The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado with Jenna, Andrea, & Sara Lucado (Illustrated by Liz Bonham)

Recommended for ages 4 to 8, but the story will touch the hearts of “children” of all ages (4 to 108 years).

Inside book jacket:

Joshua, the black and white spotted lamb, longed to be like the other lambs. He wondered why he had to limp along with a crippled leg, instead of running and playing in the meadow.

Because Joshua the lamb was different, he often felt left out. Yet God had a very special plan for his life, as He does for all who feel alone. Joshua not only witnessed the greatest event in history, he was able to give the newborn King the one thing He needed most.

Lucado was joined by his daughters to write his most touching children’s story yet.

This beautiful story along with its touching illustrations helps the reader realize that God has a plan for each of our lives even if it isn’t exactly what we may have hoped. This book helps us understand that God’s ways are higher than our own and His hopes for us are bigger and better than anything we could ever dream.

God Thinks You're Wonderful Mom! by Max Lucado

My eight year old daughter picked out this book for me for Mother's Day in addition to Heaven by Randy Alcorn. God Thinks You're Wonderful, Mom! is a quick read full of one-liners and childlike illustrations. It's a perfect book to bring a smile to a mom's face.

There are several section that ask a question and give answers on the following pages, for instance:



His Greatest Gift?
He has chosen to give you the gift of Himself.
Newborn babies stir our tears.

God thinks you're worth His kindness and He's a good judge of character.

If you need a smile or some encouragement check your local library for a copy of this charming book and thank God for the blessing of your children!

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Books from my Daughter

For Mother's Day my eight year old daughter persuaded her father to shop for my gifts at the Christian Bookstore. I'm told that she marched up to the sales associate and politely asked if they carried books by Randy Alcorn. The associate asked her if she was seeking adult or children's books. My daughter told her, "Adult." The associate then asked if she was reading adult books already and she assured her that the book was for me. My daughter found the book, Heaven by Randy Alcorn and was just pleased with herself because she knows how much I enjoy reading Randy's books. She also picked up a little book called, God Thinks You're Wonderful, Mom by Max Lucado. She was quite thrilled to announce that both books were on sale - a woman after my own heart. My sweet, little girl also selected the most amazing Mother's Day card that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I'm so glad God blessed my life with the treasure of this little girl!

She is an avid reader - maybe I will let her share about one of her books on my blog sometime.

Turn: Remembering Our Foundations by Max Lucado

Max Lucado wrote a book that focuses on returning to the foundations of our faith. It is the official 2005 National Day of Prayer Theme Book. He expands on the Scripture 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." He gives advice in four basic turns:

Turn #1 Toward God's Glory
Turn #2 Toward God in Prayer
Turn #3 Toward God's Word
Turn #4 Toward God in Repentance

In the first turn the author suggests the reader to apply the filter of 1 Corinthians 10:31 to our government. With the presidential primaries in full swing, its a good time to consider this quote, "Elect officials for the glory of God. Not for the glory of Democrats, Republicans, or Independents. Not for the glory of my crusade or your cause, her race or his gender, but for the glory of God." Why do we elect a candidate?"

In the second turn Max reminds us of Jesus teaching on prayer: "Did Jesus call us to preach without ceasing? Or teach without ceasing? Or have committee meetings without ceasing? Or sing without ceasing? No, but He did call us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

In the third turn he challenges each of us to apply God's Word to our lives. "Apply it to your finances. Test God’s Word on your job. Test the Bible on your relationships. But most of all, apply the Bible to your soul."

In the fourth and final turn he discusses repentance. He modernizes the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector from Luke 18, "In the same meeting, a man of humble heart, too contrite to even look to the skies, prayed, “God, have mercy on me – a sinner. Like m brother on welfare – I’m dependent on Your grace. Like my sister with AIDS – I’m infected with mistakes. Like my friend who drinks – I need something to ease my pain. And like those You love who are gay – I need direction, too. Have mercy on me a sinner." That makes it real by bringing it into our neighborhoods!

I pray that this book of less than 100 pages is both an encouragement and a challenge as we look deeply into the Word of God and make applications in our prayer lives.