Tuesday, September 29, 2009

The Pure Foundations Series by Jim Burns

I was given the chance to review 2 books by Jim Burns in the Pure Foundations Series: God Made Your Body (ages 3-5) and How God Makes Babies (ages 6-9). The books were very......detailed. My daughter is 4 and I thought I could read the first book to her, but after reading them first, I've decided that she'll have to be older before I read it to her. They talk about body parts including the private ones.

With that being said, I still think they were good books, just not necessarily for the ages that they were listed for. I am glad I have to books as a resource for when she starts asking questions about sex and the differences between boys and girls. But since she doesn't care about that yet and hasn't asked any questions, these books are going to be put away until that time comes.

I thought they covered the material well. And I think it's good for kids to know the proper names of body parts, but again, I don't think they need to know too early.

If you have young children, these books may be a good resource to help with "the talk" as they get older. But it's important to use your own discretion to determine when it's appropriate to read them to your child.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fearless by Max Lucado

If I had to pick one book that best fits where we are as a society and where we should be as Christians, it would be Fearless. So many things cause us to take our eyes off Jesus and allow doubt, worry and fear to be our focus. From terrorists and wars, to politics and bipartisan, or lack there of, laws being pushed and hurried through, to natural disasters, we have much to fear. Or do we? Should we?

Max Lucado has once again written a book that cuts right to the heart of the problem and sheds light on solution. One, that as a Christian, should be obvious, but often is pushed aside. Our focus needs to be on Jesus Christ and who He is. He is God. He is in control. Lucado takes each chapter covering all different fears that we have. I would be surprised if someone said that didn't, at least on some level, experience doubt or worry or fear. And as he describes those fears, he shows us Christ and relates Him to those fears and what Jesus says about them.

Lucado mentions that we like to "put God in a box." It comes in handy for when we want something or need something. But by doing so, we let ourselves limit God and His power. We forget that He is the one that has the plan. He is the one that set the world in motion. He is the one who reigns the victor! What then do we need to fear.

Knowing these things, I still find myself reading a news headline and feeling a bit worry build up. What if we get sick with the H1N1 flu? What if our government doesn't do things the way I think they should be done? What if other governments attack us? What if we lose our jobs and our house? Real fears and real issues. I must not forget that God is real too. And God's plan is real and God's power is real.

Max Lucado has such a gift for writing that he can cover these topics and points, while maintaining an easily readable book. It brings the focus and stories of Christ into our everday situations making them come alive, and peppered with personal illustrations. This is a great book to read! Whether you struggle with any types of doubts, worries or fears, or know someone who does, Fearless is a must read!