Book Review: The Stories We Tell {Beyond the Page}

The Stories We Tell: How TV and Movies Long for and Echo the Truth by Mike Cosper
ISBN: 9781433537103 (mobi ebook)
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $12.99

About the book:
The average American watches 5 hours of TV every day.
Collectively, we spend roughly $30 billion on movies each year.

Simply put, we’re entertainment junkies. But can we learn something from our insatiable addiction to stories? Mike Cosper thinks so.

From horror flicks to rom-coms, the tales we tell and the myths we weave inevitably echo the narrative underlying all of history: the story of humanity’s tragic sin and God’s triumphant salvation. This entertaining book connects the dots between the stories we tell and the one great Story—helping us better understand the longings of the human heart and thoughtfully engage with the movies and TV shows that capture our imaginations.

About the author:
Mike Cosper is one of the founding pastors of Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky, where he serves as the pastor of worship and arts. He is also founder of Sojourn Music and contributes regularly to the Gospel Coalition blog.

My thoughts:

To start, I am very glad that I have not watched half of the movies/tv shows that are used as reference in this book. A lot of them I hadn't ever even heard of. Some sound down-right terrible. Depressing, disgusting, or just not like what I would find to be good entertainment. But there are some that I have heard of, have watched and have enjoyed. After reading the book by Jerram Barrs about literature echoing Eden (truth, beauty, goodness), I thought this might be an interesting read.

The writing is interesting. Cosper is witty but straight forward. He doesn't paint the ugly pictures in the television shows and movies near as bad as I am sure they are, but the reader can still get the 'picture'. There are only 10 chapters so it really isn't a very long book but as I said, I haven't heard of/see many of the shows he's talking about. Those portions were a little bit tougher for me to slog through, especially when it wasn't a particularly flattering show. 

I believe we are watching because TV and movies are both echoing and forming our desires, and I want to delve into what those desires really are. loc 271
After chapter 2, I won't focus much on the moral aspects of watching TV and movies...Here, I'm less interested in debating the merits of watching content than I am in understanding what drives it. I want to get to the heart of these stories. Why do we tell them? What motivates us? I believe that the motivation for our stories is deeply connected with the gospel, and by thinking about that connection, we can more deeply appreciate both. loc 289

Jeremiah 17:9 tells us plainly that the desires come from our heart, which is deceitful. By saying that stories that are told are connected to the gospel, I think, is taking it too far. Especially when the writer of the story is truly against God (which I don't really recall if any of the shows mentioned in the book are expressly stated as being such). I have a difficult time agreeing that we can 'appreciate' the gospel more fully through watching these kinds of shows. But I do think the shows can be appreciated more (or completely avoided) by reading the gospels.

Stories help give us a sense of place. They stir our imaginations and help us experience love, betrayal, hatred, and compassion that might otherwise be foreign. They prepare us for experiences like love, or help us process things like sorrow and suffering. loc 302

Overall, it was an okay book. As everyone has personal liberty- we make the choices we make without God twisting our arm- I cannot say that Cosper is wrong or right. He makes good points, but as Charlotte Mason says: "It is a great safeguard to know that your 'reason' is capable of proving any theory you allow yourself to entertain." (Vol. 2, p. 46)

***Disclaimer: I received the above ebook as part of Crossway's Beyond the Page reviewer program, free for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Lit! {Crossway- Beyond the Page}

Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books by Tony Reinke

PDF ISBN: 9781433522277/Mobipocket ISBN: 9781433522284

ebook, 208 pages

Publisher: Crossway

Retail: $12.99

About the book {from Crossway}:

I love to read. 

I hate to read.

I don’t have time to read.

I only read Christian books.

I’m not good at reading.

There’s too much to read.

Chances are, you’ve thought or said one of these exact phrases before because reading is important and in many ways unavoidable. Learn how to better read, what to read, when to read, and why you should read with this helpful guide from accomplished reader Tony Reinke. Offered here is a theology for reading and practical suggestions for reading widely, reading well, and for making it all worthwhile.

About the author:

Tony Reinke is a former journalist now serving as a theological researcher, writer, and blogger. He works for Desiring God in Minneapolis where he lives with his wife and three children.

In your light do we see light.- Psalm 36:9

My thoughts:

I definitely could not relate to the person who wrote the foreword for this book because he said he hated to read. Gasp! But I do understand that there are some who aren't that thrilled with reading. I read a lot. And for the most part I enjoy reading. I requested this book to review because I struggle with what to read and why to read. 

