The Return

Review: Futureville: Discover Your Purpose or Today by Reimagining Tomorrow Skye Jethani Nelson Books 2013 This is another winner from this author.   Jethani writes books that need to be read.   This one touches all of us in one way or another.   What is happening here is a look at the premise that drives actions and thoughts related to an individual’s view of the future---and the present as well.    In a gentle manner and in a very readable way the author examines the outcome of believing in a global sort of evolution, evacuation, or resurrection.   Each direction leads to a different emphasis and practice according to Jethani.   He has connected dots that at the very least were obscured by loads of rhetoric from their respective adherents and opponents. This is an affirming and insightful work which is sorely needed by many and especially those in the Church.   He weaves it together through a metaphor of a World’s Fair hel...

Review: God in Slow Motion: Reflections on Jesus and the Unexpected Lessons You Can See in His Life Mike Nappa Thomas Nelson 2013 This is probably the freshest breath of air I have read in quite a while.   Really, truly, it is.   The subtitle talks about reflections on Jesus and this is what this author has done.   No scholar talk or the usual stuff here.   These are reflections.   He has taken the time to look and think about 10 different moments recorded in the Gospels.   The author enters the moment, lives it, and presents his thoughts to us.   My favorite moment comes from chapter 4, Frightening Wonder .   This one looks at Jesus calming the storm.   Nice placid little lake goes berserk while all the disciples and Jesus are trying to get across it.   You know the story, if not it’s in Mark 4.   The subheading for the scene where the disciples witness Jesus speak to the storm is Jesus is One Scary Dude.   This...