Story: Recapture the Mystery

by Steven James

A creative retelling of the Christian story that combines provocative writing, expert storytelling, and vivid imagery to journey into the mystery of faith and capture a new vision of God.

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Religion, Poetry, Faith, Christian Non Fiction, Spirituality

ebook

First published February 1, 2006

About the author

Steven James is the award-winning, critically acclaimed author of twenty novels and numerous books on the craft of novel writing, including the new release, DELVE, PIVOT, PROPEL, which explores revolutionary new approaches to fiction writing. With a master's degree in storytelling, James teaches writing worldwide and has appeared on five continents telling stories and teaching storytelling at over 2000 appearances.

His latest Young Adult horror novel, RIFT, is the first in a new trilogy that takes place in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. James lives in Eastern Tennessee and loves watching sci-fi movies, playing basketball, and eating chicken fajitas—although not all at the same time.

James has been penning smart, taut thrillers that actually thrill, since 2007, when his acclaimed psychological suspense novel, THE PAWN, released.

If you love stories and storytelling, check out his podcast, The Story Blender, on which he has interviewed nearly 200 of the world's top writers and storytellers.

Reviews

[Josh Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are those who are known as theologians. And there are those who are known as creatives. People who attempt to combine the two fascinate me. Although I would not call this a deep work of theology, people like Steven James who can weave a fascinating, creative work of art regarding the arc of the storyline of redemption amaze me.

I am far from creative. Therefore, when creativity and good writing combine in the vein of theology, it mesmerizes me. It gets me to ponder. To meditate. To consider deeply the truths being conveyed. In my opinion, James does this superbly.

Read this book and allow its presentation of the truth sink deep into your soul.

[Erin Laramore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fitting time of year to read this as this book takes a unique look at the Easter story. With an interesting combination of Scripture, poetry, stories from the author's life and other anecdotes, this book is broken up into many bite-size sections (I hesitate to call them chapters) that pull from various segments of the Easter story and breathe new life into them. This is one I'd recommend to anyone who feels that the Greatest Story Ever Told has become a bit dry or redundant. I appreciated this fresh look!

[Chuck Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago, and it had a huge impact on my faith. Upon reading it a second time, it shows its age a little bit, but is still a very good book. It definitely leans into the poetic, mystical, mystery side of Christianity. Don't read this looking for a theological treatise on the metanarrative of the Bible.

[Virginia Geisler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book! His imagery and poetry was very challenging and challenged me to slow down and reflect on how Gods story of redemption is woven together so intricately. I loved his use of poetic moments and illustrations. I truly did “recapture the mystery” of certain biblical stories.

[Margo Berendsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of thoughts, some vignettes, loosely connected, not quite chapters with these headings, which are almost a poem:
Creation, harmony, thorns, blood, echoes, chains, longing, silence, light, story, mystery, new wine, signs, vagabonds, shadows, venom, broken, garden, friend, wounded, skull hill, darkness, scattered, spices, dawn, wonder, joy, scars, peace, evermore.
The premise of this book is found in the importance of knowing the whole story of the Bible, seeing it in its sweeping completeness instead of as small disconnected pieces.

When you miss most of the story and only walk in for the finale, you’re not usually moved to tears.

Another quote that grabbed at me:

I told my friend, “only a child gets excited over watching a butterfly.”
But then he turned to me and said, “So does God.”

And I have tons more quotes. I’ve collected them here for my own benefit, because for me to write them down is to better remember them.

From the chapter, “Echoes”

…And each promise, each prediction, each prophecy shed more light and more mystery on this figure: he would be God; he would be a man. He would be a King; he would be a servant. He would be both a lion and a lamb, both a sword and a shield, both a conqueror and the conquered one… they dreamt of him. They longed for him. They spoke of him from generation to generation. At mealtimes and around campfires and long lonely desert journeys, they told of him. Promises of his coming echoed through their days. Every ritual, every prayer, every prophecy was another reminder.

