The Return

Review: Subversive Jesus: An Adventure in Justice, Mercy, & Faithfulness in a Broken World Craig Greenfield Zondervan 2016   Isn’t it amazing how some of the smallest things can trigger changes in a life?   Happenstance of a beggar in a ratty T-shirt at the door of a tourist attraction in an Asian capital isn’t news or unusual, but just read this book and see what his presence did for one college kid.   That’s the beginning of Greenfield’s journey or adventure borrowing from the title of his book.   Well, mostly the beginning.   There was stuff before that episode that helped add to the effect.    I ordered this book after stumbling onto his web site (Take a look around it to see what he’s up to the last 20+ years.).   Greenfield has told his story in a way that is not only engaging, but convicting.   I am glad to see this sort of story being told more frequently.   I didn’t like some of the truth he laid out about...

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 ...