For My Karis: Jesus is the One You Need

New Sovereign Grace Kids Music

I love Sovereign Grace Kids music. Doesn't get any sweeter than Gospel-drenched fun songs. My family has worn out the Be Like Jesus CD. If you have kids or grand kids, there is no better music available today (Yep, you read that right: You've got to get it).

They now have a new CD with music inspired by Proverbs: Walking with the Wise. Looks and sounds good.

Parents, buy these CDs. Even if you have to skip a few tall caramel coffee thingies.

Christmas Presents for Kids

Here are a few suggestions for the children on your Christmas list. All of these are solid resources that we enjoy with our kids.

1. The Big Picture Story Bible

2. The Prince's Poison Cup by RC Sproul

3. Sammy and His Shepherd by Susan Hunt

4. Fool Moon Rising (NEW!)

5. The Lightlings by RC Sproul

6. The King Without A Shadow by RC Sproul

7. Big Truths for Little Kids

8. The Gospel for Children

9. Dangerous Journey (Pilgrim's Progress for kids)

10. The Jesus Storybook Bible

11. Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers (4 book set)

New Kid's Book: Fool Moon Rising

I'm looking forward to getting this new children's book for my kids: Fool Moon Rising. I am always looking for gospel-drenched books to read to my kids. Check out CJ Mahaney's endorsement and Justin Taylor's thoughts here.

Friend of Sinners

I surprised my daughter by getting her Noel Piper's new children's book: Do You Want a Friend? She loves books and I love getting her books that point to the Savior. This book walks through the qualities of a good friend and shows how Jesus fulfills each perfectly. There are 3 reasons I like this book:

1. The Scripture is quoted prominently. My daughter memorizes books. So, whenever a book contains exact quotes from the Bible, I know that it is going to be a means of getting the Word of God into her heart.

2. I love the diversity of the kids in the pictures.

3. The work of Christ on the Cross is central. Noel makes clear that Jesus can be a friend to sinners like us because He is first and foremost our Savior.

Got kids or grandkids? Do you Want a Friend? would be a great gift.

Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers

When I visted Covenant Life Church in the summer of 2006, I ransaked the bookstore. Among the treasures I returned home with were a little set of children's books called Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers (endorsed by Al Mohler).

I'm happy to announce that WTS books is now selling them! If you want help communicating the Gospel, the value of Scripture, or the Trinity to your kids, these books will serve you well.

These are "coming soon," so put them in your wish list until they are available for purchase.

Seeing Jesus in Psalm 23

My daughter loves books (just like her daddy). So, I got her a book for Christmas: Sammy and His Shepherd: Show Me Jesus in Psalm 23. This is an absolutely great kid's book.
Susan Hunt does a fantastic job of expositing Psalm 23 through a story about a sheep named Sammy who has a GREAT shepherd. Sammy loves his shepherd but Sammy's shepherd loved him first. Sammy's shepherd cares for the flock well.

This book also includes a "study guide" with questions to ask children about the meaning of the story.
I've already read it twice now.

The Poison Cup

I'm always looking for good children's books as I try to cultivate an understanding of and affection for the gospel in my children. Looks like RC Sproul has another good one in The Poison Cup.

I love to read these to my almost 4 year old:

1. The King Without a Shadow (Sproul).

2. The Lightlings (Sproul).

3. Dangerous Journey (Bunyan)

The Cross Too Violent

I was shocked to read about a popular children's Sunday School curriculum that leaves out the cross and resurrection from its lessons, deliberately. Here is part of the letter that accompanies the curriculum:

In order to be sensitive to the physical, intellectual, and emotional development of preschoolers, First Look has chosen not to include the Easter story in our curriculum...We have made this choice because the crucifixion is simply too violent for preschoolers. And if we were to skip the crucifixion and go straight to the resurrection, then preschoolers would be confused. Additionally, preschoolers, as concrete thinkers, are simply unable to truly grasp what it means to die and then be raised again through the power of God.

The inability to grasp the crucifixion and resurrection is not simply a preschool problem, it is a problem for every person on this globe. Apart from the regenerating work of the Spirit, I do not grasp the significance of the Easter story. The solution is not to leave it out; the solution is to preach it more.

