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Just being honest: Reflections on trying to be Christian
Price: £4.95 ((Free P&P to UK))
Postage: FREE
Year: Published 16 May 2008
Author: Dave Magill
Brief Description: Dave's search for an authentic Christian life
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I grew up in church. I can’t imagine my life without it. My whole life I have been going along on Sunday and singing the songs. I know when to lift my hands and when to keep them down, but the thing is, I spend most of my time wondering why I feel like I’m missing something. Sometimes I feel like everyone else is getting it and I’m just not.
I hope I’m not alone; the only one who doubts and questions. The more I talk to people, the more I see a desire to be honest, to share struggles and questions, to discover the truth by being authentic about our doubts.This isn’t theology or doctrine; it’s a reflection on my journey. I hope it will help other people to be real, to cherish the questions in an environment where only the pure, holy and sorted seem to survive.
Dave Magill
"The world is a better place because of Dave’s first book; just don’t let it go to his head." – Christian Selvaratnam, Alpha North
"There is something intensely freeing about the world Magill is searching for; a world in which we’d all feel welcome." – Alex Willmott, Journalist
"I love Dave. For a few reasons really and this book sums them up nicely. He is honest, honest about his humanity and honest about his relationship with God. I find that so refreshing and it’s why I love spending time with him. This book is a series of questions and reflections on Dave’s walk with God and by joining with him in this dialogue it has the potential to liberate us from the need to be perfect Christians and encourage us onwards in our pursuit of holiness and a deeper friendship with God." - Carl Tinnion, YWAM York
"This is a refreshing ramble through some stimulating thoughts on all kinds of topics which get little or unhelpful mention elsewhere... real life struggles with repentance, worship, friendship amongst lots more. I think this book would be great for a couple of guys (or girls I guess) to read then chat through. If you're a Christian looking to grow genuinely in your Christian life and break through the glib facades we so easily build for others to admire, then this book should stir you up quite helpfully. Maybe it might make us all think a bit more about 'just being honest' with ourselves, with our Father in heaven and with each other." David Rowbory, Kenya
"If you meet Dave Magill you know you are meeting someone who is different - a man who is not satisfied with everyone else's experience of God. Still at the height of his youth, there are many words to come from him yet, but this first book shows the Dave I know and his pilgrimage with Jesus. The book is subtitled ‘reflections on trying to be a Christian' and a better description would be hard to find. The short chapters are collections of thoughts about the issues that Dave has been facing himself. The openness with which we see Dave's thought processes as he grapples with concepts like ‘God', ‘Identity' and ‘Love' allow us to face the questions we had but were not previously prepared to admit to ourselves. Dave doesn't write like a theologian, his jottings are accessible to all, but still carry weight and depth. When I read his chapter on friendship, he made me feel slightly jealous of the guys he calls ‘best friends'. In the first chapter I found myself drawn in to meditation on the amazing phrase "I am fighting to win back my wonder" - I had to ask myself whether I genuinely was winning that battle. The chapter on ‘Repentance' is a ‘take-no-prisoners' reminder of the true gospel of Jesus Christ and the desperate need the world has for its Saviour. You will struggle to not read this book at one sitting - it is both compact and captivating - but then so is its red haired Northern Irish author. Buy two copies!" Stephen Redman, York
"Magill, especially in his consideration of worship, forgiveness, and friendship, exhibits a refreshing refusal to fit into routinely Evangelical forms - and certainly, were he to adopt the practice of working with a good spiritual director, and perhaps even making his confession, some of the inherent frustration that he communicates might be eased.
His book has an authentic tone that clearly will speak to many, especially young and/or new Christians, and, I would hope, lead them in directions similar to those I have indicated in order to become more mature in the faith."
The Revd Jonathan Boardman is Chaplain of All Saints', Rome.
The Church Times 17 October 2008
Dave Magill Is Youth Coordinator at St Michael le Belfrey, a large evangelical anglican church in York. Dave is also part of the leadership teams of G2 and Conversations, two congregations of the church. Dave is married to Joanne.
