Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Bethany House Publishers (2012), 195 pages
Description
Religion & Spirituality. Nonfiction. The gripping true story of an old car, an ex-con, and a suburban dad??and the life-changing consequences of their unlikely friendsh
User reviews
LibraryThing member NatashaInconnue
It seems that semi-autobiographical books are popular in Christian writing lately. This book is a fairly typical example of what I would describe as Donald Miller-esque style, complete with self-depreciating humour and plenty of topic rabbit trails. This book has potential but was only a 2 1/2 for
As light entertainment this book isn't bad, but to describe it as giving readers "a new model of men's ministry" requires considerable overselling. Doing life together is a good idea but definitely not a new one.
The story is interesting but could be improved by eliminating some of the unexplained gaps between chapters.
As others have mentioned, the excessive use of footnotes goes from somewhat interesting to really distracting part way through the book. I would prefer the information to either be within the paragraph (so it doesn't impede the flow of the story) or eliminated altogether.
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me because of the following issues:As light entertainment this book isn't bad, but to describe it as giving readers "a new model of men's ministry" requires considerable overselling. Doing life together is a good idea but definitely not a new one.
The story is interesting but could be improved by eliminating some of the unexplained gaps between chapters.
As others have mentioned, the excessive use of footnotes goes from somewhat interesting to really distracting part way through the book. I would prefer the information to either be within the paragraph (so it doesn't impede the flow of the story) or eliminated altogether.
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LibraryThing member TammyPhillips
I just loved Dallas and the Spitfire by Ted Kluck and Dallas Jahncke. In this book, Ted tells of his experience fixing up an old car with a former cocaine addict, Dallas. Along the way, Ted is able to mentor and disciple Dallas. Through this story, we are able to witness the transformational work
The best part about this book is the humor of a real, down-to-earth guy, who feels less than worthy to be discipling a guy from such difficult beginnings. I think I laughed as some point on every page. Ted is so honest and real in his delivery. He truly represents a guy who can live in this world without being of this world. I think that is what made him such an effective mentor to Dallas. And yet, it is also undeniably evident that the Holy Spirit was at work as well. The reader is given a pretty grusome picture of what trials and temptations were at work in Dallas' life. It is truly amazing what an addict has to overcome. I cannot believe that full recovery is possible without the power of the Holy Spirit.
I highly recommend this book! It is a testiment to the effectiveness of discipleship through building relationships. It is an uplifting story of redemption, and it is an encouragement to Christians to be functioning members of the body of Christ, not merely spectators. I have never read anything by Ted Kluck before, but I am now a fan. I look forward to reading more from him in the future!
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of the Holy Spirt in the lives of both Dallas and Ted. The best part about this book is the humor of a real, down-to-earth guy, who feels less than worthy to be discipling a guy from such difficult beginnings. I think I laughed as some point on every page. Ted is so honest and real in his delivery. He truly represents a guy who can live in this world without being of this world. I think that is what made him such an effective mentor to Dallas. And yet, it is also undeniably evident that the Holy Spirit was at work as well. The reader is given a pretty grusome picture of what trials and temptations were at work in Dallas' life. It is truly amazing what an addict has to overcome. I cannot believe that full recovery is possible without the power of the Holy Spirit.
I highly recommend this book! It is a testiment to the effectiveness of discipleship through building relationships. It is an uplifting story of redemption, and it is an encouragement to Christians to be functioning members of the body of Christ, not merely spectators. I have never read anything by Ted Kluck before, but I am now a fan. I look forward to reading more from him in the future!
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LibraryThing member Jamilyn
Dallas and The Spitfire by Ted Kluck and Dallas Jahncke is a refreshingly honest look at the ups and downs of Christian discipleship and relationships between men in today’s church. It seems to be written to a Christian audience, but I think anyone could benefit from this story of the ups and
The book is peppered with footnotes and parenthetical remarks, which occasionally are humorous, but are more often simply distracting. Apart from this, I absolutely loved the tone of the book and the openness of the authors‘ stories. So many “Christian” books are clinical and come across as fake in an attempt to clean up their own history. Kluck and Jahncke tell it like it is and its, funny, ugly, difficult, occasionally uncomfortable and completely wonderful. The reader can believe that they are flawed humans, struggling to achieve closeness with something greater than themselves.
I wish the book was longer so I could have more time with these people and find out how the story continues.
