James C. Howell

NCLA Review - If you have a copy of Harold Kushner's book, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," in your church library (and if yours doesn't, it must be the only one), then you need to purchase this book by James Howell, Pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, NC. Howell reminds us that Kushner suggested that "Bad things don't have meaning when they happen: But, we can give them a meaning." However, the Christian understands that meaning "isn't our burden to bear. We show more do not impose meaning. God in God's grace supplies the meaning. Hope depends on God, not on us." Thank God and Amen to that! Howell strives to answer two questions: 1) What is God's will for me? and, 2) Why do bad things happen? He does an admirable job, and towards the end of his work makes this point: "We must reconcile a good God with suffering. Christianity's solution is that the good God takes evil and suffering on God's own self in the crucifixion of Jesus (Reviewer's Note: This is something Kushner could not address). Suffering happens; God doesn't cause it so much as God bears it." This is a thought-provoking book, with questions for discussion provided at the end of every chapter, and is a work which would do well in an adult Sunday School setting. One way or another, you should buy this book. Rating: 4 —WS show less

I found that I no longer believe in the religion projected by some of them hymns. Reading it was a good reminder / exercise to consider what I do believe. Will keep it for the memory of Hazel Cattlett's grace.

I'm not sure why I even added this book to the top of my reading list because of my utter disappointment with other books on the topic of preaching, but I'm glad I did. I was extremely pleased with the content of this book and will be recommending anyone in ministry or about to enter the preaching ministry to give it a read. Well done, helpful, and encouraging!

NCLA Review -This devotional book truly is a treasure. Acknowledging it is difficult to select only 40 verses from the riches of God’s word, the pastor/author encourages us to find some of our own favorites. Each chapter features one Bible verse and offers background information as well as insights for living in today’s world. The down-to-earth language makes it very readable for the average person (i.e. “I should be afraid and skedaddle”). Four pages of notes at the back of the book show more list a wide variety of resources used throughout the devotional. Rating: 4 —BE show less