I finished Under the Overpass last night and it just blew me away!  I started it Saturday night and I had to finish it.  It's an amazing story.  If you haven't heard of it it's about two college students who are active church members who are a bit bothered by the difference between preaching Jesus' lessons and actually living them.  They decide to go homeless for 5-6 months. 

They approach it seriously (meaning they aren't rescued at any point when they feel like eating more food or driving a car)  They sleep in rat invested areas, eat out of garbage cans, live on one meal a day, they panhandle, try to get to know the other people on the streets and find out why they ended up there, etc.

Yankoski kept a journal and goes into depth on his feelings about humanity.  It's interesting to see where they are treated kindly and where they are treated like vermin.  Some of these places are very unexpected.

Anyway, if you've read it, I'd like to see your thoughts.  It's not a book I'll forget easily!

Wow Great Recommendation! I will definitely have to read this.

I am a big Believer in Grace Based Christianity and Actually living Like Jesus and Following what he said not just preaching it. I identify with emergent Christianity and AM always looking for books like this!

Thanks again!

Just added it to my wishlist!

Brook, I'm not a very religious person, but I agree that we should live by example.  It's one of the interesting conflicts shown in this books.  They often found more mercy from the other homeless they met than those who they met at churches.  Not all churches though!  (This book is not an attack on Christianity!!!) They found some really wonderful places of worship.  It is striking to see how they would come in to hear Sunday service which was about Jesus' teachings and then have all the people in church (including the preacher) shun them.  They did run into many giving people who used their own time and money to be kind.

If you read it, please post your thoughts.  I thought it was incredible.  It has made me question my own beliefs and practices.

Sounds like a good book!  I will have to check it out...

LG, it was a very good book.  I don't think you read it without reflection on your own beliefs, stereotypes, etc.

I just got this one from the library, and started it today.

Brenda, let us know what you think of the book when your done.  I found it pretty unforgettable.

You might also enjoy Mike Yaconelli's "Messy Spirituality," or just about anything by Rob Bell or Donald Miller.  They have this same kind of grace-based message.

Alise, thanks for the recommendations.  I'm going to look them up right now. 

And, I love the Groucho Marx quote :)