michellef's review against another edition
5.0
`Dream With Me` is a memoir of, and written by, author John M. Perkins. John Perkins dreams of the day we win the struggles against race and love. Where African Americans and whites are living in peace with each other. His hopes are that his book will change the way Americans think. I was glad to see the forward written by an author I am familiar with, Randy Alcorn.
John Perkins spoke out for voter registration, enrolled his son in an all-white high school, and was beaten and tortured for his beliefs. He could have been full of bitterness, instead, he was full of grace toward all that had happened to him.
This book made me want to cry at the state America is in. We are supposed to be the land of the free, a melting pot of all races. Are we truly a friendly country, the land of the free?
This story is about America, my birthplace. My heart was broken at all John had gone through. How can someone go through so much and come out the other side full of grace? I would like to think I would be full of grace if such things happened to me. I wonder, as Americans, are we going to bond together and win this battle or are we going to let pride and division be our final fight (see page #31). I like the quote John used by Apostle Paul. `Christ has made peace between Jews and gentiles, and He has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Ephesians 2:14-16 (see page # 35).
Since I was a child in the 60's I didn't know much of what was happening. I knew whites and African Americans had different swimming holes and they lived in separate communities, rarely crossing over the imaginary lines that were drawn. To do so was shameful. My first experience of an African American in a `white` church was after I grew up and lived in Tampa. It was a real shock to me. However, I believe Jesus would invite all races to his true churches.
The author uses stories from the Bible to show how different ethnic groups are to come together through: Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution. Get to know our neighbors, and our community, forgive sins and redistribute opportunities.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
John Perkins spoke out for voter registration, enrolled his son in an all-white high school, and was beaten and tortured for his beliefs. He could have been full of bitterness, instead, he was full of grace toward all that had happened to him.
This book made me want to cry at the state America is in. We are supposed to be the land of the free, a melting pot of all races. Are we truly a friendly country, the land of the free?
This story is about America, my birthplace. My heart was broken at all John had gone through. How can someone go through so much and come out the other side full of grace? I would like to think I would be full of grace if such things happened to me. I wonder, as Americans, are we going to bond together and win this battle or are we going to let pride and division be our final fight (see page #31). I like the quote John used by Apostle Paul. `Christ has made peace between Jews and gentiles, and He has united us by breaking down the wall of hatred that separated us. Ephesians 2:14-16 (see page # 35).
Since I was a child in the 60's I didn't know much of what was happening. I knew whites and African Americans had different swimming holes and they lived in separate communities, rarely crossing over the imaginary lines that were drawn. To do so was shameful. My first experience of an African American in a `white` church was after I grew up and lived in Tampa. It was a real shock to me. However, I believe Jesus would invite all races to his true churches.
The author uses stories from the Bible to show how different ethnic groups are to come together through: Relocation, Reconciliation, and Redistribution. Get to know our neighbors, and our community, forgive sins and redistribute opportunities.
Disclaimer: "I was provided a free copy of this book. All opinions are my own."
morganperks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
While I don't agree with everything John believes theologically, I admire and support his fight for racial justice in the Church. It's incredible how he sees Jesus' heart for the oppressed, and has been able to bring lasting change to the comminutes he's been a part of. John's voice is a much-needed one in the Christian community.
The following are two quotes from Dream with Me that really hit me in my heart:
"My passion for life does not stop when a baby emerges from his or her mother's womb. I believe God wants us to be concerned for every life, including the lives of our young black men in jail, Mexican Immigrants (legal or not ) living in America, gay men and women, and so many others- saints and sinners."
"Some people argue that because slavery occurred more than a century ago, asking people to repent again is like beating a dead horse. I understand that but I also look around and see the legacy that slavery has left among black people- how it has damaged our sense of self-worth so severely and how other forms of bondage have risen up to take its place. We haven't fully exorcised this demon from our national soul. Until we do, our best strategy is to repent...[laws] can bring about a degree of justice, but true justice will come only as we love one another and consider one another's needs as important as our own."
