Static Jedi: The Art of Hearing the Quiet Whisper of God

Despite its offbeat title, Timm’s book prescribes straightforward applications of classic spiritual disciplines for a new generation and deserves attention for its punchy prose and use of intentionally choppy syntax to jar the reader as he accurately diagnoses humanity’s addiction to noise, distraction, and static. The author dares the average Christian to instead master the noise, seek clarity, follow Jesus, and become a “static Jedi.” With a no-nonsense approach, highly relevant cultural references, and personal anecdotes and illustrations, the book advocates morning devotion, solitary retreat, Scripture memorization, fasting, and ongoing discipleship to help readers “master the static” like Jesus did. The injunctions are practical but challenging, motivational and mystical, and at times go beyond stimulating to being onerous. Timm asks readers to “do the natural” as Jesus does the “super,” but much of the book is focused on the actions of the devotee, not the Deity. Those looking to mirror Jesus’ spiritual discipline and to find clarity in the clamor of the modern world have a good resource in Timm’s book. (Sept.)