In chapter 1, Reinke attempts to give a fast breakdown of the good of books and reading, from a Christian perspective. The title of the book is a play on words; it stands for literature but also enlightenment. 

"Lit is short for literature, which is long for books, which is the topic of this book. Lit reminds us that the glow of God's creative power is all around us...Most importantly, lit represents a conviction underlying this entire book: Christian readers are illuminated by "the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4). "In him was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4)" (loc 210).

Chapter 2 is a rundown of the author's personal journey I suppose from reading to really reading and seeing a connection to God in that. I thought this chapter so long and drawn-out. I appreciate Christian books where the gospel is there (that as humans we are sinners and in need of a savior, that without that savior we will be on our way to eternal damnation, that we need to see our need and then repent of our sins, and finally accept Christ as our savior) but...I had a difficult time not just skimming this entire chapter. 

"Fundamentally, literacy is a spiritual discipline that must overcome the spiritual darkness that veils us" (loc 571).

Chapter 3 discusses the way reading is ultimately superior to watching television {smile}. He didn't really say that but... it's true! He even quotes from Amusing Ourselves to Death. 

"What will we lose if we ignore books? And what will we lose if we fill our lives for the next twenty years with sitcoms, movies, ESPN, video games, and the Internet? What will we gain if we fill our lives for the next twenty years with disciplined reading" (loc 605)? 

I do have a lot of highlights from this chapter on my Kindle but I won't barrage this post with them all. Suffice it to say that Reinke is much more in favor of cultivating a love for literacy than television and the image driven society. 

I'll move along to chapter 6 where Reinke talks about imagination. What a wondrous thing is the imagination!

"God has given us the ability to "see" in our minds things that we have never experienced...secondary imagination [imagination that doesn't arise from our personal experiences] is essential for our pursuit of godliness, and that it's a skill we can sharpen by reading" (loc 1303). 

The rest of the chapter talks about instances in the Bible where that secondary imagination is required because really, who has seen the things portrayed in the books of prophecy in the Bible as they are written? They are symbolic and that requires our imagination.

"Christians can read a broad array of books for our personal benefit, but only if we read with discernment. And we will only read with discernment if the biblical convictions are firmly settled in our minds and hearts. Once they are, we have a touchstone to determine what is pure gold and what is worthless" (loc 940).

As it gets into the second part of the book, Reinke gives advice on what to read, what to avoid, and why he suggests what he does. One thing that I have a very difficult time with is that with the exception of some things, I felt Reinke was saying [although he does not really say this; it's just a personal hang up perhaps] we should read books by non-Christians because we would see God through them because whatever is light is from God. But... Satan is the angel of light... And here is a quote from Martin Luther that Reinke uses: 

"For no heresy has ever sprung from pagan belief, from Aristotle, and from the books of other heathen. No, these necessarily emerge from the church...heresy and false doctrine are taken and adduced from no other source than Scripture" (loc 951).

Overall, I found it to be a thought provoking book that may be of benefit to those who are on the fence about reading only "Christian" books as opposed to "non-Christian" books. My {oh-so-informed} advice: first and foremost, go to God's Word; next go to God in prayer. He will tell you if it is a good book or not to be reading. 

I received this book free from Crossway- Beyond the Page blogger review program for the purpose of this review. See Disclosure/Policies.

Book Review: The Sword {Crossway- Beyond the Page}

The Sword by Byran M. Litfin

ebook, 416 pages

Publisher: Crossway

Retail: $12.99

About the book:

Four hundred years after a deadly virus and nuclear war destroyed the modern world, a new and noble civilization emerges. In this kingdom, called Chiveis, snowcapped mountains provide protection, and fields and livestock provide food. The people live medieval-style lives, with almost no knowledge of the "ancient" world. Safe in their natural stronghold, the Chiveisi have everything they need, even their own religion. Christianity has been forgotten—until a young army scout comes across a strange book.

With that discovery, this work of speculative fiction takes readers on a journey that encompasses adventure, romance, and the revelation of the one true God. Through compelling narrative and powerful character development, The Sword speaks to God's goodness, his refusal to tolerate sin, man's need to bow before him, and the eternality and power of his Word. Fantasy and adventure readers will be hooked by this first book in a forthcoming trilogy.

About the author:

BRYAN M. LITFIN (PhD, University of Virginia) is Professor of Theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He is the author of the Chiveis Trilogy as well as Getting To Know the Church Fathers. Bryan and his wife, Carolyn, have two children.

