Called to Community - a book review

Recently, I was given the opportunity to review the book, Called to Community, The Life Jesus Wants for His People. This book is an excellent collaboration of articles written by many of my favorite authors such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Henri J. M. Nouwen, C.S. Lewis, and Thomas Merton. Each selection provides interesting and detailed information on how we, as Christians, are called to work together to spread the Gospel of Christ.

Community is about learning to care enough to invest in the lives of those around us. For followers of Christ, our mission is to follow the command to love but we can't do that unless we're willing to get involved in the lives of others. Jean Vanier, one of the contributors to this book, says "A Community is only truly a body when the majority of its members is making the transition "from the community for myself" to the "myself for the community," when each person's heart is opening to all the others, without any exceptions."

I learned many things from reading this book. I was especially interested one of the selections, "The Way," by Alden Bass. A detailed account of the history behind the Christian Community of Jewish believers called, The Way, is given. I found the information contained in Mr. Bass' writing to be filled with Biblical history.

Some of the other topics included in the book include:

• Pentecost
• Counterculture
• Idealism
• Solitude
• Surrender
• Deeds
• The Way
• Surrender
• Transparency 

Called to Community is a book filled with 52 different selections of information written by people who have learned the importance of community. Each of these selections falls under one of four subheadings: A Call to Community, Forming Community, Life in Community, and Beyond the Community. This book would be a great choice for use in small group Bible studies. A detailed discussion guide is included in the back of the book and provides thought provoking questions like these:

• How can differences be a blessing?
• What does the word "unity" mean to you?
• What does true submission entail?
• Is community possible without submission?
• Does accepting others as they are mean we have to ignore those things in them that need to change?

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in building a strong Christian community or anyone interested in learning more about Biblical history. I would like to thank Plough Publishing for providing me with a complimentary early review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

©bonnie annis all rights reserved

The Holman Christian Standard Journaling Bible

Recently, I received a complimentary copy of the Holman Christian Standard Journaling Bible from B H Publishing Group. 

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the box and removed the Bible. The Bible cover is a hardback black, with textured insets of brown leather like material. It is approximately 6 1/2 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches high. The stitching along the cover is done in an attractive ivory thread and gives nice detailing to the book. The spine is inscribed in gold leaf with the HCSB logo as well as the words, Journaling Bible. Upon opening the Bible, I find the pages easily lay flat, unlike other journaling Bibles I have reviewed. 

The pages of the Bible are ivory colored with s single column of Scripture along the inside of each page. A lined column compliments the outer edge of each column of Scripture providing the perfect amount of space to record special insights and personal thoughts. For those who love to art journal, these wide columns would provide ample space for artwork too.

This Bible contains a well organized concordance, eight detailed four color maps, an annual Bible reading plan, a ribbon bookmark, a presentation page and an introduction to the Holman Christian Standard Bible. 

The HCSB Journaling Bible is very well made and would make a wonderful gift presentation. The lay flat pages make it unique and provide an easy way to document thoughts or questions. I would highly recommend this Bible for anyone interested in learning more about God's Word. 

I would like to thank B H Publishing Group for providing me with this copy of the Holman Christian Standard Bible to review. 

© bonnie annis 2015