I didn't really choose to read this book, but ended up being so glad that I got the opportunity! I am currently enrolled in a political science class at my university, and this book was assigned as required reading. I expected to trudge my way through it, retaining as much material as possible through tedious notes. But I ended up loving this book and taking notes willingly! This short book, coauthored by Christopher L. Heuertz and Christine D. Pohl, is all about what it means to have Christian missions centered around friendship and genuine community with those that we are serving. Both of these authors share some of their anecdotes from years of work in mission organizations, specifically one called Word Made Flesh (WMF), and all that they have learned about being genuine relationship builders as they share the Word with our marginalized and poor brothers and sisters. What sticks with me the most about this book is the recurring theme that we must love others the way that Jesus loved others: by genuinely taking the time to be relational and building friendships of trust, patience, and hope in spite of terrible circumstances of poverty and abuse. It repeatedly makes a point of portraying the logical fallacies of goal-oriented organizations that do not seek those they are trying to convert as people worthy of being in relationship with. How, after all, are we supposed to tell people about the God who loves all people if we are not expressing that same kind of love to the people around us? All in all, I liked how I was able to make political as well as personal spiritual connections to the concepts and themes in this book. I would highly recommend it as a short but thought-provoking read!

Two of my favorite quotes from Friendships at the Margins:

"In drawing closer to Jesus, we discover that we cannot love him without loving others."

"Friendship with the source of love guarantees that we will have sufficient supply (of love)."

 C.S. Lewis -- where do I even begin? I was in the middle of reading Mere Christianity when this amazing publication of some of Lewis' articles and excerpts on, as the title describes, "the Reading Life," was released. It was gifted to me as a birthday present (as it came out on my actual birthday) and I decided to set aside Mere Christianity for just a while to delve into this treasure of a book. Lewis is truly a genius. His way with words is beyond explanation and praise, and I cannot say enough times how blown away I am by his intelligence. The man must have studied every subject to some extent! The various excerpts and articles that make up this work detail a variety of topics that warmed by book-loving heart. Some of them include "How to Know If You Are a True Reader," "Why Children's Stories Are Not Just for Children," "Literature as Time Travel," "Why Movies Sometimes Ruin Books," "The Achievements of J.R.R. Tolkien," and "Advice for Writing." These are honestly just a handful of the topics discussed in short prose. But, oh, length loses its meaning in light of Lewis' capability to pack these passages with profound insight. I just love to read his well-written explanations of his love for books, how he approaches reading, and how he discusses literature that has moved him and caused him to take on new perspectives. If these kinds of discussions sound interesting to you, then this book is right up your alley. And come on -- you can't go wrong with C.S. Lewis. You may have to read his sentences two, three (or even four) times to fully grasp what he is really saying, but it sure is worth it once you have gained that understanding.

Some of my favorite quotes from this book:

"If only one had time to read a little more: we either get shallow & broad or narrow and deep."

"For poetry too is a little incarnation, giving body to what had been before invisible and inaudible."

"We seek an enlargement of our being. We want to be more than ourselves."