The Exchange




Cover of The Exchange



Here is a first look at the cover and title of a new book that I have written with my friend, artist Brian Whelan.  In the book we take a particular picture of Brian's and use it as a jumping off point for talking about everything from genetic engineering to the benefits of a good pub.   You can look at Brian's work at http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/  .   The Exchange is quite a unique project as it begins with an email conversation and from there explodes into a faithfilled and honest discussion.  The whole experience reached a climax as Brian and his wife Wendy greeted Kelly and I at the train station outside his home in Norwich, England.    I'm sure everyone will want a copy for Christmas!  

You can also visist here 

http://www.brianwhelan.co.uk/martyrdom-of-st-edmund.htm  scroll down the page a bit and you'll find my little article on his series "The Holy Cities".

Back cover of The Exchange

The Gospel of John

Are you ready for a fresh round of reading scripture together?  This Fall I am inviting everyone to read with me the Gospel of St. John.   John, is unlike the other Gospels in that Jesus tells no parables and much of John's Gospel is unique to him.   This was Martin Luther's favorite Gospel. 
Craig Koester from Luther Seminary has the following to say about the Gospel of John

"The Gospel of John begins by announcing that God's Word, which brought all things into being, became flesh in Jesus of Nazareth. During his ministry, Jesus reveals the power of God by performing seven miraculous signs, including turning water into wine, healing the sick, and raising the dead. In his preaching he identifies himself as the bread of life, the light of the world, and the good shepherd. Through his crucifixion, Jesus lays down his life, giving God's love to the world. By rising from the dead he shows that those who believe in him have everlasting life.

So What?

John's Gospel presents readers with a portrait of Jesus that is at once engaging and profound. By identifying Jesus as the light of the world and good shepherd, the Gospel gives readers accessible ways to begin thinking about who Jesus is, while inviting them to go deeper, so that readers continue growing in their understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to be related to God through him. The purpose of the Gospel is that people might have faith, and faith is a relationship of trust in God and Jesus Christ. People were created for relationship with God, and as the Gospel tells the story of Jesus in compelling ways it helps to bring people into that relationship, which is true life."

Our reading together will being on Rally Day!