Crossway Book Review: Big Truths for Young Hearts by Bruce Ware

Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God

By Crossway Books & Bibles


In his book Big Truths for Young Hearts: Teaching and Learning the Greatness of God, Bruce Ware takes on the formidable task of making theology accessible to children ages 6-14.  He covers ten topics of systematic theology, including God's Word, the Holy Trinity, Creation, Human Nature/Sin, the Holy Spirit, and Salvation, to name a few.  Divided into those topics, he tackles the familiar questions that arise when discussing faith with children (or anyone for that matter!):

• Why does God allow pain and suffering and bad things in the world?
• What is the difference between God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
• Does God "talk" to us?
• What is sin and what can we do about it?
• How did Jesus resist temptation?
  

These are deep spiritual questions, yet the author addresses them on a level understandable by children.  They are written like great bedtime conversations between a parent and child, which is how they originated.  The idea for the book came from Mr. Ware's daughters, who treasured the Biblical wisdom shared with their father through "bedside" conversations every night as they were growing up.  What a great family tradition!  I would like to use a similar concept with my girls so that I can share the wonderful truths of scripture with them in a way they can apply to their everyday lives.

Lil Sis and Baby Girl are too young to have any questions yet, but they recognize and respond to the love that I am able to give them because God first loved me.  Big Sis has many questions and I'm happy to say that we have used this book to answer some of them.  When I'm "thrown off" by a question she asks and unprepared to answer it thoroughly, I know I can turn to this book to help explain the major points of the Christian faith.  The chapters are relatively short, with discussion questions and a memory verse at the end of each chapter, so this could easily be used as a Bible study/devotional.  Older children could read this on their own, too.

In my opinion, Bruce Ware has succeeded in his task.  This book has become a valuable addition to my home library, which I will turn to often to answer the tough questions in a wise, Biblical way.  Not only is it a great teaching tool for the girls, it also helps me as a refresher in the foundations of my faith!



Disclaimer: This book was provided by Crossway Books for my review.  I received no other compensation for my honest opinion.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Big Sis decided that she wanted to memorize all the lyrics from the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since I had just read a chapter on the meaning in Ace Collins' book 25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever, I thought it was a great idea!  (BTW, Big Sis was able to memorize them all very quickly!)

Do you know the meaning of the words?  I've included them below in parentheses:

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me (God is the "true love" and giver of all the gifts!)
A partridge in a pear tree. (The partridge represents Jesus, the one and only Son of God.)
 

On the second day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Two turtle doves, (The Old and New Testaments)
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the third day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Three French hens, (Faith, hope, love)
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree. 

On the fourth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Four calling birds, (The four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John)
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the fifth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Five golden rings, (The first five books of the Bible, the Pentateuch, which gives us all common roots.)
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the sixth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Six geese a-laying, (The six days of Creation)
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming, (The seven gifts of the spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion.)
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eighth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eight maids a-milking, (Milkmaids were considered the poorest class in England -- this shows that Jesus came for the poor, the abandoned, the meek, etc.)
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the ninth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Nine ladies dancing, (The nine fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.)
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the tenth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Ten lords a-leaping, (The Ten Commandments -- lords are "judges" and the law)
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the eleventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Eleven pipers piping, (The eleven faithful Apostles)
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

On the twelfth day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Twelve drummers drumming, (The band of the faithful, proclaiming the Gospel throughout the world.)
Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,
Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree!

Salt Dough Ornament Craft

Here's a simple and fun recipe for making your own Christmas ornaments or gift toppers from salt dough.  We just made a batch and used our cookie cutters.  Now we're in the process of painting them, then I'll coat them with some Modge Podge to seal them.  Lots of family fun and so easy!  I also recommend adding a little cinnamon or vanilla to the recipe to make them smell extra delicious, too!

http://crafts.kaboose.com/saltdoughgifttoppers.html

You can see in the picture that we're actually making lots of different kinds of ornments this year.  Felt, foamies, salt dough, beaded, etc.  All made with things I have on hand for the most part, or that were bought cheaply at the dollar store.  We're having fun with it and just going wherever our imaginations take us!  Big Sis is very creative.  ;0)

By the way, Kaboose is an awesome resource for craft ideas, printables, and even a weekly e-newsletter full of ideas.  All free!  It's one of my favorite sites.

