July 12, 2020 Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 You could say that Sam did not know any different when he was growing up. It was not unusual for him to come home from school and see at least one person passed out in the house from drinking or to find illegal drugs spread out on the kitchen… Continue reading Be Good Soil
Category: Books
The Green Good News by T. Wilson Dickinson
How do we connect God’s creation with with the thought of empire that seems to take the front seat more often than not in the world? This is nothing new, as Jesus came preaching about the exact same thing. Dickinson takes an in-depth look at what it means to truly follow Christ today and how… Continue reading The Green Good News by T. Wilson Dickinson
Whole Identity by Dr. Jerome D. Lubbe
Just when you are wondering how many more books about the Enneagram can be written, Dr. Lubbe presents Whole Identity: A Brain-Based Enneagam Model for (W)holistic Human Thriving. While the Enneagram is centuries old, the recent rediscovery of it in the past century has led one to a deeper knowledge of the self and how… Continue reading Whole Identity by Dr. Jerome D. Lubbe
a riff of love by greg jarrell
Jarrell’s book, A Riff of Love, reads like a melodic tune that touches your heart and empowers you to reach out to others with love. He speaks to what it means to be in a loving and caring community that has the best interest of all its members in consideration when making decisions. The chapters… Continue reading a riff of love by greg jarrell
The universal christ by richard rohr
“How might the notion of Christ change the whole equation? Is Christ simply Jesus’s last name? Or is it a revealing title that deserves our full attention? How is Christ’s function or role different from Jesus’s? What does Scripture mean when Peter says in his very first address to the crowds after Pentecost that ‘God… Continue reading The universal christ by richard rohr
Review: The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God
As a pastor, it is probably one of the most received questions that I hear, “Why to bad things happen to good people?” This age old question is known as theodicy. Laytner goes to the depths of this theology through his own personal experiences. Anson Hugh Laytner retired from a career in nonprofit and academic… Continue reading Review: The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God
Book Review: Seculosity by David Zahl
Secul… what? David Zahl presents a lively discourse on what we turn our attention to in the present time. What is it that leads us away from God and what do we treat as our priorities today. If you have never heard of the term seculosity before, it is because it is of Zahl’s creation.… Continue reading Book Review: Seculosity by David Zahl
Book Review: Dear Church by Lenny Duncan
Let me start out by saying that I feel ill-equipped to offer much of a commentary on the topic of race. Yes, I have attended a multi-day anti-racism training and I have read various books on race relations, but I will never know what it feels like to be a person of color in the… Continue reading Book Review: Dear Church by Lenny Duncan
The Gospel of Inclusion by Brandan Robertson, Book Review
There are many books available on the market that explore what it means to be part of the LGBT+ community in the Church of Christ. Those that are opposed to full LGBT+ inclusion often use scripture to make their point known for all that will hear. In the process they often neglect that everyone is… Continue reading The Gospel of Inclusion by Brandan Robertson, Book Review
Here is Real Magic by Nate Staniforth: A Review
I first heard about this book on Rob Bell’s podcast, the Robcast. He interviewed the author and I was compelled to read it. What is it about wonder and mystery that draws us in? What is it that curates our desire for something that moves us to a point of seeking more and wanting to… Continue reading Here is Real Magic by Nate Staniforth: A Review