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downs of friendships and how real they can be. The book is peppered with footnotes and parenthetical remarks, which occasionally are humorous, but are more often simply distracting. Apart from this, I absolutely loved the tone of the book and the openness of the authors‘ stories. So many “Christian” books are clinical and come across as fake in an attempt to clean up their own history. Kluck and Jahncke tell it like it is and its, funny, ugly, difficult, occasionally uncomfortable and completely wonderful. The reader can believe that they are flawed humans, struggling to achieve closeness with something greater than themselves.
I wish the book was longer so I could have more time with these people and find out how the story continues.
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LibraryThing member nettie195
Dallas and the Spitfire is a warm and witty story of faith and friendship. A young Christian father agrees to disciple an ex-con and drug addict who has recently given his life to Jesus. This unlikely pair grows in their faith as together they restore an old Triumph Spitfire. Ted Kluck is a master
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at weaving humor and joy into the trials he faces as he juggles his family, his self doubt, his faith and this newly formed bond with Dallas. And Dallas openly shares his dark journey from a world of drugs and violence to finding new hope in Christ. These two men share their experiences and feelings with truth and humor. Their struggles could be the struggles of any one of us. I found this book to rejuvenate my faith in my God and my fellow man. It made me laugh and cry and pray and I was sorry to reach that last page. Show Less
LibraryThing member chgstrom
Ted is discipling Dallas, a 21-year old former cocaine addict. They decide to restore an old Triumph Spitfire. This book discusses their faith and struggles. It had some interesting moments, but I wish we would have heard a little more about what Dallas was going through while he was at his
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schooling. It seemed to jump around a lot. Show Less
LibraryThing member reb922
Dallas and the Spitfire tells the story of Ted a thirty something father who is paired up with Dallas through his church. Dallas is 20 and a recovering drug addict who has recently turned to religion. Ted acts as a mentor to Dallas. Confronted with the task of regular meeting and the potentially
I like books that use foot notes as a fun addition to the text as is done here but there may be a few too many. My eyes seemed to be jumping around a lot while reading. A little too heavy on the religion for me but otherwise enjoyable.
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daunting task of finding words to fill the time Ted decides they should focus their energies on something in the form of a car. I like books that use foot notes as a fun addition to the text as is done here but there may be a few too many. My eyes seemed to be jumping around a lot while reading. A little too heavy on the religion for me but otherwise enjoyable.
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LibraryThing member momtorghj
I really liked the premise of this book: too often churches dictate what discipleship should look like and this book challenges the idea that you must sit over coffee and talk for an hour a week about your life and how God is working in it. Unfortunately, the book was really too short to delve into
I found that the footnotes really detracted as well from the story. Did the authors mean to write a story about a relationship or were they trying to educate us on different churches and their requirements? It was confusing.
I thought I would be moved emotionally by their tale but that wasn't too be. Perhaps the feedback they receive on these early reviewers books will spur them on to revamping the final work.
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a true relationship. I wanted more. I found that the footnotes really detracted as well from the story. Did the authors mean to write a story about a relationship or were they trying to educate us on different churches and their requirements? It was confusing.
I thought I would be moved emotionally by their tale but that wasn't too be. Perhaps the feedback they receive on these early reviewers books will spur them on to revamping the final work.
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LibraryThing member LynnCoulter
Men--at least the ones I know--don't share their feelings easily. That's why freelance writer and author Ted Kluck says he didn't know where to start, when his pastor asked him to hang out with a new believer, a young, "tattooed, goateed kid" at his church.
The kid, Dallas Jahncke, had a troubled
Klout's real hope, of course, was that he'd be able to share his faith in God and help Dallas stay clean. This book is the story of the journey they made together, toward an enduring friendship and a sincere love for Jesus.
In his introduction, Klout says he wanted to craft a Christian book that guys wouldn't be embarrassed to read. I'm not a guy, but I think I can say that he's exceeded his goal. This is an honest, deeply-felt book that has just enough grease and gunk around the edges to make even the biggest macho-man consider coming alongside a fellow believer in need--and how that brother could fill his own life with grace and friendship.
Highly recommended.
The kid, Dallas Jahncke, had a troubled
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past as an ex-con who'd used and sold drugs. He had no parents, and while their initial meetings were awkward and uncomfortable, Kluck admits, "I guess I felt like he needed us (Kluck and his family)." Besides, Kluck adds, he needed help with a broken down convertible, and Dallas proved to have many talents, including the ability to rebuilt carburetors and dismantle gearshifts.Klout's real hope, of course, was that he'd be able to share his faith in God and help Dallas stay clean. This book is the story of the journey they made together, toward an enduring friendship and a sincere love for Jesus.