My thoughts:

I chose this book in hopes of having a good book to read. I didn't finish the book. I could not finish it. It isn't a very wholesome book because it has a lot of shall we say pagan aspects, and more detailed "romance" (and too much!) than I think is good for a Christian book. I've read my fair share of books that some may say are more unwholesome than this one but I did not like this one. I read past the point where I thought I should stop and then could just not go any further. 

I didn't care for the style of writing either. It was too much tell and not show, if that makes sense. We are given all the details of the scene with nothing to imagine, but at the same time some scenes seem unrealistic. Some of the dialogue is immature (?). Also, the characters seemed a bit shallow (of what I read). Of course these are my own personal thoughts. Someone else may very well appreciate the book more. 

Disclaimer: I was given this ebook free from Crossway through Beyond the Page book review program. No compensation was given. All of my book reviews contain my honest opinions; but that is what they are: opinions. See Disclosure/Policies.

Book Review: What's Your Worldview? {Crossway}

What's Your Worldview? by James N. Anderson*

ISBN: 9781433538926

Paperback, 112 pages

Publisher: Crossway

Retail: $10.99

About the book: 

How Do You View the World? 

It’s a big question. And how you answer is one of the most important things about you.

Not sure what you’d say? Join James Anderson on an interactive journey of discovery aimed at helping you understand and evaluate the options when it comes to identifying your worldview. Cast in the mold of a classic “Choose Your Own Adventure” story, What’s Your Worldview? will guide you toward intellectually satisfying answers to life’s biggest questions—equipping you to think carefully about not only what you believe but why you believe it and how it impacts the rest of your life.

About the author: James N. Anderson (Ph.D. University of Edinburgh) is associate professor of theology and philosophy at Reformed Theological Society in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an ordained minister in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Society of Christian Philosophers, the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion, and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My thoughts: Good little book with lots to think about. I went through the book as if I were someone looking for the 'title' of my worldview. I already know my 'worldview' but found this book to be informative. 

It consists of 21 questions, 5 categories and 21 worldviews. They are all connected. Asking one of the questions leads to another, and another, and finally to a worldview. Some of the questions deal with what you think about God -wait, do you even believe there is a God?, about different religions, about free choice, right and wrong, and more. Categories include atheist, theist, quasi-theist, finite theist, and non-Christian theist. Worldviews are broken down to ones I knew about, such as Atheist and Christianity, Islam and Judaism, but also ones I didn't think about such as Deism, Materialism, Skepticism, Monism, and others. 

I'll admit I never liked Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) books when I was younger because I either ended up in quite a bad situation because of my choices {according to the book} or it didn't turn out the way I'd envisioned it being written. I could see different scenarios than were presented to me, so I was dissatisfied. With this book by Anderson, my choices ended me right where I thought they would. That's a first for me with a CYOA book! 

After I went through as I really would answer, I went through again, and again choosing different paths to come to other ends, and learned quite a bit in the mean time. Each section is short, just a page or two, with just a glimpse into these other worldviews.

This is a Christian book; it is not unbiased. It intends to lead you to Christianity. I don't mind that at all, since I am Christian. But there may be some who are hoping for a {dry and boring} facts only book about these worldviews. It does give facts and characteristics of these worldviews, but it also shows how they are misplaced in one's search for meaning and purpose. 

If you would like to read an excerpt, follow this link to Crossway and scroll down to the middle of the page. 

I received this book for free from Crossway in exchange of an honest review on my blog. All opinions stated are my own. See Disclosure/Policies. 

Book Review: Christian Guides to the Classics, The Scarlet Letter {Crossway}

Christian Guides to the Classics, Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter by Leland Ryken
ISBN: 978-1-4335-2608-4
Paperback, 80 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $5.99
Age/Grade: high school and up

About the study guide (from Crossway):
We’ve all heard about the classics and assume they’re great. Some of us have even read them on our own. But for those of us who remain a bit intimidated or simply want to get more out of our reading, Crossway’s Christian Guides to the Classics are here to help.

In these short guidebooks, popular professor, author, and literary expert Leland Ryken takes you through some of the greatest literature in history while answering your questions along the way.
Each book:

• Includes an introduction to the author and work
• Explains the cultural context
• Incorporates published criticism
• Contains discussion questions at the end of each unit of the text
• Defines key literary terms
• Lists resources for further study
• Evaluates the classic text from a Christian worldview

This guide opens up the signature book of American literature, Hawthorne’s Scarlet Letter, and unpacks its universal themes of sin, guilt, and redemption.

