Turning over the keys to a new driver = FEAR

A challenging book about parenting that introduces some new ideas. Having something new and fresh to say about a topic that already has a million books shelved and a billion opinions expressed is tough to accomplish. The Stadtmillers may have pulled it off in Give Your Kids The Keys. While I certainly don't agree with all of their theology, especially their hearing God's voice beliefs, I was more than challenged and encouraged by the overall direction they have taken in parenting. I really appreciated the personal examples found throughout the book as well as the bigger vision of parenting they revealed to me. The title of the book is fabulous because it helps me to easily remember the contents of the book but more importantly reminds me of my role in my kids life. As a father, I must be working towards affording my kids every opportunity to be their own person before the Lord even at the youngest of ages. I can see this book not only in the hands of parents but also in the hands of church leaders, Family Pastor's and Children's Pastors.  This one goes in my permanent library and will be referenced again.

Note about the review: I received this book free from Gospel Light with no strings attached and with no expectations of even posting a review, let alone a positive review.

The cancer and poison of unconfessed sin

Psalm 32

3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,

Here is the cry of a sinner that sounds a lot like mental illness. I am convinced from my own life experience and life observation that most onset (non physical injury) mental illness and insanity is the result of unconfessed and unrepentant sin. Notice the terrible consequences of this hidden sin: they are physical: bones, strength, uncontrolled body movements. They are emotional: groaning. They are mental: no understanding. They are social: woes of the wicked, must be physically restrained (padded cell, straight jacket, sedated possibly). It is not a pretty picture at all.
I remember many times in my life where the weight of hidden, unconfessed sin was crushing me in many of these ways. Fear of being caught in particular was extremely raw. In the 4th grade I caused an entire classroom to be flooded at West Newton Elementary school by some foolish actions that all the boys were doing but my hand was the final straw that busted the in class water fountain. Even as the students were all huddled on desktop I began the cover up that lasted for years. It was not until I was saved by Jesus some 12 years later that I confessed that sin to my parents.
This is what we do as sinners. From the garden fig leaves to an ornery boy in the 70s we are cover up artists for our sins. There is only one answer: Christ. Confess and repent and run to Christ in belief of His perfect life and His perfect answer in the cross. Notice the passage before us.
1 Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man
whose sin the LORD does not count against him
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, "I will confess
my transgressions to the LORD "—
and you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;

See the elements of confession and then forgiveness by God.

Finally, notice all the amazing benefits afforded by God in this passage. Spiritual health permeates our whole body both material and immaterial.

1 Blessed is he
2 Blessed is the man
5 you forgave
the guilt of my sin.
6 surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over you.
10 but the LORD's unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Singing before the Lord or silent shameful suffering.

Hey, don't feel bad, nobody told me either!

Well, this book was sure an eye-opener. "Nobody told me either!" is what I kept catching myself thinking as I read this  book. Oh sure I had most of the biology of sex and relationships down by late high school but the emotional and spiritual scars of fornication and adultery are still so shocking and sobering to hear.
This is a great book. This is a book I will have each of my own children read before they hit the "dating" years. This is a book that should be required reading in every middle school in the country. This is a book that every "dating" person of any age should read, reread and take on their date with them to be co-read by the couple. Sex outside of marriage is an extremely grievous condition to fall into. Pam lays out the truth in all its sad and gory detail in a modern, social networking format that is brilliant and will certainly keep the attention of any teenager. Using Facebook as the genre of writing is both brilliant and novel. Excellent job, Pam. I look forward to sharing this book's insights and inspirations toward godliness with as many who will listen.
A way I think the book could have been improved. Everything can be better, right? I wish Pam would explore and latch on to "courting" instead of "dating". Courting is a more Biblical, godly way to pursue marriage than dating which is quite worldly. Courting involves the whole family, commitments to all that Pam mentions in her book, but in the context of relationship for the sole purpose of marriage. She really needs to explore the purpose of her 'dating' advice at 16. I disagree wholeheartedly with that age.  I know she talks mostly to worldly people on school campuses who will continue to worldly date and "go steady" but standards are standards. Here is a better way. No "dating" or "courting" or whatever you want to call it until you can support a wife or are able and mature enough to be ready to marry. "Dating" is for spouse hunting not just something socially to do. Dating implies window shopping and try before you buy. Courting implies commitment with intention to marry. With that change of mindset everything changes with kids. I've rarely meet a teenager that is mature enough to be ready to marry and thus they should not be dating. This would improve this book greatly by adding a chapter on this topic: the better way. I know this sounds old fashioned and impossibly impractical in our modern age but I serve a God who is all that but provides the grace and strength to make all things possible.

