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.

Bo's Cafe (book review)

This last week I got the chance to read "Bo's Cafe" new novel by John Lynch, Bill Thrall and Bruce McNicol. The book is published by Windblown Media, for those who don't recognize the name they are the publishers of "The Shack". Here is another fantastic novel that I would have read in two days had I had the time. Like the Shack it is a very well written narrative with lots of great insights concerning difficult situations and recovery in the lives of the characters depicted within the story.
It basically revolves around a community of grace oriented individuals who have come to realize they can't *fix* anyone even themselves but like Larry Crabb (Connecting) they realize that we get healed in relationships where there is openness, trust and protection. So basically it is the story of an individual who is in a marital crisis and his whole world is caving in and he bumps into or begins connecting with Andy (part of the grace crowd at Bo's Cafe). We are taken on a journey of distrust, suspicion, unbelief and then relational connection, openness, sharing and healing in ones deepest parts of their being. It's a really great story of the redemption of one told through the stages of crisis and into a relationship that only grace could enable.