Ride the River

by Larry Christenson

A Lutheran minister takes readers into the heart of Christian theology, revealing the importance of creativity and the Trinity in Christian daily life. Original.

239 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Hans Erdman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have built our missions ministry around Larry Christenson's "Ride the River", and needless to say, it is one of my favorite books, ever. It is required reading for anyone who wants to work in the Native American missions field with us, and was the first book that we so designated. It is not easy to find copies any more, and I tend to snap them up when I find them, but it's worth the effort. I have often referred to "Ride the River" as the "Very Best Devotional Book for the Adventurous Christian". A few years ago, I felt a strong call to follow the Lewis and Clark Bicycle Trail along the Missouri River in South Dakota. As I studied maps and trail guides in preparation, I knew that I was on the right trail, so to speak, but the preparation was all for the "ride" rather than the mission. Then, while looking over the book table at a conference at church, this book caught my eye. I have met Dr. Christenson and spoken to him at various Lutheran events over our 25 years in Minnesota. He often taught at the Lay Ministry Training Center where my wife was both a student and then the office manager. Like me, he had read Stephen Ambrose's excellent account of the Corps of Discovery, "Undaunted Courage" and the DeVoto edition of the journals of Captain Lewis, Captain Clark and the corps. While I felt the Missouri call me to an expedition of my own, Pastor Larry saw parallels between the journey of Lewis and Clark and the adventure of our life's journey as Christians, and turned it into a wonderful devotional book that is very easy to read and understand and apply to life. I would go so far as to suggest that every missionary can and should read this book.