Reading … Reviews Coming

I am getting back to some reading. Soon I will have some thoughts up about Ian Mobsy’s The Becoming of G-d, Dan Roam’s The Back of the Napkin, Scot McKnight’s The Blue Parakeet, and several others.

Coffehouse Theology Blog Tour Stops at The Edge

The word “theology” can be so intimidating. Most of the adults in my Sunday Bible study group practice theology all the time but rarely if ever use the word. Enter Ed Cyzewski. In a (dis) arming way Ed helps the reader work through the practice of theology for “every person.”

Coffeehouse Theology: Reflecting on God in Everyday Life presents the reader with what we may consider a missional theological method in the vernacular of the common person. Not just a book for those without theological education, but for those who understand the intersection of life and faith is not a matter of academics but practicality. Read more

Jesus In the Margins - Book Review

I have a penchant for the “edges.” Rick McKinley looks to the margins. Our culture too quickly marginalizes people. Feelings of neglect, depression, inadequacy, and hopelessness strut their stuff in the lives of those living in the margins.

In his book, Jesus in the Margins, McKinley offers a number of “stories” from the margins of life. It reads like a laundry list of those I have had conversations with over the years - and likely you too. What’s more people we find in the margins generally feel the church, Christianity, and religion speak but not to them. Since the margin was his home, Rick is fit for the task of calling to those in the margins offering hope.

This is no sappy story. Instead, it is one that recognizes the loss people may feel and offers hope in Jesus. Simply and with great care, Rick describes the experience with the risen Jesus for those left out, kicked out, pushed down and tossed aside.

Just today, one of our Bible Study teachers came looking for a resource to help paint both a picture of the need in the margins as well as hope we may bring them. Buy a copy. Pass on to friends both in need of finding hope in the margins and marginalizations of life as well as those who need to glimpse a way of offering hope.

Beautiful Idols

A friend and I were strolling the streets of Barcelona back in February. Our conversation turned to just how we may identify people. I will tip my hand quickly to say I fear the practice of categorization simplifies our lives. We really have no need to get to know someone. Once we can, by our ruler, measure someone we may then determine their worth to us. We either choose to engage them on deeper levels or we dismiss them. And, everyone knows our goal is simpler lives. Let’s not take the time with people - takes to much out of us.

Slowly I am making my way through Pete Gall’s My Beautiful Idol. It is not a difficult read. Rather, about the time I think I have time to make great strides through the book I encounter people. My vocation will not allow a quick dismissal. I cannot categorize those who come by as having value or merit based on some hidden ruler. Imagine the mental conversation. “Now Joe sure is getting on my nerves. I have spent hours with him and he just does not seem t listen. I am going to have to turn this one off. What a waste of time.” (Yes, fictional character.) Life would be simpler if we could dismiss those who did not benefit us in some way. Read more