The Rocky Island

Rocky Island and Other StoriesRevised and updated by Christopher Wright(Bridge Publishing, 1982), pb., 105 pp.Ages 5-10 These simple 19th century allegories have some value but mostly are lesser renditions of thems in Pilgrims Progress. In this collection of seven stories there are really two stories retold in only slightly altered ways. The call to trust …

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Shepherding Conference Update

As I previously mentioned the conference “Pastoral Ministry: Shepherding God’s Flock” is coming up Tuesday and Wednesday of next week in the St. Louis area. The schedule has been adjusted, however. Dr. John Thornbury who was to speak has had to have heart surgery, and, therefore, will not be able to participate. I am told …

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Should Churches Be as Friendly as a Bar?

Mark Galli has a good article by this title in Christianity Today. He interacts with a recent survey and those fretting over its results which suggest people do not view churches as being as friendly as bars. He raises good questions about the assumptions of those who fret this. He comments: Could it be that …

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Bonhoeffer’s Life Together

Last month I finished reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s little book, Life Together. It is truly a spiritual classic. There is so much depth and wisdom here about living the Christian life, particularly living in communion with fellow believers and living in light of the truth having been freely justified in Christ (the imprint of Luther is …

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God King

God King: A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah, Joanne Williamson (Bethlehem Books, 2002), pb., 212 pp Ages 8-13 Similar to Williamson’s Hittite Warrior (previously commented on), this story follows a fictional non-Israelite character as he eventually comes into a biblical story where God delivers His people. In this case the main character is …

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