The Return

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: Francis: Man of Prayer Mario Escobar Thomas Nelson 2013 Escobar has written one of many biographies of the newly installed Pope, and his is the first I’ve read.   As time goes on I will probably read some of the others too.   So what did I think of this one? Honestly the historical background of the church was quite interesting and as it has been a large part of Francis’ life I took it to be part of his biography, and the biographical information was interesting but thin; maybe in the rush to get the book out there.       Escobar seemed more concerned with outlining the challenges Francis faces now and their background information than on the life of the man thus far.   And the new Pope does have a giant task before him it seems and pretending he doesn’t does not help him solve the issues at hand.   So maybe Escobar has chosen the better path.   One last thought---the title of this book.   Where did that come fr...

Review: Road to Redemption Brad Mathias Tyndale Momentum 2013 Hope. Encouragement.   Trials.   Life.     A family comes together after sustaining some heavy damage.   Infidelity, anger, a daughter scarred by an encounter with a schoolmate, and all the issues that go with that list.   Sounds pretty familiar sadly, but that is not the final word for these people.   Forgiveness, reconciliation, admitting shortcomings as parents, redemption.   It’s all there.    Brad Mathias describes just such a family---his own.   What I found most remarkable about his work was that here is a man who is not afraid to admit to his faults and failures.   It took a while for him to come to that point, but he did.   He does not leave out the emotional aspects of this either, but he does not dwell there.     Best of all he tells a real version of what following Christ is.   No hype, no sugar coating.   Just ...