The Little Friar

Gary Bell's The Good Book of Mental Hygiene brings the discussion of mental health inside the church out into the clear open -- with all the compassion and empathy of one steeped in the apostolic tradition of pastor and priest, but with the training of a mental health professional.  He brings several different disorders to the forefront in their own respective chapters, mirroring Paul's New Testament letters to those who suffer from such disorders as depression, addiction, grief, ADHD, along with many other disorders.  Bell brings that pastoral tradition of writing letters to the suffering, focusing on readers by beginning with a clear description of the major issues and the symptoms that may affect those readers' daily lives. It's a gracious little book that makes a first step in the conversation about the nature of mental hygiene in the church. _______________________________ I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review here.

Reading David Watts' Authentic Christianity: Why It Matters for Following Jesus has been a refreshing discipline in the midst of the pandemic.  Watts has given us a delightful, readable and thoughtful account of what it means to follow Jesus in a world where such discipleship is often seen to be hypocrisy.  Watts is quick to point out that "Authentic Christianity" doesn't pretend all is right in our lives or the world.  It doesn't seek to smooth the rough edges off.  Instead, it lives in the real world of doubt and struggle and darkness and brokenness. Watts gives us a picture in this book of what it's like to live as a wise, humble, kind disciple of Jesus.  One who doesn't have to agree on everything with everyone, and still love in a way that takes up the cross.  It's the sort of book I would recommend to atheist or agnostic friends who are still not quite sure they want to jettison religion altogether.  There are few books out there that can tal...