From The Book Nook

I'm heading over to the church this afternoon to give The Book Nook a Mother's Day touch.  Thought I'd pass along just a few brief reviews of titles I'm highlighting there for moms and children. 

The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity

This book by Sally Clarkson helps us rediscover the joy and fulfillment found in the role God has wisely given women. Although our current culture minimizes this role, God’s purposes are higher and nobler. Sally shows us how to nurture our children and help them open their hearts to God by bringing God’s purposes into our homes.

 

Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother

This is a book that I wish had been around when I was a young wife and mother. It’s probably the best book that I’ve read on the seven feminine virtues given in Titus 2. Carolyn Mahaney gave me a much broader understanding of God’s design for women—older and younger alike. She meets the challenges of living today with the truths of scripture. 

 Grandpa’s Box: Retelling the Biblical Story of Redemption

While many children’s books about the Bible focus on biblical heroes and what we learn about them, this book by Starr Meade helps children see beyond the characters to the God whose story it really is. Grandpa uses his box of collections to tell the story of redemption through events involving biblical characters, but shows that it’s really just one story—the story of redemption down through the ages. A great read-aloud book for family devotions, or it can be read alone by children ages 9-12.

 

I’ll Love You Anyway and Always

This book by Bryan Chapell is a lovely hardback book that helps children understand God’s abundant love, forgiveness, mercy and grace. Young Katy’s disobedience provides an opportunity for her daddy to tell her about God’s love for His children, and, in turn, Katy learns to love others when they have wronged her. Beautifully illustrated. Ages 3-8

Ten Boys/Girls Who….

This is a series of five books written by Irene Howat giving brief biographies of men and women of faith who were once children themselves and grew up to influence the world around them. Five books are about boys; five books are about girls. Ages 8-12

Included in the series:

10 Boys/Girls Who Made a Difference 

10 Boys/ Girls Who Used Their Talents

10 Boys/ Girls Who Didn’t Give In 

10 Boys/ Girls Who Changed The World

10 Boys/ Girls Who Made History

 

All of these books can be found at christianbook.com.

Titus 2: Transcending Time and Culture

If you want some down-to-earth, practical, Biblical guidance on living your life according to God’s beautiful design for women, put Feminine Appeal: Seven Virtues of a Godly Wife and Mother by Carolyn Mahaney high on your reading list this spring. It’s the best book I’ve read on Titus 2. We used it in our Women's Sunday School class for six months, and we probably could have gone longer—it’s so rich in biblical truth.

The basis of the book is about the transforming power of the gospel to change us, our marriages, our families, and our personal ministries. Carolyn discusses the virtues of Titus 2 that we are to encourage in the lives of younger women. But she doesn’t leave them as lofty ideals; she hits on the challenges we face in living them out and offers sound counsel to nurture us along the way.

One of our assignments each week in our SS class was to mark statements that we thought were particularly meaningful to us. I could have highlighted most of the book—it was that good! But to choose one to share with you today would be a statement Carolyn makes early-on in the first chapter. She writes: “The commands found in Titus 2 have been given to us for an all-important reason that transcends time and culture. That reason is the gospel of Jesus Christ. These virtues are not about our personal fulfillment or individual preference. They are required for the sake of unbelievers—so that those who are lost might come to know our Savior.” As Titus 2:5 exhorts us--so the Word of God will not be dishonored.

This is a great devotional read when you can set aside a few minutes each day to ponder its pages and ask God to transform your life, your marriage, your family, and your personal ministry.