I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion Reviews

• Lousy t-shirt a rare find!

  
  By A20WLELNGL4SVD on 2008-02-02
  I think that this is Vince's first book, and after reading "I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt" I hope that it is not his last. I was challenged over and over to rethink some of the assumptions that the church has made about itself over the years.
  
  I know that there are a lot of people that have either grown up in church or become a Christian only to find that the experience was less than fulfilling. Vince uses a lot of funny stories to remind us that God cares about people, and that following Jesus will lead us to an adventure.
  
  If you are ready for the life Jesus really promised, not the one on the sidelines watching others live, (or want to know what that life is really like) then this book will be a joy. As a minister I appreciated Vince's honesty more then anything, this is not another "Hey look at me" book.
  
  

• This book tops a lousy t-shirt

  
  By A3L261UV4FXCA0 on 2008-02-12
  I read the reviews on this book before buying it for myself and thought the reviews must have been submitted by Mr. Antonucci's friends -- that the book couldn't be that good. Nope, it is that good! Guess you could conclude that the reviews were more than a tease (forgive the lousy pun).
  
  

• Don't read while drinking wine!

  
  By A1P697AISQIC2F on 2008-03-14
  My wife and I read books together, and last night she was having a glass of wine while I read to her from this book. The book is not only amazingly insightful and thought-provoking, but hilarious as well. At one point, just after she took a sip of wine, I read one of Vince's remarks in the book, and she spewed wine all over the place!
  
  So if you read this book, have a box of kleenex near - not only for the tears (they will come too!), but to blot up the wine.
  
  

• Refreshing

  
  By A2QQKN2SA1AKFE on 2008-02-06
  Vince hits a home run in his first book! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to know how faith in Jesus can be so impactful. I've traveled the globe with Vince - he's real deal and what he writes is straight from the heart and relevant to all of us especially the church today. Keep livin' it Vince and writin' about it - bobby g - author Transformation, Glocalization, & The Multiplying Church.
  
  

• I laughed... I cried... I wanted to have little baby tees.

  
  By AAW7XLEQRBBO1 on 2008-02-07
  What a gift to bring so much awareness and self reflection without coming across as a lecture. And the author's ability to share of himself, and of his struggles, offers a refreshing "nakedness" that makes my own journey not so solitary.
  My only complaint would be finally getting to bed in the wee hours because I had to read just a little bit more.
  
  
• Pick this one up!!!
  By A1BCDM7AMIZP9F on 2008-02-13
  Last night I finished reading Vince Antonucci's book, I Became A Christian And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt. When I turned the last page I was genuinely sorry that T-Shirt was coming to an end.
  
  Vince, in a very candid and authentic manner, discusses what it means to be a follower of Jesus. He exposes many of the misconceptions and misrepresentations that are tragically corrupting the current state of Christianity.
  
  I found myself laughing out loud and softly crying as I read this book. God has gifted Vince with a marvelous sense of humor and is using his writing to ask all of us some very probing questions.
  
  Pick this one up!!!
  
  
• Fantastic - Very Real and Thought Provoking
  By AW2R800AD7O2T on 2008-02-07
  I pre-ordered this book and was not disappointed - Vince is a great writer and is incredibly transparent. Very, very real. I'd recommend this book to anyone in church leadership in any capacity. This is one I'll be recommending for a while.
  
  
• Great Book
  By A1BEUF1FSEY3PW on 2008-02-09
  After reading this book I have a new outlook and an all new energy. I found myself deep in thought over and over again. It revealed and reminded me how I am wearing the t-shirt and showed me how to get rid of it. If you feel held back, bored or tired, read this book.
  
  
• One of the best Spiritual Growth books I've ever read
  By A3PARFC6A8P2IV on 2008-02-09
  I've been a fan of Vince's from afar for a long time. When I heard that he was publishing a book, I couldn't wait to get a copy. I tore into it and began devouring it page by page. Vince has a very easy writing style; very conversational. I'm buying copies of this book for TONS of people - longtime Christians, new Christians, people wondering about Christianity. Vince's views are fresh - he's got a great perspective on things, and he's a very real writer, very vulnerable in his story. IF you only read one "Christian" book this year, make it this one!
  