From the chapter “Chains”

…how much we like to distort to the truth to our advantage, take credit for what we haven’t done, have our way at any cost, belittle those who disagree with us, step on those who get in our way, evade, excuse, attack, justify, rationalize, indulge in our fantasies, and look for loopholes…every choice we make forges another link on yet another internal chain that leads either toward freedom or death, toward heaven or hell. You can’t tell the history of Israel without chains. You can’t tell the history of humanity without mentioning blood and terror and longing and slavery. And you’ll never understand Easter without first seeing the chains in your own heart. Here is the paradox of the thing we call freedom: the farther we wander from God and the more we try to break free from him, the more enchained we become. Every step we take away from him leads us further from the freedom of Jesus and closer to the cruelty of Cain.

From the chapter “Longing” – a haunting recounting of a dream where an angel appears, hovering just out of reach and says, “Tell me about your world.”

“Well, it’s a good world. A wonderful place, actually where haling can be found even in the deepest of our wounds… and yet…”
“And yet?”
“Yes it’s a painful and pain-filled world where scars appear on the souls of even the greatest of our saints… We’ve tried over and over. And we’ve failed. Over and over. So we tell ourselves that trying to be good is good enough, even though we know it’s not. And we tell ourselves to feel good, even though we know we are not good.”
“So you live an illusion?”
… Here’s what I’ve discovered about myself: hunger for the eternal is maddening when I leave God out of the picture. Without God in the equation, I’m left only with a confusing pile of piercing longings and nothing real to connect them to.

From the chapter “Silence”

God coaxed them [during Old Testament times] with his promises, he clobbered them with hs threats, but still they wouldn’t turn back wholeheartedly to him. Even when he forgave them, restored them, protected them, and rescued them, they rejected him all over again, their sous asleep to his presence. As in a fairy tale, they slept. Season after season, encircled by thorns. Sometimes they awakened for a brief moment and changed their ways and returned to their first love for a while, then all too soon, they closed their eyes once again and dozed off as the thorns encircled them and tightened around their hearts….
Why is He so silent? If God really loves us with an everlasting love, with an unfailing and enduring and magnificent love, then shouldn’t’ he be more visible? Shouldn’t he splinter the silence more often? Welcome to the riddle of the universe…
I can’t think of a single place in the whole Bible where God actually explained his silence. I can think of lots of times when people asked him to, but I’m not sure if he ever did. I don’t know why God is so silent. I really don’t know. I do know that none of those men – David, Jesus or Job – gave up on God. And God never gave up on them.
When you listen to a song, you only hear the harmony because of the emptiness between the notes. If the song is too full of notes, it becomes nothing but noise. To hear the harmony you have to let the silences have their place in the song. It’s like each note is apart upon a necklace and the silences are what strong them all together. Maybe God knows that without his silences in our lives, we will never hear the melody of faith.
I think in every person’s life a day comes when faith becomes a choice. You can either give up on the silence of God or choose to trust him in the dark as Jesus did while he was dying on the cross.

From the chapter “Story”

There’s a Jewish saying, “God created man because he loves stories.” …but not only does God love stories, he loved the people whose stories are being told moment by moment across the globe. And I’m amazed that they story of my choices, mistakes, regrets – the story of my life – actually matters to God… we only connect with other people when we know their stories. The more intimate we are, the more our stories intertwine… When Jesus was born, the Word of God became flesh, enmeshed in a story. The storyteller entered the tale. The author stepped onto the page.
Jesus told stories because he knew humans are rarely interested in truth unless it’s wrapped up in a story. Most of his stories were parables of heaven. He described the kingdom of heaven in terms of shepherds who would risk their lives for their sheep, women who can’t find enough excuses to celebrate with their girlfriends, and fathers who party till dawn with their wayward sons.