Book Review Blog Tour: 99 Ways to Build Job Security & Fool-Proofing Your Life

Talk about timely! I received these two books from Waterbrook/Multnomah in the same week that DH found out he had to take a five-day unpaid furlough at work. They're expecting lay-offs and more paycuts to follow. It seemed like 99 Ways to Build Job Security by Gary Nowinski had arrived at the right moment! I won't go into details about how Fool-Proofing Your Life: How to Deal Effectively with the Impossible People in Your Life by Jan Silvious can help him at work, but let's just say it's also a useful title at this time. Truth be told, it's a helpful book for me right now, too! Who hasn't had to deal with impossible people at some point? And we want to deal with them Biblically no matter how difficult that might be, right? I'm getting ahead of myself here, so I'll just start the reviews:

Ninety-Nine Ways to Build Job Security

99 Ways to Build Job Security is part of a series of books by Waterbrook Press that all begin with "99 Ways to . . ." They're affordable, quick reads that dispense common-sense advice on a certain topic. In seven chapters, each tidbit of advice is actually numbered 1-99. This book is meant to help the reader analyze work performance and attitudes that make an employee valuable to an employer. Things like enthusiasm, professionalism, keeping up-to-speed on the latest technology, working well with colleagues, etc. Each chapter begins with a scripture reference, which I like. Honestly, the advice is pretty common sense, common knowledge type information. I think it's meant to be used more as a personal evaluation tool to look for any areas in which you might need to work on. I know my DH already practices all these things in his job, so it's not exactly the kind of major changes he can make to preserve his career. I think this book would probably make a nice stocking stuffer for a recent high school or college graduate just beginning in their careers.

Fool-Proofing Your Life: An Honorable Way to Deal with the  Impossible People in Your Life

Fool-Proofing Your Life is based on a study on relationships from Proverbs. Jan Silvious takes a look at what it means to deal with "fools" in your life, including the Biblical definition of the word. If you've been frustrated with a current relationship -- be it boss, sibling, parent, spouse, child -- this books offers relational tips to handle these situations in a Christian way with Biblical wisdom. It will help preserve your sanity! The book is divided into three parts: Is There a Fool in Your Life?, Relating to Your Fool, and Wising Up. It also includes personal application and group study questions. I think this would make an excellent small group study! I really enjoyed this book and found the information fresh and applicable to my life. The author "shoots straight" about the topic and makes a lot of sense.

From the publisher:

In tough times discover…99 Ways (times six) to thrive!

Colorado Springs, CO— The Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group introduces 99…times six…practical and up-to-date ways to help families flourish despite present economic challenges, priced at just $5.99 per book (WaterBrook Press, July 21, 2009). These books are not only timely, but also inexpensive enough to fit into everyone’s tightening budget.

• 99 Ways to Entertain Your Family for Free (ISBN-13: 978-0-307-45836-0)by Mack Thomas, bestselling author of The First Step Bible and father of five.  Offers activities and events sure to entertain and educate family members of all ages.
  

• 99 Ways to Stretch Your Home Budget (ISBN-13:978-0-307-45841-4) by Cheri Gillard, nurse and mother of quadruplets.  Practical ideas on how families can save money around the house.

• 99 Ways to Increase Your Income (ISBN-13:978-0-307-45839-1)by Frank Martin, successful entrepreneur and author of over sixteen books. Provides tips to generate more cash, and rebuild or supplement an income, while hanging on to existing dollars.
  

• 99 Ways to Build Job Security (ISBN-13:978-0-307-45840-7) by Gary Nowinski, veteran in corporate management and downsizing.  Introduces key strategies to help employees keep their jobs during economic cutbacks.

• 99 Ways to Fight Worry and Stress (ISBN-13: 978-0-307-45837-7) by Elsa Kok Colopy, Associate Editor for Focus on the Family Publications. Presents skills to guard rest, dream a little, and dive into truth and more.

• 99 Bible Promises for Tough Times (ISBN-13:978-0-307-45838-4) by Randy Petersen, seasoned author of more than fifty books and Bible studies. Gives encouraging and wise words found in Scripture to mediate upon.

Written for families and individuals who are hoping to not only survive but thrive, during tough times. These value-packed, applicable resources offer relevant and reliable insights to endure the current economic downturn, and are sure to appeal to families in all stages of life.

