By Nora Gallagher

Reading through the first few pages of The Sacred Meal, I felt a sense of excitement wash over me.  “Finally,” I thought, “a book that will connect us with Communion in a deeply spiritual way.”  I wish that my excitement for the book continued, but as I read, I found myself, well, bored.

With the writing style similar to that of Donald Miller, Gallagher guides us on a journey of the importance of taking Communion in her life.  She gives many examples of times she found Communion to be a breath-taking, tear jerking act.  While there is freshness to the book within the beginning pages, the reader soon discovers that she basically gives the same type of idea over and over again.  She declares in the beginning of the book she would way in on the argument of rather or not the cup and loaf actually become the blood and body of Christ.  However, having read the book, I am not sure I have a definite answer as to how she feels about the topic.  I think I know.  But, then, I guess it really does not matter.  However, if you say you will give an answer; give an answer.

In my church setting, our Elders and/or Deacons usually lead the congregation in a devotional thought before we partake of the emblems.  I would recommend the book to them as a tool to introduce some new ideas of how to relate the Communion experience to those in the pews.  Beyond that, there are many other books on the topic of Communion I would recommend first.

I give this book maybe 2.5/3 of 5 stars.

Reviewed for: Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program http://booksneeze.com

Imprisoned for doing good.  Accused of a crime that was not committed.  Betrayed by the people you have spent so much time loving, giving to, and caring for.

No, this is not a retelling of the life of Christ.  Rather Kabul24 is account of 8 Shelter Now International humanitarian workers in Kabul who are betrayed by those they are helping, arrested for a crime they did not commit and wrongly held as prisoners.  Arrested just days before 9/11 and held for months, Kabul24 gives a detailed account of the faith of these 8 SNI workers.

As I read this text, my mind took me back to the Lion’s Den, to the Fiery Furnace, to a prison that was opened at night.  Biblical faith lived out in modern times.  The servant’s faithfulness and God’s grace are displayed in the service of these 8 SNI workers.  However, the faithfulness is seen in the lives of those who work for the “enemy” as it were, but yet, still loved Jesus.  The passing of notes and verses, the prayers offered up, the information shared.  This book shows the beauty of Christian brotherhood even in the midst of despair.

Highly recommended.

Reviewed for: Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program http://brb.thomasnelson.com

Life has got us down, so we put on a smiling mask.

We are worried, so we put on a confident mask.

We are hurt, so we put on a brave mask.

We wonder about God, but that can make people uncomfortable, so we put on a mask like everybody else.

Maybe this year, instead of putting on a mask for Halloween, we should take off our mask that we wear everyday.  Let the world see who we really are.

Now that thought is scary.

So, my desire is to blog about things that will get us to thinking. I will discuss current topics, review books and movies, and dissect what many of my personal favorite preachers and teachers are saying. In all of this, my prayer is that Scripture is held supreme.

If you want to think and grow as a Christian, or maybe just check out what a Christian really thinks, then this may be the blog for you.

Grace and Peace.