The Return

Review: WOW! The Good News in Four Words Dandi Daley Mackall Tyndale House Publishers 2017 This is one of several books that attempts to explain the gospel to children.   It’s not as easy as it sounds since us grownups have made it pretty complicated, in some respects.   I had heard someone say that they found it quite difficult to explain things especially around Easter time, so I decided to give this book a look. It is meant to be read to children.   That’s a plus right there.   It isn’t something you place in front of them and walk away.   That meets the first criterium in my opinion.   Parental involvement.   The size of the book works for sharing it with someone.   Nice big pages, colorful illustrations done by Annabel Tempest, and print that fills the space left for it nicely.   The story is told in rhyme and mostly simple terms.   There are some words like grace or Savior that might trip up a young...

Review: Unfinished: Believing is Only the Beginning Richard Stearns Thomas Nelson 2013 He is right and his title sums things up.   Believing is only the beginning of a new life and the commission to the church and disciples is unfinished.    I jumped on this book when I got the notification that it was available.   Stearns has his act together in many ways and writing is but one of them.   Communication is one of his strengths and this book, as well as his previous one, demonstrate that well.   Yes, I do recommend this book.   Get that part done first.    This book took me a little longer to like than the other, but after he sets up his argument it takes off nicely.   The basic theme is we are here for a purpose that is determined by God Himself for each of us individually and as we congregate together as groups.   Each person matters and each task matters.   Yes, we have heard this before, but his approa...

Review: The Briarpatch Gospel: Fearlessly Following Jesus into the Thorny Places Shayne Wheeler Tyndale Publishing House 2013 A delight to read, but it isn’t fluff.   Wheeler engages the reader from the first page.   I found myself nodding in agreement, most of the time, with all he had to say.   This man knows how to communicate some serious stuff in ways that make you want to keep reading.   Even better he can inspire the reader to action related to the serious stuff.    So what is the book about?   His experience and advice on entering the world of those least likely to show up in your church on Sunday morning including the courage to face your own prejudices and fears.   That’s all.   Told you it wasn’t fluff.   What’s not to like here?   I can’t think of anything.   I would love to use this book for my small group.   That’s how much I like this book.   The publisher included d...