A Family Guide to the Bible, by Christin Ditchfield

There is less time and inclination to read the Bible than ever before, even though Scripture is our primary resource to learn about God. Christin Ditchfield's new release, A Family Guide to the Bible, is a family-friendly guide, for teachers, and time-challenged parents or grandparents who want a simple, easy-to-follow organization to teach their children and grandchildren Bible basics and how it all fits together.

The first five chapters and supporting Scripture, explain who God is, what He is like, and why the Bible can be trusted. Then Ditchfield provides a broad overview of biblical history with biblical insights and practical application, with each segment built on the one before.

Ditchfield provides a specific, easy-to-follow format for each of the sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, to familiarize readers with culture, location and time. Summaries begin with the name of the book, the author, the intended audience, the time period, and a brief synopsis. Then the core message and context follows, with highlighted key verses or passages. Additional Scripture is offered for those who want to learn more. The meaning and context of specific words is included for additional clarity.

I particularly liked the "Did you know," paragraphs that provided interesting biblical details. Such as the one from Philemon, that said "the Bible does not specifically forbid slavery;" or that the Spirit of the Lord in the Old Testament "came upon specific men and women," until the time of Jesus, when the Holy Spirit indwelt believers. Making the Connection or Think about It completes each summary.

Chapter six offers insightful tips on common bible tools and how to use them. Ditchfield begins the chapter with Bible translations, which she summarizes into three categories: word-for-word, thought-for-thought, or paraphrased translations. Then she explains the differences between Bible Dictionaries, Encyclopedias and Concordances, with illustrations and details about each, and their different uses. Study Tips for personal or family devotions and reading plans complete this section.

Interesting biblical stories of men, women, and teens, and where to locate them are also included, along with Scriptures on how to share your faith and conquer fear. A larger section on Heaven and the message of salvation, with excellent maps of the Holy Land, complete the book.

I would nominate Ditchfield's book of the year—2009—for its simplicity, organization, and reader-friendly style. She tied the Old and New Testament together in a unique way with make the connection. Because of it, I have a better understanding of this quote from an unknown author the author quotes. The New [Testament] is in the Old [Testament] concealed; the Old [Testament] is in the New [Testament] revealed. I plan to use Ditchfield's book for my own devotions, and encourage other readers to as well.

www.crossway.org/blog

A Family Guide to the Bible, by Christin Ditchfield, Crossway Books, 2009, 304 Pages,
ISBN-13: 978-1581348910, $15.99

What He Must Be...If He Wants to Marry My Daughter

Pastor, husband, and father of four, Voddie Baugham Jr., author of bestselling, Family Driven Faith, writes on the crisis of fatherhood in America. The book is directed toward Christian parents and fathers, in particular. His focus, "...fathers have a God-given responsibility to see... that their daughters marry well and that their sons become worthy husbands."

In his book, Baugham writes fathers have the responsibility to model and teach "biblical manhood" to their sons, and look for those attributes in their daughter's future marriage partners. He believes honorable and trustworthy young men, trained in spiritual leadership, are in short supply because of the multigenerational legacy of divorce and single-parent homes. He suggests in chapter ten, if your daughter can't find such a man, fathers can "build one," by mentoring such biblical qualities in young men she dates.

Marriage is the key to families and multigenerational restoration, writes Baugham, and it begins with courtship. He urges parents to spend at least as much time preparing their children for marriage, as they do preparing them for school, work, and college.

Baugham compares Christians and America's post-Christian culture to the Jewish exiles the prophet Jeremiah instructed. While Jewish exiles lived in foreign lands, worshipped foreign gods, and intermarried with pagans, today the United States almost mirrors them and is often hostile to the things of God. For instance, American citizens now intermarry with non-Christians and those who worship other faiths. He also cites examples of post-Christian culture, such as—barring the Ten Commandments from public buildings, forbidding use of the word "Christmas," and the California Senate Bill 1437 that forbids the terms "mother" and "father" being exclusive to parents.

The first half of the book explains the author's vision, its multigenerational aspects, and why he considers marriage both a ministry, and a fertile training ground for leadership. Chapters four through eight explore the qualities parents and daughters should look for in future spouses, and why the same qualities need to be instilled in sons. Baugham anecdotally writes, "Our culture overly romanticizes marriage," then describes modern dating as a "glorified divorce practice."

He uses statistics and personal experience to explore the biblical model of marriage and manhood, and describes the importance of a father's spiritual influence. He stresses early childhood training with biblical truth to counter cultural influence and conditioning, then notes the qualities he describes are in short supply in America.

Ten chapters challenge readers to consider the biblical model of training, marriage and parenting that feature virtues of holiness, gentleness, compassion and a solid work ethic. The writing is straightforward and easy-to-read, although some might find his ideas controversial.

Baugham's ideas of scriptural modeling, and families a priority second only to God, and could rebuild family foundations destroyed by divorce. I encourage Christian parents to read this book and give copies to their children. It could change their views on courtship, dating, and marriage.

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What He Must Be...If He wants to Marry My Daughter, by Voddie Baugham Jr., Crossway Books, 2009, 216 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1581349306, $15.99
www.crossway.com

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THAT?

What Does the Bible Say About That? By Carolyn Larsen, Illustrated by Rick Incrocci, Crossway Books, 2009, 352 Pages, Ages 8-12, ISBN-13: 9781433502132, $15.99

Carolyn Larsen, bestselling author of Little Girls Bible Storybook that sold over a million copies, penned What Does The Bible Say About That? to demonstrate to kids how the Bible relates to life, outside the context of church, youth groups, and ministry situations.

Over 340 kid-friendly devotions cover 300 topics. The alphabetized devotions start with A for Abandonment and end 339 pages later with W for Worship, which makes it a quick and easy reference for parents and kids to search particular topics. Rick Incrocci’s 200 delightful inset cartoon illustrations, pictorially illustrate many devotional topics.

Short devotions are formatted with four steps and conclude in one page:

1. “What does the Bible say about…” includes a brief topical illustration.
2. “What the Bible says…” lists three relevant Bible verses.
3. “Time to Face the Facts…” contains a short caution and warning.
4. “Today I will…” offers practical advice and affirmation for the topic.

For example, in the devotion on “Discipleship,” Larsen defines discipleship as learning from a teacher you respect and trust. She writes that God wants everyone to learn to “live like Christ,” and provides a brief explanation of why discipleship is one of God’s priorities.

Scripture support includes verses from, Joshua 24:15, 2 Corinthians 3:18, and Philippians 2:5-7. These verses teach how to serve the Lord, become like Christ and understand Jesus’ role as servant. She associates how students learn teachers’ values and ideas through classes and homework assignments with how students learn to model behavior like Jesus.

The fourth step, “Today I will…” acknowledges an intention to read God’s Word, learn how Jesus treated people, and reinforces the decision to act like a disciple of Jesus.

From the charming cartoon kids on the cover, to the kid-friendly, thought-provoking pages and cartoon depictions, Larsen’s marvelous biblical tool is an exceptional resource. However, something vital is missing for me. In the book’s introduction, the author reports two news flashes. The first one concerns God’s love and how His Spirit lives in believers to guide teach and correct them. But she doesn’t mention Jesus by name.

The second newsflash concerns sinful choices, and how God’s love and grace provide forgiveness when we ask for it because our sinful nature often acts in selfish, self-centered ways. She calls it “God’s grace in action” that provides forgiveness and the ability to “learn from our failures and mistakes,” but, again—no mention of Jesus.

The last paragraph is about God living in you, His plan and purpose for your life, and that you’re never alone, though you may feel alone at times—again, no recognition of Christ as the second person of the Trinity.

Even with what I consider an unintended flaw, I believe Larsen’s book provides a wonderful
overall road map for any child’s Christian journey. Because the author isn’t specific about Jesus, I believe some selections should be read with parental guidance. www.crossway.org/blog

TREASURING GOD IN OUR TRADITIONS

Treasuring God in our Traditions, by Noel Piper, with a Foreword by best-selling writer and husband John Piper, Crossway Books, 2007, 128 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1581348330, $14.99

Best-selling author and pastor, John Piper likens his wife Noel’s writing to “velvet steel,” in her debut book, Treasuring God in our Traditions. She includes Piper family history, family customs, and biblical illustrations to emphasize the importance of traditions, in this family-focused, enjoyable book. John Piper’s poetry, inset throughout the book, complement Noel’s theme.

Scripture, and Noel’s thirty years of marriage and mothering taught her a Christian’s most valuable family tradition to pass on to their children and grandchildren, is their relationship with Christ. She writes, “We will not be here forever for our children, but God will…and only Christ matters.”

The author emphasizes that when our children “know they can depend on Dad and Mom, it will be much easier for them to learn to depend on God.” Our children can’t inherit God from us, but they can learn about Him through our daily life and family customs.

Noel asks readers to reflect on the traditions they will intentionally or unintentionally leave behind, and to consider whether the next generation will cherish them, tolerate them, or feel “stuck with” them.

In ten chapters, Noel explores what traditions are and why they are important. She divides customs into two categories—“Everyday” and “Especially” traditions. Everyday customs are daily routines, such as bedtime prayers, mealtime prayers, and Daddy’s night-time blessing. “Especially” customs are holiday celebrations such as Christmas, Easter, and birthdays. She writes, “Our ‘especially’ celebrations anchor us and our children in the harbor of our family, reflecting our true refuge—God.” While “everyday” traditions teach children what parents consider most important.

