"Your Words Your World" (Louise Bélanger)

TITLE: Your Words Your World
AUTHOR: Louise Bélanger
PUBLISHER: Independent, Louise Bélanger, 2021, (99 pages).
 

The past two years have been particularly challenging for many people all over the world. With much of the world still grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic, it will take a while before the world gets any semblance of the normalcy we are used to. As governments and health authorities continue to stress the need for vaccinations, healthcare professionals are preparing to deal with the next big crisis: Mental Health. Due to the lockdowns, quarantines, and prolonged periods of isolation, most people would find it a struggle without social well-being. After all, we are all social creatures. What if we could learn to listen to how God speaks to us through nature and creation at large? Inspired by the beauty of creation, Canadian poet Louise Bélanger shares with us many pretty photos followed by a short poem. The poems are brief, usually between 1 to 2 pages in length. She writes about the wonder of nature and the unique qualities embedded in creation. From Ordinary time to Christmas; she not only describes what is seen, but she also connects them with words of faith.  Frequently, we find Bible truths arising out of the poems. Truths like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians, the Trinity, the futility of the world, Heaven, Prayer, God's creation narrative, Jesus' birth narrative, and many more. 

"Manifold Beauty of Genesis 1" (Gregg Davidson and Kenneth J. Turner)

TITLE: The Manifold Beauty of Genesis One: A Multi-Layered Approach
AUTHOR: Gregg Davidson and Kenneth J. Turner
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Academic, 2021, (224 pages).
 

How do we interpret the Book of Genesis? Is it more than simply a narrative of creation? Is it a literary description or can we read it literally? How can anyone in the 21st Century understand the context of such an ancient manuscript? While most Christians agree that the Bible is inspired by God, there are wide variances in terms of understanding the meaning of infallibility and the degree of inspiration. Many relationships have been sorely tested due to disagreements over interpretation. That has led to conflicts and in some cases, divorces. Often, the disputes arise from a desire to find that one-size-fits-all interpretation. Such a paradigm locks one in a win-less situation that forsakes all other perspectives for the sake of one's preferred interpretation. What if we say Genesis 1 may contain "layers of Truth" instead of a mere one layer? Every layer reveals more of the Truth in God's Word. Professors Gregg Davidson and Ken Turner come together to propose seven layers of Truth when reading Genesis 1. They admit they would not be dogmatic about it, but welcomes our consideration of the manifold beauty of the text. They urge readers to avoid mixing up our cultural norms with the ancient contexts. Readers too need to be aware that a deeper understanding of the Word comes not from random or cursory readings but from years of study and reflection.

"Speaking By the Numbers" (Sean Palmer)

TITLE: Speaking by the Numbers: Enneagram Wisdom for Teachers, Pastors, and Communicators
AUTHOR: Sean Palmer
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2022, (192 pages).

According to the scholar Maurice Nicholl, we all have three "Centers of Intelligence: thinking, feeling, and doing." This is the key concept used in the development of the Enneagram tool, to help us understand more about our personality types and ourselves. From understanding the self, we are reminded of the core essence of life: Relationship and Community. For pastor and public speaker Sean Palmer, the Enneagram is a powerful tool for communications, and more importantly to understand ourselves and how we could play our roles in building the community we are in. Essentially, there are nine ways we could see the world. Yes, that's NINE! It is more than simply a mapping system. It is a lens to help us see what we react to different situations in life. As the saying goes: "We don't see the world as it is, we see it as we are." In other words, we are not what we are but what we see we are. The nine personality types are:

1. The Perfectionist: "What is wrong with the world?"
2. The Giver: "How can I help?"
3. The Performer: "What are my goals and accomplishments?"
4. The Tragic Romantic: "Why is life so disappointing?"
5. The Observer: "What data supports this trend?"
6. The Devil's Advocate: "What if Plan A doesn't work?"
7. The Epicure: "There is always hope!"
8. The Boss: "How do I keep the house in order?"
9. The Mediator: "What can I do to maintain peace?"

"Home for Christmas" (Various Authors)

TITLE: Home for Christmas: Stories for Young and Old
AUTHOR: Various Authors
PUBLISHER: Walden, NY: Plough Publishing House, 2021, (339 pages).
 

