This is probably one of the best children's books I have read and I have used it for story time when I taught children's classes at my church. It is a powerful story with a very important message that is told so well.
This is the short description that explains the premise of what the book is about. "When all the colors of the world are stolen, Mooseberry the mouse leads his animal friends in bringing them back, with the special help of Captain Chameleon, who shows them how to fill the forest with love and light." These little mice learn the importance of sharing, caring, speaking kind words and one other key component that involves bringing back the color of the King. I would highly recommend buying this book. It is a great tool that helps children understand the importance of being kind and forgiving others when they have done wrong. Francine Rivers is an incredible author. The amount of research she does and her attention to the little details is amazing. This book is a collection of five stories on the five women mentioned by name in the lineage of Christ: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba and Mary. I was challenged to think more about these women then I thought possible and found myself reading their biblical accounts deeper than ever before. One of the biggest view changes was Bathsheba. I had always thought of her as a temptress and also a weak character but now I am inclined to think a little differently. For example, who would you say had the biggest influence on Solomon? I would argue that his mother did and I believe some of her influence can be seen in Proverbs 31. While we don't know for sure, I tend to believe that King Lemuel was Solomon and that the godly advice was given by his mother Bathsheba. I have pondered on this thought and believe that the Virtuous woman mentioned here in proverbs is none other than Ruth, David's great grandmother. If you think about it for a moment it all fits both time wise and literally. Bathsheba was arguably David's favorite wife and it is possible that he would have mentioned the incredible story of how his great grandmother came to live in Israel and became one of them. Perhaps as Bathsheba listened she realized that this was the kind of woman she wanted for her son, a woman who would make a great queen. If you do some comparing you will find that Ruth matches the Virtuous woman almost line for line. "Her husband is known in the gates", Boaz was known for sure. "She works willingly with her hands", no doubt Ruth did that more than once. "She reacheth forth her hands to the needy" Ruth was a woman of compassion. In fact Ruth is the only woman in scripture that was given the title, "Virtuous Woman" which would then make sense for that title to be used to describe the kind of woman a good man should look for, especially a king. Bathsheba's story is just one of five in this book and several of the others were also very insightful. While Francine Rivers adds dialogue and additional details I believe she strove to remain true to the biblical account and time period. She also leaves her readers with a thought in each story, like Bathsheba's. She was a woman who was sorry for her sin and sought to be forgiven and restored, a request that was granted by the One who remembers our sins no more. I must admit that this book was so good I stayed up until 2 in the morning reading it...which is something I never do but I could not put it down! It took me about three chapters to get into it. Here is what the back cover says: He seemed like the perfect pastor to lead Centerville Christian Church. She was the perfect pastor's wife. When Paul Hudson accepted the call to pastor the struggling church, he had no idea what to expect. But it didn't take long for Paul to turn Centerville Christian Church around. Attendance was up - way up. Everything was going so well. If only his wife could see it that way. Still, he tried not to let her quiet presence disturb him. She knew something wasn't right, and it hadn't been for a long time.... Eunice closed the bedroom door quietly and knelt beside her bed. "I'm drowning, God. I've never felt so alone. Who can I turn to but you, Lord? Where does a pastor's wife go for help when her marriage is failing and her life is out of control? Who can I trust with my anguish, Lord? Who but you?" Grasping her pillow, she pressed it tightly to her mouth so that her sobs would not be heard. There were many points made in this book; it was a great personal reminder to me to listen to the voice of God; not what people say is the voice of God but to His alone. |
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Sarah GraceI am just an ordinary girl who is loved by an extraordinary God and I seek to love others the same way. I love to bake, read, do puzzles, watch Hallmark movies, and go shopping with my mom! This blog was created as a place where I could share some thoughts that the Lord has shown me and to be an encouragement to others who desire to know Him in a deeper way. My prayer is to learn to sit still and trust God with my future. Archives
December 2023
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