Scattered throughout the book are favorite family recipes Noel uses for holiday gatherings, such as “Breakfast Cake,” “Spaghetti,” and “Chocolate Éclair Cake.” Also included is a recipe for Play Dough to make a table-top “Easter Mountain” display for youngsters on Palm Sunday. Play Dough ingredients include pipe cleaners, toothpicks, sticks from the backyard, flour, water, salt and oil. The mountain is baked in the shape of a mound with an opening on one side that leads into the tomb. When Noel’s three-year old Karsten checked out the mountain Easter morning, he saw the miniature figure of Jesus on top of the Easter Mountain, His arms raised in triumph, and Karsten shouted, “He’s alive! Jesus is alive!”

She also includes an appendix on worship, a resource list, and pages to document personal family traditions. Noel’s “God-centered traditions, Bible-saturated family patterns, and grace-laden heirlooms” reveal inspired ways to reflect Christ in our homes and families. Her new release is a treasure house of creativity to re-read and recommend to others. http://www.crossway.org/product/9781581348330

Keeping Holiday

Keeping Holiday, by Starr Meade, Illustrations by Justin Gerard, Ages 9-12, Crossway Books, 2008, 192 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1433501425, $14.99

When Dylan’s parents tell Dylan and his cousin Clare they must pay close attention to what they see and hear in Holiday, they are puzzled. When they add the children might be called away for four days, they are mystified. They wait to learn more, but no further explanation is added.

As usual, their travels take them through miles of long traffic jams, but no one complains and tempers don’t flare. Other motorists even smile and wave while they wait their turns to proceed. Caught up in the festive atmosphere, the youngsters anticipate their arrival where everything is “better than anywhere else,” and they soon forget the parent’s mysterious words.

When they arrive, the aroma of roasted meats, pies, and sugary sweets fill the air. Strings of twinkling street lights adorn quaint shops and promise Christmas magic. After they’ve settled into their hotel rooms, Clare finds an old black book in the dresser drawer and shows it to Dylan. He reads the title, “A Guide to Holiday for Visitors and Residents,” and tells Clare it must be meant for them.

Inside the book they learn the history of the town of Holiday. They read how the town was once ruled by powerful bullies until a strong, kind king overthrew the tyrants and rescued the townspeople. Instead of building a thanksgiving monument, the townspeople transformed their restored city into a “world-renowned center of beauty and joy,” where guests with temporary passes could visit four-days. For extended stays, visitors needed official authorization from the Founder.

The book also directed the youngsters to the information rack in the Holiday Visitors’ Center to obtain temporary passes. While Dylan was at the center he asked where to find the Founder, and learned, “You don’t find the Founder; he finds you. He’s not just the Founder; he’s the Finder too.”

When the cousins find the small, white gate in back of the church, additional directions tell them to open the gate with their passes and walk down the winding path into the forest of majestic, evergreen trees where their life-changing quest begins. On their journey through the trees from the “forest of life,” they meet trees that talk. If they cut off a small branch from one of these trees, they have “proof of life.”

They also visit the “place of evil,” where they learn that the Founder paid an enormous fine to grant them personalized passes. They also meet delightful Missy Mistletoe and learn why the Mistletoe was first known as the “plant of peace.”

Next, they talk to the galaxy of stars in the night sky who tell them their job now is to announce who the “Founder is,” where centuries before, one bright star pointed the way to the Founder. Add talking penguins and magical “Winterland Manufacturing, Inc.” and this delightful story will enchant young and old alike.

Dylan and Clare’s adventures lead them to insightful truths about the Founder of Holiday, with real-life examples of heavenly issues, and earthly choices. Where readers learn it’s important to help others, act with kindness and forgiveness and pay back good for evil—and most important, to rejoice in and show respect to the Founder.

Mead’s imaginative writing has been compared with C.S. Lewis and John Bunyan. When I finished reading the book I understood why. Although young readers can read the book alone, consider reading it aloud as a family. The books creative message will remind everyone of the real meaning of Christmas. Justin Gerard’s well-done, black and white illustrations depict story scenes and characters and are sprinkled throughout the book.

Starr Meade’s Christmas-themed narrative for young readers is destined to join other cherished Christian classics like the Narnia Chronicles, and Pilgrim’s Progress. Meade blends fantasy and allegory together to tell the story of two young cousins, and their adventurous quest to experience the meaning of Christmas, and the Incarnation all year long. It has been years since I’ve read such an enjoyable, truth-centered fiction book. The book can be purchased at Amazon.com, or from www.crossway.org/blog

Hymns for a Kids Heart

Word Count: 456/488

Hymns for a Kid’s Heart, Volume One, by Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada, Illustrations by Sergio Martinez, Includes music CD, Crossway Books, 2004, Hardcover,
Ages 4-8, 96 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-1581345827, $21.99

Bobbie Wolgemuth and Joni Eareckson Tada collaborated to write the two-volume series, Hymns for a Kid’s Heart. The books are illustrated by Sergio Martinez. Each hymn includes a short story about the song’s author, and a full rendition of lyrical verses and music notes for piano or guitar accompaniment. A twelve track full-length CD of inspirational hymns, sung by a children’s choir with orchestra accompaniment, is included to sing-a-long with.