Twenty short stories. Twenty contributors. One theme. As many popular singers croon the Christmas song, "I'll Be Home For Christmas," this collection of stories warms the hearts as many people prepare for another busy Christmas season. Just like many of us remember well how a song goes, we too could remember stories better than mere theories or concepts. Stories like "Brother Robber" remind us about forgiveness. The "Three Young Kings" tells of the gospel touches us in spite of our mischiefs and misdeeds. Madeleine L'Engle writes about a "Sister Egg" whose name is often a conversation starter as she ministers to the homeless on the streets. Nikolai Lesskov shares the story of how one could be eloquent about the faith and yet unable to overcome the hurts over injustice. It takes a new revelation of the meaning of Christ's coming that unlocks the path toward healing. Pearl S Buck shares the story of a Christmas Day morning and how a son gave his father a lovely Christmas surprise. Henry Van Dyke begins the story of the three wise men before dropping in a surprise fourth "Wise Man." This man journeyed in faith, playing catch-up after failing to keep up with his three other friends. Adding some drama into the gaps between the birth of Jesus and the trial of Jesus, the story details how this man follows the Person and Life of Christ, to offer his gift of ministry. All the stories were told around what was revealed in Holy Scriptures. From the birth narrative of Jesus, the parables Jesus taught, to the life of Jesus' ministry, the twenty authors focus on a unique theme of the coming of Jesus to show us a compelling picture of the reason why Jesus came to earth. 

"Full Circle Parenting" (Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins)

TITLE: Full Circle Parenting: A Guide for Crucial Conversations (3 Circles)
AUTHOR: Jimmy and Kristin Scroggins
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing, 2021, (240 pages).

One of the most challenging life events is none other than parenting. Kids try parents in so many different ways. When young, they wear down parents physically. When they get into trouble, they create headaches. When they do not do their homework or necessary chores, the parents would have to either discipline them or show them tough love. When they turn teenagers, their emotional changes could drive parents up the wall. Yet, there are plenty of rewards for bringing up children. They give us joy and lots of memorable moments. Like what Proverbs 29:17 teach us, "Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire." Indeed, parenting requires a full range of skills that include discipline, devotion, dedication, determination, and delight. They are given to us for a reason and this reason is to love them well, that they may also love others well. Parenting is not for wimps. Well said. For there are no "fail-safe" methods. Neither are there easy equations to fill or formulas to follow. Most parents learn on the job. They experience the highs and lows. They encounter different behaviors at different times. They frequently need help at critical junctures of their children's growth. The authors of this book are experienced parents willing to share with us a guide to facilitate better communications and conversations with our children. Called the "3-Circles" tool, it helps parents initiate, navigate, interact, and sustain crucial conversations with their kids. 

"The Loneliness Epidemic" (Susan Mettes)

TITLE: The Loneliness Epidemic: Why So Many of Us Feel Alone--and How Leaders Can Respond
AUTHOR: Susan Mettes
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2021, (224 pages).

Is loneliness a problem? Consider the research data. A third of American adults admit they are frequently lonely. Within the past two decades, feelings of loneliness have more than doubled. Nearly half of all practicing Christian Millennials have experienced it too. Moreover, the problem is growing, not just in North America but globally. Come Winter, the problem deepens. Rates of depression and suicide continue to rise. Why is this happening? In short, it is due to a lack of meaningful relationships. In pre-pandemic days, loneliness has been a rising concern. In 2020 when the world goes into lockdown, everyone starts to talk about the challenges of loneliness and mental health. Research from the Barna group offers compelling evidence on the extent of the problem. This leads to several other problems such as the lack of intimacy, fewer trust relationships, isolated lives, and other crises pertaining to human relationships. So widespread is the problem that even churches are full of lonely people. So why are people lonely? How is it that even people of faith who go to Church can be lonely? What can we learn from the statistics gathered? How can we address this problem? Is loneliness a Western phenomenon or is it more global? In Part One, Author and Professor Susan Mettes defines loneliness as "the distress someone feels when their social connections don’t meet their need for emotional intimacy." She distinguishes this from "social isolation" and "solitude." The former is about circumstances often unforeseen. The latter is about being alone. In Part Two, Mettes goes into greater detail about factors influencing loneliness such as:

"Advent in Plain Sight" (Jill J. Duffield)

TITLE: Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects
AUTHOR: Jill J. Duffield
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2021, (173 pages).

