The Return

Review: For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards Jen Hatmaker Nelson Books 2015 Don’t miss this book!   Jen Hatmaker makes reading fun and she has some good words about nearly every topic addressed and she covers a bunch.    Add caption Divided into four sections she moves in ever greater circles from self to those that inhabit the world around us.   One section examines marketing and the messages sent.   Or how about the idea that you can have it all and do it all?   She thinks that just isn’t possible.   Another section covers family up close and personal.   And she even goes so far as believing that children are or should be children.   There’s so much in this book.   You don’t have to agree with her, but at least hear her out.   The chapter entitled Poverty Tourism (153) spoke most plainly to me right now as I pack for a mission trip.   Great reminders.   And don’t miss...

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...