Read an excerpt (and/or buy the book) here: http://www.crossway.org/books/hawthornes-ithe-scarlet-letteri-tpb/


About the author (from Crossway):
Leland Ryken (PhD, University of Oregon) served as professor of English at Wheaton College for over 43 years. He has authored or edited over three dozen books, including The Word of God in English and The Complete Literary Guide to the Bible. He is a frequent speaker at the Evangelical Theological Society and served as literary stylist for the English Standard Version Bible.

My thoughts:

Simply: small book, good stuff. The original work is over 200 pages, this study guide is under 80 pages. The guides starts with a ‘the book at a glance’, which I found to be helpful since I’d not read the original work. I had some misconceptions that had held me back from reading this particular book. Right away from the study guide, we understand that the book is really about "concealment of sin and the guilt it produces. It is also about consciousness of sin and guilt." The book actually picks after the adulterous act has been committed, so we know but don't have to go through that. 

Each chapter of the book has its own place in the guide, with a plot summary, commentary and for reflection and discussion sections. In the margins are comments from other critics (‘critic’ doesn’t mean ‘all bad’). Another feature is at the beginning titled “The Author and His Faith” that discusses Hawthorne’s own beliefs, those of the time-period as well as the ones portrayed in the book. 

I found this study guide to be helpful for myself and would like to find more of Ryken’s Christian Guides. There are at least three more at this time {Amazon affiliate link}: Homer's The Odyssey, Milton's Paradise Lost, and Shakespeare's MacBeth. Dicken's Great Expectations and Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress are coming Spring 2014. I'm undecided at the moment if I will use this {or Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter at all} in our homeschool but think it's a good resource to have in case we do.

***Disclaimer: I received the above reviewed study guide for free from Crossway for the purpose of this review. All opinions stated are my own. No compensation was given. This post does include affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: The Christian Mom's Idea Book {Crossway}

The Christian Mom's Idea Book by Ellen Banks Elwell
ISBN: 978-1581349504
Paperback, 272 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $14.99

About the book (from the back cover):

You can make the most of motherhood with this resourceful book. It's jam-packed with 500 ideas gathered from more than 80 mothers just like you: mothers of preschoolers, high schoolers, and every age in between. Mothers with one child. Mothers with a houseful of children. Mothers with adopted children. But most of all, mothers with a great desire to raise godly kids-and have fun at it too!

You'll get fantastic suggestions for fulfilling the all-important role God has given you, including:

• throwing a great birthday party
• handling doctor's visits
• planning alone time & getaways
• disciplining
• practicing hospitality
• babysitting
• successfully surviving car trips
• dealing with toddlers
• teaching music lessons
• menu planning & grocery shopping
• keeping your marriage alive
• spiritual nurturing

… and so much more in nearly 40 categories. Here is everything you need to provide a safe, nurturing environment for your family-and to make your home a wonderful place to be.

About the author:

Ellen Banks Elwell is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the American Conservatory of Music. She and her husband, Jim, live in Wheaton, Illinois, and have three grown sons and one daughter-in-law. Elwell has authored several books for women, including One Year Devotions for Moms and When There's Not Enough of Me to Go Around.

***This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.***

My thoughts:

I like this book. It is quite simple and laid out in a methodical way. If you check the book at Amazon, {<that is an affiliate link} you can see how it is organized through the table of contents. It is a two-part book.

The first part of the book, "Connecting with the Bible," is made up of the acrostic "MOTHERHOOD". Each letter has with it a short commentary by the author as well as some words from other individuals and what I appreciated more, Scripture. The acrostic is connected with Proverbs 31:10-31, as well as other verses.

Part two is "Connecting with Other Moms". This portion of the book, the remainder of the book, brings in advice and tips from 80 or so mothers. It is organized alphabetically. Elwell says in the intro to this section:

Just as we cannot eat every item at a buffet, neither can we attempt (or even think of attempting) every idea in the following sections. Also, this book is not intended to make a mom feel guilty; it's meant to be a helpful resource. (pg. 31)

I found quite a few good reminders and tips in this book. It will be one that I go back to again and again, I think. There were a few sections, specifically the "Education" and "Baby-sitters," that don't really pertain to our situation any longer. But I like the sections titled "Daughters" and "Sons" because I have one of each! It's always good to get different ideas and helpful tips from moms who have been-there-done-that. 

Much more could be written, I feel, in each and every one of the categories of section two. I don't think it would be too much effort on an author's part to make a volume two of this idea book.

**Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Crossway for the purpose of this review. No compensation was given. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.**

Book Review: Fool Moon Rising {Crossway}

Fool Moon Rising by Kristi and T. Lively Fluharty
Ages: 3-7
ISBN: 978-1-4335-0682-6
Hardcover, 40 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $15.99

About the book (from Crossway):

Through this illustrated tale about the moon stealing the sun's glory, children learn about the importance of humility and the dangers of pride.

This rhyming, rollicking tale tells of a crime of cosmic proportions: the moon, blinded by pride, fails to see the true source of his abilities-the light provided by the sun. He boasts of his ability to shine, to change shape throughout each month, and to swell the tides. One day, overwhelmed by a piercing ray of sunshine, the moon repents of his pride and changes his ways, and from that point on he is happy to reflect the sun's light.

This beautifully illustrated book introduces the concept of humility to children. Readers will be reminded that everything we have, including our gifts and talents, is from God. Just as the moon learns to boast only of the sun, children-and their parents-learn that to boast of anything other than the Son is utter foolishness.

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My thoughts:

The book is richly illustrated. It has references to the moon and its phases, some song lyrics that feature the moon, about astronauts walking on its surface, and the effect it has on the tides. It shows a few of the other planets (Jupiter and Saturn are most recognizable) and the back flap has “galactic facts”. Also, throughout the book are little interesting things that can be spotted- I don’t know if they were intentionally put in to ‘be found’ but I thought it fun.

You can see a preview of the book at Crossway.

Perhaps it’s been so long since I’ve read children’s books like this that I’m missing it. I understand the purpose of the book- truly. Perhaps my preference for ‘moral of the story’ stories to involve people rather an inanimate objects, or animals, has me a little biased. Either way, while I thought the point a very good one to make (humility), I would have preferred to see it presented a different way. Some of the illustrations were …scary? Perhaps just extreme is a better word. The moon’s teeth are huge! {I do have an aversion to teeth so that’s probably just a me thing.}

This book was sent to me from Crossway for free in exchange for an honest review. I wouldn’t have requested this book on my own since the age range is 3-7. My kids are a bit out of that range {they are 13 & 16} but they will usually pick up ‘kids’ books’ to look at.

Book Review: Wondrous Works of God, A Family Bible Story Book {Crossway}

The book was sitting on the kitchen table. I’d just opened the package that came in the mail. Before I even get it out of its plastic wrap my 13 year old son asked if he could open it the rest of the way. Sure, I say. I suppose I’m easily distracted because I went off to do something else; the book was forgotten by me.

But not him. He sits at the table and reads the book. He reads it while he eats his lunch and then later when he eats dinner. The book gets left on the kitchen table and then my 16 year old daughter is reading it as she eats a snack.

They both like the book! So much for 4-10 year olds!

Wondrous Works of God, A Family Bible Story Book, written by Starr Meade and illustrated by Tim O’Connor
ISBN: 978-1-4335-3158-3
Hardcover, 288 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $24.99
Age range: 4-10

The book has 90 stories from both the Old Testament and New Testament with color coding. In each story are statements in red or green, depending on which part of the Bible it is from, that point out Biblical truths. For example, in story #25 “Saul and Jonathan”, there is one statement: “God doesn’t need great numbers of people –or anything else –to accomplish his purposes.” In the New Testament it is in green colored font which I found difficult to pick out from the rest of the text. I think it could be a slightly lighter green for this.

At the start of each story there is also a box with a Scripture –not always from the same book that the story is from. The very first story is of Genesis 2:7-25 and it has a Scripture of James 1:17 in a box (“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”) All the verses are from the ESV Bible. I prefer KJV, just saying.

The end of the story has a box titled “As for me and my house…” that has possible conversation starters and questions. For example, story 79, “Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples”, has this: “Read together Philippians 2:3-11. How does that passage relate to the story you just read? Praise Jesus for what these verses tell us about him.”

I think it is a nice Bible study book. It is below my kiddos level but that didn’t stop them for enjoying it.

About the author and illustrator (from Crossway’s website):

Starr Meade served as director of children’s ministries for ten years at her local church and taught Latin and Bible for eight years in a Christian school. She is a graduate of Arizona College of the Bible and has authored a number of books, including Training Hearts, Teaching Minds. Starr and her husband live in Arizona where she currently teaches home school students and is mother to three grown children and three grandsons.


Tim O’Connor began his career in 1975 as a freelance animator and character designer. In addition to painting watercolors of American scenes, O’Connor has illustrated various Christian children’s books, including My Bedtime Anytime Storybook and My Pajama Bible.