The weeks leading up to Christmas are deemed the Advent season. Even though many nowadays do not celebrate Christmas in church,  thanks to commercialization and popular culture, Christmas is that special time to usher in warm fuzzy feelings of giving, togetherness, family, and love. From public malls to private offices, department stores to individual homes, Christmas decorations can be found everywhere. Whether it is a Christmas tree or a candy cane, ornaments or pretty lights, these objects remind us about the coming of a significant annual event. Popularly called the "Christmas Spirit," different people would have varying opinions about what that means. Proverbs 8:17 reminds us that "I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me." What if we could redirect our attention from things to the Lord? What if we let the things of Christmas help us focus on Jesus and the reason He came to earth? "Be intentional," says author and minister Jill Duffield. Even as the world around us concentrates on the business of buying and selling stuff, believers should not be distracted by the hyperactive end-of-the-year commerce. Instead, let the ordinary things be used as launchpads to think more of Christ and the reason for the season. Throughout history, God has used messengers, sermons, narratives, prophecies, miracles, signs, testimonies, and so on, to call us back to Him. That is because the human race can often be forgetful, ignorant, or plain rebellious. We all need reminders and this book uses ten objects to help us observe Advent and Christmas intentionally. Let the ten objects we encounter be used to direct our attention and devotion to Christ. The ten objects are:

"When Everything's On Fire" (Brian Zahnd)

TITLE: When Everything's on Fire: Faith Forged from the Ashes
AUTHOR: Brian Zahnd
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2021, (192 pages).
 

When the dark leads to emotional gloom and thoughts of doom, any light helps. For author and pastor Brian Zahnd, he notices how the pandemic has turned the world upside down. The economy is in upheaval. People's lives are uncomfortably rocked. Christians struggle with political views. Churches are mired in scandals. In times like these, it is easy to become discouraged amid the challenges of theological deconstruction. Yet, even when everything seems to be on fire, BZ reminds us that fire has one more quality: The purification of our faith. How do we recover from the ashes and be renewed in the Truth of living in the hope of the Resurrected Christ? Is Christian faith still viable in a secular age? BZ affirms that it is not only possible to survive, one can also flourish. Acknowledging the reality of skepticism, the challenges of cynicism, and the opposition of secularism is the first step to making sense of faith. Not only that, BZ identifies with the critics of past philosophers like Friedrich Nietzsche, and in an imaginary conversation with the late German philosopher, BZ agrees with Nietzsche's sentiments but not necessarily the conclusions. BZ appreciates the struggles of life but not the dumbing down of faith. When everything is on fire for Nietzsche, the famed atheist declares that God is dead. BZ shows us that many critiques of Christendom while valid do not mean we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. Instead, Christians ought to learn how to critique so as to refine the faith, just like how fire refines. Otherwise, one might end up like a pastor who turned to atheism when he could not distinguish the historic Christianity faith from modern fundamentalist beliefs. One of BZ's key convictions is to nurture a culture of sustained belief for his grandchildren and their generation. Reasons to believe are not enough. The beauty of the gospel is better. BZ shares about an experience in Paris talking with a young man who had lost his faith, only to be renewed once he is able to see the beauty of Christ. 

"On Living Well" (Eugene H. Peterson)

TITLE: On Living Well: Brief Reflections on Wisdom for Walking in the Way of Jesus
AUTHOR: Eugene H. Peterson
PUBLISHER: New York, NY: Waterbrook Multnomah, 2021, (240 pages).

This book is an invitation to live well. Notice life and how people are living it, and learn from it. While ordinary life may seem to be nothing special to most people, learning to notice the meaning in ordinary life can have a special impact. In this never before published collection of reflections and spiritual thoughts from the late Eugene Peterson, we learn of how he manages to draw profound spiritual insights from ordinary life. Just like creation, he manages to focus on the Word as the beginning of all life and laments at how the world treats too casually the dignity of life. Peterson takes us to ponder on the significance of the beginning of the Word without which there is no beginning for any life. He connects birth to our second birth in Christ. Affirming our calling in Christ, we are reminded that spiritual warfare is real and requires believers to be constantly ready to shine for Christ. Yet, he reminds us that Christians are like round holes trying to fit into a square-pegged world. Written like a devotional, the book contains spiritual gems taken from Peterson's two decades of his weekly newsletter he circulated to his Church members at Christ Our King Presbyterian Church. Along with unpublished material from his archives and sermons, the publishers have compiled them into five headings: