The Prayer Bible For Children - A Review

The Prayer Bible For Children

A Review

In spite of many positive reviews, I found this children’s Bible to be lacking. 

Using the description provided by Bible Gateway, the ICB is best suited for “a barely literate society because of its economy of words, acrostic literary form, and poetic parallelism.” Though the text is aimed at the third-grade reader, the book as a whole is not. Having said that, this version is also not presented in a manner that will be appealing to children. The chosen font is too small for most young readers. The illustrated pages use only gold and dark blue - with black text, possibly providing more appeal for an adult audience than for the children the title suggests the book is targetting. 

The various helps included might be more suitable for the middle school or junior high reader, but this reviewer doubts that typical middle schooler or junior high students would want to be carrying a “Children’s Bible”. Also attached as a separate booklet is a 64 page (lined) “Prayer Journal” for the child to record their own prayers. No suggestions are available for the use of this booklet and the child using this Bible will need assistance from a parent or Sunday School teacher in order to make use of it. 

My rating for this Bible is not that I do not think it has value, but because I question the value of this edition for a child. If an adult wants to say, “I gave my child a Bible as a gift,” this may be a suitable gift. But that would be more satisfying to the adult than to the child. There are more suitable children’s Bibles available. 

If the word “Children” were removed from the title, this book would be better suited for an audience working with a group where English is considered a second language. An adult ESL student would be able to overlook the title and be able to accept the format as appropriate for their age and educational status. 
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This review is based on a copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone. 

All Saints - A Review

All Saints

by

Micheal SpurlockJeanette Windle

A Review

If you have seen the movie, you will want to read the book to get the rest of the story. If you have not seen the movie, you will want to read the book to get the whole story.

The movie was a moving experience, but the book provides so much more detail that the reader quickly realizes that the story is much more important than that found on the big screen. Rev. Michael Spurlock is appointed to a dead end church in Smyrna, TN. The church had gone through a very difficult church split and had a mortgage that far exceeded the remaining congregation's ability to care for themselves. The decision had been made by the local church and the denominational representatives to sell the property and move to a smaller location that could be had for the cost of rent while they began the rebuilding of the church.

God had other ideas.

Into their midst walked a small group of refugees - sent to check out the local Episcopal Church. On the surface, it would appear that the refugees would bring more drain on the resources of the church than they could possibly add. But, to quote myself, "God had other ideas."

What happened was the transformation of lives - both the American church members who stayed with the church and the Karenese refugees that joined them in worship. But the transformed lives did not stop there - it would include, over time, members of the Smyrna community, both its general population and its officials (police, government, etc.). Pastor Spurlock, the church, and the Karen would need to learn to trust God if the church was going to survive.  Throughout the story we see unexpected answers to prayer - from the heavens, in the form of needed rain; people, who brought skills at the right time; and equipment, like the "1000 gallon water tank with a pump mounted on a trailer."  

The story introduces us to the pain that the church felt when Rev. Spurlock chose after four years to take a position in New York, but the reader also celebrates with the church as they realized that God had sent the next pastor that they needed on their spiritual journey.

At one level, All Saints is the story of a church. But it is also the story of changed lives - lives unexpectedly touched by the Grace of God.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

Classic Prayers for Every Need - A Review

Classic Prayers for Every Need

Edited by

Donna K. Maltese

A Review

Prayers are difficult. Well, they feel difficult. Sometimes it is good to have a collection of prayers that have server believers in earlier times to begin with - whether as sermon illustrations, for use as encouragement for others, or just for personal meditation. This book can meet those needs.

The reader will find prayers dating from the middle of the 2nd century (Origen) to the end of the 20th century (Michel Quoist). Some are well known (John Newton), others less so (Ashton Oxenden); but each is a look at the heart of the author and his or her relationship to God.  

The provided prayers are not long.  Grouped into 57 different topics (e.g. Forgiveness, Grace, Rest, Stress, Vision, etc.), there are normally five or more prayers for each topic:

O Lord our God, safe under the shadow of your wings, let us hope.

You will support us both when we are little and when we are old.

When our strength is from you it is real strength,

when it springs from us it is weakness.

Leaning upon you we can find our way back to you,

who are our refreshment and true strength.

Amen.

