Leitourgia

As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, it is easy to commercialize the American narrative. With flashy advertisements, holiday sales, and television specials, Thanksgiving can downplay the drama and severity of the events surrounding the founding of America. This is the problem that historian Jay Milbran seeks to solve in his new novel They Came for Freedom: The Forgotten, Epic Adventure of the Pilgrims  (Thomas Nelson, 2017). This book reads as a novel but serves as a textbook. Divided into three sections, the plot follows the plight of the persecuted pilgrims from Europe to the New World. It portrays this adventure as nothing short of harrowing—a radical, dangerous escapade with people passionate about seeking religious freedom. In an age with the secularization of church history, this novel is a reminder of the true spirit of Thanksgiving and should serve to give us a deeper appreciation of the trials endured for our religious liberties. This book is well-researched and incl

Study notes, commentaries, and illustrations are helpful, but there comes a time when one simply desires to read the Word of God, uninterrupted. That is the solution presented by the NIV Reader's Bible  (Zondervan, 2017), a single-column, wide-margin version of the NIV Bible without headers, verse numbers, and study aids. Chapter numbers are moved to the margin, and footnotes are presented at the end of each book. The end result is a seamless reading experience that lets the Word speak in its original, unencumbered manner. I am in love with this Bible. Its lay-flat cloth design and thick pages, with a simple yet powerful color scheme, make this an excellent Bible for devotions or public Scripture reading. The large text and Scripture references at the top of the page still make finding verses easy. The Bible is also available in a leather design for a more professional appearance. In an age of distractions, this Bible is a welcome addition for my personal and public worship uses.

For designers who enjoy a handy reference to quickly finding colors, the Color Index XL  by Jim Krause is a welcome addition to their creative bookshelves. Following its pocked-sized predecessors, the Color Index is a large-format version of the guide to matching colors in various schemes. It also includes a primer on color theory. The design of the book is quite excellent. It is simple, non-intrusive, and pairs colors well with unique patterns. RGB and CMYK codes are included for designers to transfer into their works. As a graphic designer, I find much use in these resources for inspiration; although, quite frankly, a color scheme website may be quicker to navigate and access colors. Therefore, this may be a piece to peruse occasionally but may not be my primary go-to. Nevertheless, this large book will still remain a part of my toolkit.

The acclaimed classic Boundaries  by Henry Cloud and John Townsend has been reprinted for the first time since its original publication in 1992. This book has stood the test of time for a reason: The content is amazing. Cloud and Townsend take a psychological and theological approach to relationships that involves why one should set boundaries, how to set boundaries, and how to measure boundaries. This incredibly practical text would serve anyone well who wants to improve their relationships with others. Not much is different in this edition with the exception of a new chapter: "Boundaries for the Digital Age." Here, Cloud and Townsend tackle the changing digital realm of communication and how to set boundaries within it. For those who are struggling with thriving in relationships—with friends, with family, with spouses, or with God—this is a must-read. I highly recommend this book, as we all can benefit from living more unified in a fallen world.