The Return

Review: Worry Less So You Can Live More Jane Rubietta Bethany House Publishers 2015 Jane Rubietta’s work is new to me, and if this one is typical of her, I will be looking for more. So right up front you can tell I’m recommending this one to you.   Worry in a number guises is but one of the topics this author presents in a fashion that pulls a person into the text.   Some have called her style lyrical, delightful, rich, real, honest, filled with humor, and insightful.   I would add heartfelt, gentle, and an encouragement.   I’m sure others have said this as well.   The best part is that she doesn’t get “preachy” and the use of Scripture passages is restrained but oh so pertinent.   It’s almost like having someone whisper them in your ear.   I like that approach—a lot.  My favorite portions of each chapter are the Votum and Benedictus, all of which are original works from the author.   They touched my heart often with an une...

Review: God’s Story for You: Discover the Person God Created You to Be Neil T. Anderson Bethany House Publishers 2014 This is the first of the Victory Series studies designed by the author as a “comprehensive discipleship course” (155).   The series will be an eight book series by the author.   This particular study is foundational and even though it seems too basic at first glance, it is not.   Neither is it so difficult that it would be not be useful for its stated purpose. This study contains six sessions that examine the Person of God as He relates to His creation.   Therefore, the first session covers not only the beginnings of the story, but also the natures of God and man, why that matters, and what expectations exist between God and man.   Through five different lessons that conclude with questions to consider, the reader will have a basic, yet thorough, understanding of the early interactions between God and man.   The sessions t...

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...