***Disclaimer: I received this book free from Crossway.org in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Coming Home by Max Lucado {Crossway}

Coming Home by Max Lucado
Age: 4-10
ISBN: 978-1-58134-756-2
Hardcover w/Jacket, 32 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $15.99

About the book:

Twin brothers Arion and Argo are scared. They have spent most of their lives shipwrecked on the lonely, gray island of Terrene with their ship’s captain, and now he is leaving and they cannot imagine life on Terrene without him. He is going to Bluestone, a place where the birds always sing and the grass is ever green. He tells them he is going to prepare a place for them in Bluestone. Then he will come back for them, and they will all go to Bluestone together.

Though Bluestone sounds like a wonderful place, the boys find it difficult to wait for the captain on Terrene. The island is so gray that it is hard for them to imagine the vibrant colors of Bluestone. Soon they grow tired of watching and waiting for their captain, and it is hard for them to remember his voice. Can they really believe that he will come back for them? To do so they must have faith-they must see with their hearts, not their eyes.

Will the captain really come back for Arion and Argo like he promised? And will the boys be ready for his return?

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About the author:

Max Lucado is a best-selling inspirational author and speaker, and a minister of preaching at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. He is the author of numerous children’s books including You Are Special and If Only I Had a Green Nose.

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My thoughts of the book:

It is very nicely illustrated and I like hardcover books. It is definitely visually appealing. But when I first read the book, I thought to myself, “This is a kids book?” The message, which I get, would be tough for a kid to get. My brow was furrowed, I’m sure, while I read it.

First, the shipwrecked trio consist of two boys and their captain. He must have cared about them quite a bit to take care of them on the island. The captain is supposed to symbolize Christ. The two boys are symbolizing Christians. The island, Terrene, is earth. Interestingly, in Genesis God said it was good, what He made, and yet here it is being painted as unenjoyable (not the “world”- the earth itself). Personally, I do believe that God made the earth for His glory but also for our enjoyment. Moving on from that point…

The book immediately opens up with the captain leaving the boys- boys- on the island by themselves, the two of them, with nothing but what he’s told them to remember. I think that a child reading this, especially the younger ones or more sensitive, will not understand that this symbolizes something more than kids being left behind. With guidance from an adult perhaps they would. And then, I understand that the words that the captain has given the boys to remember symbolizes God’s Word but we actually have the Bible to go to, not just our memories. I might be nit picking here. The same with the boys being alone; we have the church but not just that, we have the Holy Spirit here to help us. Not just our memories or a few people.

Bluestone though sounds wonderful and I do believe it does fairly well to show the difference between this life on earth and a heavenly one. Bluestone is supposed to represent heaven and the captain has left Terrene to prepare a place for the boys. He, the captain will come back for them he promises, symbolizing Christ’s return. That’s all good and well.

One of the boys tries to follow the words he remembers but both boys eventually start to forget. One boy strives to continue to wait for the captain while the other decides that the island, or the “world” as the forest symbolizes, has plenty to offer and he stops waiting. The boys are essentially split up. The one who has stayed on the beach and avoided the forest (the world) tries to reason with his brother (the one who wants the world) that the captain said the forest is bad and that they must be ever watchful of the captain’s return. The pleadings are ignored.

Finally, the captain does return. The one boy, Arion, who waited faithfully gets on the ship. The other boy, Argo, comes to the beach as the ship is about to leave. The captain does let him on the ship with only a “did you learn your lesson?” type of talk. Argo doesn’t say he did wrong nor does he ask for forgiveness. Where is the judgment that we will all face when Christ returns? It’s not there.

I’ll say I didn’t really appreciate the book. I felt it had too many holes that would need patching before it’d be sail worthy. It’s a shipwreck waiting to happen! Ahem. It’s beautifully illustrated. It just doesn’t follow the Bible, in my opinion.

***Disclaimer: I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Crossway.org. No compensation was given. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Big Truths for Little Kids by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt

Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God by Susan Hunt and Richie Hunt
ISBN: 9781581341065
Hardcover, 160 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $17.99
From the back cover:
Your children are a blessing from God. A gift that brings an abundance of joy and the privilege of teaching them God’s ways. When they’re young their potential to learn is amazing. And because actions and beliefs go hand in hand, the lessons they learn from you now will shape their lives forever.
This wonderful book, with its easy-to-use story format, can help you teach the basic truths of the Christian faith to your children. They’ll learn right along with Caleb and Cassie that God’s ways are best –and that even as kids, they can live for His glory every day.
About the authors:
Susan Hunt is the women’s ministry consultant for Christian Education and Publications. She is also a mother, grandmother, pastor’s wife, author, and the former director of women’s ministries for the Presbyterian Church in America. Hunt has written a number of books, including Spiritual Mothering.
Richie Hunt is the children’s and youth minister at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Georgia. He has served in children’s and youth ministry for almost twenty years and is a husband and father.
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Each ‘chapter’ or story starts with a catechism. These are questions and answers, such as “Are there more gods than one?” and “There is only one true God.” The story that follows flows well with dialogue and descriptions of Cassie and Caleb, and their friends and family, in every day situations and how they think about God. I wasn’t sure what age-range this book was designed for so when I read the stories, I was a little surprised that they were so not babyish, I suppose. The boy, Caleb, is turning 8 in one of the first stories but I don’t know how old Cassie, his sister is. At the end of each story is a Let’s Talk and Let’s Pray box that pertains to the catechisms gone over in that story. It presents questions such as, “How do you feel when you read about Jesus preparing a place for you in heaven?” and “How does it make you feel to  know that God rules and defends you.” The purpose of the book is to get young children to remember the catechism. Remember them when they are young and they will know them when they are older.
I think this would probably be good for a Sunday school class or for a morning devotion with younger kids.
***Disclaimer: I received the above book free from Crossway in exchange for an honest review as part of their Homeschool Book Review Program. See Disclosure/Policies.***

Book Review: Disciplines of a Godly Young Man by Hughes and Hughes

Disciplines of a Godly Young Man by R. Kent Hughes and W. Carey Hughes
ISBN: 9781433526026
Hardcover, 191 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retail: $14.99

From the back:
Point blank, this is a punchy, no-holds-barred book for young men. Laying out the challenge to be disciplined, godly, and sold-out for Jesus, the authors talk about purity in your thought-life, cultural pressure, and perseverance as a Christian. Let father and son Kent and Carey Hughes help you live a life of integrity and become the man God is calling you to be.

This book is designed for men, more specifically young men. I’m not either of those {although I am not old, thank you}. I do have a son who is becoming a young man. He is moving beyond his child years and into a young man. Scary territory!

This book covers relationships (purity and friendship), soul (refusal, filling, devotion and prayer), character (tongue, work and perseverance), ministry (church, giving, witness) and discipline. It begins with defining what it means to train for godliness {1 Timothy 4:7}- it means to actually work, to sweat. From the very beginning of this book, you get the impression that striving to be godly isn’t going to be easy. Each section of the book discusses the topic, gives examples of modern day and then more importantly shows how it needs to be dealt with, biblically.

Just an example in relationships and purity, David is the example. For modern day example, we are given generalizations of men who watch tv or surf the internet looking for what David saw- which leads to impurity. On relationships and friendships, Jonathon is the example. The authors give guidelines for good friendships (prayer, devotion, listening).

There are verses and scripture throughout this book and it has sound reasoning. It also includes a lot of quotes and references to Christian authors. Each chapter ends with Food for Thought, Application/Response and Resources (when relevant). It is heavy on the sports applications and examples; we’re not sporty people here but I didn’t feel it was overly much. It really tells it like it is. I feel it is a good book. I know I won’t be giving it to my son to read for a few more years (the talk about sex is straight forward –deals with pornography and sex before marriage).

I received this book free from Crossway in exchange of an honest review. No compensation was given.

Bible Review: ESV Grow! Bible

ESV Grow! Bible
ISBN: 978-1433528743
Hardcover, 1600 pages
Publisher: Crossway
Retails: $27.99

About the ESV Grow! Bible (from the publisher):

[It] is designed for children ages 8-12 for the time between when they use a children’s Bible and a more advanced edition. Coupling the full ESV text with many helpful features, this is a Bible that young students can call their own.

[It] comes with all-new features to help children learn and understand God’s Word. Children will find the ESV Grow! Bible full of interesting features and parents will appreciate that their kids can explore the full Bible text themselves. A great resource to connect young readers with the beauty and majesty of God’s Word.

I’ll be honest- I thought I wouldn’t like this Bible and was going to have to give it away to someone else who has those children that are in between Bibles. You know, because my kids have been using a regular Bible since…well, that’s all they’ve used. My kids wouldn’t have a use for this Bible.

