*Leave a comment to win a copy of Undead!
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So, I’ve been talking about that Clay Morgan guy a lot recently; after all, October is UNDEAD month. Maybe you’re wondering why I’d give a month of my space to Clay or his book. And that’s a good question; thanks for asking. Maybe you’re saying, “Why don’t you give up all of your space to someone who knows what they’re doing?” But that’s not a good question, and I’m just going to pretend you didn’t say that.
Okay, so the short answer is that I believe in them. I like both Clay and his book, and I believe in what they have to say.
Of course, the long answer is longer.
Here’s where I explain the book…sort of.
I’ve found it difficult to nutshell Undead; when people ask, my thoughts scatter in about ten directions at once. In my defense, I’ve heard Clay Morgan himself explain the book in about five different ways. The truth is that Undead covers a lot of territory, like doubt, the emotional tombs we crawl into, giving selflessly and how it’s not that easy to follow in Christ’s footsteps. Here’s my try at a description:
In the beginning, Clay asks, “What if there isn’t just death and life, but death and undeath?” From there, he leads us on a journey through a history of the undead, from ancient stories of the dead arising to why we’re still so fascinated with these creatures today. Primarily, he recounts the six recorded incidents of the dead being brought back to life in the bible and uses those varied scenarios to discuss contemporary Christian life. Pop culture references are effectively woven throughout the narrative as well, particularly the zombies that Clay employs so well to illustrate a shambling state of existence.
Above all, Undead asks the question, “Why isn’t this working?”
“This is the thing I always believed was part of the answer to life, as in I just need this to be happy and fulfilled. We try all kinds of things in hopes of finding the right this.” So why isn’t this working? Many of us are like spiritual zombies, shuffling through life, “unfulfilled by either pursuing or obtaining the objects of our desire.” And “what happens when we have everything and still wake up feeling empty?” Undead’s answer is that “God came to the land of the living dead so that the dead might live.” We just have to choose life.
What I like about this book is that…
Undead offers me hope that I can be more than the zombie I sometimes act like, but never pretends that choosing life over death, choosing to be reborn, is easy. Clay is very open and honest about his personal struggles and what he has viewed as his own spiritual shortcomings. So instead of feeling my particular imperfections sharply contrasted against what I “should be”, I am shown that I’m actually a normal human being. Yes, I can be more, I can strive to strengthen my relationship with God, to live more fully in my faith. But questions, doubts and my internal struggling don’t make me a bad Christian. Let me tell you, there’s something compelling about recognizing yourself on the page, being told that someone gets you, and feeling that they are speaking to you. And beyond that, being told that you are okay, that you’re not alone – you’re not the only one, alone in this apocalypse.
Undead tells me something about myself. When I read a book like this, I ask, “Can I take a lesson from what I’m reading? Does it make me ask questions about myself? Does it challenge my viewpoint, my perspective, and offer me a different vantage from which to see?” Undead fulfilled all of those needs for me. It reminded me about who I am and who I am striving to be. It gave me new insight into my religion and my relationship with Christ.
About Clay Morgan…
The thing about Clay is he’s a nice guy. I believe in the message of the book, and that the nature of the writing will help speak something wonderful into many ears that haven’t been listening. But I know I wouldn’t put this much effort into promoting Undead if it weren’t for Clay. I truly feel that his heart is in reaching out to people, particularly the youth community, and that he wants us to find what we’ve been looking for, to fill the emptiness of merely existing with the fullness of truly living. I’m sure he wants to be successful for so many reasons, but if I thought his primary motivation was self, then you wouldn’t be reading this right now.
A couple of months ago, Clay helped me. I didn’t ask for help, he just offered it, in response to a simple, frustrated tweet. And then he followed through. I’m sure he doesn’t even remember it, and I imagine it wasn’t a big deal to him at all. But it was a big deal to me. Truthfully, I’m really spoiled. I know that I can come here and find kindness and encouragement. But this is my home, and you are my family. As much as your support and caring are a continual wonder to me, I’m blown away when I find that kindness coming to me from the outside. And I’m a sucker for people who are nice to me.
So there you go.
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But wait, there’s more!
I’ve got a signed copy of Undead that I’d love to give to one of you! Just include the word Undead in your comment, and I’ll put you in the drawing. I’d love to hear your thoughts either way.
Click here to visit Clay Morgan’s site and find out more about Undead:
I’d never seen a trailer for a book before, but this is cool, ya’ll:
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steadily skipping stones 