Book Recommendation
I read the Advance Reader Copy of my friend Barb Britton's new release, Across the Lake.Inspired by a visit to Galilee, Barb Britton has written six vignettes from passages in the Book of Mark. Many are seen through the eyes of Peter, the fisherman/disciple. My favorite features the disciples being sent out by twos to evangelize. They are animated in a way not gleaned from the Bible. Thomas gestures wildly while relating his experiences. Peter’s muscles ache from rowing in a stormy sea. Judas annoys everyone with his sourpuss attitude.
Jesus’ only words are those recorded in the Bible. Each story is followed by the author’s reflections and questions for personal study or group discussions. I would have liked more stories!
I asked Barb a few questions:
Why did you use only Jesus’ recorded words?
At the end of the book of Revelation, there is a warning about adding and subtracting from the Bible. I take that very seriously. I wouldn’t want to add words to Jesus’s mouth only to have readers think Jesus said those words. As we know, words have different meanings to different people. I had Jesus say only the red letters. My job was tougher as a writer, but I like the way the book turned out.
Why only Mark’s gospel?
When we were in Israel, our instructor taught from the Book of Mark. I enjoy Mark’s attention to detail and his to-the-point narrative. The four Gospels share some stories, but not others. I focused on healings that took place around the Sea of Galilee.
What’s next?
I’m working on a devotional about Bible heroes who have meltdowns.
Order it here. Across the Lake releases this Tuesday, January 6.
