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The Open Table – Book Reviews

Jesus was known –some would say notoriously so—for His “open table” eating style.  In the Gospels, Jesus loved to share life at the table with others and never refused an offer to eat with someone.  Most of Jesus’ great discussions with His disciples and others happened around the table.  In honor of that model, The Open Table is a forum where all are welcome to join in the conversation about the books suggested and more.  It’s a place where book reviews will be served up, but also where other thoughts, observations, and life happenings can be discussed and ideas savored.  Your participation is encouraged.  All contributions will be valued and nourished.  Good manners are expected of course at The Table.  Welcome to The Open Table.  I hope we can meet here often.  Great times are ahead!  –thyrkas

Ex Libris

Ex Libris

Ex Libris:Confessions of a Common Readerby Anne Fadiman--Review by Teri HyrkasAre you smitten with books? Do any of your favorite books make you hungry every time you read them? Would you rather go to a antiquarian bookstore than anywhere else on your birthday? If you...

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Ikigai

Ikigai

Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles (2017) ISBN: 9780143130727 Reviewed by Douglas Balzer Only staying active will make you want to live a hundred years. – Japanese Proverb The timeless questions – What is the...

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Reappearing Church

Reappearing Church

Reappearing Church: The Hope for Renewal in the Rise of Our Post-Christian Culture Mark Sayers   --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D.             Full disclosure: I love Mark Sayers. I’ve read most of his books: The Vertical Self, Disappearing Church, Strange...

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Best Summer Books of 2019

Best Summer Books of 2019

Best Summer Books of 2019 By Teri HyrkasNot long ago I received a request for book recommendations. As the list of books came together, I thought there might an interest among PreachTheStory readers for a book list, as well. So, here is a collection of five books that...

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Lost Connections

Lost Connections

Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Help by Johann HariPublished 2019 ISBN: 9781408878682--Review by Douglas Balzer Johann Hari is a New York Times bestselling author. In his book Lost Connections, he looks to explain why depression affects so many...

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The Faithful Preacher

The Faithful Preacher

The Faithful Preacher: Recapturing the Vision of Three Pioneering African-American PastorsBy Thabiti M. Anyabwile --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D. I chose to read this book for at least a couple of reasons: First, I know the author. He has served as pastor of...

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Leaving Your Mark

Leaving Your Mark

Leaving Your Mark Without Losing Your Mind:Overcoming 7 Obstacles to the Important Work of Your Lifeby Mark Brouwer --Review by Teri Hyrkas Good answers often begin with good questions. Here, from author Mark Brouwer, are some good questions that were the basis of his...

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Rings of Fire

Rings of Fire

Rings of Fire by Leonard Sweet --Review by Vern Hyndman One of the amazing benefits to studying with Dr. Leonard Sweet is that on occasion Len will invite participation in his books. Here’s probably no one more careful to footnote the contribution of others, and over...

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Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Barking Up the Wrong Tree

Barking Up the Wrong Tree Summary by Eric Barker (2017)ISBN: 9780062416049 --Review by Douglas Balzer Wrong assumptions, mistaken, misleading, or misguided we have all come to the wrong conclusion about other people. It can be an embarrassing and humiliating...

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Wendell Berry and the Given Life

Wendell Berry and the Given Life

Wendell Berry and the Given LifeBy Ragan Sutterfield --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D. The book jacket notes that for over fifty years, Wendell Berry has been helping seekers chart a return to the practice of being creatures. Through his essays, poetry and...

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