Book Reviews
Longing for Enough in a Culture of More, by Paul Escamilla
I agree with Fred Craddock when he recommends that this book be read slowly, "no more than a chapter a day. It is almost poetry, and poetry, as Wendell Berry reminds us, slows words down." This book, as in spiritual direction and times of retreat, slows us down and becomes a place of deep and grace-filled awakenings.
Like Organic Community, this book is an excellent companion in this time of cultural changes. It pulls back the veil and shows us there is a better way than the hurried excesses of our fractured culture. But this reads more like a prayer and is a good companion to Myers' practical framework.
Rooted in an organic wisdom from his rural grandparents, and steeped in Wesleyan theology, Escamilla writes with a humble wisdom and prophetic playfulness that invites us all to see the deep sacredness in even (especially?) that which is most simple. His choice and flow of words reminded me of some of my favorite writings by Frederick Buechner.
During Lent we used this book at our church for a special weekly study and had many meaningful conversations about its simple truth. (And you can get a list of discussion starters on line through the Upper Room.)
Reviewed by Len Delony
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