Saint Augustine

The introduction explains that the author has collected 280 prayers from over 140 different Christians who have lived a life of faith throughout the centuries.  The Table of Contents lists the topics in alphabetical order. However, though a list of authors is provided near the beginning of the book, there is no index that allows the reader to locate the prayers associated to a specific one. Thus, there is no easy way (unless one has an electronic copy of the book) to find prayers by Mother Theresa. The prayers are thought provoking and meditative. They serve as devotionals in their own right for the believer seeking to follow the Savior. Whether in the home, the pastor’s desk, or in the church library, this volume may serve believers around the world.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

War Room - A Review

War Room:

Prayer Is A Powerful Weapon

by

Chris Fabry

A Review

See the movie; read the book.

Read the book; see the movie.

I was privileged to see the movie upon which this book was based about four or five months before the movie will released to the general public. I was impressed. A layman, who accompanied me to the theater, said it was the best Christian movie he had seen. He might be right.

This past month, I was privileged to have the chance to read the book which was based on that movie – at about the same time as the movie was being released. I was not disappointed.

The movie presents a MACRO view of the power of prayer – we see the big picture of prayer in the 120 minute film. Details are there, the focus for many will be the impact that prayer has on the people and families presented in the film. On the other hand, the book presents a MICRO view of the power of prayer – the reader is able to see details, hear lessons, and feel the power of prayer. The book presents, not just a story, but over 400 pages, a set of insights that any believer will want to discover about his or her own prayer life.

Clara Williams would impact many people – families would be changed, people would renew their faith, and a community would be improved. In the movie we see it happen – and stand back, awestruck, as God accomplishes his work. But we also see it happen in the book; but there we see it happen step by step by step – and we have the opportunity to grow as the books characters grow. We learn, see, and understand the lessons that are taught by Clara to the people in her life.

As I said earlier:

See the movie; read the book.

Read the book; see the movie.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

It Is Well With My Soul - A Review

It Is Well With My Soul

by

Shelly Beach

A Review

One of my favorite self-help books was written by M. Scott Peck.  I know that not all of my readers will agree with all that he has written - I don’t either.  But the first words I read by him still ring true, “Life is difficult.”  

Though Shelly Beach may not quote M. Scott Peck, her thesis is that what he wrote was true.  Using the difficult life she has experienced and the lives of others, she has written a devotional that focuses on the lessons that can be learned from the pain can come from life - whether it be health issues, family problems, or aging itself.  No one is removed from the pains of life - but we have the choice as to whether they will draw us closer to God or allow us to run from him.  A choice we each have to make.

As a spiritual leader for a small group of seniors, I am becoming increasingly aware of how people can be empowered or frightened by an unknown future.  It is my pleasure to walk with them as they seek to find their way in God’s world.  This book will help me and my friends in that journey.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Tell Me About Prayer - A Review

Tell Me About Prayer

Created by

Stephen Elkins

A Review

The is a delightful look at prayer from a young child’s perspective.  The entire text of the book is found on the CD along with 11 additional songs.  The story itself also includes four of five songs - also included on the CD.  Because the CD includes the story, the book is suitable for pre-readers as well as early readers.

The story should be easily understood by children of all ages - each page includes colorful pictures that will hold the child’s attention.  The story is read by Conductor Steve (Elkins), an award winning music producer, and a chorus of children’s voices.  Along with the story, most pages also include a potential memory verse that will become familiar with the child as he or she replays the CD.  

My only concern is that, sadly, the lyrics of the 11 additional songs are not provided in the book or on the CD.  No link is provided to a location on the INTERNET for these lyrics, though some are familiar and a little searching may assist in finding the additional lyrics.

The lively music, the colorful images, and the truth of scripture make this a wonderful gift for a parent, grandparent, or Sunday School Teacher to give a child as a Christmas or Birthday present - or at any time of the year.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Crackers and Juice

Crackers and Juice

I found her offensive.

Clearly, her appearance would drive anyone away. The mottled hair, the fat that hung from her chin, the nose that pointed almost straight up from her face. They each served to drive all who would approach away.

But it was not just her face. The fingernails had not been trimmed for some time. The first time I met her I was afraid to shake her hand as I wondered if she would slash my palm. Her hips had been stretched by the extra body fat in her mid-section. She almost waddled as she moved down the hall.

