Simon and the Easter Miracle by Mary Joslin and illustrated by Anna Luraschi

Genre- Fiction/Christian/Easter

Published by- Lion Children’s Books

Copyrighted- January 2012

Number of pages- 32

Age Group- Young Children

Description of book- hardback, list price $14.99, ISBN 978-0-7459-6058-6

 

Based on a Polish folktale and in the tradition of The Three Trees this folktale gives a new view on Easter.

Simon of Cyrene, a farmer, is bringing his product to market and has no idea of the role he will play in Jesus’ last days.  Or the role of his market items- the bread, eggs, and wine. 

Excerpt from the Book.

About the Author-

Mary Joslin has written children’s books on belief and spirituality.  Some of them include The story of the Cross and On that Christmas Night. 

About the Illustrator-

Anna Luraschi has illustrated many books for Usborne.

My thoughts-

 I loved this book and so did my children.  I first read it silently to myself and I got goose bumps (that means it was a great book), so I had to read it again.  Then I shared it with B who wanted to read it to himself.  I then read it to both B and C.  And since that time they have enjoyed reading it and looking at the pictures.

One thing that made this book outstanding was that it was not a typical Easter story about Jesus dying on the cross.  I had never heard of this story, so I had to read the small section in the Bible about Simon.  What a neat story this is to go with such a small section in the Bible.

I could also spend a long time studying the illustrations.  Anna Luraschi did an excellent job.  The only picture I didn’t like was the first one with Simon at the market.  It looked like the dog was going to the bathroom.  I don’t know if any of the kids reading it noticed, they didn’t mention it.

I highly recommend this book to all families for an Easter tradition.  I know it is going to become a part of ours.

What B (boy, age eight, second grade) Liked and Disliked:

I loved this book. It is a traditional story for Easter.   It has really nice illustrations.  In most of the pictures there is a bird.  The drawing of a fish looks kind of funny.  The dog and cat also look funny.  

In the book Simon goes to market to sell his produce.  The city is Jerusalem.   

I think this book is good for kids my age, because the illustrations are funny.  I also liked the story. He had to pick up Jesus’ cross.

GOD IS GREAT .  

What C (girl, age six, kindergarten) Liked and Disliked:

I liked when Simon helped Jesus.  And I also liked when Jesus did a miracle with the 12 pure white doves.  I didn’t like when Jesus had to be crucified.  I liked when Simon likes the Sabbath, when you have to do no work.

I would recommend this book for kids my age.

Dad Says-

 I enjoyed “Simon and the Easter Miracle”. It tells a story that we rarely hear. The innocent bystander who was forced by the Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross when he no longer could. This is a unique perspective that I had not considered before.

The illustrations colorfully and clearly convey the message of each page to the reader. The story’s ending is one of hope and blessing.

I would recommend this book to go on all bookshelves.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Simon and the Easter Miracle: A Traditional Tale for Easter by Mary Joslin and illustrated by Anna Luraschi for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Christian Contours- Douglas Huffman (Editor)

Genre- Religion/Christian Life/Apologetics

Published by- Kregel Academic & Professional

Copyrighted- March 2011

Number of pages- 240

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $22.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-3673-4

Do you sometimes need more help thinking and living as a Christian in this world of competing views.  This book will help you to learn, internalize, and share with others about the biblical worldview.

Part one discusses worldview thinking and how it relates to the Christian faith.  Part two addresses our Christian responsibility such as praying, worshiping, knowledge of temptation, and how to relate to others.

This is an introductory book to be used in college classes.  This book finishes with a comprehensive guide to books and websites to help develop a stronger biblical worldview.

Link to the Table of Contents

Link to Chapter Two

Link to the Endorsements

About the Editor-

Douglas S. Huffman is the coeditor of God Under Fire: Modern Scholarship Reinvents God.  He has been a professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Northwestern College in Minnesota and Biola University in La Mirada, California.

My thoughts- I thought this book was well written, but it could have had just a little bit more helpful information.  I realize this book was written as an introductory course book for college students, but more information and examples on how to maintain and live a biblical worldview.

I enjoyed the appendices: “A Comparison of Worldviews” and “Christian Professional Organizations.”  The bibliography was also very informational.  I learned more about different worldviews than I had known before and how to defend Christianity from those views.  The list of websites and books is an invaluable resource.  I know I am going to study the lists more to help me with my search in helping my Christian Worldview.

What I liked about this book, I also disliked.  In some chapters of Part Two there just wasn’t enough information for me.  I was looking for more information on how to maintain and live my biblical worldview.  That would probably take a whole book or two to satisfy me on those subjects.