Don’t Let Relationships Suffer Because of the Economy

Colorado Springs, CO— Just because the economy is suffering doesn’t mean relationships have to suffer, too. The Value Non-Fiction Line (September 15, 2009) offers insightful books on love, marriage, relationships and personal growth. At just $6.99, WaterBrook Press is offering readers on the most limited budgets, valuable resources to help them grow and succeed in their personal lives. Titles include:

More Than A Match (ISBN: 978-1-4000-7489-1) by relationship experts, Michael & Amy Smalley, marriage and family counselors who demystify the science behind compatibility tests to help singles in search of love recognize when the right relationship comes along. They also reveal the specific skills that can transform an ideal match into a lasting love.

Fool Proofing Your Life (ISNB: 978-0-307-45848-3) by Jan Silvious, Precept Ministries (Kay Arthur) radio co-host discusses how attempts at coping with difficult people often fails, because they are what the Bible refers to as “fools.” Silvious provides tools to help readers get along and conduct relationships in a way that honors God, while preserving their own sanity.

How to Act Right When Your Spouse Acts Wrong (ISBN: 978-0-307-45849-0)

by Leslie Vernick, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 25 years experience, reveals how God uses the imperfections, difference and sins of a spouse to help anyone become more like Christ.

What Women Don’t Know and Men Don’t Tell You (ISBN: 978-0-307-45850-6)

by Michelle McKinney Hammond, best-selling author, speaker, singer and co-host, with Joel A. Brooks, Jr., senior pastor of Christian Life Center, clears up misperceptions, providing women with the information they need to succeed in a lasting male-female relationship ─ both while waiting and after the wait is over.

The Value Non–Fiction Line provides readers with invaluable resources at a low cost, and offers priceless insights to help build meaningful relationship. 


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of both books for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are my own and I received no other compensation.

Book Review: "25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever" by Ace Collins

25 Days, 26 Ways to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever

25 Days, 26 Ways (to Make This Your Best Christmas Ever) by Ace Collins is a "literary Advent calendar" to remind us about the true joy and meaning of Christmas. I received a copy for review from Zondervan and I have enjoyed reading a short chapter each day since the first day of December.

I have to admit that growing up, Advent meant placing another ornament on an Advent wreath each day as we counted down the days to Christmas. It was a great family tradition, but it didn't mean anything more to me than an answer to the eager childhood question "Is it Christmas YET?" I want to share that tradition with my girls, but I also want it to have the deeper meaning that truly makes them feel the power of Christmas.

Ace Collins shares an idea each day about Christmas traditions, symbolic meanings, and scriptural truth to bring that power back to your Christmas celebration. He explains the story behind Christmas carols, the first Advent celebrations in Rome, and everyday ways to make Christ the center of your holiday. All of these things are written in short chapters to be easily read daily through the Advent season. His tone is conversational, which makes for a great family read-aloud everyday. Just reading this book together has created a new family tradition!

On Day One, he simply states the three most important things to keep in mind at Christmas:
1. Reflect on what it means for God to come to earth in human form as a baby.
2. Consider how accepting Jesus as Savior changed your very existence.
3. Know that Jesus is coming back.

By focusing on these three key ideas, you will focus on the true joy and meaning of Christmas!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to "slow down" this busy time of year and help teach your children the purpose of Advent.

May your joy this season be contagious as you keep Christ at the center of the holiday!


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Zondervan. There was no other compensation or coercion for my honest opinion.

O, how the mighty have fallen . . .

Big Sis has had somewhat of a "crush" on Superman since she was about 3 or 4. She hasn't seen any of the movies, but she has seen a few of the old cartoons, circa the 1940's. Those cartoons, combined with the toys she's seen in the stores, fueled her hope that one day she actually might meet the super hero in person. Well, time marches on and she's now a "big girl" of almost 8! She realizes that Superman is not going to come knocking on the door anytime soon, but she still plays with the one Superman doll that we own. The other day the inevitable happened -- he broke! After so many doll rescue missions, his arm fell off. Here was our conversation:

Big Sis: Oh! Superman is broken!

Me: (surveying the damage before giving my usual response to these situations) Maybe Daddy can glue it.

Big Sis: Maybe.

A pause, then a disheartened little voice admitted. . .

I guess he's not so super anymore.