  
• Vince has inspired me to go shirtless!
  By A1GYLTJ289JV4 on 2008-02-22
  This book was easy to read and hard to put down. Vince has inspired me to go shirtless! His stories of other peoples authentic faith, has challenged me to keep looking for ways to live my life in a more meaningful way each day. I'm so glad you didn't name your son Fastard.
  
  
• Don't stay bored and disappointed with your faith...
  By A2MO0TH0QB22AV on 2008-02-23
  Out of all the books I've read on finding spiritual passion, Vince's book ranks at the top. From the first page, it's engaging, funny, thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, brutally transparent and honest. It takes guts to be so upfront about personal struggles with spiritual passion while, at the same time, leading such a relevant church. I don't know of too many books which will have you laughing out loud one second and seriously examining your journey with Jesus the next.
  
  Hats off to Vince for being so honest, so real, and so willing to help others take a long look at their own spiritual passion. If you're bored with your faith, don't pass go and don't collect $200. Read this book.
  
  
• I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt!
  By A1YROVG2DSRNX6 on 2008-02-24
  First, let me say... this is a really good book! Really. Truly. Vince Antonucci really nails it. I want to pass it on to everyone I know... get it, devour it, you won't regret it... because you'll be changed. Doesn't matter who you are: Lead Pastor, staff pastor, ministry worker, small group leader... person sitting in the pews... doesn't matter. Get the book.
  
  Now, you won't be changed by the book itself, because only Jesus, His Spirit, and His Word has that kind of power... but that's just it: the point of the book is to live life with Jesus, and live the Jesus life. Vince's premise is that too many of us believers (and I can attest to this personally from different times in my own life) live the Christian life disappointed and bored... and it's because we're not living the type of life that Jesus calls us to: one that consistently abides in Him, loves those whom He loves (the lost, sick, poor, broken, homeless, etc.), and follows wherever He leads.
  
  One of the things I loved about the book is VInce's humor! I've read some really funny stuff before, but not many books have made me laugh out loud in public places! In a very engaging and hilarious way, Vince draws you in with incredible stories, and then drops a theological (but very practical) bomb on you... and you're sitting their saying to yourself, "Wow... I never looked at it that way before." You're deeply moved, or convicted, or whatever... and then, the next thing you know, everyone in the room is looking at you like you're crazy because you're laughing out loud again.
  
  There's so much I can say, but I really want you all to read the book for yourselves. So, let me leave you with a quote from the book... one of the many highlighted parts of my now-well-worn book. Enjoy!:
  
  "What if tomorrow you're eating a bowl of cereal when you notice a picture of a missing child on your milk carton. Your eyes explode. You know this kid! You know his parents! And you know where to find the kid! You realize that you can take action that will almost certainly return this child to his mother and father. But then you think, Nah. I don't feel like doing that. But I do like that kid's parents. I think I'll start giving them 10 percent of my income. Oh, and I'll go over to their house every Sunday morning and do some chores for them. And I might even sing some songs to them while I'm there.
  "Obviously, that's just insane. Every person would love to be given money, have someone serve them, and maybe even be serenaded. But if a parent has a kid who is missing, nothing else matters in comparison to getting that lost child home. And so if we could help make that happen, there's no way we wouldn't do it
  "But how often do we give and serve and sing to God but ignore the fact that our heavenly Father has lost children whom we could help return to him/. When we ignore that, what we're really ignoring is our Father's heart. We're ignoring the mission Jesus gave us. And we will be disappointed... and bored."
  
  If you're tired of plastic religion... if you're disappointed and kinda bored with your "life" with Jesus and feel like you've been handed a "lousy t-shirt"... if you want to really experience life... this book is for you!
  
  
  
  
• Unexpected punch
  By A1ELYFKZAAIANG on 2008-02-26
  Vince's hilariously surprising, off-the-hook, writing style is not what you'd expect from a Christian book. It's far more exciting. Which is sort of the point of the book. For many people, Christianity becomes a set of boring, mundane rules. Vince, though, breaks the rules of Christian writing to show us that the Christian life should be so much more than that. It should be an adventure. We should have some fun along the way.
  