One might hope that her voice might make up for her appearance. That was not to be. That squeak came every time she had to open her closed lips - like whenever she had to speak a word that started with "b" or "p". I could not help but be reminded of someone scraping their fingernails across the blackboard.

I found her offensive. But I learned a long time ago that I too am broken. And that morning I found that my brokenness kept me ... well, that is what this story is about.

Though, I found it hard to be near Claire, that was her name, there were others that did not. The children. They loved her. Why? Because, as I watched them this morning, it was clear that she loved them. I first saw her in the middle of that big, multicolored, target shaped rug. Not standing, but sitting on her knees. There at her left side were three girls. There were four boys on her right. I did not see the two other children who were sneaking up behind her until it was too late. For as those last two climbed on her back, all ten of them went tumbling forward and as they looked up I saw ten of the loveliest smiles I had ever seen. Claire flipped to her back and start lifting the children as high a she could reach. She would no sooner pick up one child and hold her or him high and gently place them on the ground than she would find another and repeat the process.

The play that day was not just for the young children, but for all those who remembered what childhood was like.

When someone over in the corner yelled "refreshments", the kids bounced off Claire and ran to the table to sit. It would not be fair to say Claire bounced, but she, too, took a seat at the table, right in the midst of all those kids. As she took the hand of the girl to her right and the hand of the girl to her left, the children began to grasp each others hands, following her example. She bowed her head, waited a moment, and began to say grace. It was a simple prayer, but, other than her voice, there was no noise. The children listen while she spoke for just a few seconds to the God that had showed her the love that the children felt that morning. "Amen." And then noise began again - what do you expect from a room full of pre-schoolers who had been wrestling on the floor one moment, in the presence of God the next, and now were ready to take the juice and crackers that were offered.

The children loved Claire, because she loved them. And now, I'm really not sure why she offended me.

With apologies to Dr. Paul Welter, author of Learning From Children.

Our Mailbox Is Gone

Our Mailbox Is Gone

It was a difficult Sunday morning when we woke up and found our mailbox laying on the ground. Though we would not be receiving mail on Sunday, the Sunday morning paper was in the middle of the driveway, not in its normal tube. With two services and a son's birthday to celebrate, it would not get repaired that day. And Monday was scheduled for one of the last matinee ballgames to be played by our local minor league baseball team. It might have been better to fix the mailbox on Monday rather going to the game - but no way was that going to happen. So we again received Monday's paper in the middle of the driveway. And we received no mail.

So Tuesday was set aside for fixing the mailbox - and getting blood drawn for the tests my doctor had ordered. I picked up the paperwork at the doctor's office, when to the lab to have my blood drawn. This was followed by a late lunch with my son (hey, it was 11:00 AM by this time) and a trip to Home Depot to pick up some tools and hardware. By 2:15 we had the mailbox and two paper tubes back in place. We had already missed Tuesday mail - so, other than missing two days mail, the job was not too bad.

I really don't know who knocked down our mailbox. It may have been the person driving the car that delivers our Sunday morning paper, or perhaps the neighbor across the street backing out of his or her driveway. Or maybe just a prank - who knows. But it is back up now.

Messages don't always get through. Mailboxes do get hit. E-mail gets lost in cyberspace. Mail gets misdirected or delayed.

But there is one group of messages that do always get through - they are the messages we send to God. He hears our prayers, He answers our prayers, He knows our needs even before we express them in words. And if we keep our hearts open, we may also find that God is willing to speak to us.

And when the relationship has to be rebuilt, when we are ready, God is in the business of repairing it.

The mailbox never has to go missing when we are communicating with God.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempter’s snare By thy return, sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! The joys I feel, the bliss I share, Of those whose anxious spirits burn With strong desires for thy return! With such I hasten to the place Where God my Savior shows His face, And gladly take my station there, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! Thy wings shall my petition bear To Him whose truth and faithfulness Engage the waiting soul to bless. And since He bids me seek His face, Believe His Word and trust His grace, I’ll cast on Him my every care, And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! May I thy consolation share, Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height, I view my home and take my flight: This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise To seize the everlasting prize; And shout, while passing through the air, “Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!” http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/s/h/shop.htm

Yours because His,

Pastor Patrick