I’m pretty blown away by some of David Platt’s teachings. He really is radical and he calls others to be radical Christians too. His book Radical Together calls churches to pursue a calling to actually do what Jesus taught, even though it goes against the mainstream. It might be uncomfortable. It might make churches lose followers.

About the Author:

Dr. David Platt, President of the International Mission Board and founder of Radical, is deeply devoted to Christ and His Word. David’s first love in ministry is making disciples, sharing, showing, and teaching God’s Word in everyday life. He has traveled extensively to serve alongside church leaders throughout the United States and around the world.

A life-long learner, David has earned two undergraduate and three advanced degrees.  He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (A.B.J.) from the University of Georgia, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theology (Th.M) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.  He previously served at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as Dean of Chapel and Assistant Professor of Expository Preaching and Apologetics, Staff Evangelist at Edgewater Baptist Church in New Orleans, and eight years as the Senior Pastor of The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL. David has written several books, Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me and most recently Counter Culture (to be released February 2015). He also has a radio program on Moody Radio, Radical with David Platt, that can be heard around the world and features past sermons and teaching from David’s ministry.

David and his wife Heather have four children, Caleb, Joshua, Mara Ruth, and Isaiah.

Well, I was so reluctant to read this book: Grumble Hallelujah.

I think I knew that it would reveal too much of myself that I didn’t want to see. Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira is real. She gets up close and personal and in your face.The book is divided into five parts. It was really difficult to get through the first two parts. I had to put it down and mull it over for a while. Then the last three parts went quickly. There were tears and gnashing of teeth as I faced the cold hard truth of my mercilessness and heartbrokenness.

Fear and failure are addressed and she cites Bible verses about these and how and why we should conquer fear and embrace failure.

The chapter on jealousy sure hit home. I mean, who doesn’t battle with jealousy over something or someone? I think it’s wonderful that she can be vulnerable and transparent about real issues that we all face but that no one really admits even to close friends and family members. I love how she turns that jealousy thing around and explains how we should “prefer” the life God has offered us, with all its ups and downs, because it’s what God wills for us and it will make us grow into who we are meant to be.

It really is an amazing and life-changing book. God is made real and our experiences are exposed and challenged. He can handle our grumbles. He savors our hallelujahs.

This book could not have arrived with better timing! We’ve been reading about Saul and David with Tapestry of Grace and this tied in perfectly with our studies. My three girls loved it!
Showdown with the Shepherd by Marianne Hering

It was so exciting to hear my 4- and 5-year-olds exclaim, “Mom, it has God in it!” They quickly compared this book to another popular series, but with a Christian theme. We were able to speculate what could have happened during that time with David. It was a great discussion.

My eldest, at 11 years, recognized the characters from Adventures in Odyssey. All in all, this is a fun and educational series.

Connections, connections.

The younger two listened with rapt attention as I took turns with my eldest, reading aloud . I really enjoyed the book and couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. So glad it’s a series!

The girls read Problems at Plymouth and assured me they loved it. They summarized the story and told me all about it so excitedly. Perfect with Thanksgiving just around the corner! It certainly went with our theme this month.

The characters are sweet and believable. The drawings are well-done and help my little ones follow along. The reading level is aimed at 7+. It was too easy for my 11-year-old, and my 5- and 4-year olds couldn’t quite read it yet. We all were captivated though!

AIO Imagination Station Books are a great addition to our homeschool library.

For more information, visit the Imagination Station website.

About the Books
In Showdown with the Shepherd, Patrick and Beth go to the Holy Land in the tenth century BC. Their goal is to get back the ring Hugh stole and return him to 1450s England where he belongs. But troubles await them as soon as they step out of the Imagination Station. First they meet an angry bear and later an angry giant. Set against the backdrop of the David and Goliath story, the cousins learn that having a giant faith is more important than having a giant on your side.
Patrick and Beth’s next adventure leads them to Plymouth Plantation in 1621. There they meet William Bradford, Miles Standish, and Squanto who are trying to establish peace between the Pilgrims and the Indians. Things are anything but peaceful, however, when a musket is stolen and the Pilgrims conclude the Indians are planning war. Only Patrick and Beth know who the real thief is—the traitor Hugh—and it’s up to the cousins to find him and stop him from causing trouble. When the cousins hear a gunshot during the first Thanksgiving feast, their worst fears are realized.

About the Giveaway

This giveaway is for the whole series of 6 books!

First, head over to the Imagination Station website and leave a comment on this post. Tell me which book looks most interesting to you and your kids and why! Deadline 7 December 2011. Winner announced 10 December. Make sure to leave a separate post for each entry. Winner will be selected at random.

For extra entries:

• Subscribe via email or RSS
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• Like on Facebook

Please note that this prize can only be shipped to a U.S. or Canadian address.

