the 7 project [an experimental mutiny against excess]
![the 7 project [an experimental mutiny against excess]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/7-book-cover-150x150.jpg)
The thoughts running through my head make me sick to my stomach. The kind of sick that causes me to want to shake it up and do whatever it takes to purge myself of the crap (yeah, I said it) that spoils everything else that’s in there. And I’m blaming Jen Hatmaker. I read something [...]
book review: the resignation of eve
Other women love their churches and their people, but they know they aren’t being given the opportunity to think, strategize, innovate, and create new ways of doing church that both men and women find appealing. Often when they have expressed their desire for more influence, they were blocked, stonewalled, or stalled. These women have acquiesced [...]
book review: creative theology
Creativity. Artist. Church. Bible. Creation. Creator. Throw all these words together in an explanatory fashion and I want to read what you have to say. And this is exactly what Sam did. And as I turned each page of Creative Theology, I found myself gaining a new insight into the relationship between all those words. [...]
book review: a long obedience in the same direction
In A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, Eugene Peterson discusses discipleship as a pilgrimage as opposed to an instant achievement. He devotes each chapter for reflection on one of the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). These Psalms are chosen as the foundation of the book because they are “travel songs” and they operate like [...]
book review: heaven is for real for kids
When my grandson Ayden was four or so, we sat together in the living room. Looking at a picture on our mantel of him as a toddler with his father, aunt, and uncle, he said, “Daddy died in an accident, didn’t he?” “Yes,” I told him. “What kind of accident?” “A motorcycle accident,” I replied, [...]
book review: deliver me from evil
Ever since I was a little girl, I would stay up late reading. Fiction was always my favorite. As I read the words on the page, I slowly left the world I was living in and become a part of the story I was reading. The characters became real to me – my new friends, [...]
the gospel of matthew: the identity and mission of jesus
Finally. Someone is writing a Bible commentary that’s easy to understand… and apply. InterVarsity Press has recently delivered the second book in their Resonate Series, The Gospel of Matthew: God With Us by Matt Woodley. Check out the description of the book… They say the Bible is true, but does it ring true? Does it [...]
[book review] the muir house: a novel
![[book review] the muir house: a novel](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/TheMuirHouse1-150x150.jpg)
I’ve had the pleasure of reading Mary DeMuth’s work in the past, but only her memoir, Thin Places, which I found soul-bare in its honesty and strikingly poignant in its delivery. I hadn’t yet been exposed to Mary’s fiction before reading The Muir House. This novel tells the story of Willa Muir’s search to define [...]
come alive: an excerpt [@eloranicole on #humantrafficking]
![come alive: an excerpt [@eloranicole on #humantrafficking]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/sunrise-150x150.jpg)
from Elora Ramirez’ debut novel Come Alive, due out this Winter through Rhizome Publishing - Sunrises make me come alive. I’m usually up far before the sun makes an appearance anyway, so when the first light of the day creeps its way across the sky I can’t help but smile. Sunsets are relaxing – the [...]
book review: invitations from God
Life brings invitations. Jesus knew his spiritual journey depended upon responsiveness to God’s invitations. Although his job was the most crucial in human history, Jesus did not get compulsive, preoccupied or unable to practice the presence of God or people. In the midst of interruptions and overwhelming need, Jesus learned how to discern between invitations. [...]
digging down deep [some thoughts on what we believe]
![digging down deep [some thoughts on what we believe]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/dug-down-deep-150x150.jpg)
Okay, I really have to do this. I ran to the bookstore today and yes (on a really tight budget, LOL) I got Joshua Harris’ latest book titled Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters. The cover’s got one of my favorite contemporary writers ( Donald Miller) writing a recommendation and [...]
a re-evaluation of my time [invitations from God]
He sat in his wheel chair on the corner of Goodwin and Granite Streets as if he meant to cross. The man did not follow the other pedestrians. Across the street, I carried my book and walked fast towards Wild Iris Coffee Shop and wondered why he sat unmoving in his wheel chair on the [...]
book review: everyday conversations, eternal impact
A few years ago, while on vacation, my husband and I visited a popular tourist attraction. Amongst the throng of happy visitors stood three scowling young men wearing sandwich boards. One of the boards read, “Repent.” I don’t remember what the other two said. One of the young men pounded his Bible and spoke of [...]