In his introduction, Klout says he wanted to craft a Christian book that guys wouldn't be embarrassed to read. I'm not a guy, but I think I can say that he's exceeded his goal. This is an honest, deeply-felt book that has just enough grease and gunk around the edges to make even the biggest macho-man consider coming alongside a fellow believer in need--and how that brother could fill his own life with grace and friendship.
Highly recommended.
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LibraryThing member misterehmuseseh
Dallas and the Spitfire: An Old Car, an Ex-Con and an Unlikely Friendship/ by Ted Kluck & Dallas Jahncke.
From an Advance Reading Copy, Bethany House, 2012
First of all to say it was a good read, inasmuch as the story is positive and it gives the reader some good insight into the conditions that
The story, as the title hints at, is about a friendship between the (sports) writer, Senior Christian and the drug addict, ex-con, new convert. The interaction between the "mentor" and the disciple is presented well so we can get the feel of the "challenge" that Ted Kluck (mentor) had in relating to Dallas (the "disciple), and vice versa. They decide to work on a project together and this is the restoration of the "old car"... in this particular case, a Triumph Spitfire.
The presentation is good in that both Ted and Dallas contribute in first person entries, and they share honestly some of the challenges, trials, of the Christian walk and their particular weaknesses. It is also informative... and humorous as they describe life in a "fundamentalist Baptist Bible school" and the complications that presents when they have someone as foreign to the Bible School culture as Dallas is, with his tattoos, and street and drug and prison background. But in the end we do discover that there has been benefit almost "in spite of" the differences .
Overall, I count it a good story, and one that church type people should read. It is instructive as to how they could... and should think as they envision a ministry of outreach to those "outside their comfort zone". It should alert readers to the judgments they form, based largely on "stereotypes" and externals.
Now, the one criticism, which I "felt" from early in the book. I would say that it feels like it was/is "too little and too soon". As the book goes on we here of Ted's limited or tight finances while one book or writing deal after another falls through. And how he is hoping that an advance or something else will open up. But this only serves to confirm my impression that he, (or the publisher) is rushing to get the book to press. That means that the story comes across in places as if it were a Reader's Digest Condensed Version. They make reference to Dallas going off to one place or another for the weekend or a visit, and imply that he will face great temptations. The next chapter begins with him back in the middle of a week or semester in Bible college, and we don't know how he managed the testings or what lessons he learned etc. It just seems like too many "gaps" that I for one would have liked to have filled in. It felt like. "Oh,if only I could ask you about this." So, to this measure I think: "Too Little".
But it also comes across as though this is a "novice" we are hearing about, and the story is being written within the first "year" of his conversion, and he has the strength and momentum of a "first love" that is driving him, and while he has struggles and issues to face, we only expect "success"... otherwise why write the story? But we also wonder, didn't he ever really "fall"? And what is he doing the year after the story ends? Why not wait until he has been "proven" and can share more of the "reality" we might want to see before we judge the effectiveness of the discipleship model as given. So, to this measure I think: "Too soon."
The publisher/author must have had some sense of this "shortcoming" also because in this particular "advance reading copy", it has in the beginning of the book 2 pages on which there is the heading: "Questions and Answers with Ted Kluck". Question number 10 is" How is Dallas doing today?" The answer is given in two sentences, the last phrase of which is: "and he has stayed clean and sober." But I didn't read that until after I read the rest of the book.
The strength of the book is that it is told in first person singular from time to time, so that both Dallas and Ted give it in their own words. Ted provides interesting little footnotes as well to help clarify terms that may not be familiar to those who are not "sports fans" or familiar with some "street terms".
It is the kind of book that I think should be in the "Biography" section of church libraries.
From an Advance Reading Copy, Bethany House, 2012
First of all to say it was a good read, inasmuch as the story is positive and it gives the reader some good insight into the conditions that
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addicts struggle with, and some of the factors that might put anyone into that position. The story, as the title hints at, is about a friendship between the (sports) writer, Senior Christian and the drug addict, ex-con, new convert. The interaction between the "mentor" and the disciple is presented well so we can get the feel of the "challenge" that Ted Kluck (mentor) had in relating to Dallas (the "disciple), and vice versa. They decide to work on a project together and this is the restoration of the "old car"... in this particular case, a Triumph Spitfire.
The presentation is good in that both Ted and Dallas contribute in first person entries, and they share honestly some of the challenges, trials, of the Christian walk and their particular weaknesses. It is also informative... and humorous as they describe life in a "fundamentalist Baptist Bible school" and the complications that presents when they have someone as foreign to the Bible School culture as Dallas is, with his tattoos, and street and drug and prison background. But in the end we do discover that there has been benefit almost "in spite of" the differences .
