I saw this book in the pile of new literature Debby bought for the renovated nurseries and tucked it away on my "gotta buy" list. Then good ol' Aunt Jennifer got it for R for her birthday! It's incredible! The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name by Sally Lloyd-Jones--the title alone gets me excited.
Lloyd-Jones uses the context of our culture's renewed fascination with fairy tales and heroes in her introduction: "It's like an adventure story about a young Hero who came from a far country to win back his lost treasure. It's a love story about a brave Prince who leaves his palace, his throne, everything to rescue the one he loves. It's like the most wonderful of fairy tales that have come true in real life. You see, the best thing about this story is--it's true." The storytelling and word choice (from an English teacher's perspective) is remarkable in the way Lloyd-Jones foreshadows or reflects upon or ties in the greater Shepherd, stronger Warrior, perfect Leader, and wonderful Rescuer.God's love is described as His "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love," a phrase she repeats several times. Many of the stories' titles are equally descriptive and captivating; Zacchaeus' story is "The man who didn't have any friends (none)."
Today Rebekah and I read "A new way to see," the story of Saul's conversion and "new job" since R had a little lesson about Paul the missionary during nursery this morning. (The ladies' Bible study is on 2nd Timothy and Titus). And there's been quite a lot of discussion of sin in our household lately what with Adam & Eve in Sunday School this week, Psalm 53:3 "There is no one who does good, not even one" as her memory verse, and, well, a 3-year-old's heart. I love how the author summarizes his message: "It's not about keeping rules!" Paul told people. "You don't have to be good at being good for God to love you. You just have to believe what Jesus has done and follow him. Because it's not about trying, it's about trusting. It's not about rules, it's about Grace: God's free gift--that cost him everything."
I heartily recommend this for your bookshelf, even those of you with older kids. Dr. Tim Keller says every Christian should have this book so, well, there you go. (He did really; I saw it on Amazon.)
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