The Return

Review: Boundless: What Global Expressions of Faith Teach Us about Following Jesus Bryan Bishop Baker Books 2015 A very interesting book.   And one that challenges you to think about what following Jesus is really about.   Bishop describes his experiences in this book, as well as being open about some of the issues that challenge him. Yes, the present tense since he admits to still working through some things. He traveled to places where the predominant religious practices did not include Western style Christianity.   He found followers of Jesus in communities from Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Native American cultures.   Their practices generally tended to include their native culture and practices much more than what most Western Christians would find comfortable, and that’s when this book gets interesting.    The word Boundless implies a broader range of acceptable practice while staying true to the teachings of Jesus.   Contextu...

Review: Adventures in Saying Yes: A Journey from Fear to Faith Carl Medearis with Chris Medearis Bethany House Publishers 2015   I must say that I agree with the back cover quote from Lynne Hybels, “Reading Adventures in Saying Yes is so much fun you don’t realize at first how profound it is.”   Each story told by Medearis gives the reader a fresh perspective on not only the adventure he and his family traveled, but also another way to move from fear to faith.   Things incredible, things tragic and the full range in between those poles are part of this book.   The author’s style is so readable you feel like he is across the table telling you all these adventures.   If storying is an effective way to relate to some people groups, then this guy has it down pat. So yes, I do recommend this book.   It accomplishes its goal in illustrating his journey from fear to faith in a soft spoken, life lived way.   It also is a great look ...

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...