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Heaven, How I Got Here, The Story of the Thief on the Cross

Heaven, How I Got Here

The Story of the Thief on the Cross

Colin S. Smith

Colin S. Smith brings the thief on the cross to life in the 96- page novella Heaven, How I Got Here. He writes imaginatively from the thief's perspective while dealing respectfully with the biblical account. For instance, he doesn't invent words to put in Jesus mind or mouth. Instead, as we follow the thief through his last day on earth- from eating his breakfast, to carrying his cross, to finally breathing his last- Smith shares poignant reflections on law, justice, faith, and forgiveness. Through it all, he continually brings our attention back to Christ's work on the cross and His offer of salvation to all who believe.
Christians looking for a book to savor on the beach, share with graduates, or challenge unbelieving friends will want to take note.

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How Church Can Change Your Life, Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions about Church

How Church Can Change Your Life

Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions about Church

Josh Moody

I learned a great deal from Josh Moody's How Church Can Change Your Life: Answers to the Ten Most Common Questions about Church (Christian Focus, 2015). That's because Moody doesn't ask "how," but tells "why." Why should you go to church? Ultimately, the answer is that you can meet Jesus there. Church is not a continuation of Jesus or a substitute for Jesus. It is a way-the God-ordained way-of getting to know Jesus.

Moody's key insight is that preaching is the living voice of Christ speaking in His church: "Biblical preaching is important because it is Jesus' way to meet with his people and show us his glory, his beauty, his love, and help us to be captivated by who he is." So when you listen to a sermon, you are not comparing this sermon to other sermons, or to what you would say about the passage if you had the chance. You listen to preaching because it is what Jesus has to say to you at a particular moment. Thus, Moody writes, "Churches are not meant to be led by administrative geniuses with fancily marketed programmes for all ages; they are meant to be led by Christ through his Word, which means that preaching is centrally important."

With that focus on the preaching of the Word come excellent short chapters on the sacraments-and on other things that are often hard to find good answers on. Do I need to go to church if I am Christian? Moody's answer: Does a severed hand need to be reattached to the body?

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