Each song segment includes “From My Heart to You” written by Joni Eareckson Tada. She shares how particular hymns and singing have impacted her life. Sections conclude with Scripture to memorize in, A Verse for my Heart, and prayer, A Prayer for my Heart.

Volume one features twelve classic hymns that teach tenets of Christian faith, unlike much of contemporary Christian music that focuses on feelings. Fascinating personal stories of hymns’ authors will educate and delight readers, young and old alike.

Wolgemuth believes there is a strong correlation between stories, music, and memory-making—
particularly for children. She uses what she calls “teachable moments,” to teach hymns to her children and grandchildren. Moments found when a child is bored, or when the family works together in the kitchen, or nearly anywhere, because sing-a-longs are memorable and fun.

Four sections feature hymns about God, biblical truth, Christian living, and hymns of prayer for our country. Songs about God include Holy, Holy, Holy, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, and This Is My Father’s World. Songs of biblical truth comprise O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing, How Firm a Foundation, and Amazing Grace. Hymns for Christian living consist of The Lord’s My Shepherd, I’ll Not Want, Rejoice, Ye Pure I Heart and Take My Life and Let it Be.

Children’s joy-filled voices make each CD hymn my favorite. But, if I had to choose, the last part of the CD is what I played repeatedly. This segment includes hymns of prayer for our country and begins with America, the Beautiful, then Our God, Our Help in Ages Past, Eternal Father, Strong to Save, and Do You Know What it Means.

Wolgemuth, mother of two, and grandmother of five, joined with Eareckson, who she calls “soul sister,” to write this two-volume series. Each author is passionate about hymns and they often encourage each other with hymn-singing by telephone. Since they live on the East and West coasts, they even carol together over the telephone lines at Christmas.

This musical CD and book will point little ones to the Lord and children will feel the love of parents and grandparents who read to and sing-a-long with them. Martinez’ rich colorful illustrations enhance each hymn’s depiction, and inspirational story. A glossary and pages for personal notes complete this classical offering. www.crossway.org/blog

Daily Devotions for Writers, From the Writing Academy

compiled and Edited by Patricia Lorenz, 2008 Infinity Publishing.com, 398 Pages, ISBN: 0-7414-4594-8, $19.95

Most writers practice their craft with a keyboard and screen and face unique writing-related fears. They work alone and face rejection with every submission.

The Writing Academy, a non-profit organization founded in 1982 by Christian writers, supports beginning and published writers of all genres. This organization formed to encourage writing excellence. Their current membership has grown to more than sixty and includes twenty-two charter members with goals to encourage writers to write, while attracting new members, and raising money for the Academy.

During the summer of 2007, Academy member, Patricia Lorenz, suggested the group publish a book of devotions written specifically for writers. Her idea received an enthusiastic response, but she was the only volunteer. Even though it would take long hours and most of a year from her other writing. Two hundred writers from thirty-five states and three foreign countries contributed to this new release with 366 devotions for writers, including seven authors from the Pacific Northwest. Infinity Publishing donated their efforts. A generous donation from the Cecil Murphey Foundation Fund completed the funding.

The true short stories feature author’s joys and struggles, and are specifically designed to encourage writers. Devotions include a brief illustration, prayer, and quote. For instance, Agnes Lawless, Washington, wrote about the need to submit her writing to God before writing. She used her three-year-old son’s impatience with a new toy to depict her theme. She asks the Lord to teach her, and quotes Alfred Lord Tennyson’s, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”

Carolyn Meagher, Washington, used Moses as an example and wrote about excuses, self-doubt, discouragement and a pity party. The Lord reminded her that she had a computer, modern technology, and writing resources at her fingertips, while Moses used a stick and words. In her prayer she thanked God for not listening to excuses. She quoted Marcel Proust, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

Lydia Harris, Washington, wrote about rejection, isolation, hopes, and fears. She hoped editors would look with favor on her submissions, that her words would touch reader’s lives, and that praise or rejection wouldn’t influence her sense of worth. Her prayer thanked God that her dreams centered on Him and not on herself. Her quote came from Psalms 42:11 NIV “Hope in God.”

Written for writers, by writers, these 366 daily devotions share real-life writing experiences to encourage and inspire writers to continue to hone their craft and share their writing gifts. All writers will benefit from it. It belongs on every writer’s bookshelf.