The following are two quotes from Dream with Me that really hit me in my heart:
"My passion for life does not stop when a baby emerges from his or her mother's womb. I believe God wants us to be concerned for every life, including the lives of our young black men in jail, Mexican Immigrants (legal or not ) living in America, gay men and women, and so many others- saints and sinners."
"Some people argue that because slavery occurred more than a century ago, asking people to repent again is like beating a dead horse. I understand that but I also look around and see the legacy that slavery has left among black people- how it has damaged our sense of self-worth so severely and how other forms of bondage have risen up to take its place. We haven't fully exorcised this demon from our national soul. Until we do, our best strategy is to repent...[laws] can bring about a degree of justice, but true justice will come only as we love one another and consider one another's needs as important as our own."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Homophobia, Police brutality, Slavery, Hate crime, and Racial slurs
Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, Child death, and Torture
notwithoutwitness's review against another edition
4.0
Postscript to John Perkins remarkable life
Dream with Me reads like a postscript on John Perkins remarkable life. In other ways it’s like a confession of sadness but also a confession of hope. Sadness because things are not the way they are supposed to be. But joyful hope because one day Jesus will make all things right. And it is a call for all of us who live in between the already and the not yet ( Perkins doesn’t use that language).
His focus is primarily on “race relations” and in particular calling the church toward reconciliation and unity. It is a retread of much of what he has previously written but through the lens of one who knows his time on earth is at its end. I think that adds power and strength to the book.
Perkins remains a prophetic voice for the church today and I pray his voice will remain for the church tomorrow.
Dream with Me reads like a postscript on John Perkins remarkable life. In other ways it’s like a confession of sadness but also a confession of hope. Sadness because things are not the way they are supposed to be. But joyful hope because one day Jesus will make all things right. And it is a call for all of us who live in between the already and the not yet ( Perkins doesn’t use that language).
His focus is primarily on “race relations” and in particular calling the church toward reconciliation and unity. It is a retread of much of what he has previously written but through the lens of one who knows his time on earth is at its end. I think that adds power and strength to the book.
Perkins remains a prophetic voice for the church today and I pray his voice will remain for the church tomorrow.
thoughtsfromtheafro's review against another edition
2.0
Not Everyone's Cup of Tea
This book came to me as a recommendation, as I read often about politics and racial/sicial justice. As someone who is not religious and who separated from Christianity long ago for various reasons, I found some bits of hypocrisy in the book. Because of the title (and even some of the summaries I read), I didn't anticipate the book to be so Jesus-focused; while John does do a great job of discussing how is faith shapes his racial justice activity, I was expecting something different -- amd definitely didn't expect references to bible verses at every turn.
With that being said, his book has given me cause to pause on my relationship (well, lack thereof) with the church as a woman of color. It by no means, gives me the desire to return, but I am left with feeling the need to write out a reflection/response about why those in my generation like myself, just don't see the Christianity he sees, and isn't sure how or if it's worth pushing it in the direction he wants it to go.
This book came to me as a recommendation, as I read often about politics and racial/sicial justice. As someone who is not religious and who separated from Christianity long ago for various reasons, I found some bits of hypocrisy in the book. Because of the title (and even some of the summaries I read), I didn't anticipate the book to be so Jesus-focused; while John does do a great job of discussing how is faith shapes his racial justice activity, I was expecting something different -- amd definitely didn't expect references to bible verses at every turn.
With that being said, his book has given me cause to pause on my relationship (well, lack thereof) with the church as a woman of color. It by no means, gives me the desire to return, but I am left with feeling the need to write out a reflection/response about why those in my generation like myself, just don't see the Christianity he sees, and isn't sure how or if it's worth pushing it in the direction he wants it to go.
hannahmrodriguez's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 / lots of good points, really Gospel-centered
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