits?
Great question. For some people, asking them to speak to you honestly about your flaws goes against everything they've been taught. They feel like its better to shield people from truths that could offend them. But in my case, I've got a lot of like-minded friends who were raised to VALUE the people who care enough about them to help them walk through their weaknesses to a better experience.
The important factor of course is love. And at some level, shared values. If you don't agree about a basic standard of what is right and wrong, what is healthy or skewed, noble or hurtful, you might generate more friction than growth.
6. I love funny commercials, any commercials out there that you like?
There are a lot of them. I tend to like the subtly funny ones like this one--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gsLVjI9jY-- rather than the outlandish singing animals kind of thing.
Sarah just released a new book, “Picking Dandelions”, a personal story about her own faith and the path upon which she is being led.
Before I give you my take on the book, I asked Sarah a few questions to help you, dear readers, to get to know her better. You should read it because it's my best interview on this blog:
1. Thanks for sharing your time the readers of The Best 3 Minutes. What are the best 3 minutes of your day?
During a snow, it'd be the three minutes it takes for the news to get around to announcing the school where I work is closed. Don't get me wrong. I like my job, but few people in their right minds would turn down a free day off.
My all-time favorite minutes (in any weather) are the minutes when Justus (my ten month old son) erupts in hysterical laughter over something simple. It happens like ten times a day. Its awesome to witness someone enjoying life at that level.
2. We met back to SAU and as your friend I was interested in your book, why would someone who doesn't know you want to read this book?
A. If they are avid readers, they might get into it as a piece of literature. Its a collection of stories. Some of them are funny; almost all of them are quirky. Its a pretty easy read.
B. If they are non-perfect humans (as opposed to the perfect kind), they might relate to my plight in life--to see faith as something that prompts me to grow through my ever-present flaws and dysfunction.
C. They might pick it up just so they can claim they read a book by someone who went to school with the infamous Alex Teal.
3. What's the deal...are dandelions a simple, misunderstood flower or an invasive weed?
Haha. I think that it depends on a person's perspective. You can see a dandelion and think, I hate this weed. Its ruining my landscaping. While another person (often a little person) can see the exact same plant and pick it and give it to their mom with a sense of pride.
I identify with the dandelion that way. Its a bright, intense flower that brings wonder to children who blow its feathers into the air, but in the end, it has some characteristics of a weed. I can be the same way, intense, energetic, trying to nurture love all around me, but in the end, I'm still very marked by my own weaknesses. The great thing is, in the light of Eden, even the dandelions end up looking pretty snazzy. :)
4. Picking Dandelions is written as a memoir, but aren't memoirs reserved for old people? Why write one now?
I think memoirs used to be seen that way--as something that 80 year olds wrote in the last years of their life. Or as celebrity tell-alls about adventures in Hollywood. But in the last five, or even ten years, memoirs have grown into a larger genre of books that are just "based in someone's personal observations". Hopefully all of us, especially those who follow God, are living ongoing stories that constantly teach us things worth sharing in every stage of life. Writing is my way to bring what God is stirring in me to expression.
5. In your book, one of the key steps to initiate change in your own life was to ask people about your weaknesses. How did you get people to open up about the hard to hear truth rather than just tell you some mild bad habits?
Great question. For some people, asking them to speak to you honestly about your flaws goes against everything they've been taught. They feel like its better to shield people from truths that could offend them. But in my case, I've got a lot of like-minded friends who were raised to VALUE the people who care enough about them to help them walk through their weaknesses to a better experience.
The important factor of course is love. And at some level, shared values. If you don't agree about a basic standard of what is right and wrong, what is healthy or skewed, noble or hurtful, you might generate more friction than growth.
6. I love funny commercials, any commercials out there that you like?
There are a lot of them. I tend to like the subtly funny ones like this one--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4gsLVjI9jY-- rather than the outlandish singing animals kind of thing.
Monday, February 22, 2010
I've got a fever... and the only prescription is more Olympics!
The 2010 Winter Olympics have been playing around the clock here at the Teal household over the last week. Evan and Aaron have even caught the spirit of the games and race around the house competing in speed skating and cross country skiing (as Thomas Jansen and T. Breaker, respectively.) I have really enjoyed the winter games this year, but I enjoy them much more as a Canadian than as an American.
I grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan cheering on our athletes against the US and the rest of the world every four years. I remember jumping up and down with joy when Ben Johnson won the 100m in the '88 summer games [that gold didn't last long]. But watching the Olympics these days I can't help but feel a bit torn because of my close ties to both countries.