This book would be excellent for those who are interested in an overview of different world views and the biblical worldview.  If you need something more specific then this book wouldn’t be for you.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Christian Contours: How a Biblical Worldview Shapes the Mind and Heart with Editor Douglas S. Huffman for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Trained in the Fear of God with Editors Randy Stinson and Timothy Paul Jones

Genre- Religion/Christian Ministry/Children

Published by- Kregel Academic & Professional

Copyrighted- July 2011

Number of pages- 288

Age Group- Adult

Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $26.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-3907-0

Drs. Stinson and Jones have been important in helping in the area of “family-equipping ministry.”   This type of ministry means that people realize that all generations are important and that the parents have the primary role for teaching their children about God.

This book is written by seventeen people who show how to get away from ministry by age group to a family approach.  Some of the contributors are Albert Mohler, David Prince,  and Bryan Haynes.

About the Editors-

Randy Stinson is the president of the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood and the dean of the School of Church Ministries at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville.

Timothy Paul Jones has written several books and is a professor of leadership and church ministry at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

My thoughts- This is a book and practice that needs to be a part of every church and ministry.

I have not been in a church that has any type of good family ministry.  I am sure many parents would be happy if there were classes on how to be good Christian parents.  It is something I struggle with sometimes and it would be a great help to me if our church had classes that would teach me how to help my children as they grow older.  I want to equip them the best I can to help them be warriors for God.  My husband and I are the ones who are ultimately responsible for our children, not the schools or the church, we just need some guidance on the best way to do it.

This book is one that I will be show to my husband, because there are some great chapters for parents to read, then I will pass it on to the pastor of my church.

It is more important than ever in today’s society to strengthen our families in God and this book can help.  I recommend that everyone reads this book to help strengthen the families in their churches.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received Trained in the Fear of God with Editors Randy Stinson and Timothy Paul Jones for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

1 Peter by Sue Edwards (Lesson 9)

Genre- Religion/Biblical Studies/Bible Study Guides

1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times by Sue Edwards

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2011

Number of pages- 102

Age Group- Adult Women

Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4198

Lesson 9, “Strengthen Your Sacred Kin” 1 Peter 5:1-14

These past nine weeks have been a renewal for me in studying the Bible.  I had been not involving myself in my own Bible study, but in my children’s and I have surely been missing out on what God has had to share with me.

My biggest “takeaway” from these lessons in love.  Love is one of the most important things we can give and do.  I have noticed a change in our own household since I have been explaining to the kids how important it is to love no matter what and to keep calm about life.

I have also taken away: how to be a better wife, submit to different levels of authority, and how to be a priest in my own household.

I am going to make sure that I put all that I have learned in these lessons to good use.  I am going to start a journal, where I will write down everything that I have been doing  and if it is Godly or not and how I will adjust my lifestyle.  It is going to be something I am going to have to do and have someone I can be accountable to.

I have been blessed by this study and I am off to check out the other studies and begin a Bible study life!

Thank you for being with me for these 1 Peter lessons.  May God bless you and keep you well.

Please look at the rest of my blogs for the other lessons.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received 1 Peter by Sue Edwards for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

1 Peter by Sue Edwards (Lesson 8)

Genre- Religion/Biblical Studies/Bible Study Guides

1 Peter: Finding Encouragement in Troubling Times by Sue Edwards

Published by- Kregel Publications

Copyrighted- 2011

Number of pages- 102

Age Group- Adult Women

Description of book- Paperback, listed price- $12.99, ISBN 978-0-8254-4198

Lesson 8, “Persevere with the End in Mind” 1 Peter 4:7-19

I think in today’s society we focus too much on the now and not on the future.  As a Christian we must focus on the future and the end time on earth.

Peter thought prayer was very important and I really agree, because it is one of the ways we speak with God.  Without prayer we wouldn’t be able to talk with God and share our praises and concerns.

I learned that you need to have self-control and be sober-minded to have an authentic and consistent mind while praying.  When I say my own prayers, I have found it best to kneel or sit, because if I do it any other way, I lose my focus.

One of the other important things I learned this week is that we need to love and keep loving others in a Godly way, even when we are feeling out of sorts.  Peter says that love covers many sins.  And this week, no matter how frustrated people make me, I am going to show them unconditional love.

Next week is our last week.  I hope you have been enjoying my views from these lessons.

I hope you all have had a wonderful week and I will inform you next week about my thoughts on “Lesson Nine.”  Please look at the rest of my blogs for the other lessons.

Disclosure of Material Connection- I received 1 Peter by Sue Edwards for free from the Kregel Publications’ Blog Tour. All links were current when posted. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.