Blogging for Books: Flipped by Doug Pagitt

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I chose this book because it basically lies outside of genres that I would normally gravitate to.  While I can't say that I hated the book, I can say that I disagreed fundamentally with mostly everything that Doug Pagitt had to say.  


There are a couple of main problems I have with this book:
1. I consider myself to be a fairly intelligent person, but there were times during my reading where I was left pondering, "Uh. What?"  I just didn't "get" some of the points that Pagitt was trying to make.


2. This man stated that he was a pastor.  Maybe it's not very open-minded of me, but I feel that this pastor has missed the main point of the Gospel and what Jesus was trying to say.


I understand that Pagitt's point is to "flip" the traditional thinking of God and religion, and depending on your belief system this book may be wonderful or horrible to you.  There were some ideas that I did agree with.  I do feel that we should not be trying to hide or live with "If/Then" thinking.  God does not want us to simply do good in the hope that he will do something good for us.  That's not the point.  Bad things still happen to good people, and it's not necessarily God "punishing" them for their choices.  Sometimes bad things happen from bad choices.  Sometimes bad things just happen.  But I do completely disagree that we should just do whatever we want where ever we want with whomever we want.  We SHOULD be trying to live Godly lives based on Jesus' example, knowing that we will NOT ever be perfect because we're human.  We WILL make mistakes, and that's why we have a God who offers forgiveness when we mess up.  


While Pagitt didn't directly say anything like this, if we are ALL in God, does that mean it's okay to murder others, or live a life of addiction, or abuse your spouse or children?  It just makes me question his point.  Shouldn't those people be ashamed of their actions?  Shouldn't they want to repent?  
Overall, I felt that Pagitt wrote well, but I just can't get on board with this flip.

Influenster Vox Boxes

I've recently received two VoxBoxes from Influenster.  While it's always cool to get free products to try, these last ones have featured one product each, and frankly, they've been a little weird.

First, I was selected to try Carefree Acti-Fresh pantiliners.  I'm sorry, Influenster, but making a big deal on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media about pantiliners is just too much for me.  I mean, for goodness sake!  My DAD has Facebook.  I don't know, maybe at thirty-two-years-old talking about feminine hygiene products for the whole world to see shouldn't bother me.  But it does.  No one needs to know my business about my business.

The next VoxBox I received from Influenster featured Purina One Cat food.

I received a small bag of Purina One Smart Blend cat food: Chicken & Turkey flavor.  I also got some information about the food and a coupon for a free bag.  

Now, I find this VoxBox a little weird, because I am not a cat.  I am also not a pet psychic, so I'm not sure how well I can rate this product.  The idea is that you gradually incorporate this bag of cat food with your current cat food and make the #OneSwitch.  I did do this, but the problem is that I have two cats.  By the time I could use the entire bag, there still wasn't enough to fill their bowl, and I'm a busy person who hasn't had time to get the other bag yet!

So this is the best that I can do.  I was filling up Allie and Abbie's water and food bowls on the kitchen counter like I always do.  Immediately after I poured some of the Purina One into the bowl with the other food, Allie was into it.  Was she hungry?  Or was it just that irresistible?  I don't know.  But it does seem like both of them gobbled up the food much more quickly than usual throughout the week.

Now, will I make the complete #OneSwitch?  I don't know for sure.  My cats are pretty happy with most food that I give to them.  Brand name cat foods tend to be very expensive, and while I love my fur babies, if generic is good enough for me, it's good enough for them.  You know?

But I will certainly be willing to use my coupon and let them have another try!