Yes, yes that is a little snobbery you detect there. But I did say I would be honest! I’ve always felt that kids aren’t *ahem* dumb and don’t need a *ahem* dumbed-down Bible. {yes, my face is feeling a wee bit flushed- pride comes before a fall}

But I decided to put aside my snobbery {thank goodness!} and actually use this Bible for a bit to see what it had to offer. I will say, with no shame, that I prefer the King James Version Bible {or even better for me- the Geneva Bible}. This new Bible is English Standard Version which really takes the language from the old Bibles and makes it modern- or as the Translation Oversight Committee says it, “as literal as possible while maintaining clear expression and literary excellence”.

First, because I am like that, I will tell you that this book smells wonderful- like a book, not chemically ink. Okay. Glad we got that out of the way. I always sniff test books {and especially Bibles- hey, no laughing!} before I read them. And no, you cannot tell a good book by its smell…or its cover.

I will tell you what I did not care for in this Bible {‘version’ aside} first and then let you know what I did like {yes, there were some things}.

It’s hardback. A Bible is going to be used. A lot. {hopefully} It needs to be flexible and portable. Most kids aren’t going to sit prim and proper at a desk or table and use this Bible that way {well, I may be wrong but I’d like to see them pull it off the shelf and get comfy in an oversized chair or in their bed}. This Bible feels like it needs to be used that way. It’s too stiff. My kids agree.

And…wait, is that all? Why yes, that is all I didn’t care for {‘version’ aside}.

And here is what I did like about it:

The illustrations are appealing but not too bright and flashy. They depict Biblical people and events, not modern day. I’m not entirely sure why that is comforting but it is. The Bible is applicable to us now but it is important to understand those who wrote and the time they lived. Having images and photos of modern day wouldn’t be beneficial {imho}.

The ‘study-Bible’ aspect of it. Throughout the Bible there are boxes with information about what is being read. There is a specific one called 4U that helps understand the applicability of the passage to the reader personally. Also each section and each book of the Bible has an introduction to help understand the writer and the audience. There is also a glossary at the end of the Bible.

Finally, the timelines and maps. That really goes with the two points I made before but I love timelines and maps when reading anything historical {and the Bible is definitely historical}. These are done very well.

Bottom-line: I actually like this Bible. I am surprised but am glad that Crossway sent it to me to review. I think hope know it will be useful to my children as we go through God’s Word.

I received this Bible free from Crossway in exchange of an honest review. No compensation was given.

Book Review: The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R. C. Sproul, illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray by R. C. Sproul, illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty
Published by Crossway
Hardcover with jacket, 40 pages
ISBN: 978-1-4335-2703-6
Retail: $17.99

Beautifully illustrated by T. Lively Fluharty, Sproul’s book focuses on praying to have our prayers heard. Not going through the ‘motions’ or praying a set prayer time after time, repetitively. At the same time we get a small glimpse into the life and times of Martin Luther, the instigator of the Protestant Reformation.

The story begins with a young girl asking her father to help her pray as he does- in a way that makes Jesus happy and that would help her feel that she was saying strong, worthwhile prayers. He tells her a story that his grandfather had told him- about the barber who wanted to pray.

I wasn’t expecting the end of this book. It wasn’t surprising that an historical figure was presented and that they were of help to the character in the story but what was said (or rather written) by the historical figure is what pleasantly surprised me. We learn that a question the barber asked prompted Martin Luther to write A Simple Way to Pray. I didn’t realize that A Simple Way to Pray was a book that Luther had actually written in his time and that it was indeed written to the barber.

In A Simple Way to Pray Luther tells the barber that if he will go ‘through’ the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle’s Creed, his prayer will always be different and that he will be praying in a way that will reach farther than the ceiling. I had not thought of including the Ten Commandments or the Apostle’s Creed in helping myself when praying but had fairly recently been going ‘through’ the Lord’s Prayer for those times when my mind will not form a prayer.

The illustrations of this book make it wonderful to look at again and again (my kids really liked all of the cats) but the writing and the focus also make it inviting to be picked up again and again. When I first received it, I thought it was a kids book. I have two kids; a tween and a teen. I didn’t think it would be in their age group…but I was wrong. It’s even in my age group!

Very good book that I would recommend to others. It includes the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostle’s Creed at the back of the book.

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About R. C. Sproul
Sproul is the founder and president of Ligonier Ministries and serves as senior minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Florida. His other illustrated books include The Prince’s Poison Cup and The Lightlings.

About T. Lively Fluharty:
Fluharty is an accomplished illustrator whose artwork has appeared in such publications as Time Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and Focus on the Family. His work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators, Communications Arts, and Spectrum.

I received this book from Crossway.org in exchange for an honest review.