Raising Real Men: The Real Deal!

I was pleased to receive a copy of "Raising Real Men: Surviving, Teaching, and Appreciating Boys".

After hearing the authors, Hal and Melanie Young, interviewed on Kevin Swanson's Generations Radio Podcast, I knew that I HAD to read this book. Why, you ask? Because I was desperate for a completely biblical, practical guide to raising boys that did not draw from any secular humanist psychological theories. You see, I used to be a secular humanist psychiatrist so I know the bad stuff when I smell see it.


My son is 9 now and I was raised around a bunch of girls- 5 of them to be exact.  I am the one that my son is around for teaching and training most of the day most days.  With God's grace and godly advice from parents who have been there, I desire to raise my son for the glory of God.


I am very grateful that this book did not disappoint.  The authors very humbly take you through principles they have learned in raising their boys (all 6 of them) for the glory of God.  Filled with Scriptural principles," Raising Real Men" is a welcome addition to the standard Christian books about raising boys.  Written from a homeschooling perspective, I find it much easier to relate to this book than the others.

"Raising Real Men" is a book that I will surely re-read many times in my quest to raise a real man.  I am so grateful to the Young's for writing it.

Check out their very informative and encouraging blog today!

Big Thoughts For Little People

Another jewel by Kenneth Taylor. This is an updated edition of a classic.

What a wonderfully illustrated, vibrant review of basic Christian principles and morals. We have enjoyed other Kenneth Taylor Bible-based storybooks and this was no exception. Clearly Mr. Taylor's enthusiasm for teaching Bible truths to the youngest of children made him very sensitive to the needs of children and their parents.

My children are a little older (6 and 9) but they still enjoyed the alphabet-letter approach and colorful illustrations.

There are so many books out there that we can read to our children and encourage them to read that have NO eternal value. Life is short, there are only so many hours in a day so filling my children's minds and hearts with good examples of behavior and morals is important to me.

I do not think anyone with children will be disappointed adding this charming book to their family's bedtime reading line-up.

Review: NLT Hebrews- Life Application Bible Studies Series

I admit I was a little leery of a Bible study specifically meant to be application focused. I feared it might be too much focused on "me" like many studies I have picked up. I tend to want a study to teach me more about God and his attributes and his redemptive plan for man. This study did just that.

I was pleased that the commentary section of the study was actually quite good and detailed. It was nice to have the Scripture text on the same page as the extensive commentary. Some nice charts and tables were included as well.

I especially appreciated that the editors commented when certain changes were made in the New Living Translation from the original manuscripts. For instance, the translation often changed "brothers" to "brothers and sisters".

The questions in the study section of the book are divided into 13 sections. Some are questions from the text while others encourage the participant to reflect on his or her life. Both types of questions are helpful and should make the meaning of the text more memorable.

I liked the small size of the book which made it very easy to carry around as I was completing the study.

I believe I will go through this study with my 9-year old son once we begin our homeschool year. He is ready for more than just Bible stories at this point and I believe we will both enjoy going through the study together.

In summary, the Hebrews Life Application book is a good Bible study for anyone who wants to dig deeper and find the treasures written in the Bible to help us to glorify God by living our life as followers of the true Christ written of in the Bible.[[ASIN:1414325649 Hebrews (Life Application Bible Studies: NLT)]]

Classic Bible Storybook: A Review

Our family was blessed with the opportunity to review the Classic Bible Storybook written by Kenneth N. Taylor and published by Tyndale House Publishers- Thanks, Christy!

This beautifully illustrated book contains over 100 Bible stories from the Old and New Testaments. Both the children and I enjoyed reading from this Bible storybook as part of bedtime ritual.

The Classic Bible Storybook has several unique features that made it a big hit with our family:

• Warm, charming, realistic illustrations. We find that some modern Bibles with their cartoon-like illustrations are distracting and perplexing.  For me, unrealistic, silly or exaggerated illustrations subtly convey a message that undermines the holiness of the Bible.
• The 121 Bible stories include some that are not commonly found in children's Bible story books.  Job, Paul's Epistles and Revelation are included in the book's material at a level that children can easily understand.
• Short review questions, usually 3 or 4 of them, are featured after each story to aid in comprehension and retention of the important elements of each story.  My children especially love this feature and each tries to answer as fast as he or she can, game-show style, to see who can answer first.  Mom is gratified because she can tell that the kids are listening carefully to the story and the kids have fun.
• Not too "dumb-downed".  The stories often use the same language found in the Bible and they avoid irreverent paraphrases.  At the same time, the language used is certainly not too difficult for most children and this level gives the children an opportunity to ask questions when they do not understand something, helping them to learn.

Kenneth Taylor is a gifted writer of Bible stories for children and his stories have been read to three generations of children around the world, including his own ten children.