book review: a primer on postmodernism
A Primer on Postmodernism does a great job at what the title suggests – it introduces the reader to the ideas and people who have helped shape and reflect upon the postmodern era. The book is divided into seven chapters each serving a unique purpose to introduce postmodernism to the reader. Throughout the book author [...]
book review: the story of a soul [the autobiography of st. therese of lisieux]
![book review: the story of a soul [the autobiography of st. therese of lisieux]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/st-theresa-of-lisieux-150x150.jpg)
In Therese of Lisieux’s autobiography entitled The Story of a Soul she tells of her life story which was very short (1873-1897). The young French girl always sensed a purpose in her life from a very young age. Her mother died early and she was the “little flower” of her father. Her two older sisters had [...]
book review: a history of the work of redemption [jonathan edwards]
![book review: a history of the work of redemption [jonathan edwards]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/Jonathan_Edwards-150x150.jpg)
Why did God decide to create the world? Why did He allow the Fall? What is the point of… everything? Wouldn’t this be an excellent piece of information to know? A History of the Work of Redemption is Edwards’ attempt to answer that question. In it, he tells the story of God’s eternal plan to redeem [...]
book review: transforming discipleship [making disciples a few at a time]
![book review: transforming discipleship [making disciples a few at a time]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/transforming-discipleship-150x150.jpg)
The goal of Transforming Discipleship by Greg Ogden [1] is to help the church rethink the practice of discipleship. Ogden suggests that small groups (i.e. three to four persons) are the primary way discipleship is demonstrated in the New Testament. He calls these groups triads. His book further develops these “discipleship triads” with the stated goal [...]
book review: after shock [searching for honest faith when your world is shaken]
![book review: after shock [searching for honest faith when your world is shaken]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/aftershock-100x100.jpg)
Kent Annan tells an amazing story of courageous faith and soul-beating doubt in After Shock. The setting is the country of Haiti after the devastating earthquakes of over a year ago; the backdrop is perfect for the kind of faith-and-doubt journey that Annan leads the reader down. From the young man who barely escaped a [...]
book review: the drama of ephesians [participating in the triumph of God]
![book review: the drama of ephesians [participating in the triumph of God]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/the-drama-of-ephesians-150x150.jpg)
The Drama of Ephesians (IVP, 2010) is an intriguing book that author Timothy Gombis suggests, “Most books (on Ephesians) are either popular treatments or inaccessible scholarly works. My hope is that this book fills that gap between commentary and popular exposition” (Interview with the author from IVP). I would suggest that he hit the target, [...]
on being a creative director [an interview with @blainehogan]
![on being a creative director [an interview with @blainehogan]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/blaine-hogan-150x150.jpg)
It’s all about the space. At least that’s what Blaine Hogan‘s focus is on. He wants to create a space where people can connect with God. As one of the Creative Directors at Willow Creek Community Church, he looks to integrate elements into the service that can help people experience that connection. In part one [...]
book review: the kingdom and the cross
The Kingdom and the Cross is a very short devotional booklet designed to get the everyday reader to think about spiritual things. Smith is very clear about his purpose, “this little guide is meant to help expand your understanding of these two concepts (Kingdom and the Cross).” He goes on to say that he “may not have the [...]
how to unleash the church [to be radical together]
![how to unleash the church [to be radical together]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/community-prayer-150x150.jpg)
I remember feeling almost completely helpless… or maybe hopeless is a better word. I’m on my first mission trip, and looking around at the extreme poverty that floods parts of Africa is a little overwhelming. I’m there to fight poverty, but coming face-to-face with this widespread epidemic makes me question how one person (like me) [...]
book review: bittersweet [thoughts on change, grace, and learning the hard way]
![book review: bittersweet [thoughts on change, grace, and learning the hard way]](http://bibledude.net/wp-content/uploads/bittersweet_cover-150x150.jpg)
There’s a theme that’s been running through my life over the last seven months or so. Books I read, music I hear, conversations I have … they all keep coming back to one thing: storytelling. I was first introduced to this book sometime back in September by a friend of a friend. Like so many [...]
jesus’ version of the butterfly effect: matthew 25:31-46 [#resonateseries]
It’s the last teaching of Jesus that’s recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did [...]
Nov 15, 2011 | Categories: authentic christianity, bible literacy, book reviews, READ, SERVE, the latest | Tags: bible commentary, butterfly effect, intervarsity press, ivp, Jesus, least of these, matthew 25:31-46, resonate series, sayings, teaching, the final judgement, the sheep and the goats | 1 Comment »