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishing for providing the giveaway prize and for providing my review samples! I received no other compensation and all views expressed are my own.

My review of A Reluctant Queen: The Love Story of Esther by Joan Wolf.

Well, let me begin by saying that I love the story of Esther. Isn’t it just a lovely fairy tale?

This novel is no different. It was a quick read and it was delightful. I really felt sympathy for the characters and could not put the book (or mouse, since I downloaded it on my Kindle for PC) down.

I was disappointed that the author felt the need to create a fictional king. Why not use Xerxes, like most historical accounts suggest? The king in the novel was loving as a man and cold as a king. Xerxes was featured as this king’s brother. I wonder for this choice.

I was surprised that I felt real pity for Haman. The author created his character as a man hungry for the love of the king rather political power. He had such jealousy of anyone close to the king that it just ate him up. Haman was characterized as having a mental disease similar to the obsessions we read about in the news today. I was interested in this new characterization of the villain Haman.

I was hoping for more Biblical references and that the plot would more closely follow the Biblical account of Esther. I would think that Esther would have prayed more.

She was a very real and lovable character in this book. I love how she was characterized in her weakness. The Bible mentions that she fasted and prayed before appearing before the king to ask for an audience. In the book, there was only one meal with the king and Haman, instead of two.

The author left out the reward of Mordecai’s being paraded through the streets for revealing the plot to kill the king. Mordecai was probably the least important character in this book and I would have liked him to appear more interesting.

I understand that this book is fiction, but I can’t even call it historical fiction, much less Biblical fiction.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. I just think it could have been better had it more closely followed the Bible and historical account.

I’m pleased to review This Little Prayer of Mine by Anthony DeStefano.

Such a sweet book! Gorgeous illustrations with such amazing details on every page!

From the publisher:

Nothing Compares to Childlike Faith

I know you’re up in heaven, God,
and can hear my voice from there.
I’m just a little child.
Will you answer my short prayer?

So begins this delightful book that affirms God’s readiness to answer our prayers, no matter what our age.

With engaging rhymes and beautiful illustrations, This Little Prayer of Mine assures children that God is always near–watching, listening, caring, and eager to respond to their requests. They’ll also learn that prayer isn’t just about asking for things, but about sharing their feelings of sadness and uncertainty as well as of thanksgiving and joy.

Most importantly, This Little Prayer of Mine reminds children—and those who love them—that they can trust God to tenderly care for them, no matter what the future holds.

This darling book really explains prayer to small children and why we should pray and what peace we can have from God who answers our prayers (whether He answers with Yes, No, Wait). This book addresses our fears and how we can give our troubles to our God who cares.

It certainly goes beyond the “Our Father” into something rich and powerful that children can understand. It shows how we should focus on others in our prayers and that God will reward a generous heart.

I love books that reinforce what I teach my kids. We strive to pray unceasingly, in all our daily activities, about everything. I’ve seen my kids grow in their prayers, from the little recitations at meal time and bed time to really creative and heartfelt beseechings to God. They know what they need and they know only Jesus can provide it. I am a proud mama.

I love the last few pages and how fun they are as the child envisions future possibilities and where God may lead. My girls giggled at the pictures of the kids playing in a band in the White House. Who doesn’t want to do that? Our family loves this book and it definitely will keep its place in our devotion basket!

• Age Range: – 5 years
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press
• Hardcover $5.99

Erwin Raphael McManus exhorts believers to unleash our faith in Jesus in his book, Unleashed.

He encourages us to dedicate our lives to being barbarians with our faith rather than complacent in conventional Christian religion. Appropriately, quotes and scene synopses from the movie Braveheart are sprinkled throughout the book. Always awesome to quote Braveheart. ;)
I was skeptical at first with the autobiographical sketches McManus uses to show his humanity and struggles as a parent, but any parenting disagreements aside, this is a good book to motivate Christians to do something more than warm a seat at church. As a parent, it convinces me that I need to disciple my children to be warriors for Christ rather than fall into the complacency trap so many “Christians” find easier than being different.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17

We are called to be different.

McManus reminds us of our duties as Christians as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must be warriors, unleashed.

Author Bio:

Erwin R. McManus (BA, University of North Carolina; MDiv, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as lead pastor and cultural architect of Mosaic, a diverse, multi-ethnic church based in Los Angeles, California. As founder of Awaken, an entrepreneurial community, Erwin collaborates with a team of dreamers and innovators who specialize in the field of developing and unleashing personal and organizational creativity. A national and international consultant on culture, change, leadership, and creativity, he partners with Bethel Theological Seminary as a futurist and distinguished lecturer. He is the author of the ECPA Silver Medallion Award-winning book, An Unstoppable Force, and Seizing Your Divine Moment, Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul, and The Barbarian Way.