From the chapter “Mystery”:

If you can make sense of Jesus, explain him, define him, or make him sound rasoable, my guess if you’ve never actually met him. Afer all, his closed friends didn’t understand him, the religious leaders thought he was possessed by demons, and his own family thought he’d gone insane…I guess that’s what happens when God dresses in skin, when heaven’s wisdom speaks human words.
…and the paradox of love is that you uncover me as you unveil yourself… when you prod at him, he prods at you. And when you finally meet him face to face, he’ll shake your world – hardened criminals have been known to fall to their knees, shield their eyes, tremble, and weep at this feet. That’s what happens when the veil is lifted…
Theology is the greatest threat to spiritual pilgrims when it becomes the game of defining God and gets in the way of letting God define you. I think the wonder tales – fantasy and fairy tales – lie closer to the heart of the Easter story because they acknowledge the reality of good and evil, the battle between right and wrong, and the wonder of the world where dreams actually come true… Philosophy has given us questions; science has given us facts. But neither of those fills our souls. Jesus gives both truth hidden in mystery and mystery hidden in truth….

the text of my life is in need of editing
enter between the lines
pick up the pen of your love
let your mystery engulf my heart,
rewrite me.
reveal yourself to me
even it means that
i must disappear into you.

From the chapter “New Wine”

Maybe its just a coincidence that Jeuss chose to kick off his public ministry by attending a wedding, but I doubt it. The more I learn about him, the fewer coincidences I see… After kicking off his ministry, does he found a church? Nope. Apply for nonprofit status? Nope. Go door to door peddling his worldview? Nope. Instead he goes to a wedding and turns 150 gallons of water into the best wine money can buy, just to keep the party going.

…But in truth, he’s more like impassioned you lover swinging his brdie across the dance floor. Jsuss didn’t arrive on earth to debate theology but to propose marriage. In a very real spiritual sense, God is courting us. Christianity is wild. It’s intimate. It’s heartbreaking and soul-mending. It’s the wings to rise above the everyday and the hope of a honeymoon with the God who has loved you forever. The party has just begun, and the best is yet to come.

From the chapter “Signs”

The more we demand that God prove himself and make senese to us, the less he will. The door to the miraculous swings on faith.

From the chapter “Vagabonds”

”Follow me,” he told his disciples. Follow me, he told the spiritually hungry. Follow me, he told the thieves, prostitutes, lawyers, and priests. Follow me, he whispers to us today. Where? Toward what? Toward the corss. The road Jesus walks leads all the way to the cross. It’s there that old lives, old priorites, old selves have to be put to death. Follow me, he says. It’s both an invitation and command. And he waits only a moment to see what we will do. Jesus in the business of pursuing the lost but not of dragging them kicking and screaming into the kingdom…. Today…they try to make Christianity seem as appealing, plausible, relevant, and easy to digest as possible by emphasizing the benefits of belief. But Jesus almost never did that. Typically he emphasized the cost of following him, not the rewards… that’s why he was blunt with the crowds. Jesus didn’t want a fan club. He wanted a spiritual revolution.

From the chapter “Broken”

The Old Covenant is completed, the New Covenant is here….I think the key to fathoming Jesus’ meaning lies in that little world “my.” When Jesus says “this is my body” and “this is my blood” he’s recasting the whole story. The disciples would never have associated the bread and wine with Jesus but rather with the sacrificial lamb.

From the chapter “Garden”

In [the garden] of Eden there wasn’t much of a struggle. Adam and Eve gave in pretty quickly to temptation. They chose to go their ow way rather than their Father’s. But here, on this night, in this garden, Jesus chose the Father’s way, the way of the cross…. I think we all reach the question of the garden at some point in our lives. A moment comes when we hav to decide; Will I go my way or God’s?

From the chapter “Darkness”

It’s politically correct to say that God is love, but not te say that God showed his love by dying for us…. Our culture seems to think that the open-minded are those wo remain indecisive about God and that religious people are close-minded. But in reality it’s just the opposite.

From the chapter “Joy”

This whole story now has become more like an enfleshed fairy tale than a history lesson: ancient prophecies coming true, miraculous signs unfolding in a faraway land, magical weddings, demon possessions, mystical meals, an ancient dragon whom the prince has come to vanquish, midnight betrayals, a lover dying for his beloved. And now, a love that death cannot contain.

