Product Reviews
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King Without a Shadow (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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This is a very engaging book with beautiful illustrations. Sproul does a fine job in writing a story that invites children in and points them to their need for the Holy God who stands ready to forgive. |
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The Big Picture Story Bible (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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With colorful, eye-popping pictures and clear but brief sentences on most pages, this book makes God's story of redemption very accessible to children 3 years old and older. The repetition of God's people finding and losing God's place and finding and forfeiting God's blessing is a helpful unifying theme for parents as they make their way through the book. I did wish, while reading it, that each story would be accompanied with references to the Bible book and chapter. But that is a very minor point and does not detract from a very, very good story Bible for our littlest kiddos. |
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Big Truths for Little Kids: Teaching Your Children to Live for God (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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If I could give a book 6 stars, this would be the book. The format and content are excellent. There are 36 very brief chapters, vignettes really, where we follow Caleb and Cassie, brother and sister, who have parents committed to raising them in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Each chapter is accompanied by questions and answers from the Westminster Shorter Catechism, questions and answers that relate to the brief stories. Each brief story is then followed by additional questions that will encourage discussion. Included with each vignette is a relevant passage of scripture you are encouraged to pray.
The practicality of the theology in the catechism questions is made robust in the vignettes as we listen to Caleb and Cassie and their friends experience the intersection of life and faith.
If there was a negative for me, it is this; I am a father of three daughters and the vignettes seem to be heavily weighted toward Caleb and his friends. But even then, these stories and adventures would hold my daughters interest, (even if they would relate more to Cassie and her friends).
This is an excellent resource I would recommend without reservation. I am considering purchasing copies to give to families in our church when they welcome a new child, when we baptize children or receive a new young family into membership. Suited best for children 4-11. |
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My God is True: Lessons Learned along Cancer's Dark Road
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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There are a number of very fine books written for sufferers from the perspective of a pastor. There are also wonderful books written on the topic of suffering from the perspective of theologians. One of my favorites is Dan McCartney's Why Does It Have To Hurt: The Meaning of Christian Suffering.
But the book My God is True by Paul Wolfe is perhaps the best book I have ever read on suffering. Wolfe relentlessly forces the reader to marvel at God's sovereignty and to rest in the security of the gospel. And he speaks with credibility. Paul Wolfe is a pastor, a theologian and a cancer survivor. This is a story about how he, his wife and his church were all called to serve God through this particularly difficult providence.
We all know sufferers. Many of us have experienced suffering that is difficult to describe. Regardless of your relationship with suffering or sufferers, this book would make a wonderfully encouraging Christmas gift...to yourself. Buy it and read it. You will not be disappointed.
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Simplicity In Preaching (Paperback)
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By K. Oliphint on March 3, 2010
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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Preachers would benefit a great deal from this very short booklet. I plan to read it regularly.
I think it would also be of benefit to those who sit under the preaching of the Word when the reader reads and then listens to their preacher with charity and grace. I believe it would make those who anticipate God's grace through His preached Word better listeners and vulnerable beneficiaries of the Spirit's work. |
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You Can Change: God's Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions (Paperback)
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By K. Oliphint on April 4, 2010
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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This is an excellent book. After reading it I bought four more copies with particular people in mind with whom I will read it. And that will be the real value of this book. For pastoral counseling opportunities it provides wonderful and penetrating questions after each chapter. If you are involved in personal ministry with people, buy a copy of this book. I think you will incorporate into your ministry to them. If you struggle to kill particular sin struggles, buy this book. Faithful readers and disciplined users of the questions will be reminded that God is a God who promises to change His people. This is a fantastic book! |
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Strength and Devotion: Volume 2 (Risktakers) (Paperback)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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Mrs. Finlayson has done an admirable job of highlighting women God has used in history to promote His glory and the gospel. There are 6 biographical stories about women who trusted God and followed His call on their lives. The first four stories include a brief description of the areas where these women ministered and a devotional which encourages the reader to an active faith. These last two stories are about two women in the Old Testament and how God used them for His sake.
This is a fine book for young girls, ages 9-13. |
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The Plan: How God Got the World Ready for Jesus (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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Dr. Ferguson has written a winsome book for our children in The Plan: How God Got the World Ready for JESUS.
From the story parents will have wonderful opportunities to talk with their children about God's providence in giving His people a Savior.
The beautiful illustrations only add to the book's appeal. Reading this to 3-6 year olds will deepen the richness of Christmas year round. |
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Dug Down Deep: Unearthing What I Believe and Why It Matters (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on March 3, 2010
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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This book is a book of doctrine. But it is different in that it is a kind of doctrinal autobiographical book where Joshua Harris writes about how he has personally come to believe and love the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. It is written in a way that makes it very accessible, especially to new Christians and to our unbelieving friends we seek to engage on issues of faith.
Harris is, typically, very gracious and charitable. I bought it with the thought in mind that I could give it to someone to read and meet with after they read it. Because of some of the questions it may raise regarding the gifts of the Spirit and the Sacraments, I might instead read it WITH someone and discuss as we go through it together. I would do that with no hesitation. |
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Girl Meets God: On the Path to a Spiritual Life
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By K. Oliphint on April 4, 2010
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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If you are a pastor, a ruling elder, a father or mother of children 10 or 11 or older, still living at home, consider reading this book. Miss Winner writes her reflections on her faith struggles as she is pulled by God from unbelief to Orthodox Judaism to Christianity. So many common touchstones are here for all of us who struggle with faith that this book will simply enable one to struggle well, anchored in the Triune God and His Truth. |
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Jonah's Story (Cecil and Friends) (Paperback)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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This is a cleverly written book that made me chuckle a couple of times. I would recommend that parents read it to their children and take the time to color in the contours of sin and redemption that are lightly outlined in the retelling of this story. |
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Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers: The Gospel (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on November 11, 2009
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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Suitable for little ones (girls especially) 3-6 years old. The basics of the gospel are communicated. Parents would want to add to the "Afterword for Parents and Teachers" the centrality and necessity of plugging into a local Bible preaching church as the proper way 'remember the special occasion' of coming to faith. The example of a friend pushing another friend out of the way of an oncoming car for Jesus dying on the cross for those He loves, misses the mark, I think. |
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A Summary of Christian History (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on March 3, 2010
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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A reasonably good primer on Church History. Although one would want to read with discernment, this could be a helpful read for those studying for ordination exams. Dr. Baker, being a committed Baptist brother, allowed some of his anti-paedobaptist views to leak through in his narration, but nothing so severe that prohibits a paedobaptist to recast and supplement with J.N.D. Kelly's work Early Christian Doctrines. |
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![What Is the Gospel? [IX Marks] (Hardcover)](images/9781433515002t.jpg)
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What Is the Gospel? [IX Marks] (Hardcover)
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By K. Oliphint on April 4, 2010
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(Grace Community Presbyterian Church / Pastor / TX)
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This is a very brief but good book that encourages the reader to keep first things first.
Very accessible and suitable to give away to anyone (young and old), believer or unbeliever. |
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