Overall, I count it a good story, and one that church type people should read. It is instructive as to how they could... and should think as they envision a ministry of outreach to those "outside their comfort zone". It should alert readers to the judgments they form, based largely on "stereotypes" and externals.
Now, the one criticism, which I "felt" from early in the book. I would say that it feels like it was/is "too little and too soon". As the book goes on we here of Ted's limited or tight finances while one book or writing deal after another falls through. And how he is hoping that an advance or something else will open up. But this only serves to confirm my impression that he, (or the publisher) is rushing to get the book to press. That means that the story comes across in places as if it were a Reader's Digest Condensed Version. They make reference to Dallas going off to one place or another for the weekend or a visit, and imply that he will face great temptations. The next chapter begins with him back in the middle of a week or semester in Bible college, and we don't know how he managed the testings or what lessons he learned etc. It just seems like too many "gaps" that I for one would have liked to have filled in. It felt like. "Oh,if only I could ask you about this." So, to this measure I think: "Too Little".
But it also comes across as though this is a "novice" we are hearing about, and the story is being written within the first "year" of his conversion, and he has the strength and momentum of a "first love" that is driving him, and while he has struggles and issues to face, we only expect "success"... otherwise why write the story? But we also wonder, didn't he ever really "fall"? And what is he doing the year after the story ends? Why not wait until he has been "proven" and can share more of the "reality" we might want to see before we judge the effectiveness of the discipleship model as given. So, to this measure I think: "Too soon."
The publisher/author must have had some sense of this "shortcoming" also because in this particular "advance reading copy", it has in the beginning of the book 2 pages on which there is the heading: "Questions and Answers with Ted Kluck". Question number 10 is" How is Dallas doing today?" The answer is given in two sentences, the last phrase of which is: "and he has stayed clean and sober." But I didn't read that until after I read the rest of the book.
The strength of the book is that it is told in first person singular from time to time, so that both Dallas and Ted give it in their own words. Ted provides interesting little footnotes as well to help clarify terms that may not be familiar to those who are not "sports fans" or familiar with some "street terms".
It is the kind of book that I think should be in the "Biography" section of church libraries.
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LibraryThing member gmathis
I rarely trust Christian authors who promise me "five easy steps to..." or "surefire ways to..." It just doesn't work like that.
Therefore, this honest and bumpy account of a regular guy, just trying to live the life God intended and trying to help a new Christian do the same, was refreshing,
Dallas, barely 20, has been used, abused, and incarcerated. Ted, suburban Michigan dad, takes him on, wondering whether he has the spiritual chops to be a mentor. Their friendship strengthens both of them and those of us who are along for the ride.
The advance reader's copy that came to me was filled with footnotes, which to some readers are a little distracting, but if they make it to the final edition, don't miss them--they provide snort-milk-through-your-nose humor throughout.
Therefore, this honest and bumpy account of a regular guy, just trying to live the life God intended and trying to help a new Christian do the same, was refreshing,
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enjoyable, and engaging.Dallas, barely 20, has been used, abused, and incarcerated. Ted, suburban Michigan dad, takes him on, wondering whether he has the spiritual chops to be a mentor. Their friendship strengthens both of them and those of us who are along for the ride.
The advance reader's copy that came to me was filled with footnotes, which to some readers are a little distracting, but if they make it to the final edition, don't miss them--they provide snort-milk-through-your-nose humor throughout.
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LibraryThing member kaykwilts
Dallas is a new Christian who has had a rough life. He has a prison record, several homemade tattoos and has a history with hard drugs. Ted is a 30 something man who has been in church all his life. Ted does what the church worldwide should be doing. He disciples this young man and develops an
I only have a few criticisms of the book. Like someone else stated there are too many bookmarks which is a tiny bit distracting. Also, the author went off on a rabbit trail a couple of time. He devoted on whole page to the reason he loved the movie "The Fighter". He spent too much time enumerating the six reasons he liked that movie. Also the book is a little too short. I think a little more time should have elapsed between the time he mentored Dallas to the time he wrote the book. I would love to know how Dallas was doing like five years after going to the Fundie college. Was he able to maintain his Christian lifestyle? Did he meet the good Christian woman that would be his lifemate? With a little tweaking I could easily see this book as a five star book.
