Children's Duo

Delightful! That's the best word to describe this duo of children's books. The author is Lisa Tawn Bergren. She's taken on the task of explaining the gospel message to children and she succeeds.


In God Gave us Love, Little Cub is out fishing with her grandfather.
She is not pleased when the otters are scaring away the fish!
But Grampa Bear carefully explains that they can share their fishing spot.
He tells her that showing love to others, both families and friends,
is something we can do to share God's love.
We know God loves us because he sent his Son to show us.









In the second book, God Gave us Christmas, Little Cub is excitedly getting ready for Christmas. She starts questioning her mom about Santa, God, and Christmas. Mama Bear takes Little Cub on a camping expedition to find God. Little Bear learns God is easy to find because He is everywhere. And to answer her question about how we got Christmas, Mama Bear tells her, "Jesus is the light of the world. Jesus is how God gave us Christmas."

Beautifully illustrated, simply presented, and fun to read. Your little ones will love them. I did.


Both are hardback from WaterBrook Press.
I'm keeping my copies!
(for purchase information, you can click on the books)

40 Minute Bible Studies

Looking for in-depth Bible studies on various topics?
Feel like you don't know where to start or that you don't have the time to set aside?

Kay Arthur has produced just the thing for you! Her teaching team at Precepts Ministries International produces a series called 40 minute Bible Studies. These inductive study guides are designed for 6-week segments, 40 minutes a week, with notes, scripture to research, and probing questions to answer.


Published by WaterBrook Press.
Some other topics are: Marriage, Leadership, Discipleship, etc.
Kay Arthur is a gifted teacher and author, using key "precept upon precept, line upon line" steps to study the Bible. Her studies are rich in content and well worth your time.

white picket fences

When I hear the term "white picket fences" I envision a sided house with shutters, tidy lawns and gardens, all encircled by a white picket fence alluding to an idyllic, perfect life within. Susan Meissner has taken that image and projected it instead as an emotional one surrounding a suburban stucco in San Diego. The well-maintained, immaculately landscaped home contains a "perfect on the outside" family with secrets.

Amanda's brother is a wanderer, both on US and foreign soil, forever beginning new jobs and leaving them after just months. His 16 year old daughter, Tally, has been raised in this lifestyle, and has become pretty adept at sudden uprootings. This time, though, her dad has taken off to Germany alone, alluding to her that he is searching for treasure their family left when fleeing the Nazis, and making her promise not to tell. Her maternal grandmother with whom she'd become reacquainted only the day before suddenly dies, leaving her alone and under child services supervision. Her aunt comes to the rescue, offering shelter and a stable home life. Yet, in white picket fences, we find a family with underlying emotional turmoil that is mostly ignored, ready to erupt.

Tally and her cousin Chase begin working on a sociology assignment, interviewing two men who survived the Holocaust. In the midst, they find intertwined lives, uncover and reveal some hidden family secrets, and struggle in learning the truth about their pasts. As Josef challenges them, "What is impossible for men is not impossible for God." (pg. 254) Will they turn to God for their answers? Read white picket fences and find out for yourself.


Paperback, 2009, from WaterBrook Press.
I have one copy to give away.

The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Cindy Woodsmall brings us a new winner in her tales of Amish life, The Sound of Sleigh Bells.

Beth Hertzler hides the truth in her heart about a tragedy involving her former fiancee. Walling off all who try to enter and bring healing during her extended mourning period, she cannot let go of the past. As a buyer for her aunt Lizzy's store, she takes a trip to an Amish community in another state where she is intrigued by an intricate carving which seems to touch the pain she bears. Through the intervention of her aunt, she begins a correspondence with the gifted carver, Jonah. His letters in return begin to draw her out of her shell, as he reveals some of the lessons he's learned through a tragedy in his own life.

Close knit family, community, forgiveness, and love combine to weave a soothing tale of redemption and hope. I found The Sound of Sleigh Bells an enjoyable and quick read.


Hardbound from WaterBrook Press.
I have one copy to give away.