There, I said it.
The kids and I were at the area bookstore last night (you know the one with the coffee shop conveniently attached?) and I felt downright giddy being surrounded by so many good reads. Granted, I was stuck in the kids' section but I still get excited. I think the written word is amazing - it transcends time, culture, language; communicates stories, lives, thoughts, ideas. It must be amazing for the Lord himself to choose this medium to carry His very words In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 WOW! Out of all the languages of all the world at all times he specifically choose Hebrew and Greek as the original languages of His written word for good reasons. Those that study these languages are amazed at how specific and precise these are. IE - our English language has one lousy word for "love". So I love my husband and children and I also "love" my Dairy Queen blizzard? Crazy but true in different ways. Deuteronomy goes on to say Fix these words of mine in you hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Deut 11:18. Matthew says that His words will NEVER pass away. His words have the power to change hearts and minds and to strengthen our very faith!
So as you can probably figure out, the Bible (love my Concordia self-study NIV)is my regular read and one I read to my children most often.
So when I'm not reading the Bible I like to read books about the Bible - people mentioned, specific doctrines, commentaries, history. Usually published by Northwestern Publishing House and sometimes by Concordia Publishing. My favorites worth noting would include the People's Bible series on the books of the Bible and teachings. I think it's interesting to read a Lutheran looks at series on other denominations, their history and teachings and how it differs from what we believe. I've read "The Fire and the Staff" twice now to see clearly how our doctrine affects our worship practices and how a change in worship practices can change doctrine (scary if not Biblical based). I LOVED the "Spirituality of the Cross" by Vieth and have highlighted the heck out of that one. "The Theology of the Cross" was one heavy read and I caught about half of it if I were to be honest. But the part that I got was amazing and I'll probably pick it back up in the future to attempt the other half! Awhile back I read "Connecting Sinai to Calvary - A guide to the Old Testament" by Jeske. Really helped me with the connection between the Hebrew lifestyle and my Savior. "Gospel Motivation - more than Jesus died for my sins" by Koester is a good one too. I'm currently reading the classic "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton.
Hang with me - I'm going to have to do this in several different posts by genres or I'll confuse myself.
Next genre would be the spiritual growth of my children. After all, as their mother my mission field starts in the home. Jesus commanded me and all believers to "GO and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19, 20. Since their baptism as babies we've continued to nurture their spiritual growth through the means of grace - the Gospel in Word and Sacrament. Over the years as they grow developmentally we've adjusted the age appropriate levels that we do this but we try not to "dumb it down" too much. I think children retain and understand far more than we give them credit for. Abridged versions of Bible stories worked well early on. We mainly used the NPH Sunday School materials here at home and we could do two lessons over 4 days with a hymn study on Friday. BTW - the hymns in our hymnal are sooooooooooo good in their content. It's not about the "catchy" tune always but the spiritual truths and teachings that are taught through song. Even as babies, toddlers and preschoolers we've used the "Little Visits" devotions from NPH. Now with Will we are in our 2nd year with the Concordia Sunday School program and LOVE it! There's so much content that it takes us almost all week (at least 3 days anyway) to cover it all. It also follows the church year which I love because it ties it in to what is happening on Sunday - don't you just LOVE Good Shepherd Sunday?!!!!! We got to do it all week!! And on Fridays Daddy teaches the catechism (love the well-used pages of my blue Luther's Catechism). And no more abridged Bible stories - we got rid of that as soon as we could. Will received his first personal Bible a year and a half ago at Christmas with larger print that's easier to read. He also memorizes alot.
Stay tuned for more diverse genres (if anyone out there cares, because really I'm having a blast reminiscing about my books)!!!
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