You are a slave!

You are a slave! Many people in modern America don't like to think about slavery, much less being a slave. I mean the last slave in America was in the 1860s right? Wrong! Everyone you see today is still a slave, either a slave of sin or a slave of Christ.
Dr. MacArthur helps us unlock a word and certainly the divine, wonderful truth of the word in Greek, doulos, or slave. Lost in translation in all but a few translations over the centuries could this be a cover up for a conspiracy? Why would this word that is used at least 40 times in the Bible to describe Christians be translated on purpose as the word "servant" or "bondservant" instead of "slave"? Could it be theological? Political? Cultural? Could it be that Arminians and Pelagians, who hate the doctrines of grace supported by Calvinists, controlled Bible translating and didn't like the God centered, God controlling aspects of Christians described as slaves, deciding to use a more man-centric, man's 'free will' determined word like servant? This book clearly proves why 'slave' is the correct word and 'servant' is error.
What are the implications that the word Christian didn't mean "little Christ" like I was always taught but "Slaves of Christ"? The Bible paints this picture very clearly for us if we are willing to admit and believe that God has us as His slaves. Read this excellent book to find out how a simple little word can change your life.
The book is a great read especially with the thrill of a cover-up in the mix. Dr. MacArthur takes on the role of Sherlock Holmes as he discovers truth that has been hidden for a very long time. Anyone serious about a God-centric Gospel needs to read and understand the implications found in this study.

What is the Gospel? (And what it is NOT.)

I am pleased with this book. Simple to understand, great illustrations and a very clear, biblical presentation of the four essential points of the Gospel. I'll give you one hint: "God loves and has a wonderful plan for your life." is NOT one of the four and it NEVER was. I was deceived for almost 10 years with that one.
Gilbert breaks the Gospel down into the four key points of a proper, biblical Gospel presentation. These four points are: accountability, rebellion, solution and application. The points are clearly supported with scripture, which I really appreciate.
I was reminded once again as I read this book that God has two very distinct ways that He has dealt with man's rebellion against Him. Both involve death. Someone must die and be punished for each individual sinner is held accountable before God. Either Jesus Christ will die as a substitution for a sinner on the cross and then this applied when the person repents and trusts Christ or the sinner will die and face condemnation alone at the final judgment.
For a short book the Gospel was clear, the outline is helpful to remember and the scriptures are given as proper support. Faith and repentance are mentioned which is certainly not the norm in books about the Gospel. However, there is one area that I feel was left out. Actually a friend of mine who gave me the book to read helped me see this. I went back and scanned the book again to verify his complaint. How salvation is applied and the origin of faith and repentance are not clearly explained. God is the giver of salvation. But, what is most often overlooked in modern Gospel and witnessing presentations is that faith and repentance are also gifts from God and not within the sinner until God rebirths them upon regeneration. This order of salvation is critical and is the difference between a God exalting salvation where man is the total recipient of grace verses a semi man centered Gospel where God does a little bit by providing Jesus and man kicks in his personal faith to complete the transaction. The scriptures do not support the later.
I like the book but do have that one reservation.

Best Bible Highlighter

Originally submitted at AllBibles.com

My choice of Bible highlighter

By Steelsmitty from Brentwood, TN on 1/14/2011

5out of 5

Pros: Color Choices, No bleed through, Easy and quick, Bible page friendly
Best Uses: Devotions, Scripture memory, Sermons, Any highlighting needs

I've been consistently using the SAME Pentel Highlighter since the early 90s and it has NOT broken! Lead refills are easy to come by. This product has to be one of my favorite purchases I've ever made. It is in my top 5 products that I have ever owned for usefulness and longevity. You will never regret owning one.

(legalese)

A Wide margin Bible but print is too small

Originally submitted at AllBibles.com

Wide margin but small print

By Steelsmitty from Brentwood, TN on 1/14/2011

2out of 5

Pros: Wide margin for notes, Solidly Built, Excellent translation
Cons: Poor font size
Best Uses: Students, Devotional notes, Daily journal, Younger eyes, Sermon notes

An outstanding choice for sermon note taking or devotional notes.
The print is so small that only those with excellent vision will enjoy this bible.

(legalese)