The Return

In Constant Prayer Robert Benson Thomas Nelson 2008 In Constant Prayer is one of a series, The Ancient Practices Series, released lately in paperback by Thomas Nelson and I am glad. I had not seen the original hardcover versions of any of this series before. This particular one addresses the daily office, a practice familiar to many and unknown by others. I fell into the latter group, so what the author had to say was all new for me. For those of you who are familiar with the office this book will offer a most gentle encouragement to continue in your practice. For the rest of us the author walks us through his journey with the daily office including a short history of the practice. Robert Benson explains the daily office to those that are unfamiliar with it through stories from his experiences with it. Early in the book I did not appreciate his way of doing things. I kept waiting for the magic bullet that would catapult me into some saintly realm with the pray-ers of ol...

Review: The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers) Mark Mittelberg Tyndale Hose Publishers 2010 What a title!  But, they are some of the questions Christians tend to duck when they come up in conversation--- even among friends.   Apologetics put forward in a user friendly way is my description of what Mark Mittelberg has done for us with his book.  It’s an easy read and covers the topics presented well in my opinion.  What I liked especially were the summary statements at the end of each chapter.    A quick overview of the high points helps if time is an issue.   The “Tips for Talking  About This Issue” section was probably more important than the discussion itself for me.  Remembering humility, gentleness, love, honesty and respect goes out the window sometimes when the discussion becomes more of an argument.  One piece of advice that I found to be most heartfelt was taking the time to discern when a “w...

Wow!  Another month come and gone. And now November is well under way.  Let he time slide passed me for sure. So what is new around here?  The biggest news is the seminary course I'm doing online.  Takes way more time than I ever anticipated, but that's OK since I've got more than money, as they say.  It is interesting and challenging as well.  I didn't know what to expect really.  To be honest I didn't think it would be at a true master's level educationally.  It is.  That is good.  There's so much out there that claims to be what this is and isn't.  I've tried several of them.  So that's the top of the news. Next been on the road for almost three weeks and finally am settling in for the winter.  Did a conference in Virginia that was very well done.  That is saying a lot because I'm not a big fan of that sort of thing.  In fact I avoid them if possible, but I'm glad I attended this one.  Then the next tri...

Homosexuality and the Christian Mark A. Yarhouse, PsyD Bethany House Publishers 2010   Finally, a reasonable look at this topic!  Long over due though, but finally here.  I guess that pretty well sums up how I feel about this book. It helps people like me who have not been able balance the admonitions against homosexual behavior in the Bible and the positions espoused from the different corners in this battle, particularly the churches responses.  Dr. Yarhouse begins his discussion with God and what He has to say about homosexuality. In doing that he sets the tone for the rest of the book.  God says this, so how do the people of God respond?  Part of his argument is that the church leaves no place for the person who struggles with same sex attractions thereby forfeiting the individual to the opposing views.  This is a major point that he touches on several times, but does not slam the pulpit in stating his views. Recent research on the causes of...

The Gospel According to Jesus Chris Seay Thomas Nelson 2010 Surprised, pleasantly, and challenged.  That’s how I’d describe my review of this book.  I’d read others from his circle of friends and been disappointed, to be honest.  I expected more of the same from Chris Seay.  I was wrong.  There is more focus on the things of God and more depth here than I’d seen elsewhere.  The author defines righteousness, the gospel, justification and even takes on the imago dei.   He’s not putting out some fluff here.  Surprised?  The emerging/emergent elements are coming of age.  And in the process rediscovering some truth that the mainline had sidelined.  My hope is that this continues to affect their lives.  It’s like watching the fervor of the boomers in the 60’s again.  Let’s see if the new generation can pull it off and not be defined as an “unrealized” (Tom Brokaw) generation. Chris Seay opens his book with a quote from Gand...

Y ikes !  This month is nearer gone and I'm just now realizing that.  Seems like that is a recurring theme lately.  Speaking of recurring themes---DADT just got put on the back burner in the Senate.  Not surprised.  I think it was expected and just in time for it to be an issue for the midterms.  That had to a coincident, of course.  So now, I guess they back up and try it again.  Except a bunch of them need to go campaign, so is there any time?  Did the GaGa rally help or hinder or just offer a side show? The Senators from that state certainly weren't moved by it.  Oh well, like so many things lately it'll just have to wait.  Wait for the Congress, but I wonder what the Executive Branch can do? Summer is almost officially over.  Just a couple of more days now.  Where I live the pools are closed, the private ones, too, and the AC's have been pulled out of the windows.  Very few people here have central units....

  the Mocking Bird Parables Transforming Lives through the Power of Story Matt Litton Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2010   The Mocking Bird Parables lives up to the endorsements on its back cover as few books have.  It is insightful and enchanting.  As the title hints, it is based on Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird,  which just celebrated its fortieth anniversary.  So Litton’s book is timely and a good follow up to the novel.  Reading groups could easily use it for a great discussion guide.  It does have a short set of reflection questions at the end for that purpose. Each of its ten chapters reflects on either a major character or scene from the novel.  The reader finds relevant issues like building relationships, role of women, ecology, finances, parenting and several other topics presented by the author.  His discussions are personable and pointed.  Gently most of the time, happily.  I liked his discussions of h...