Road to Renewal: A Lenten Journey Down U.S. 41.

Never before has a devotional book used the concept found in A ROAD TO RENEWAL: A Lenten Journey Down U.S. 41. The book invites its reader to accompany the author on a 47-day journey down this north/south highway that extends 2,000 miles from the northernmost tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Lake Superior to Miami Beach, Florida. A focused Lenten season can lead to abundant spiritual renewal. This is the underlying theme and purpose of the book. Beginning with a story of entering into the wilderness of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, (reminiscent of Jesus’ forty day sojourn in the wilderness) and concluding with the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean (in Miami Beach) serving as its final image, the intervening chapters (devotions/reflective thoughts) take the reader on a contemplative look at America from the perspective of this unique highway – a highway which reflects the diverse nature of American culture. The people, places and events experienced along the way become images for this set of devotions. Covered bridges, the Green Bay Packers, and a visit to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum are some examples of the images used in the reflective thoughts/devotions. (Two days after completing the devotion – “Blessed Are the Peacemakers” -- based on my visit to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, I presented this writing to President Carter. He subsequently returned it with his endorsement.) The book is approximately 35,000 words. The manuscript is complete, and can be transferred to computer disk upon request. An ordained United Church of Christ pastor with a Bachelor’s degree from Lakeland College and a Master of Divinity degree from Vanderbilt University, I have been a parish minister for thirty-five years. I am in my fifteenth year serving as the senior minister of the Zwingli United Church of Christ in Monticello, Wisconsin. Previous pastoral positions included six years in Upper Michigan and fifteen in Indiana. Beginning in the early 70’s with a creative worship service that was included in EXPERIMENTAL PREACHING, edited by John Killinger, I have written a number of devotions, chancel dramas, and other articles for a variety of main-line publications. (A list of writing credits is attached.) I have also completed a series of reflective thoughts based on images from my undergraduate college. I have always been extremely intentional about writing for the Lenten season. Not only do I annually write a series of sermons bound by a common theme as well as a set of devotions for Lent, I have initialed several Lenten writing projects among the congregations I have served. The Rev. Dr. Richard L. Hamm, former General Minister of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has reviewed my manuscript and has commented: “While most of us are caught up in lives that demand interstate highways, lives that are caught up in “faster, faster”, A ROAD TO RENEWAL invites us to take the “old, slow road.” Along the way we are treated to a look at life in days gone by, life today, and life on the road ahead. Through it all runs the concrete ribbon called U.S. 41, and the ribbon of God’s grace. The author has provided a roadmap for a marvelous Lenten pilgrimage.” After reviewing A ROAD TO RENEWAL, noted author John Killinger has written the following remarks: “This book is one of the most intriguing collections of personal devotions I know. Its concept, combining a spiritual journey with an actual journey from one extremity of our country to another, is unique. And one doesn’t have to read far to realize that its author, Larry Balleine, is a deeply spiritual man who views the world through eyes that are capable of seeing God’s presence in everything. Anyone who accompanies him on this trip for forty days will arrive at the other end a wiser and happier person.”