Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions, written by James A. Beverley and published by Thomas Nelson is the ultimate comprehensive guide on religions of the world – particularly for Christians. It is the most thorough book on the numerous religions I have ever encountered. The UPS driver dropped off the book at one o’clock in the afternoon. Twenty-four hours later, I had skimmed through the 740 page volume page by page, reading much of it. I kept working on other activities and projects, but I kept coming back to the book. It is a book I will keep close at hand for future reference and referral.

It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to come up with a religion or cult that Beverley does not identify. That includes denominations, factions, and the like. The value for Christians is not that Beverley views the religions with a Christian perspective - quite the opposite. The author is commendably objective in his reporting on the many religions and cults of the world, past and present. The discussion of each religion, denomination, or cult, ends with a chart of facts and resource locations (including websites) for those who wish to inquire further. A question and answer session often follows which resembles a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page on a website.

Following the sections on religions or cults that are contrary, if not entirely in opposition to, Christian worldview and way of thought, Beverley includes ideas for Christians to respond, or witness to, members of the particular religion or cult. As Professor of Christian Thought and Ethics at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Ontario and Associate Director at the Institute for the Study of American Religion in Santa Barbara, California, Beverley is extremely knowledgeable on the subject and presents a thorough overview - with depth - of religions of the world. The overall quality of the book itself is superior with beautiful photographs and illustrations – combined with the text in an eye-catching layout.

Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions should be on the shelf of every Christian seeking to know more about other religions in order to dialogue with people of other faiths. It is arguably the only book a Christian needs on the subject of other religions. It is, without a doubt, the book to suggest to anyone who only wants to buy or read one book on the subject.

Peace be with you.

Between Wyomings, My God and an iPod on the Open Road, written by Ken Mansfield and published by Thomas Nelson, is a very interesting read - to say the least. Particularly if the reader grew up in the sixties and seventies, or is merely interested in the culture (music in particular) of that time in history. Mansfield was a record producer and record-label executive from the 60's through the 90's. He is also an ordained minister and public speaker.

The book is both a journey Mansfield is taking with his wife - each with their iPods - and a journey backward he is taking in his mind. At least in the trip with his wife, we get travel directions and points of interest. For the journey in his mind (his years in the music industry), the reader has no map or directional compass. Somewhat chronological from his beginning in the music industry, Mansfield is prone to jump to any moment of the entire journey.

Thrown in the mix are "God moments." Theological vignettes, as it were, that seemingly come out of the blue. While I would be the first to agree that God moments tend to come out of nowhere, in the context of a book there needs to be some type of cause and effect. These vignettes appear as if he inserted them during the editing stage - thinking it had been a while since he had added a God moment.

It took me longer to read Between Wyomings than usual when reviewing a book, partly because of the happenings of life with three teenagers, but mostly because the book lacks continuity. A connection from one short chapter to another. It just seems to be a collection of stories and essays. He writes, as he says in the introduction, like a "Christian on acid." But the stories are interesting and fairly readable within themselves.

One thing struck me when reading the book, having lived through a lot of those times myself. Which was that if he as an ordained minister can look back on that kind of life with a certain fondness, I can certainly consider myself forgiven for my sins. He does not dwell on the wild side of the music business, yet also does not act as if it did not happen. Anyone who is interested in the music business and culture in those decades and personal journeys with God should read this book. It just might be a while before they finish it.

Peace be with you.

The youth band, DOXA, takes the stage at Sunday in the Park-ing Lot at Christ UMC, Farmers Branch. Cowboy game showing in the tri-room. Free hot dogs, chips, drinks, and carnival games. Barbeque dinners for $8 to benefit the Children's Ministry. Bounce house, 18 foot slide, car show. Food, fun, and fellowship abounds as we take the love of Christ into the community.

Peace be with you. 

Everyone has been setting up the booths, stage, and getting the barbeque dinners ready to raise funds for the Children's Ministry. The excitement has been building and the event is about ready to begin at Christ UMC, Farmers Branch.

Peace be with you.

The first Sunday in the Park event in August was a tremendous success in taking the love of Christ into the community and the second event this afternoon proves to be even better. Combining the fall festival, barbeque dinner fundraiser (for the Children’s Ministry), and the second Sunday in the Park event, there is sure to be someone for everyone in the family.

Sunday in the Park-ing Lot will be held from 4-6 p.m. in the Christ UMC parking lot at 2807 Valwood Pkwy. in Farmers Branch. There will be a bounce house and an 18 foot inflatable slide as well as game booths, car show, and a fire truck. Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available at no cost, with barbeque dinners on sale for $8. Live entertainment from the DOXA and Christ Alive bands.

Stay tuned...or come on out and join the fun.

Peace be with you.

I was walking to our youngest son’s school with his football gear he had forgotten that morning stuffed in my backpack. Cyndy takes all three boys when she goes to work, opening up the waking atmosphere to sleepy-eyed confusion in which things can slip teenage minds. It was a hot and fairly humid day. Which was not quite conducive to walking long distances on sidewalks with slight - as well as intermittent - shade.

I watch the ground while I walk for several reasons. For one thing, I walk quickly which requires watching the terrain. By watching the ground ahead of me, I am not constantly reminded of how far away my goal is at any given time. I also happen to find quite a few coins that way. But inevitably, while walking along, I recall something we used to say when I was younger. I’ve heard it recently, but not nearly as much as I used to.

"Step on a crack, break your mother’s back."

Did I really believe it? Not really. Did I avoid the cracks? You betcha - just in case, and to be on the safe side. And I will have you know that to this day my mother has not broken her back. A few other things maybe, but not her back. I will also have you know that I do not think my avoiding cracks had a thing to do with it.

Yet, as I was walking to my son’s school, I was avoiding the cracks. More to set up a rhythm in my stride, but avoiding the cracks nonetheless. That got me to thinking - as life and walking are wont to do - about avoiding cracks and hedging bets.

As a general rule, I can set a rhythm or pace and move quickly along avoiding the cracks. As we as Christians can go about our life in the secular world. But then I come across a section of sidewalk - or life - that has begun to show wear, causing a conundrum. There are so many cracks that even a hop-scotch afficionado would have trouble traversing the area. Or the incline on the street corner purposely has a considerable number of cracks - much like on the side of the highway if you drift too far onto the shoulder.

So which cracks count in the break your mother’s back scenario? If it is a natural part of the sidewalk which was purposefully made that way, is that actually considered a crack? Is it just the actual cracks that have developed over time from wear and weather that count? Or do all cracks count causing the situation to be crucially problematic?

Fortunately, "step on a crack, break your mother’s back" is just a game. Unfortunately, life is not a game. Even though it might seem that way at one time or another. Some of the cracks we try to cross in life are wider and deeper than we would have ever imagined.

When we reach those "rough spots" we wonder if we simply took the wrong path to begin with and we are on the wrong sidewalk. Then we realize that no path is an easy path. How will we ever know if we took the wrong path? When the fact is, we only took this one. Sadly, we did not think enough about it in the first place.

On the other hand, if we put our faith in the Lord and Christ, the path will open up before us - we will trust the path we take. All paths have cracks in the sidewalk and other obstacles. But by the grace of God we make it to the end of life’s sidewalk.

Peace be with you.