cover image Come, Sit, Stay: Finding Rest for Your Soul

Come, Sit, Stay: Finding Rest for Your Soul

Ellen Vaughn. Worthy, $19.99 (288p) ISBN 978-1-936034-64-2

Vaughn, co-author of bestselling memoirs (Choosing to See; It's All About Him), steps out on her own with a series of reflections that don't add up to a clear whole. Vaughn writes very conversationally about how busy life is today, and that resting in Jesus %E2%80%93 sitting in prayer or the study of scripture -- will simplify life. To make her case, Vaughn draws from popular culture (movies such as Jaws), Scripture (a lot), a variety of books (mostly classical Christian), and dog training. The result is a bit of a mish-mash, written in a breezy, girlfriendly tone ("so here's the deal"; "what the heck is the yoke?") that tries so hard to be accessible her style becomes Joel Osteen-like theology lite, but with more scripture references. This is a good idea %E2%80%93 and an even better cover, featuring a handsome dog, a symbol that might have worked better if it had been used more exclusively. But the material is only enough for a sermon, not a book. (July 13)