From the chapter “Peace”

Didn’t the angels say something like “peace on earth, goodwill toward men?”… “well, why isn’t there peace on earth?” … As long as there are greedy, grabby, power hungry mean people on this planet, peace between nations isn’t going to happen. And as long as our hearts fight against God, we aren’t going to have peace in our lives…. I didn’t use to think I was at war with God. I didn’t used to think I was at war with anybody. But when I met Jesus and heard him say “follow me” I realized every time I didn’t follow him, I was fighting God. Every time I chose to go my way instead of his or to think of myself first instead of others or to flirt with temptation – or basically to act as I had been acting my whole life – I was battling the almighty.

Realizing how deeply rooted your war with God is can shake you up. I’m still reeling from that discovery. The angels were right. He came to bring peace; its just that our definition of peace is all messed up…. The peace Jesus offers isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the adventure of knowing God’s presence moment by moment forever. It’s a deeper peace than the world can offer – peace with God.

The more we cling to this life, the more we wrap ourselves in its shallow comforts, the more death will bite when she comes to call. But the more we let Jesus untangle us from the baggage of life, the freer we’ll be to become vagabonds of heaven.

And finally the last chapter, Evermore – unexpectedly, it was a retelling of the story of Sleeping Beauty… but it made sense, remembering one of the early chapters called “Thorns” – the thorns of the curse in Genesis 3:18. The princess is tempted to reach out for the forbidden and pricks her finger and falls under the curse. She slumbers through a hundred years, surrounded by thorns too thick to penetrate. Until the time is up and the prince fights his way through and unlocks the tower with a key fashioned in his father’s kingdom that will unlock any door… he has waited a lifetime for this moment. He kisses her. The curse is broken. She’s free. And soon there will be a great wedding and celebration and then, they lived happily together evermore.

[TAMMY CUEVAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a Story that begins before the Beginning and has no End; that begins in total Darkness and ends with total Light. It's a Story of absolute Love vs. absolute evil; the ultimate "happily ever after", where ever after never ends. It's the Story of Stories, and the beautiful thing is that it's all true.

Steven James has done something no one else has done, to my knowledge, at least. He has taken the Bible and the complete story of Grace and Salvation and told it in story form. Interwoven with his own poetry, he writes with descriptive prose that at times is beautiful and at times so open and honest that it hurts to read.

"oh, in the beginning, when you were alone,
did you dream of someone like me?
in the beginning, from soil and stone,
when you breathed out a world to be . . .
did you dream a great dream,
did it glisten and gleam,
for all of the angels to see?
in the beginning, in the depths of your heart,
were you thinking, already, of me?

significance."

As the story progresses through the ages, the poetry reflects the changes brought about by sin and evil. But then a sacrifice was offered to break the chains, but man's betrayal was instrumental in the sacrifice, and the author explores his own continued betrayal.

"judas betrayed you for thirty pieces of silver.
forgive me for all the times i've done it
for free.

yet you've chosen to call me friend.
help me to live like it.
i'm both captured and set free by
the mystery of your love.

enigma."

Happily for all mankind, there is a happily ever after possible, and the author shares this with the reader. This could easily be used to share the Gospel with someone unfamiliar with the Bible or who is uncomfortable with the traditional "trappings". But I also think that those of us who are , in the author's words, participants in the Story, can benefit from being reminded of the love extended to us through the ages. And, not only can it be a spiritual experience, but the book is just beautifully written. I will be recommending this to anyone who will listen.

5 stars

“Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[Joann Claypoole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book if you crave a deeper understanding of our Savior. His nature. His heart. His love. Simple, yet hard to comprehend. Amazing when contrasted with man's nature, heart, and conditional love. I read this book after the BRMCWC in 2009. It was one of my first (and favorite) books from Steven James. I love the poetry and different perspectives Mr. James gives his readers. A beautifully written love story ...

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The master storyteller brings new life to the greatest story of all. I've struggled with my faith in these modern times yet Steven James reminded me that truth is not religion. Truth is a love story waiting for anyone who seeks it.

This is not a dry Christian how-to book; it's a reminder of promises and love that surpasses anything we could ever imagine.

[Julie Priebbenow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book and the poetic writing, the descriptive narratives, and the depth in which the writer expresses the story. It tells the gospel in a way I had never heard before, and I could read this again and again.

[Tamarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was amazing. I loved this book.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book would be good for Millennials who like poetry and are exploring Christianity (or are new Christians). It wasn't bad; I'm just not part of the right audience.

[Mike]

Didn't finish. I adore Steven James' fiction, but this didn't work for me.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written account of the story of God's grace and salvation from Genesis to Revelation.

[Dottie Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

In going through books in my book case to weed out those I would never read again I discovered this gem – Story: Recapture the Mystery by Steven James. I had forgotten it completely! Steven James is a poet and a marvelous writer and thinker. He tells the true story of our faith in a mysterious but loving God and how he has revealed himself to us. I will keep this book and read it again and again…

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steven James, in Story, writes the salvation story through his eyes as a writer and believer from Eden to evermore. You will find the story line to be unique to Steve, yet basically true to the Word. Sometimes he gets you to asking more questions than you had before you opened his book, but that is a good thing, as it stretches your own understanding of God’s words. His literary license embellishes on the stories (as Biblical fiction) versus the more concise version in the Bible. It’s what brings the stories to life, similar to how Jesus told His stories to make a point.

You will see a different side of the author than you do in his thrillers, such as The Pawn, The Pawn, etc. It’s just as riveting and thorough, and his style is as rich and complete.

His book is filled with many of his original, personal poems that sink down into your heart. Take the time to read them slowly to glean all he has to say. Here are a few that spoke to me:

1. touching the unseen
the path is narrow,
my heart is hard,
guide my feet.

break me, God,
for i will not bend,
and i’m not shaped as i should be
anymore.

submission.

2. touching the unseen
the sweet wine of your blood is on my lips
the tender mystery of your body is on my tongue

in the background of this meal i can hear
the desperate shrieks of the Egyptians
and the gentle whisper of death passing over
the door frame of my soul.

your heart was broken on that cross,
and your blood has soaked deeply
into the wood of my days.

remembrance.

3. touching the unseen
i was there–
in your heart
on you mind
within your love.
i was there when they crucified my lord.

shivers.

I do struggle with the author’s rendition of the whole Godhead dying on the cross, as that to me denies the Trinity, mainly because Jesus knew He was being forsaken by God since He was carrying the load of our sins and punishment on Himself. Despite my interpretation, The Story will help you find or rediscover the love of God through His redemptive salvation story.

This book was provided by Donna Hausler of Revell, a division of Baker Publishing, in exchange for my honest opinion. No monetary compensation was exchanged.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy this book every time I pick it up for a re-read. Maybe I find it so refreshing because:
* I read so little poetry, which James has mixed with essay in his look at the Easter story.
* Jesus the Nazarene is not someone you can easily put in a box of categorization. He is not a dry, historical figure easily reduced by intellectual examination. James honors the mystery of Christ in this work.
* I love his approach of examining Easter as the culmination of a story unfolding across history. He starts by looking at creation followed by an overview of history, the birth of Christ, His ministry, the cross and burial - before examining the wonder of Easter.
* His look at communion in the chapter entitled 'Broken' was very helpful to me a few years ago, and I imagine I'll always have a bit of a sweet spot in my heart for this work.
* He references Kierkegaard.
* An excerpt: "There was no fine print in Jesus's call to discipleship. "This is what it's gonna cost you," he says. "Everything. Family relationships, possessions, dreams, comfort, time -- you can't be my follower unless you give up everything. You have to leave your nets behind. So what do you say? Will you follow me, or just keep admiring me?"

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written around the theme of Easter, but it is really a much bigger story than that. I found it to be a perfect story for Christmas, because as it says on the inside of the cover:

"'The empty tomb doesn't make sense without the cross, the cross doesn't make sense without the manger, and the manger doesn't make sense without the Garden of Eden.' says Steven James. 'It's all one story. And only when you finally untangle it, see it unfold, and enter it for yourself do you realize that the story has finally entered and at last untangled you.'"

