No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green - Melody Green

Any Christian who hasn't heard a song by Keith Green has pretty much been living under a rock. His music shook the church as a whole back in the 70's, and continues to move people in powerful, God-inspired ways even today. But how many of us know the story behind the man? Keith's wife Melody has written their story from the very beginning of their Christian walk, documenting the journey God took them on up till - and proceeding - Keith's tragic death in a plane crash that also took the lives of two of their children. One might assume this to be just another ordinary, typically dry biography of some face behind a career. But it's not. It's far from it.

Who can honestly find words to describe this book? It's almost too incredible to be fact - the unfathomable hand of God guiding this man's life is almost far-fetched enough to be fiction. The passion, fervor and drive of one man and the awe-inspiring way God used him to further His kingdom is nothing short of miraculous.

Usually I can't read a biography. I'm ashamed to say it, but I often find them boring, poorly written, and disengaging. So to say that I couldn't put this book down is not only an understatement, but a testament to how well written and gripping this man's story was. Watching their quest for truth unfold, the slow unveiling of God's love and mercy dawning, and the result of a heart set on fire for Christ was nothing short of earthshaking. The rawness of Keith's struggle in his faith will touch the deepest part of your soul, and the excerpts of his journal entries will leave you crushed by their honesty; the vivid passion for God's kingdom so clearly displayed in his poignant writings I simply cannot describe.

I really am at a loss as to how I can possibly review this book. After I finished it, I spent a good twenty minutes with my face buried in a pillow, sobbing my heart out. Who could not be deeply touched by a life so given over to Christ? Who could not feel a gaping hole in their soul, as if something had been torn out of it; revealing a desperate spiritual lack after being exposed to such a story? If you think your faith has been stretched enough, read this book. It will be stretched further. If you want to read something that makes you feel good and gives you nuggets of wisdom here and there, you will have to look somewhere else.

But if you want your heart to be squeezed and your faith put through a wringer; if you want to read a story that will make you weep brokenly for the hardness of your heart; if you want wisdom by the boatload and lessons by the thousand; if you want to not just be moved by our incredible God, but slingshotted into fresh action for His glory, then read this book. It's messy. It's raw. It's broken, but it's breathtakingly beautiful.

I have no more words. To even quote part of this book would be to do the whole story an injustice. Just read it. I dare you not to be moved.