Down in the Weeds is a collection of seventy lively and entertaining devotional messages from a pastor to his people to keep them going between the Sundays of their lives. The stories engage the reader from the first sentence and lead him to a message of comfort, encouragement and hope, something people are looking for as much as instruction in living, the focus of many traditional devotional books. These are not heroic stories or stories of miracles that the reader might be led to expect to be repeated in her own life. Nor are these soft and flowery stories. These are commonplace and also often unique experiences that offer the reader some insight, the discovery of something of value "Down in the Weeds." The narrator in each devotion has a pleasant personality, speaking in a light and informal manner but at times sharing deep grief and worry. Readers will like the person talking to them in the language they use every day. Each devotion includes Bible readings that complement the message and ends with a brief benediction. Rev. James Nelesen began his ministry as a parish pastor in Kansas. He was an English professor at Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska, and later in his career at Moorpark College in California. Lutheran Television took him to the Los Angeles area as production executive of the religious drama series, "This Is The Life." Pastor Nelesen then planted Faith Lutheran Church in Moorpark, California, where he served as pastor for nearly twenty years. The author resided in Simi Valley, California, with his wife Teresa. He was the father of three and grandfather to six. The author has two previous publications, the children's books, "The Most Important Christmas" and "Mr.Washington's Traveling Music," an Easter story. He went to his heavenly home in March 2006.