Review of "Cliff Falls" a Novel by C.B.Shiepe

There aren't many books you can read in a sitting or two but this one by C.B. Shiepe falls into that category. It is a very well written novel about a famous childhood movie star known as little guy Mike. It all comes to a head for Clay Grant as the child actor gets fed up with his life. His manipulative handlers have gone too far and he can't play the game anymore. A thought came in Clay's mind and he wrote it down. "...scared children-all of us-dealing with adult things-wondering if we are that strong. And everyone wants us to be someone or something else...."

It was his 18th birthday and in his pain he burned some of the toys that depicted his persona "little guy Mike". Before he new it the whole studio was up in flames and he was running not only from the law but from his persona that had enveloped his life. While on the run he ends up in jail and a 71 year old pastor friend Reagon Mitchell bails him out. Reagon is like God in the parable of the prodigal son. He welcomes Clay into his fold with grace and a plan to set both Clay and his son Ted (think older brother) free. How this comes about makes for very entertaining reading and also very inspiring. Lots of relational issues with pain and deep hurts exposed. It's the power of grace working through relationships. A great read.

Review: "The Naked Gospel" by Andrew Farley

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. Here he takes on several key issues that most christians believe in and shoots them down. One of these areas is the idea that christians are sinners. This is something preached and believed in by most christians. He lays an excellent groundwork for the work of Christ's sacrifice and how believers are a new creation. They are forgiven etc... He is not the first to declare this but he does it with a lot of clarity. Another key area that he deals with is the difference between the "old man" and the flesh and sin. Farley believes a christian's old man is no longer an issue but the issue is with the flesh and sin. He makes the point that this is very important as it affects how one views themselves. If our old man is present it means we are at war with ourselves so to speak. Again a very good explanation on our identity. He writes very effectively on how the law is not meant for the christian. This is perhaps one of the best points he makes.

The second half of the book Farley seems to start interpreting a lot of verses based on his redemptive theological lens which at times seems to be dancing around what seems to be obvious truth. A term he accuses others of doing. Well I suppose we all do it to some degree. Difficult passages are solved easily by saying they are applied to non christians. The seemingly difficult faith vs works passage in James is easily solved by saying it is referring toward salvation only. Another example is the overcomers in Revelation. These are according to Farley "all christians". His interpretation of 1John on confessing sin does seem however to fit rather well to this lens.

The end of the book was also a bit disheartening as he mentions the signs and wonders in acts were mainly for the lift off of the church and are not really meant for today. He does not go so far as saying he does not believe in them but merely that we now have the written word so we don't need them any more. His next book is also going to explain how those in Heb. 6 who tasted of heavenly gift and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost were really non believers which were enemies of God. Can anyone say more dancing. All in all though it is worth the read just for his excellent treatment of the identity of the believer.

Review: The Book of the Sheperd

Recently read "The Book of the Shepherd" by author Joann Davis.

This small story of fiction exceeded my expectations. It's very short, is set in times of antiquity and yet reveals marvelous nuggets of truth that are very relative in today's world.

The tale begins with a small fellowship consisting of a young shepherd, a boy and a young servant girl. They have grown up in an abusive world where there is a religious fervor to uphold the letter of the law but little compassion for those caught in it's web. They yearn for a new way one that they heard exists but have yet to see. On their journey they encounter many difficulties. The shepherd longs to see this new life of love and grace yet gets drafted in a carnal war. What seems tragic turns into an opportunity to demonstrate what loving your enemy may look like, loved it! Along the way there is the blind man that sees with his heart, and the storyteller that helps the characters share their story and discover who they really are. It really is a great read and one that you can read over and over and discover new truths and hope that is practical and encouraging.