Fighting the American Dream

I think I may have mentioned before that I am reading a book, Radical, by David Platt. I had just started it and was realizing that I was going to be convicted by it. That was a few months ago. I'm still reading it. ;) Anyway- I was right. It is VERY convicting. And quite honestly there's so much in it that I don't know where to start. I don't know where to start talking about it on here, and I don't know where to start in making changes in my life!!

It's basically about NOT striving for the American Dream. The subtitle, if you will, is "taking back your faith from the American dream." My heart tells me, I don't want to live the American Dream, and I want so badly to live like this book, like Jesus taught us... but my head is fighting my heart. Or maybe it's the other way around. 
Now, I must confess, this book has mostly been read in the bathroom. Don't judge. It's also gone on some vacations, but the majority of my reading has been throne-side. I, unfortunately, never got a pen in there so I wasn't able to underline the parts I liked. About half way through I started to dog-ear the pages that had something memorable written on them. That's the thing. This book has so much! I KNOW I'm going to have to read it again and take notes. 
I just got to one of the last chapters which challenges the reader (me!) to a year "Radical Experiment" I'm excited to finally get some concrete ideas and actions to do to live this conviction out. I will share what those are once I finish the chapter! :)
Anyway- I realize that I haven't actually said much about the book, but like I said, there's so much to it and really, I need to read it again. I think you should read it too. It puts a smile on my face to think of a generation living as Jesus taught us to, and not how our forefathers taught us to. 

On that note, I don't want to be "yeast of ingratitude." So thank you, God, and thank you Mom & Dad for giving me so many blessings. I am truly grateful. Lord, please help me to turn these blessings into blessings for you and your people.

"Real success is found in radical sacrifice. Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of God. The purpose of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we live. Meaning is found in community, not individualism; joy is found in generosity, not materialism; and truth is found in Christ, not universalism. Ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy." David Platt, Radical, p.183