(HT: Tom Ascol)

Matthew's Begats

This looks like an interesting book to help kids get into the first chapter of Matthew. It even comes with a music cd.

You can listen to the song that inspired the book here.

Questions from a 2-Year Old

I love my family. It is so fun to watch my kids grow and learn.
We entered into a whole new world with our 2-year old daughter on Christmas day. We were finishing our Christmas lunch and preparing for dessert. My wife started a tradition of baking a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas day. My daughter was so excited to help decorate and eat this cake.
So, we talked about how Jesus is our greatest Treasure and how we celebrate His birth on Christmas. Then, we ate Jesus' birthday cake. It was an especially good cake and my daughter had icing and crumbs all over her face. Then, a question came from her curious mind that caught me off guard.
In a clear and sincere voice, she asked, "Where is Jesus?"
It was as if she was connecting the dots in her mind: "We are eating Jesus' birthday cake, but where is Jesus? Isn't He going to eat some too?"

It was a joy to then TRY to explain to her that Jesus is at the most prominent and powerful place in the universe: the right hand of God the Father. And, He dwells in the hearts of His people, and that He particularly dwells in His church which He purchased with His own blood.

No Santa, RE-revisited

In 2005, I wrote a post called No Santa for us. It was an initial attempt to think through why my wife and I were not going to "do Santa" with our kids. It is, to my knowledge, the most commented on post here at CROSS-eyed.

Now that Karis is about to turn 3, this is very real for us. So, I thought I would re-post (as I did last year), that post.

A few things have changed since I first wrote that post: (1) I have grown since then, by the grace of God, (2) I now know several families who have the same convictions, (3) I now have a second child that I want to be in awe of God as well, (4) I now know how to use spell check, and (5) it has been confirmed that leaving cookies and milk out all night will attract roaches.

The original post:

Over the past two years, my wife and I have done some thinking about Santa. We decided that we are not going to participate in the American tradition of telling our children that a fat man in a red and white suit comes down the chimney and leaves presents. Everyone we know does Santa (in varying degrees and forms). We grew up doing Santa. But now, no Santa for us.

Several factors have contributed in our decision:

1. Santa has the tendency to obscure the true meaning of Christmas. Santa is not evil, just the tendency to idolize him at Christmas time. Alcohol is not evil, just the tendency to overuse it. If you ask most American children to draw a Christmas picture, they will most likely include Santa or reindeer (an obvious sign that these children have been taught that Christmas = Santa).

2. Santa is a lie. No matter how you slice it, you must admit this one fact about Santa: He does not exist. Now, I know that there was once a man from whom Santa originated. But the historical story of a generous man has nothing to do with the jolly good fellow who knows when you are sleeping and knows when you've been bad or good. For all parents who do Santa, there comes a point when you have to admit to your children that you lied about Santa (and the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy). I do not want to have to admit that to my daughter.

3. Santa obscures the character of God. The modern day child must admit that God is not unique in many of His attributes. Who cares that God is omniscient (all-knowing) when Santa is also? Who cares that God is timeless when Santa is also (can be everywhere at the same time)? I'll be honest: I want Karis to be in awe of God. I want her to stand in wonder of His majesty. And I want this to happen as early as possible.

Other Random Factors:

4. It is bad parenting to motivate obedience using anything but God. "You better be good or Santa might not bring you that red truck you want."

5. Our chimney is too small and I hear that reindeer hoofs shorten the life of your shingles.

Its A Boy!

God has been kind to give Jeanna and I another child. On Tuesday, we found out that we will be having a boy in December. Here are a few of his first mug shots:

(His face)

(The lady said he was sticking his thumb up. Fearfully and wonderfully made!)

(Kicked back, Chilln')

Book Sale: Children's Resources

The WTS Sale this week features some great resources for children. I'm looking forward to exploring some of these as Karis grows and matures. Here are a few of the ones I am familiar with:

1. The Jesus Storybook Bible
2. The Dangerous Journey (Pilgrim's Progress for kids)
3. The Big Book of Questions and Answers
4. The Lightlings (R.C. Sproul)