For All It's Worth

The Wayfinding Bible from Tyndale House Publishers This new Bible put out by Tyndale House Publishers is a unique contribution to the Bibles that you fin on the market.   There are three basic routes that you can take in reading this Bible: flyover, the direct and scenic routes.  The flyover route is 54 readings in the Scriptures that give the reader a chronological understanding of the Bible.  The direct route comprises 215 readings that give a more robust selection of readings to grasp the meaning of the entire Bible within a year’s time.  The last route, the scenic route, is 386 readings in God’s Word that traces the known and not well known passages of the Scriptures to give the reader a fuller and deeper understanding of both chronology and meaning of the text.  In my reading, I chose to take the flyover route to see how different types of passages fit together both chronologically and thematically.  What you will find in this Bible...

God’s Great Plan Written by Melissa Cutrera and Illustrated by Matthew Sample II http://www.shepherdpress.com/product/gods-great-plan/ This new children’s picture book, God’s Great Plan by Melissa Cutrera and Matthew Sample, II is a wonderful retelling of the story of redemption in the Bible starting from the creation and moving to redemption.  The illustrations by Matthew Sample II are beautifully rendered and capture the emotional weight of the story from the glory of creation, to the darkness of the Fall, to the majesty of redemption.  Melissa artfully tells the biblical narrative through two line rhymes that coincide with the stunning illustrations.  I read this book to my daughter at least two times and she really enjoyed the interaction between the story and the illustrations, how they seamlessly fit together.  Overall, this book was a real gem to read and to discuss with my family because it pushed us to talk about the story and its truth. ...

Preaching? Simply Teaching on Simply Preaching by Alec Motyer http://www.amazon.com/Preaching-Simple-Teaching-Simply/dp/1781911304/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?ie=UTF8&qid=1384961058&sr=8-1&keywords=alec+motyer+preaching When a very able and competent Old Testament scholar puts his hand at the plough of preaching, my attention stands up.  Alec Motyer, former principal of Trinity College, Bristol, is known for his careful words on the book of Isaiah and also the Bible Speaks Today series, Old Testament portion.  His new book, Preaching?, is a trove of wisdom on the art, development, and application of sermons.  In the beginning of the book, Alec notes that preaching is much like the window dressings you see at a local store, with the items the storekeeper most wants to sell right out front for you eye.  He writes,” Bible in hand, we have a stockroom full of the most amazing collection of goods to offer – real bargains too!...Everything must lead t...

Painting the Stars: Science, Religion and An Evolving Faith Home Edition http://www.livingthequestions.com/xcart/home.php?cat=485 This new DVD entitled Painting the Stars put out by Living the Questions is a collection of 20 minute sessions devoted to the connection between science and religion, specifically Christianity and an evolving spirituality.  The contributors range from Philip Clayton, Michael Dowd, to Rachel Held Evans and John  Shelby Spong.  The premise of the sessions is the main point that in order to heal the rift between science and Christianity we must embrace an evolutionary Christian spirituality, one that embraces the cosmos with the ancient Christian practices of meditation, prayer, community, and reading.  To progressive believers, these sessions will strengthen your faith and vision of a spiritual life that is inclusive and includes an acceptance of an evolutionary paradigm that describes each stage of life.  As an evangeli...

Clear Winter Nights by Trevin Wax http://www.amazon.com/Clear-Winter-Nights-Journey-Truth/dp/1601424949 Clear Winter Nights is a provocative story that drawn together themes of doubt, faith, the truthfulness of Christianity and family relationships.  Seen through the lens of Chris Walker’s, the book’s main protagonist, the story develops through the characters including his fiancée Ashley, his Grampa Gil and a few other characters.  This novel or story is rather unusual in that it carries with it more signs of what it means to struggle with the Christian faith and opposing viewpoints than developing a riveting storyline.  Chris is in the midst of college in which his faith is being tested through the stimulating teaching of a professor who doesn’t seem to inhabit the kind of evangelical Christianity Christ is involved with.  Chris ends up confiding in his grandpa about these struggles and finds not only a sparring partner theologically and spiritu...

You’ll get through this: Hope and Help for your Turbulent Times by Max Lucado http://www.amazon.com/Youll-Get-Through-This-Turbulent/dp/0849948479 I didn’t expect to find so much profound truth in this book until I started reading.  Max’s new book, entitled You’ll Get Through This, is a real look at the narrative of Joseph’s life with an eye towards the brokenness and messed up stuff that happens in the lives of ordinary people.  The book is 15 chapters that range from topics like scandals and scoundrels to evil and revenge.  All the elements of a popular drama movie here yet captured through the eyes of Joseph and our situation.  Max seemingly holds together the newspaper and the Bible together in one hand throughout this book, only stepping to add bits of personal stories along the way.  Yet, I think the real power of this book is razor sharp ability of Max to ask the right questions (everyone is thinking), but offer solid, biblically faithful...

Occupy Spirituality by Matthew Fox and Adam Bucko http://www.amazon.com/Occupy-Spirituality-Radical-Generation-Activism/dp/1583946853 The Occupy movement as this book indicates is an intergenerational movement of activists that advocate for peace and justice in the local and global arena.  Adam Bucko, a man who ‘has devoted his life to helping homeless teenagers and cofounded Reciprocity Foundation’ partners with writer and theologian, Matthew Fox in their new book, Occupy Spirituality.  What takes place is a conversation of give and take between a radical theologian and an activist that are both concerned with matters of justice from within a sacred perspective.  As the Introduction reveals, “Ultimately, this book is about spirituality – a Radical Spirituality for a Radical Generation already known for its courage” (xxii).  Matthew hints at part of the main tenant which holds together the Occupy movement; spiritual democracy.  He writes, “Movi...