Skip to main content

The Myth of the American Dream by D.L. Mayfield

I was drawn to D.L. Mayfield’s writings because of her love of her neighbors, beautiful storytelling, and pursuit of truth. With that said, I loved the Myth of the American Dream. I feel like her writing and storytelling have really grown in this book and I was captivated by page one. She gently but truthfully pulls back the veil on what is the reality of the American Dream for so many. It’s an eye-opening, for the uninitiated, of systemic racism and classism that so many experience in the United States. It’s a timely message full of heart and the desire to shine the light on the lives of many in our midst. I didn’t agree with everything she said or even theologically land on the same page with her in some areas, but what’s the point of reading a book if you already agree with everything the author says? I loved the opportunity to be stretched in my worldview and examine my own heart for places I can let go of the “American Dream” so that my fellow immigrants, refugees, and other in generational poverty can rise up and experience the same “givens” I expect and want every day. I loved this quote about affluence from her book: “The antidote to affluence is not shame. It is, instead, thanksgiving. This is not a truth I learned on my own but one that has been revealed to me by my friends who excel in the duties of delight and gratitude and celebration, tempered by their very hard realities.”

Thank you for your perspective and voice, D.L.! It is much needed in a time like this. I would highly recommend this book to book clubs, men and women who want to expand their view of what IS the American Dream and what does Jesus have to say about it. Read it in a group, discuss it with your friends, your Bible study group. It’s well worth it!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"This Thing Of Ours" Book Review

When I saw "This Thing Of Ours: How Faith Saved My Mafia Marriage" by Cammy Franzese offered by Book Sneeze, I just had to get it. I know very little about the Mafia and I thought it was incredibly interesting that a woman married to a mobster would have written a book, talking about faith of all things. "This Thing Of Ours" goes through the tumultuous years of the Franzese marriage. It tells about their meeting, engagement, marriage, jail sentences, children, and how Cammy learns and grows with each stage. I was genuinely surprised at how little she knew of her husband's involvement in the Mob, but I really enjoyed reading this book. Cammy does a great job of describing different events in her life and weaving her belief in the Lord through it all. This is book is not to read looking for perfection. She is a real person with real struggles and is clear from the start that she is not without sin. I think if you keep that in mind as you are reading, it isn't ...
1 comment
Read more

The Christian Parenting Handbook

I've been reading The Christian Parenting Handbook and it's great! Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller wrote the book and say you will learn how to:  Identify character qualities to address problems Build internal motivation Use creativity to teach your kids spiritual truths I love the way the book is set up with 50 short chapters on different parenting tips, common problems, and biblical truths. It's perfect to pick up and read whenever you have a free second. They offer real, practical, and biblical advice. I really appreciated the way the authors gave concrete examples and how to  implement them into your family.  One of my favorite chapters is titled "Don't Practice In The Grocery Store-That's The Final Exam." It's all about what to do when your child acts out in public. They wisely suggest that you, "practice in the kitchen, bedroom, laundry room, and backyard. Children need to learn how to handle disappointment at home so they can accept a ...
2 comments
Read more

The Daniel Fast Review

I had always wanted to read The Daniel Fast so I was really excited when I saw that it was offered by Tyndale. The Daniel Fast by Susan Gregory was great! The book is broken down into two sections. The first part is about Susan Gregory and why she wrote the book, what is fasting, the story of Daniel and his decision to fast, and tips for a successful fast. The second part details acceptable foods for the fast, menus, recipes, devotionals, and frequently asked questions. I loved reading it and I loved the recipe book in the back. Susan does a great job of explaining the reason behind the title of the book. I loved learning about Daniel and why he chose to fast. It is not really a book to learn about fasting, but more of a practical how-to guide for those who want to start fasting. If you are looking to learn more about the spiritual discipline of fasting, I would highly recommend Richard Foster's The Celebration of Discipline . I think the best part of the book is the 21 day devo...
1 comment
Read more