by Debie Thomas
“To reflect on the Jesus of the Gospels is to reflect on paradox, mystery, wonder, and messiness,” says author Debie Thomas. “It is to find God in the shadows, the tensions, and the ambiguities of life on earth as it is.”
Her essays on the stories of Jesus are seen as “invitations to faith in all its complexity and untidiness… These are the stories of the Incarnate God who finds and loves us in the messiness of our lives.”
Amy Olrick, author of The 6 Needs of Every Child, says Thomas’ book — subtitled “Reflections on the Life of Christ — “breathes new life into sacred texts, inviting us to experience Christ with fresh eyes.”
My discovery of the book came when looking for a new resource to use for leading a spiritual development group. From the moment I started reading it, I was drawn into the wonderful way she dug deeply into the scriptures to give her reader an opportunity to ponder new and deeper ways to consider the chosen verses.
I love soaking up all the lessons these verses share. Thomas digs deeply and broadens our understanding.
Review by Carol Boseman Taylor, an author and retreat leader in Rocky Mount, N.C.