I believe the Classic Bible Storybook is a book that you and your children or grandchildren will enjoy reading over and over for years.  We continue to enjoy it nightly. It would make a wonderful Easter gift or surprise in a child's Easter basket.

Click below to find out more or purchase from Christian Book Distributors.

Classic Bible Storybook

Unique Children's Bibles

Many of the children's Bibles available do a nice job of teaching children about individual Bible stories. These are an important part of biblical literacy but should only serve as a foundation for more advanced learning about the overall purpose and story of the Bible.

Understanding that the Bible is ultimately the story of God's redemption of mankind is what will encourage our children to live this truth and share it with others. It is far too easy for both children and adults to view the Bible as series of unrelated stories and lists of rules with no central thread holding it all together.

We have found two Bibles that we go back to again and again because they do a wonderful job teaching the whole of the wonder of God's redemptive plan for us, his people.


The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd Jones
is the Bible that the children and I just finished re-reading (Dad and Grandma got in on the act too!).  This brightly colored and often humorous Bible captivates my children each time we read it. Lloyd Jones makes difficult subjects like redemption easier to understand.  One drawback: older children who know the Bible well may not care for the license Lloyd Jones takes in some of the stories. Each story is a brief re-telling of major Bible stories and as such does not include every detail, even some very familiar ones. For this reason, we use "big picture" Bibles as an adjunct to the actual words of Scripture in a conventional Bible.  Overall, my children's understanding of God's purposes in human history have been enhanced by reading The Jesus Storybook Bible.


The Big Picture Bible by John Helm
is another favorite that we return to again and again.  The larger format of this book makes it's illustrations especially wonderful.  In very simple terms, Helm lays out God's plans for humankind beginning with Creation. As we read, we do not want the book to come an end it is so enjoyable. Helm's presentation keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to know the next scene in the Divine drama.  I highly recommend this book as part of your Bible education for your children.


The Big Picture Story Bible

By David Helm

The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name

By Sally Lloyd-Jones

Sarah Palin: A Biography

I could not put down the book "Sarah: How A Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down" by Kaylene Johnson.



It was very interesting to learn of the nurturing, loving and disciplined home in which she grew up.  Learning of her interest in sports, her relationships with her siblings and her Christian faith was very inspiring to me trying to raise children who love the Lord.

Equally as interesting were the stories of her adult life in politics.  I learned a lot of the political machine in Alaska and the gutsy ways in which Sarah Palin confronted corruption and injustice.

A relatively short book (155 pages), the book also includes a section of black and white photos of Sarah Palin and her family from her youth.

Published by a regional house that specializes in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, the book's author is from Alaska and relied on interviews with Sarah's friends and family among others to compile this book.

I would recommend this book for all who would like to approach the upcoming election with a well-rounded view of all the candidates.

As a Christian mom, I will certainly be praying for wisdom about this election.  I would urge all other Christians to seek God's wisdom as well and not rely exclusively on any other sources without seeking Him.

Study Bibles: John MacArthur's NKJV Study Bible

NKJV Study Bibles

I have been truly blessed by the teachings of John MacArthur. I am always able to find reliable answers to many of my answers about Christianity and the Bible and sound exegesis on even tough Bible passages. Next on my list- MacArthur's NASB Study Bible! See the full description of the John MacArthur Study Bible below:

NKJV MacArthur Study Bible, Revised Edition, Hardcover By Thomas Nelson Unleashing God's Truth, One Verse at a Time! Featuring the word-for-word accuracy of the New King James Version, The MacArthur Study Bible is perfect for serious study. Dr. John MacArthur has compiled more than 20,000 study notes, and numerous charts, maps, outlines, and articles to create The MacArthur Study Bible. No other study Bible does such a thorough job of explaining the historical context, unfolding the meaning of the text, and placing it within a theological framework. It has now been updated with an abridged topical index and an exhaustive NKJV concordance. Teeming with beneficial Bible helps, The MacArthur Study Bible is among the elite of Bible study tools. Over 35 years of Bible study are packed into one volume. The extensive verse-by-verse study notes provide a one-stop way to do your Bible study. Just a few of its numerous features are: Over 600 pages of revisions and updates New 125 page NKJV concordance including people and places New concise Topical Index More than 20,000 study notes Introductions to the Bible Thorough Book Introductions and Outlines Outline of Systematic Theology Concordance Index to Key Bible Doctrines Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament Timeline of Old Testament Kings and Prophets Timeline of New Testament Chronology How We Got the Bible How to Study the Bible Harmony of the Gospels Over 50 Bible Maps Full-Color Maps Other Features: Presentation page Family record section 8.5 point text Double-column format Center-column references Bible reading plans Index to Key Bible Doctrines Table of Weights & Measures 7" 91/2" 13/4" Hardcover

To see even more NKJV Study Bibles at CBD.com click below:

NKJV Study Bibles