Sinclair B Ferguson’s latest children’s book involves imagination, of an almost science fiction quality, but also rock solid theology.

Children are invited to get on board a time machine with a rather eccentric looking professor – to journey back through time to the very beginning. There they eavesdrop on creation and on the plan to bring Salvation to a sinful humanity. From then on they travel forward through time back to the cross where they see the fulfilment of God’s salvation plan at Calvary.

Pictures by Disney illustrator Ed Olson bring this concept and story to life.

Look out for this book in shops and on the website www.christianfocus.com

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1438/-/sr_1

I thouroughly recommend this book for its depth and simplicity. It has thorough teaching yet is written in such a way that I have been able to glean a very good children’s talk from the chapter on I am the Light of the World – the topic for my talk at camp next week.

It is actually an easy read. So if you want to read one book this summer that gives you good theological teaching but isn’t going to cramp your little grey cells too much as you sun yourself on the beach – this is a good choice. Better still if you are in the need of a set of children’s talks – choose the I am sayings of Jesus as your theme and this book will help you get to grips with that. It’s always good when the one who is teaching starts of by being taught themselves.

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/417/-/sr_c_2_i

So look out for it if you are there – you might be able to get a signed copy. Watch this space.

Or if you can’t wait – pre-order one here.

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1435/-

They are full colour bible stories that retail at under £2.50 per title or $4 (in the states). With personal application that directly ties the story into the life of the child – these are books that are more than retellings… they teach, encourage and point children towards Christ and a Christ like life. These books have a proven track record with a print run that goes into the hundreds of thousands and have been translated into several other languages.

So not only are they from collectable series (there are several titles in each set.) They suit a wide age range and are suitable for a wide variety of cultures and backgrounds.

http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/23/-/s_s_1

http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/22/-/s_s_1

http://www.christianfocus.com/series/show/33/-/s_s_1

The following is a diary entry written about Eric Liddell by a fellow inmate on the day of his funeral at the Japanese Prisoner of War camp.

He was not particularly clever, and not conspicuously able, but he was good. He was naturally reserved and tended to live in a world of his own, but he gave of himself unstintedly. His reserve did not prevent him from mixing with everybody and being known by everybody, but he always shrank from revealing his deepest needs and distresses, so that whilst he bore the burdens of many, very few could help bear his.

His fame as an athlete helped him a good deal. He certainly didn’t look like a great runner, but the fact that he had been one gave him a self-confidence that men of his type don’t often have. He wasn’t a great leader, or an inspired thinker, but he knew what he ought to do, and he did it. He was a true disciple of the Master and worthy of the highest of places amongst the saints gathered in the Church triumphant. We have lost of our best, but we have gained a fragrant memory.

‘It is not sufficient to admire Christ; it is not sufficient to love Him. ‘For me to live is Christ,’ cried the Apostle. That is the spirit in which work for God is to be done.’

Lucille Travis has just completed a manuscript on George Whitfield. I’m really enjoying editing it as I’ve not read much about Whitfield before. It’s not going to be published until November however and there’s no cover as yet but I’ll insert an image or illustration of Whitfield here for your interest. Apparently he had a squint eye, and by all acounts wore wigs. Anyway don’t let that put you off.

This morning I was reading a chapter that covered a preaching tour in Scotland and thought I would share this story…

“On his way to preach in Aberdeen, George and a companion stopped at the house of a poor widow in desperate need. When they entered the bare cottage George saw several children huddled near their mother. The poor widow looked worn and frail. The children’s faces were thin and pale, their clothes small protection against the cold. His heart was touched, and quickly George searched his pockets and gave five guineas to the widow. After they left, it was not long before his traveling companion said, “How could you afford to give her such a sum?”

George answered, “God brought her need before us so that we could help.”

They had ridden a good ways more when suddenly a highwayman rode out from behind a clump of trees, and demanded their money. They gave him all they had, and the robber fled away. George turned to his friend and said, “How much better it was for the poor widow to have the five guineas than that thief.” They rode on thankful to be unharmed, but scarcely any time passed before the highwayman was back. This time he demanded George’s wool coat. George gave him the coat. With a loud guffaw, the robber tossed his own thin ragged coat to George. “It is better than none,” George said as he put it on.

Glad to see the last of their highwayman, George said, “Since he has taken my coat and all the money we had between us, I do not think we will see him again.” When they saw the man returning again, George cried out “This time we must outrace him to the next village, or I fear for our lives.”

George and his companion rode at a gallop with the sound of the robber’s horse far too close behind them. To their joy as they neared cottages they saw help already coming. The man was caught, and after the excitement had calmed George took off the robber’s ragged coat, feeling as he did so a small bundle inside the pocket and drew it out. George’s  laughter rang out in the cottage as he opened the packet to find one hundred guineas. When George could finally stop laughing he said, “The Lord has given me far more than I gave the widow. It is no wonder the fellow was after me. This gift will fill many a need, and what a story we shall have to tell.”

When does your teenager become an adult? That’s a difficult question that only you know the answer to. They’ll be recognised as adult at different stages and for different reasons over a period of several years. They can get married at 16 but can’t pass the driving test until 17. They can’t legally drink alcohol until 18 in the U.K. or 21 in the States. They can’t drive a mini bus until they are well into their twenties. As far as their tastes are concerned you’ll see how they change over the years. It may be that you don’t exactly recognise the sounds coming out of their bedrooms as actual music… but that’s a discussion for another day.

Choosing or recommending books for them to read can be a bit tricky too. There is the risk of choosing style over substance. We can be so concerned about not offending their personal tastes and trends that we forget that content should be at the forefront of our minds. In this Step Up For Teens post I’m going to try and regularly give you pointers towards books that are floating at the edge of our adult list that can very easily find their way into your teens hands – from yours.

This month’s choice is Tell me the Story by Alex MacDonald. And when you look at the cover and content you’ll realise why this is a good choice. The visual impact of the cover is cutting edge and dramatic. It reflects the author’s style too – because he retells key eye-witness stories from the New Testament. Using biblical, contemporary and background data Alex skilfully retells the stories of Mary the Mother of Jesus, Simon the Pharisee, Bartimaeus; Zacchaeus and others.

You really do get the feeling that you are looking on – a witness yourself to the unfolding of God’s story of redemption.

http://www.christianfocus.com/item/show/1118/-/sr_1