Book Bomb: A New Direction
Since the launch of the Amazon.com Book Bomb last week — through prayer, the counsel of our parents, and the input of several close friends — we have come to realize how easy (and understandable) it would be for people to view it as very self-serving on our part: authors asking you to buy multiple copies of our book!
This was never our intention. Our motivation for launching the book bomb was the same motivation that drove us to write the book — to spread a message about what God is doing in our generation to as many people as possible.
We want to see our generation break free from low expectations and do hard things for the glory of God. For those of you who are participating in the book bomb — and those of you who are not — we know that is your heart’s cry as well.
We do not want our interest as authors to play any role in the book bomb. To ask you to join us in an effort like this requires that you be able to trust us to be of one purpose with you. It has to be about the message, not the delivery boys. Because of that, we want to make the following commitment to each of you:
OUR COMMITMENT
Whatever number of books are purchased as part of the Amazon.com Book Bomb on March 25th, we will set aside that same number of books to give away to anyone who cannot afford one. We will also make them available to other ministries and organizations for free distribution.
We also want to make sure that no one feels obligated to participate in the book bomb. This is something we want people to do because they believe it is good and right, not because we asked them to or because someone else is doing it.
Thank you all for partnering with us in reaching our generation for Christ.
Soli deo gloria!
March 17th, 2008 at 4:39 am
God Bless you guys!
I am amazed at how you young men of Christ handled all the controversy!
March 17th, 2008 at 5:02 am
Alex and/or Brett: Where would we be able to request a book. At the time we can not afford the book. But later in the Summer I should be able to donate money to make up for that. Also the same question for the T-shirts.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:09 am
Ditto to what Keven E. said.
Thank you for being such good examples who shine the Good News and encourage us as Brothers in Christ. You all continue to help me along the narrow road, even when the pathway sometimes gets rocky and creeks flood the area that are in the way, I am always encouraged to follow Jesus and Do Hard Things. You are in my prayers, as always, and may the Lord strenghten you and draw you even nearer to Him.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:42 am
I never thought for a moment that your intentions were self serving. But I understand your heart on this issue.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:24 am
Buy one give one, now thats a great reason to buy the book now.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:43 am
Ditto to Erin!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I never questioned your motives or intentions…but, I do appreciate you and your parents choosing to be blameless and above reproach. Your character is greatly appreciated!!!
We can’t wait to read it!!!
March 17th, 2008 at 11:33 am
i’m with the others on here. thank you, alex and brett, for glorifying God with how you dealt with the controversy. that speaks loudly of your love for Christ and desire to live for Him. it’s a great example to all the teens who read your blog.
thank you!
March 17th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Throughout the years of knowing you guys I’ve been continually impressed with how you handle controversy and your heart for this generation. I knew you guys meant only good with the Book Bomb, and I thought it was a great idea. But this… this… you guys ROCK!!!!! I won’t let you guys make such behavior exceptional, I’m going to help you guys make it normal
March 17th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Daniel Gilman wrote: “I won’t let you guys make such behavior exceptional, I’m going to help you guys make it normal.”
THANK YOU! I can’t tell you how much it means to Alex and me to hear you say that. That really is the point of everything we’re trying to do. If Alex and I are just “prodigies” then none of this means anything. It has to be that we’re getting a different result from living a different way. =)
March 17th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Wow, that’s awesome that you guys are doing that!
Praying for y’all. =)
-Annaka j.
March 17th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Fantastic! I had some concerns about the “book bomb” idea. I did not question your motives in doing this, but I did think that criticism could result from the image that was portrayed. This book matching commitment will more fully articulate your motives for the book bomb. Namely, to spread this important message.
Thank you for your ministry which has been such a blessing to me.
God Bless.
P.S. I plan on purchasing the book on March 25.
