Stumbling toward wholeness

Sometimes I like a book, but I can’t really say why, other than at times it makes so much sense with what’s going on in my life right now, or it tells a story from my past. And sometimes I can’t even tell if it’s talking to my past self or my present self.  And that’s the case with Stumbling toward Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us by Andrew J. Bauman, (NavPress, 2018).

                I don’t know anyone who could truly be called “split” or “multiple” personality, but I think for each of us there are times when we feel like someone else has taken over our body, and we just don’t know how to cope. Just as we get used to dealing with the world in a certain way, it seems that a different part of our brain kicks in, and we have to look at things differently. In a sense this book is written to/for/about those who suffer from substance abuse. Yet it’s also for people whose hearts have been broken by those they love, those who have broken someone’s heart, and those who are bitter because of the perceived injustice that exists in their family or community.  I guess that covers just about everyone.

                In this book, Bauman looks at the 3 main characters of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, as recounted in chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke.  I know that most people, depending on where they might be on their faith walk, identify more closely with either the Father, the elder brother, or the younger brother. That’s true in my case also, but at different times, depending on the circumstance, the situation, or with whom I’m interacting at the time, I might also identify closely with one of the other characters.

                And that confuses me. I identify with a certain set of beliefs, values, and emotions, and suddenly I get to experience things in a different light. And I think that’s the strong point of this book. Bauman, helps us to recognize that sometimes we overlook the other characters of this story, and as a result we’re left fragmented. Only when we realize that at different times we are the runaway son, the entitled older brother, or the welcoming father do we reach a state of wholeness.

                This is a delightful mix of theology, self-reflection, professional experience, and a rare (but welcome) vulnerability. As I was reading, I found myself naming the people he was talking about—not really, I named the people in my life who sounded just like the people in his. And I found myself making a list of people within my circle who might benefit from reading this book—if only they would.

                Well worth the read

5/5

                A member of the publisher’s blogging program, I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. There was no requirement of expectation of a positive review.

good overview of issues that Christians need to discuss

There is so much going on in the world today, that it’s pretty hard to figure out which side of the argument you’re on. And it’s especially difficult for Christians who have to balance the gospel, the laws of the country, and wanting to be on the side of social justice.  Pastor Tim Keller recently tweeted the following: “How do Christians fit into the two-party system? They don’t. The historical Christian positions on social issues don’t match up with contemporary political alignments.”

                And it almost seems that Bruce Riley Ashford might have been thinking somewhat along those same lines as he wrote Letters to an American Christian (B&H Books, 2018). Ashford is a professor of theology and culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, so one can’t help but enjoy the whimsy as this book is shaped in the form of letters to Christian, a young college student and a new believer, who has written to a professor asking for help sorting through things of this crazy world in which we live.

                Although Bruce, as the professor signs his letters, leans decidedly to the right on political issues, he bases his convictions on scripture rather than emotion or “fake news” as the press frequently gets called. And unfortunately, it seems the majority of Washington politicians, on both sides, tend to rely on rhetoric and emotion to make their case. After all when you have rhetoric, emotion and public opinion on your side, why worry about the facts.

                But as Ashford correctly points out, in the post-modern, post-Christian, post-truth culture in which we find ourselves today, there is still a voice of reason to be heard. So we read about hot-button topics like the relationship between religion and politics, the relationship between Christianity and culture, religious liberty, Roe v Wade, free speech, the role of the Supreme Court, gun rights, same sex marriage, immigration, environment, and the list goes on.

                Each of the issues addressed in this book merit several volumes on their own, so I am greatly appreciative of the condensed version provided. I consider myself a moderate, leaning toward the right, so I for the most part agreed with Dr Ashford. Having said that, I am also grateful that he often presented a synopsis of the other side so that Christian could look at both points of view and make up his own mind.

                I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a brief look at some the topics that are burning up the airwaves day after day.

                This book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for a review. My review is submitted as a part of the publisher’s blogger’s program. There was no requirement or expectation that I would write a positive review.

                4/5

CREED II coming to the big screen in November

for all you fight fans, here comes the next installment. Adonis Creed, son of Apollo Creed gets his chance in the ring

WATCH THE  trailer here

Life has become a balancing act for Adonis Creed. Between personal obligations and training for his next big fight, he is up against the challenge of his life. Facing an opponent with ties to his family's past only intensifies his impending battle in the ring. Rocky Balboa is there by his side through it all and, together, Rocky and Adonis will confront their shared legacy, question what's worth fighting for, and discover that nothing's more important than family. Creed II is about going back to basics to rediscover what made you a champion in the first place, and remembering that, no matter where you go, you can't escape your history.

Genre: Drama

Date: Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Director: Steven Caple Jr.

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris, Andre Ward, Florian "The Big Nasty" Munteanu, Dolph Lundgren, Russell Hornsby Writer: Sylvester Stallone

Writer: Sylvester Stallone

Producers: Irwin Winkler, Charles Winkler, William Chartoff, David Winkler, Kevin King-Templeton, Sylvester Stallone.

Executive Producers: Ryan Coogler, Michael B. Jordan, Guy Riedel

Distributor:  MGM, Warner Bros. Pictures