I have dual citizenship, but I live as an American. I have a US drivers license, birth certificate, and passport. And I am nearing the point when I will have lived in America longer than I lived in Canada (June 2012!). I have a great life here in the states and I think this is a great country. But watching the Olympics stirs up my Canadian blood.
So as I continue to watch the competitions (sans figure skating or ice dancing *bleh*) I'll be cheering Canada first and the US second.
For what countries do you cheer?
I grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan cheering on our athletes against the US and the rest of the world every four years. I remember jumping up and down with joy when Ben Johnson won the 100m in the '88 summer games [that gold didn't last long]. But watching the Olympics these days I can't help but feel a bit torn because of my close ties to both countries.
I have dual citizenship, but I live as an American. I have a US drivers license, birth certificate, and passport. And I am nearing the point when I will have lived in America longer than I lived in Canada (June 2012!). I have a great life here in the states and I think this is a great country. But watching the Olympics stirs up my Canadian blood.
So as I continue to watch the competitions (sans figure skating or ice dancing *bleh*) I'll be cheering Canada first and the US second.
For what countries do you cheer?
Friday, February 12, 2010
we'll be back after this brief commercial interuption
It's been a while since I've posted a fave commercial. I think this one is better than any of the super bowl ads.
What do you think?
What do you think?
Thursday, February 11, 2010
so much to say...
I haven't blogged in a while, but soo much has happened lately that I've wanted to comment on:
- smowmageddon, or is it snowpocalypse?
- the end of Conan
- Palin writing her talking points on her hand
- Google buzz
But I'm going to skip all of those to focus on What Kate Does.
"What Kate Does" is the title of last night's episode of LOST. This final season of the most ambitious television show in history began last week and constantly seeks new ways to tell compelling, character driven, action packed episodes. One of the storytelling devices that LOST used in a powerful and innovative way during the first few seasons was the Flashback. Then in season 4 they flipped the format on it's head by inventing the Flashforward. This season they are once again transforming the way they tell the story by introducing the Flashsideways. They are basically showing what would have happened to the people of Oceanic 815 if the island had been sunk to the bottom of the ocean in the late 1970's following the "incident". It's a risky move, and I'm not sure how I like it so far, but it is exciting to see the producers continuing to take risks.
I really liked this past episode, but it seemed to me the best moments were the ones which weren't centered on Kate. Claire's baby attended by Ethan... wow... I can't wait to see who they are going to show us next (Tom? Michael?). The emergence of a Rousseau'd Claire, and revisiting the "infection" from season 1. Sawyer's heartbreak over the loss of Juliette (maybe his best scene all series). But my favourite moments were with Jack and the other Others. Over the past couple of seasons we've watched Jack fall apart over the events on and off the island that he helped put into motion. He lost confidence in himself and was confused. Now he is emerging from that depression to take lead once again. I don't that this is just a case of better writing. I think it's part of the plan of the journey and development of the character of Jack. We are actually watching a television character grow and learn.
I'm can't wait to see what is going to happen next.
- smowmageddon, or is it snowpocalypse?
- the end of Conan
- Palin writing her talking points on her hand
- Google buzz
But I'm going to skip all of those to focus on What Kate Does.
"What Kate Does" is the title of last night's episode of LOST. This final season of the most ambitious television show in history began last week and constantly seeks new ways to tell compelling, character driven, action packed episodes. One of the storytelling devices that LOST used in a powerful and innovative way during the first few seasons was the Flashback. Then in season 4 they flipped the format on it's head by inventing the Flashforward. This season they are once again transforming the way they tell the story by introducing the Flashsideways. They are basically showing what would have happened to the people of Oceanic 815 if the island had been sunk to the bottom of the ocean in the late 1970's following the "incident". It's a risky move, and I'm not sure how I like it so far, but it is exciting to see the producers continuing to take risks.
I really liked this past episode, but it seemed to me the best moments were the ones which weren't centered on Kate. Claire's baby attended by Ethan... wow... I can't wait to see who they are going to show us next (Tom? Michael?). The emergence of a Rousseau'd Claire, and revisiting the "infection" from season 1. Sawyer's heartbreak over the loss of Juliette (maybe his best scene all series). But my favourite moments were with Jack and the other Others. Over the past couple of seasons we've watched Jack fall apart over the events on and off the island that he helped put into motion. He lost confidence in himself and was confused. Now he is emerging from that depression to take lead once again. I don't that this is just a case of better writing. I think it's part of the plan of the journey and development of the character of Jack. We are actually watching a television character grow and learn.
I'm can't wait to see what is going to happen next.
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