Really I think that says it all. If you are wanting to take a fresh look at your faith, or at the story behind the Nativity, or at the story behind the cross, or the story behind Easter, this is a great place to start. Filled with scripture, free verse poetry, and compelling story-telling, Story really puts you on-scene for the unfolding of the Greatest Love Story Ever Told.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Steven James' book, Story, he combines poetry, scripture and insight to tell our story from creation to redemption. He weaves the Old Testament with the New Testament and then brings all of it to the blanket of reality we have today.
This book is beautiful from beginning to end
both in the author's writing and the story he shares.

A few of my favorite quotes:

"Before God created anything, he was daydreaming about me.
At the dawn of time, I was on his mind. And so were you."

"The image of God is found in our unity as well as our uniqueness."

"You'll never understand Easter without first seeing the chains in your own heart."

"When Jesus calls us to believe, he calls us to step out on a limb, not to fall back into our comfort zone and rely on our own reasonable opinions. He calls us to a radical commitment, never to a practical religiosity."

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second time that I have read this book. I had lent it to my daughter and she just returned it to me. Since I had basically forgotten she had it and that I had read it, I thought it deserved a second look.

I think James' intention is to capture the minds of those who are not familiar with Christianity's beginnings. I can't tell how that works since I have been a Christian for 54+ years.

However, as a life long Christian, I am glad to hear the old, old story told with new words. For me, this new telling helps me re-view some things that have gotten rote.

Some of the images that James creates will roll around in my mind for awhile. I think the next time I encounter this on my shelves, I will remember why I liked this Story.

[Loyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've attended two seminars with Steven James, and he is always entertaining to say the least, and an excellent writer as well. Story reminded me of the inspirational scrapbooks that Mark Noll used to make back in the 70's, like He Is The Still Point of A Turning World and In the Silence is the Dancing, books full of soft insights and entranceways into a deeper devotional world. This is a worthy read, but I thought it would delve into the meaning of story a little more that it did.

[J. Alfred · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wildly quick read, this, which is the story of redemption done in thematic little vignettes, littered with little poems, is very moving at points. Seeing Jesus dancing with the bride at the wedding at Cana is worth the whole read, and there's lots more that's good in here. I was leery before I opened the book up, because it seemed as if it was bound to be emergent ad nauseam, but it turned out to be solid, entertaining, orthodox biblical theology. I'm going to point my students in its direction!

[Grace Ba. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this story, I could really tell that my faith is growing stronger. I also really like that the author would tell us things that I didn't really know before and he would put like an animal an then put a sermon to it I really liked that. Now there's more I could say but all I can say right not is you should read this book!

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been awhile since I read this, but it was recommended to me around the time it came out (thx, Dad) and it's shaped the way I share good news. This was one of my first exposures that the gospel could be creative, and that I could be one of the people to share it.

For my own memory, I can't remember when I first read this, but somewhere between 2009-2012.

[Rebekah]

I know I put this on my "to-read" list but I have read a few paragraphs of it and it is amazing. Simply Amazing. The layout of the book is cool! (I don't know how else to put it) From what I've read it's very interesting.

[Rebekah Crain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that makes you see Jesus and the Bible in a way that is maybe a little different than you did before. I enjoyed it. And James' poetry that is sprinkled throughout the book was, simply put, beautiful.

[Holly Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful portrayal of how the gospel story is wound deeply into the fabric of our lives. James weaves the themes found in Scripture into a grand story arc while treating each major theme as its own mini-devotional, complete with poems, prayers, anecdotes, and Bible stories. Highly recommend.

[Robby · Rating 4 out of 5]

James challenges readers to view the Christian faith in its original context, that of a story. From the original work of the Creator's hand, to the fall of the creation and the subsequent narrative of redemptive love, Story puts a familiar reality in a fresh perspective.

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creative mix of Scripture, fiction and poetry tells the salvation story from Genesis to Revelation in a unique and engaging way. Stephen James' depiction of the wedding at Cana alone is worth the read.

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The concept of this book was pretty good, but only 3 or 4 chapters executed the concept well. If the whole book had been more like the chapter titled New Wine, it would have been fantastic.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. I can't count how many time I have read it, or how many copies I have given away. If you want a new look at the Gospel through short stories and poetry this is awesome!