Honestly, my first response was to chuckle, but there was something about the tone of her voice that told me there was an opportunity for something more here. This one seemingly unimportant little incident led us into a conversation about a real super hero -- Jesus. I used this example to show that though earthly things may fail us, Jesus never will. He'll never disappoint us when we put our trust in Him. We had a great conversation that ended in giggles. It's these teachable moments that I wouldn't trade for all the world! Although we struggle financially on one income and I struggle some days with the not-so-super monotony of household responsibilities, it is in these moments that God speaks to me loud and clear as He allows me the privilege of turning these little hearts toward Him. What an honor! What a super mission! For that I'm eternally grateful and hopeful as I look forward to the return of our true Super Hero, Jesus Christ.



For more "out of the mouths of babes" moments, visit Not Before 7's Tiny Talk Tuesday:

It's a Wonderful Life (the Embracing Destiny version)

Although I wrote this at Christmas time last year, I wanted to re-post it because it really gets to the heart of what I feel about Christmas. Our family has grown to include a third miracle daughter since then!

It's a Wonderful Life

I used to have a "perfect" Christmas tree every year, put up on schedule the weekend after Thanksgiving without fail. DH and I would choose a live tree, he would put up the lights, and then I would decorate it "perfectly" with handmade ornaments that had been in the family for years. Each year I would make a new kind of ornament to add to the collection. I had my Christmas cards ready to mail on December 1st -- stuffed, addressed, and stamped with my "perfect" Christmas stamps. I decorated the mantel with our Nativity set which had been passed on to me from my parents. It's old and fragile and I treasure it. I realize I'm not alone in my lifelong love of Christmas, but I lived for Christmas. All year long I would look forward to the month of December. I loved choosing gifts for my family, the lights, the baking, the wonder of God's miracle to save the world, the snow, the music and caroling, the whole picture of Christmas. Everything was scheduled, perfectly predictable, perfectly perfect, for many years. There was only one thing missing . . . the laughter of children discovering their presents on Christmas morning. That sound would elude me for six-and-a-half years as I waited and prayed, impatiently, imperfectly, on a schedule beyond my control.

My silent nights came to an end in 2001. On Christmas Eve, I went into labor ahead of schedule. Our long-awaited child was determined to be a Christmas baby! As I labored for 18 hours, I listened to Christmas music. In particular, Nat King Cole. It was a long-standing tradition for me to listen to his Christmas album every year, going back to my own childhood. His voice has always had a soothing effect on me and it gave me something comforting to focus on. I gave birth to my first daughter to the sounds of "O Holy Night." Big Sis made her appearance on Christmas afternoon as Nat King Cole sang these words:

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O, hear the angels' voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born; O night divine, O night, O night Divine.

Through my pain and exhaustion, I was moved to tears. I felt that thrill of hope. I heard those angel voices. I knew that life would never be the same. I thought of Mary, giving birth to her first child in a lowly stable. Her elation mixed with pain and fear, accompanied by choirs of angels. In the moment of my baby's birth, my feelings about Christmas changed. More than presents and tradition and decorations, Christmas is love. Christmas is new hope, born again in the form of a baby. Redemption, true joy, child-like wonder and innocence are ours to have if we choose.

God has blessed me abundantly, more than I ever dared hope. He gave me the first gift of Christmas -- His only son. Such love and power in such a helpless baby. God saw fit to give me another Christmas gift -- my much longed-for, much prayed-for, baby girl. The significance of his choice of birthdays is not lost on me. I think back on all the Christmases that came and went before my baby was born, with me never knowing that one day it would be her birthday. Christmases full of happiness, Christmases full of tears as I ached for motherhood.

Today I have a four-foot-tall artificial tree. It's set up on a box (covered by a homemade tree skirt) in the corner of the room to keep it out of reach from little hands that might pull it down. There are no ornaments at all on the bottom half of the tree. The top half is covered in a different kind of handmade ornaments -- the kind made by the aforementioned little hands. The ornaments are made from drinking straws and popsicle sticks, painted and covered in glitter. There are even a few dolls and toys stuck in the upper branches because "Don't they look pretty there, Mama?" These are things that only a mother could love. My half-decorated tree does not jibe with "perfection." My Christmas cards will be late this year because I'm busy with two beautiful girls who call me "Mama," which is a sound sweeter than any Christmas carol I've ever heard.

My Christmas baby will be 7 this year and I feel the time flying far too quickly to waste a single second of it. I've let go of my need for perfection and replaced it with something wonderful. It is love, it is innocence, it is thankfulness, it is hope, it is . . . Christmas.

May your Christmas be blessed!