March 17th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I\’m not sure why anyone would think it is self-serving for you guys to advertise in the first place. Everyone advertises for their message. Every author promotes his own books. In the case of already published authors, this kind of thing doesn\’t even get a second look. But only if it\’s teenagers publishing is it assumed to be self-serving. By the way, it is good to see that your book will be for sale at my alma mater\’s bookstore: Westminster Bookstore
March 17th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
P.S. I wanted to ask you gentlemen whether you discuss reading theology in your book, for that is certainly a hard thing, and yet how rewarding.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Ditto to Emma!
March 17th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
My mom was so excited when she read this post. I had already committed to buying books and now she’s going to buy some too. God bless you guys!
March 17th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Ditto to Kyle!
March 17th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Wait a second Kyle, our mom’s know each other from Blogging!
How funny.
March 17th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Keilah,
That’s right! I remember her checking your family’s blog a while back. How funny.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Keilah,
You’re…”Kei” on your blog?
March 18th, 2008 at 6:50 am
I planned to buy 6 books - one for each of the student leaders in our youth group. That was the plan BEFORE the book bomb announcement and that remains the plan. To know now that 6 more books will be given away just increases my excitement! Kids need this message!
God bless ya’ll. When you actually DO hard things, hard times often follow (but you knew that already, didn’t you!)
See you in Charlotte - with the 6 in tow!!!
March 18th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Hahaha! I started something!
Ditto to Keilah.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Brett and Alex,
Thankyou for considering those who may be younger in the faith and/or have differing convictions. I am reminded of the apostle Pauls wise words:
“Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is neither good to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak”…….”We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.” Romans 14:19-20 Romans 15:1-2
A great reminder to us ALL:
“Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” Romans 12:16
God bless all of us as we meditate on doing God’s will during this week of rememberance of the death and sufferings of Christ.
Gracie
March 18th, 2008 at 9:25 am
I hope my former post came across as edification, it was meant to be an encouragement and a compliment!! I feel you sought to not cause your brother/sister to stumble, and responded in love.
March 18th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Brett and Alex;
I know I’ve already said it once, but I’ll say it again.
I am very glad that there are strong young Christians out there willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, and at all costs to keep their testimony clean. It is sad that within the circle of God’s church there is much petty disagreements. Thank you for handling it so Christlike.
May God bless you and your decision.
Holding forth the Word of Truth,
Noella
P.S. I’ve left quite a few comments on here recently and you probably are wondering who I am. Suffice it to say that I am from the upper Midwest, am a homeschool graduate this Spring, and, along with my family, am serving as a home missionary to the Native Americans. God bless!
March 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Affirmative, Kyle!
March 18th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Alex and Brett: This is a great thing that you are doing. To bad there aren’t more Christian authors who are willing to give a free copy of their book, for every one bought, to a person who can’t afford it.
God bless you and your ministry.
March 18th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
I’m someone you don’t know, but I like the idea
March 20th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Salvete amici latinae,Alex and Brett, I did not know ya’ll do latin.
I do too. that is way cool!Your Sister In Christ, Hannah
March 20th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
God bless your hearts.
I probably won’t be able to purchase the book exactly on the 25th…but I WILL when I can.
March 21st, 2008 at 2:45 am
Does the book bomb apply to amazon.co.uk?
March 21st, 2008 at 8:29 pm
God is so Awesome!
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has a story to tell about how Alex and Brett Harris/ The Rebelution have made a positive difference in their life?
I would ask this on the forum, but I’m not a member at this point. If it’s okay, I would really enjoy hearing/learning about at least a couple. I know I have been blessed by their mission. Thanks and God Bless!
March 24th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Ditto to Alyssa C.
March 24th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Plan on buying at least two tomarrow! (All my pocketbook can afford…. at the moment.) But we do have a lot, and I mean a lot, of graduations this summer!
Hmmm….
Brett/Alex, I tried to sign up for the book bomb, but I wasn’t sure how. It either said the e-mail was invalid or that 1 to 99 books was selected. I tryed and re-tryed several times but couldn’t figure it out. So, any way, I’m buying the book!