Category: Christian

children, Christian

Big Box, Little Box: How One Little Box Finds His Way

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: Damien K.H. Nash & Kathy Nash
Illustrator: Steve Miller
Publisher: Friends of Faith
Genre: Children
ISBN: 9780984172931
Pages: 68
Price: $13.99 (book) / $8.99 (DVD)

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Little Box is afraid of the heaviness he feels inside. Big Box explains that this is his potential, and then explains how he can develop it, as they travel together through the Potential Delivery Center.

Using the metaphor of shipping boxes, Big Box shows Little Box all about labels, and how they can be used. If the wrong label is applied, potential can be diminished, so Little Box needs to recognize how special he is. Then he won’t be affected by a bad label. Little Box also learns how to rely on others around him as a support system. And he meets the Perfect Label-Giver, who is symbolic of Jesus Christ.

It’s easy for us to accept the labels we’re given as children, and often we look back at a wrong label and wonder why we ever believed it. But since those labels carry so much power, it’s important for kids to reject the bad ones as soon as possible. Big Box, Little Box provides an opportunity for discussion about these labels, and for kids to learn to reject bad labels with the help of their parents.

Although this video and book are targeted to young children, the message may be a little hard for that age group to grasp. Parents will need to spend time explaining the idea of labels, and let kids know that Emmanuel, the Perfect Label-Giver, represents Jesus, since this is not obvious.

The DVD is a video version of the text of this book, and it’s subtitled in English, French and Spanish. This cute tale packs a powerful message, and I think kids will enjoy the story of this mentor box and his young protege.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, inspiration, self improvement

I AM Says, “You Are…”

Bergers Book Reviews


Author: CJ Rapp
Publisher: Infusion Publishing
Genre: Christian / Inspiration / Devotional
ISBN: 978-0-9824790-0-1
Pages: 180
Price: $12.95

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Women often struggle with self-esteem issues. This general feeling of unworthiness is a message from the world, and does not come from God. If we study the Bible closely, we can see just how much God really treasures us.

In I AM Says, “You Are…”, author CJ Rapp has provided a 30-day devotional study designed to show women their true value as God’s children. Each day’s study touches on one message God has for us, such as “You are significant,” “You are beautiful,” and “You are royalty.”

These messages are accompanied by relevant Bible verses which back up the statements and provide positive reinforcement. Questions that guide us to “take out the trash” help remove our negative thinking about ourselves.

God truly loves us, even though the world often sends us messages that cause us to doubt our worthiness. This wonderful devotional reminds us that we are princesses of His kingdom, and God cares about us more than we can ever know. I highly recommend this study.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

children, Christian

My Story Bible

Bergers Book Reviews

bible
Author & Illustrator: Jan Godfrey & Paolo Bertolini Grudina
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Children / Bible stories
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2671-9
Pages: 142
Price: $12.99

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Children love to listen to and read Bible stories. But reading from the actual Bible text is too hard for small children, so it’s great to have a simplified version that kids can understand.

My Story Bible contains 66 of the most loved Bible stories, condensed into two page snippets that kids can read in one sitting. Bright and cheerful illustrations fill the pages, showing the happiness and love God’s people feel.

Kids can’t easily grasp the deeper meaning of Bible stories and they need to have them written in words they can comprehend. But I felt this Bible story book may have gone a little too far. Many of the names like the Prodigal Son, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments were removed to make reading easier. But in losing these titles, I felt the stories lost some of what made them unique.

Children will enjoy these stories, since they’re written in a very upbeat and kid-friendly manner. But those who revere the Bible as it’s written might have some issues with the changes made in My Story Bible to make it easier for kids to read.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, spirituality

Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow

Bergers Book Reviews

hearing Jesus
Author: Nancy Guthrie
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Genre: Christian Living / Spiritual Life / Personal Growth
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2548-4
Pages: 192
Price: $14.99

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Being a Christian doesn’t mean life will be without its share of heartache and loss. But when the pain cuts us to the core, questions naturally arise about God’s involvement. How could He allow this to happen? Does He even care?

Jesus healed lepers, caused the blind to see, and even raised the dead. Why wouldn’t He want to help us in our time of need? But a closer look at Biblical passages reveals exactly why Jesus healed, and what He would say if we asked Him why He hasn’t stepped in to fix things for us.

Nancy Guthrie knows the depths of pain, having lost two babies to the same incurable disease. She knows what it’s like to wrestle with her spiritual beliefs, wondering if maybe she’s missing something. But she also knows God’s infinite love, and trusts in His knowing a higher purpose for her life.

Hearing Jesus Speak Into Your Sorrow shares Guthrie’s insights about what Jesus would say if we turn to Him and share our pain with Him. And she reassures us that His answer will comfort us, despite our circumstances.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, spirituality

Nine Ways God Always Speaks

Bergers Book Reviews

9 ways
Author: Mark Herringshaw & Jennifer Schuchmann
Publisher: Tyndale House
Genre: Religion / Christian Life / Prayer
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2226-1
Pages: 352
Price: $14.99

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Has God spoken to you? Would you know it was Him, if He did? Or could it be coincidence, random encounters, or even just indigestion? Authors Mark Herringshaw and Jennifer Schuchmann believe God can and does speak to us. Nine Ways God Always Speaks shows us how He does this, and shares stories of those who have heard Him speak.

At one time God spoke through His prophets, and His people got clear directions in making decisions. If God told them to go to war against a neighboring country, they could be certain of victory. But today He guides us in more subtle ways.

We may hear from Him through our dreams, a little voice in our heads, our conscience, or a Bible verse. Chance meetings and a comment we feel is meant only for us could also be God speaking. And some of us have heard God speak through nature.

Our infinite God is capable of communicating with us in many ways, but we don’t always hear Him. In sharing other people’s experiences in hearing from God, Nine Ways God Always Speaks inspires us to be on the lookout for our own messages from God. Some of these stories may seem far-fetched to you, and you may question if He really did speak to them. But you’ll probably also find yourself wondering if maybe they could be true, and if He may even be trying to speak to you right now.

Reviewer: Alice Berger

Christian, spirituality

In the Beginning: The Art of Genesis (a pop-up book)

Bergers Book Reviews

genesisAuthor: Chuck Fischer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 978-0316118422
Pages: 12
Price: $35.00

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The Biblical book of Genesis has been the subject of great art works for many years, and is the inspiration for Chuck Fischer in creating this book. In these six pop-up scenes, he shows in majestic format: the creation, Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Noah’s Ark, the tower of Babel, Jacob’s ladder, and Joseph in Egypt.

These stunning works also include attached booklets that tell the Biblical story that goes with the scene, as well as exploring its meaning, and sharing other great art works that have touched on these stories.

In the Beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Chuck Fischer has created a masterpiece, taking the book of Genesis to a new dimension in these spectacular pop-up scenes.  This beautiful book would be perfect for anyone who enjoys great art and Biblical stories.

Reviewer: Alice Berger