  Vince packs truth into a fun-filled adventure through the book, and in doing so, sheds a light on the adventure that the Christian life should be.
  
  Stop wearing the T-Shirt, and get this book.
  
  
• Funny but right on Target - a must read...
  By A10YZ3TZVZHV3 on 2008-02-28
  I wanted to read Vince Antonucci's book, I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt, because I like Vince. I don't really know him, mind you, but I like him. I like his courage. I like his humor. I like his messages. I like his church... I have been a fan of his from afar for a while now. He's a brother from another mother. I like him.
  
  But even though I liked him, I never expected his book to be any good. I figured I would read it because the idea alone was a good idea... The image makes sense and so I signed up to take my church through his series because it sounded cool. We bought a bunch of the books, and I obligated myself to reading one too.
  
  Honestly, I really didn't know what to expect.
  
  Funny thing is, the book is really, really good. Not good in a "Christian book" kind of way; good in a Blue Like Jazz kind of way. I remember reading Miller's book and going - "Wow, this guy gets it." Vince gets it too - but he also gets something else: He gets me.
  
  Vince gets what its like to want more. He gets the frustration. He gets the American way of making disciples - which sucks and basically says, "Come to church and you'll figure it all out, oh, and tithe too." Vince gets that there are huge problems with the church that we all love and lead. Vince is transparent and funny, but Vince is dead on. Vince understands and voices things that most of us religious leaders are afraid to say. He gets it.
  
  And thankfully, he points the way to something much better. He reminds us that this life with Jesus is all about Jesus. It's all about following him. It's all about being in his presence and then following where he takes us. And when all of that is done right (by the way, Vince, I totally get the soccer illustration!! I coach two of my kids teams and do that drill often...) it can be quite a trip! A trip through serving and loving and touching sick folks and rejoicing - and quite James Bond-esk.
  
  Thanks Vince. I needed the reminder. May God bless you ...for if nothing else, you helped me.
  
  
• Honest and down-to-earth
  By A2AV82W6IKVSHC on 2008-02-09
  I think this book will be very helpful for people who sometimes feel they are "going through the motions" with their Christian walk. (And I think most of us probably feel that way at times!) Antonucci's passion for sharing the adventure Jesus has for us really shines through. His writing style is honest and easy to relate to. Not once did I feel like I was being preached to while I read this book! It's a great mix of funny personal stories and profound spiritual insights. I highly recommend it!!
  
  
• Wow!
  By ANU6OHN43YDBL on 2008-02-25
  Great read! I laughed, I cried, I was enlightened, and I grew. I highly recommend this book to anyone whose passion has faded.
  
  
• A must read for every Christian
  By A2L424E1XPNUKV on 2008-02-25
  This book is a must read for every Christian. Whether you've been a believer for 10 years or 10 minutes, this book will change your life!
  
  
• Great Book
  By A38MQHVEICK46P on 2008-03-02
  If you are looking for encouragement to revitalize your faith, you will want to pick up a copy of this book and read it cover to cover. Though the subject is serious, Vince Antonucci writes with such humor that he not only keeps your attention, you are enthralled by his words. An honest look at how we let our faith become stale and evolve into stifling religion, the author encourages us that living an exciting life of faith is not only possible, but what God wants for us.
  
  As for myself, I buzzed through these pages. I laughed, I related to the stories, and I came away with a clear picture of how exciting living a life of Faith can be. This book is not only an excellent read, it is life changing!
  
  
• A Rollercoster of Truth
  By AX8D55F3NRW2P on 2008-03-02
  From the opening pages, Antonucci grabs your attention with stories that are real, down to earth, open and honest. Like the hit TV show House, M.D. Antonucci says many of the things that most of us think about, but never say. His mix of humor, sincerity and spiritual truth can at times be disarming, but they have firmly earned Lousy T-Shirt a place on my bookshelf between the honesty of Miller's "Blue Like Jazz" and the hard-hitting truths of Yancey's "What's So Amazing About Grace."
  
  
• Refreshingly honest
  By AX8IVD65VOV3M on 2008-03-05
  Vince shares his faith journey with infectious humor, and refreshing honesty. A great read with a message and challenge for every Christian or non-Christian.
  