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unlikely friendship while restoring an old car. I only have a few criticisms of the book. Like someone else stated there are too many bookmarks which is a tiny bit distracting. Also, the author went off on a rabbit trail a couple of time. He devoted on whole page to the reason he loved the movie "The Fighter". He spent too much time enumerating the six reasons he liked that movie. Also the book is a little too short. I think a little more time should have elapsed between the time he mentored Dallas to the time he wrote the book. I would love to know how Dallas was doing like five years after going to the Fundie college. Was he able to maintain his Christian lifestyle? Did he meet the good Christian woman that would be his lifemate? With a little tweaking I could easily see this book as a five star book.
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LibraryThing member gslykhuis
While I ejoyed reading this book, I never really felt like I got to know the main character, Dallas. I think the short length of the book, prevented the author from really communicate what made Dallas tick. With this lack, it became hard to care as much about Dallas as you would expect in a book
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like this. Also, the format was a bit distracting, with the constant bunny-trails on other topics. Overall, I still found it encouraging. Show Less
LibraryThing member Madcow299
Not a great book. Just a story of two guys connected and exploring faith. Nothing revolutionary or ground breaking or even useful for doing men's ministry. No wonder I never saw this on any bookshelves.
LibraryThing member TizzzieLish
Ted Kluck becomes friends with Dallas. They have very little in common, so rather than usual model of mentoring/discipleship, the mentoring takes place in the garage as they work together to restore an old car. Ted mentors Dallas regarding the walk of faith and Dallas mentors Ted regarding
Not a how-to book, but presents a life-style model of mentoring.
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mechanics. They grow together and become friends. Dallas learns to walk with the Lord through temptations and challenges. The chapters alternate between those written first-person by Ted, and those written first person by Dallas.Not a how-to book, but presents a life-style model of mentoring.
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LibraryThing member laholmes
This is a short look at discipleship and how it works through the lens of a man working with a difficult subject. They restore a car together, encounter bumps along the way in their relationship. I think it's a good honest look at the realities of a discipling relationship. It keeps your attention
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pretty well, through stories and commentary. Show Less
LibraryThing member 2wonderY
Whoops! I never finished reading this book and forgot I hadn't reviewed it. It had a fine enough premise, but it just lacked the spark that would make the exchanges and personal growth meaningful to me. Interestingly, it was the adult role-model who admitted to the most growth, with his assumptions
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rudely challenged by the young man he was supposedly mentoring. Show Less
LibraryThing member olegalCA
I really liked the premise of this book: too often churches dictate what discipleship should look like and this book challenges the idea that you must sit over coffee and talk for an hour a week about your life and how God is working in it. Unfortunately, the book was really too short to delve into
I found that the footnotes really detracted as well from the story. Did the authors mean to write a story about a relationship or were they trying to educate us on different churches and their requirements? It was confusing.
I thought I would be moved emotionally by their tale but that wasn't too be. Perhaps the feedback they receive on these early reviewers books will spur them on to revamping the final work.
**I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review**
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a true relationship. I wanted more. I found that the footnotes really detracted as well from the story. Did the authors mean to write a story about a relationship or were they trying to educate us on different churches and their requirements? It was confusing.
I thought I would be moved emotionally by their tale but that wasn't too be. Perhaps the feedback they receive on these early reviewers books will spur them on to revamping the final work.
**I received a free advanced copy of this book in exchange for my review**
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LibraryThing member kpmartin
Really enjoyed this. It's about "discipleship", which is one of those things that sounds good when you're at church, and sounds weird everywhere else. But it's really just about relationship... being friends... helping people... caring enough to go out of one's way... trying to provide guidance and
The tag team writing style is similar to the "Why We're Not Emergent" book he co-authored; works pretty well. Nice, honest, natural-feeling tone throughout. Funny (enjoyed the footnotes).
This isn't a how-to book, but an account. I think it's actually more useful because of that. I'm not left with the impression that "I should do that", but instead "that seems like a right kind of thing... well done... should I do something like that?"
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accountability.The tag team writing style is similar to the "Why We're Not Emergent" book he co-authored; works pretty well. Nice, honest, natural-feeling tone throughout. Funny (enjoyed the footnotes).
This isn't a how-to book, but an account. I think it's actually more useful because of that. I'm not left with the impression that "I should do that", but instead "that seems like a right kind of thing... well done... should I do something like that?"
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LibraryThing member PastorBob
This book recounts the story of a relationship which occasions the discipleship of a young man through his first steps with God. The restoration of the car is a good idea as far as the telling of the story goes, though the book can get caught up more with answering questions that with just telling
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a story. Show Less