Discover the life changing power of Jesus in six short stories from the Gospel of Mark. The miracles of Jesus will leap from the page in a Biblical Fiction story, author reflection, and relatable study.

Travel with Jesus as he calms a storm, heals a desperate woman, raises a dead daughter to life, sends His disciples on a minimalist mission, feeds thousands on a hillside, and shows compassion to a persistent mother.

A perfect study for your small group, personal or family devotions, or even a book club.

If you know Jesus, fall in love with Him all over again. If you haven’t experienced Jesus’s power and love, jump in His boat and engage with the Creator and Savior of the world.

My Thoughts

I like stories that paint a picture for the unsaid things in the Bible. As long as we remember it is fiction and not gospel, it is another way to look at things and be inspired by God’s Word. Britton did a good job of balancing this in Across the Lake. The stories themselves were, for the most part, in line with the Gospel of Mark. They are familiar stories for those who have been a part of the Christian church for a while and stories that a newer member should know. I particularly enjoyed Holding on to a Thread, which focused on the woman who bled in Mark 5:21–34. While fictional, you could really see the research that Britton put into this tale, making it more vivid and relatable. By understanding things from the perspective of the time when the Bible was written, it provided me with new insight that made me really look at this biblical account from a fresh perspective. Whenever I read Christian fiction, I think in terms of on camera and off camera, and aside from one instance that left a little bit of a bad taste in my mouth, the stories were true to the on camera narration from the Bible and my comfort level grew with each narrative. Overall, this book offers a thoughtful and engaging approach to familiar biblical accounts. Readers who enjoy biblical fiction that stays close to Scripture will likely appreciate this book.

About the Author

Barbara M. Britton is an author of Christian Fiction who loves to bring little-known Bible stories to light. She has taught the Bible in church and schools for thirty years. Barbara has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. You can find out more about Barbara and her books on her website barbarambritton.com.