More Everyday Parables: Simple Stories for Spiritual Reflection
About this ebook
In his second book of modern parables, author Jim Taylor takes us to
territory where Wikipedia doesn't exist. Where there is no "sure thing."
Where events are ambiguous, unsettling, or just plain ordinary. A place
where we, in our culture of "more and better" and "getting somewhere"
don't willingly spend much time. Usually we don't notice this place much
at all in our rush to get "the answer."
Yet every story, every event, however ordinary or vague, has God in it. More Everyday Parables
contains the kind of story that doesn't have an explanation. Jesus made
up his stories on the spot in response to questions from his followers.
He used things that had happened to him, or someone he had heard about
and made a story about it. Jesus told many of these stories, yet often
they have been interpreted for us. And who will ever know exactly what
Jesus meant?
Jim Taylor uses the "parable without explanation" in this book to offer
an opportunity for the reader to reflect deeply on what the story
evokes for them. He tells his stories about everyday happenings that we
can all relate to, and then steps back and lets us notice where and how
they touched us, if they touched us at all. Then if we wish to go
further, he offers some of his own reflections on the story. This may
allow new perspectives to open for the reader. Jim also suggests a Bible
reading to accompany the theme.
Jim's stories remind us that God speaks to us through the world around
us. And today's world, for most of us, is not the world of biblical
images. More Everyday Parables re-enacts Jesus' method of
teaching God's word and presence by using what happens as we live our
life daily as a way to see God. However, unlike in his first book on
parables, Jim does not provide an explanation of the imagery. He lets us
go there ourselves.
Jim's accessible story telling style and the reflections and Biblical
references make it ideal for personal study/reflection and group use.
Clergy will also find it helpful as an adjunct to the Biblical parables.
Features:
Introduction to the use of parables
Thought provoking one-page stories, reflections, and biblical references
Biblical reference index
Black and white photographic illustrations
About the author
Jim Taylor is one of Canada's best known authors and editors among
mainline churches and denominations. He is the author of twelve books
himself including The Spirituality of Pets (2006), An Everyday God (2005), <>Precious Days and Practical Love: Caring for an Aging Parent (1999), The Canadian Religious Travelguide (1982), Discovering Discipleship (with George Johnston, 1983), Two Worlds in One (1985), Last Chance (1989), Surviving Death (1993) republished as Letters to Stephen (1996), Everyday Psalms (1994), Everyday Parables (1995), Sin: A New Understanding of Virtue and Vice (1997), Lifelong Living (for the United Church's Division of Mission in Canada) (1983), and The Spiritual Crisis of Cancer (for the Canadian Cancer Society) (1984).
He was the founding editor of the ecumenical clergy journal Practice of Ministry in Canada
(PMC) for the first 15 years of its publication. He was for 13 years
Managing Editor of The United Church Observer. A co-founder of Wood Lake
Books, Taylor lives and works in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.