  
• OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  By A1S3MOYIW6T9DQ on 2008-03-09
  If you are satisfied with your life, as an ordinary Christian, please put this book back down! But if you are looking for a book that will help transform your thought processes and get you on the right track, this is the book for you.
  
  I found myself in several chapters, literally unable to put it down. As a result of this book, I truly believe, my Christian life is much the better.
  
  
• So looking forward to this but.......
  By A2RDER6WZLSJNU on 2008-03-25
  I will have to agree with another reviewer that says it seems like the author is trying too hard to be funny. I attended the author's Church for sometime and know that he is very creative and funny but this book unfortunately does not showcase his ability. Beyond the innovative cover this book is to me at least like so many Christian living books, a dime a dozen. Vince does have a ton of potential as an author and hopefully he will keep at it. Another thing that was disappointing was much of the material in this book I had heard in his sermons over the years, much seemed word for word. I realize though this is probably the case with many Pastor-authors, I just don't see it though because I am not attending their Church. Would I recommend this book? Most likely not. The reason why? I think there are books out there that address the same issues a bit better. Books by Yancey, Ortberg, and McManus will always be high on my recommendation list, and hopefully one day Antonucci. I try to personalize my book recommendations to people based on what I think they will connect with most. It seems like this book trys to connect with everyone and in doing so meets it's demise. Paul talks about being all things to all men, but I don't think Paul meant "all things to all men at the same time".
  
  
• Hoping for a sequel
  By A65HL32Q3P6H4 on 2008-04-05
  I have read a few books by famous christian authors. At the end I was disappointed because they went on and on and never seemed to get to the point. The only disappointment I had with this book was that it was over. I hope the author is working on another!
  
  
• A Motivating, Refreshing book for all....
  By A2TP391U8WMF57 on 2008-04-27
  Thank you, Vince. I think that everyone can relate to this book. I personally like Vince's life mixed in with his message. It made it very meaningful to me. I look forward to his next book and wish he lived closer!
  
  
• I disagree with Publisher's Weekly
  By A14JKODH4RFNJC on 2008-03-14
  This book is not a disappointment, it's great! It's refreshing, hilarious and insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am telling others about it. I highly recommend this book, you won't be disappointed.
  
  
• Good but not amazing
  By A7MAH1QLSI0NP on 2008-03-16
  I seem to buy books by their covers and this was definitely one of them. It's a good book and has some pretty great ideas but it seemed like the author was trying too hard to make the reader laugh. Some of the side jokes and commentary didn't seem to support the point that was being made. I liked how he approached evangelism though. It's still a pretty good book and i plan on passing it on to a friend.
  
  
• Simple Theology
  By ANZMBSG83GY53 on 2008-03-29
  I bought the book on a Saturday and finshed reading it on Monday. It was like a shot of B-12 for the soul! Vince takes the simple gospel of Jesus Christ and actually keeps it simple. He really helps the reader understand the challenge to "follow" Jesus. I am buying more copies to give to friends and family.
  
  
• To be honest....
  By AYPH3FD96I3I5 on 2008-03-29
  Changed my outlook on a faith that I had lost faith in...:)
  
  Completely agree with the other reviewer comparing it to a B-12 Shot for the soul. I feel that God has used this book to jump start the healing of my own brokenness from the church and from God, who i believe now more than I ever have, wants to be apart of and repair the messy sides of our lives. I became a Christian's Author truly showed (or reminded us) Christ's call for his followers to be compassionate and loving to the broken. Something I think we all need to practice and preach.
  
  
• Laugh Out Loud Spirituality
  By A183J3GRLF45H4 on 2008-03-30
  Vince writes straight out of his own personal life. His raw and authentic approach is full of personal struggles, questions, and triumphs. The book is littered with funny stories and jokes and some not so funny. You won't regret reading this book.
  
  
• I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy T-shirt
  By A32D64O58WDPYW on 2008-07-20
  Funny, crazily written with humor but makes more sense than many so called straight-laced books. With this book taken seriously, we can go anywhere without fear and win people to God.
  
  

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