The Return

This NIV Bible version contains notes written by Stephen Arterburn and David Stoop. Arterburn hosts a Christian counseling program and Stoop is a licensed clinical psychologist and appears as a co-host on the Arterburn program from time to time.   Together the publisher has compiled several helpful features for the reader follow in seeking spiritual renewal.   My comments will address those items only and leave the Biblical text commentary to the experts.    The introductory section suggests starting with the Spiritual Keys Devotional Reading Plan (xv) which, to me, resembles a twelve step approach that use seven stages rather than the usual number.   Each Key provides two weeks of devotionals prompted by an accompanying Bible reading. The reading that follows is noted and leads to the next.   Both the Old and New Testaments are considered within each of the seven keys.   A serious reader can benefit from following this track.   That is n...

Review: Dirty Faith: Bringing the Love of Christ to the Least of These David Z. Nowell Bethany House 2014 Like the back cover says this book is for those that sense there is something missing in their faith.   Nowell has put forth a challenge that needs serious consideration and if the reader chooses to act some serious work.   His delivery is strong, direct, and heart felt.   So buckle up if you intend to read this book.  Through several stories and some commentary related to those stories Nowell makes the case—in my paraphrase—that most of us just don’t get it.   He makes a distinction between believers and followers, and does it well.   No, there should not be those two groups, but in practice there is and it is well passed the time to fix that issue according to Nowell.   His stories and examples show why and how that can be done.   One phrase he used that still resonates in my mind is going beyond good intentions to intenti...