Like many who grew up in the fundamentalist/evangelical subculture, Jeanne Murray Walker has been through a period of deconstructing and reconstructinLike many who grew up in the fundamentalist/evangelical subculture, Jeanne Murray Walker has been through a period of deconstructing and reconstructing her faith. She is a poet and playwright, however, not a theologian, and her memoir reflects that style: vivid images, poignant scenes, gentle movements of the soul. Such a relief from the shrill, judgmental accounts I've read in other memoirs. ...more
The UN announced in 2022 that for the first time the number of displaced persons in the world exceeded 100 million. No one can grasp that human traumaThe UN announced in 2022 that for the first time the number of displaced persons in the world exceeded 100 million. No one can grasp that human trauma, but this book lets us glimpse it through the eyes of one family fleeing from war-torn Syria....more
The rock star Bono famously sang, “But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” Andy Crouch offers a counter-melody. As always, Crouch offers wisdThe rock star Bono famously sang, “But I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.” Andy Crouch offers a counter-melody. As always, Crouch offers wisdom and perspective, especially as we navigate an increasingly technological and media-driven world. How do we prevent such powerful forces from taking over our lives?...more
Transparently, cautiously, Michele Cushatt invites us along on her search for God’s presence, mining the Bible as well as reliable spiritual mentors fTransparently, cautiously, Michele Cushatt invites us along on her search for God’s presence, mining the Bible as well as reliable spiritual mentors for help along the way. To anyone who experiences pain, depression, confusion, or simply a nagging sense of life’s unfairness, I recommend Michele Cushatt as a trustworthy guide....more
A most creative collaboration, by a physician and a biotech scientist, that explores the healing properties of the human body, and draws analogies to A most creative collaboration, by a physician and a biotech scientist, that explores the healing properties of the human body, and draws analogies to how larger groups of people can exhibit those same properties. The church and the larger society need this message now!...more
N. T. Wright fluctuates between scholarly academic works and more accessible works for the lay reader. This one finds a happy medium between the two, N. T. Wright fluctuates between scholarly academic works and more accessible works for the lay reader. This one finds a happy medium between the two, using Wright's formidable scholarship to enrich the breezy tale of one of the most remarkable men in history. ...more
Raised Amish, graduate of Wheaton College, now physician teaching at Harvard: Dr. Jeffrey Rediger is uniquely qualified to explore what medicine callsRaised Amish, graduate of Wheaton College, now physician teaching at Harvard: Dr. Jeffrey Rediger is uniquely qualified to explore what medicine calls "spontaneous healings." There is no magic formula, but his accounts give hope to patients told their condition is terminal....more
One of the most extraordinary stories you'll ever read, of a teenage girl who survived Auschwitz, where she danced for the notorious Josef Mengele, maOne of the most extraordinary stories you'll ever read, of a teenage girl who survived Auschwitz, where she danced for the notorious Josef Mengele, married into a rich Hungarian family, then fled to the U.S. to escape Communism. Here, she climbed from immigrant poverty to become a psychotherapist, deeply influenced by Viktor Frankl. Oprah Winfrey chose this for her book club, and it's easy to see why. ...more
"The Brothers Karamazov" and "Crime and Punishment" get all the attention from Dostoevsky--both among the greatest novels ever written. Don't overlook"The Brothers Karamazov" and "Crime and Punishment" get all the attention from Dostoevsky--both among the greatest novels ever written. Don't overlook "The Idiot," though: Dostoevsky's fictional attempt to place a Christ-figure in the midst of upper class Russia ...more
I'll never look at trees the same way again. They communicate underground, cooperate in their defenses, and cut deals with fungi and small animals in I'll never look at trees the same way again. They communicate underground, cooperate in their defenses, and cut deals with fungi and small animals in symbiosis. Plus, they live on carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen for us animals. A delightful, entertaining book packed full of knowledge....more
The author of "The Gift" gives us a fascinating exploration of our leaky minds, and dozens of other meditations on life and humanity. Unique style, muThe author of "The Gift" gives us a fascinating exploration of our leaky minds, and dozens of other meditations on life and humanity. Unique style, much wisdom....more
O'Donohue died too young, but everything he's left behind causes me to think, feel, and reflect. Always worth the effort.O'Donohue died too young, but everything he's left behind causes me to think, feel, and reflect. Always worth the effort....more
Walter Wink wrote a brilliant 3-volume work explaining what the New Testament means by "powers." If they're not little devils in red suits with pitchfWalter Wink wrote a brilliant 3-volume work explaining what the New Testament means by "powers." If they're not little devils in red suits with pitchforks, what are they? Later he did a more accessible summary of those books in this one volume. If you like it, by all means grab the trilogy. ...more
The Jesuit priest Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 years in the Soviet Gulag, during a time of religious persecution. Yet his faith emerged not only intact, The Jesuit priest Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 years in the Soviet Gulag, during a time of religious persecution. Yet his faith emerged not only intact, but strengthened. I've read a number of such stories; Ciszek's is one of the very best. ...more
The Jesuit priest Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 years in the Soviet Gulag, during a time of religious persecution. Yet his faith emerged not only intact, The Jesuit priest Walter J. Ciszek spent 23 years in the Soviet Gulag, during a time of religious persecution. Yet his faith emerged not only intact, but strengthened. I've read a number of such stories; Ciszek's is one of the very best. ...more
Mark Buchanan is a fine writer, and has done his homework on a physical activity that most of us can do: walking. Done right, walking can become a spiMark Buchanan is a fine writer, and has done his homework on a physical activity that most of us can do: walking. Done right, walking can become a spiritual activity as well....more
What better book to teach us about solitude than "Robinson Crusoe," Daniel Defoe's novel about an Englishman who shipwrecked, then lived alone on an iWhat better book to teach us about solitude than "Robinson Crusoe," Daniel Defoe's novel about an Englishman who shipwrecked, then lived alone on an island for 24 years before meeting up with his good man Friday. It has everything: kidnapping, storms, cannibalism, wild animals, as well as surprising spirituality and moral lessons. The 300-year difference in eras shows through in the book's lack of political correctness, but, still, it's a rollicking good story with a strong message. ...more
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