The Tallest of smalls

Max Lucado has done it again. With a simple storyline, Lucado touches on some very deep stuff. The Tallest of Smalls is about Ollie. Ollie so much wants to be part of the “in” crowd. These people, lifted high on stilts, looking down on those below casting judgment. Ollie is tired of being looked upon dejectedly, wishing that he would be picked to wear a pair of stilts. His moment arrives, only to find that it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Soon he loses his stilts, but finds friendship in the One who cares for him no matter how tall, making Ollie the Tallest of Smalls.
The book is wonderfully illustrated by Maria Monescillo. The setting takes place in the town of Stiltsville. Every day at 6, those on stilts come into the town square and pick someone to receive a pair of stilts. The book is written in rhyme, so it is easy for my sons to get into and follow.

I think The Tallest of Smalls speaks to so many who think that they are somehow less worthy than others. Whether they think they are not pretty enough, rich enough, smart enough, even funny enough, we often place others on pedestals; those we look up to. This book brings to light that what we are in search of is much greater than looks or smarts, but acceptance. Trying our best to please the world only makes us less pleased with ourselves. However, when one finds friendship in Jesus, they find the acceptance for who they really are. Jesus doesn’t want us to be more beautiful or more intelligent, He just wants us. He is our dearest friend, one who can look past all our imperfections and see through to the very heart of all of us. Knowing this lifts us to new heights, far surpassing our wildest imaginations.

Called to Worship

I would have to say after reading the book, Called to Worship, that I have my new favorite book. This book, written by Vernon Whaley, was masterfully done. It is hard to find a book that is both compelling to read and is personally directed at you.

Called to Worship, according to the book, is exactly what we are. It is the reason God created us. Mr. Whaley’s book goes from creation in Genesis, to the Last days in Revelation, all while revealing different ways that we can worship Him. As I read this book, I realized how little I really give to God. I’ve been, too often, going through the motions, until a need arrives. I hate to say it, but one of those Sunday worshipers. What I failed to realize, which this book brought to light, is that God is not looking for the next Moses, or Abraham, or Paul. He is looking for me, and in turn you. His plans are to work through all of us, towards each other. By stopping with our daily lives, our busy schedules, our routines, and spending more time with Him, our relationship deepens and grows. Believe me, it is contagious. As your relationship with God grows, so does your relationship with your spouse, your children, your friends, and loved ones.

Worshiping God does not mean keeping kneeling before Him with your face on the floor, even though He deserves it. Just looking at Adam in the Bible gives us a glimpse of the perfect worship. Worship before sin. When both God and Adam would walk through the Garden together, Adam was not prostrated before Him. They shared an intimate relationship, one without fear, regret, shame. Eve experienced the same friendship and companionship with God and Adam. This is the reason that we all were created. To experience that same companionship with the One who “wonderfully made you… Psalms 139:14”.

Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions

I reviewed Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions, and I found this book amazingly done. I, myself, am Christian. However, I always wanted to know why others believe what they do. The Guide to Religions does an excellent job of not only going into detail of each religious sect, but does so with great respect for each and every religion. Never in the book does it belittle or degrade other religions compared to Christianity. This I thought was very respectful.

It not only gives a greater understanding of the religions of the world, but for myself, it gave me a deeper appreciation for my own. It is easy to find myself going through the motions, saying I am a Christian more than “being” a Christian. By reading this book, I am able to better reflect on my own beliefs and understandings. Through this process, I grow deeper in my relationship with my Lord and Savior. I want to thank Nelson’s Illustrated Guide to Religions for doing very extensive and, I would imagine, exhausting research that was required to put a 640 page book on religions together.

I would recommend this book for anyone who always wonders why others believe what they do. But I would also recommend this to anyone who wonders why I believe what I do.

The American Patriot's Bible

This NKJV Bible is wonderful addition to my collection. I enjoyed the fact that this Bible showed how Christianity is weaved throughout the history of the United States. It prefaces with a family records section, a map of the United States with the date of each state’s induction. It includes an area to fill in names of Military and Public Service as well as deaths. It goes on to add the seven principles of the Judeo-Christian ethic. The preface ends with a Call to Action section, which I found deeply inspiring. It then goes into the Bible, which is nicely printed with larger text. Within the text there are sub-notes and excerpts that highlight American history. It also shows how Christianity moved men of this nation to believe that this country is truly founded “Under God”.

While I wouldn’t call this a “Study” Bible, in the sense of life application, I would say that it is an awesome reflection of how the foundation of the country was created. It also reveals that in order to maintain our forefathers visions of this country, we must not trust in the things of man, but the slogan that can be found on any form of US currency “IN GOD WE TRUST”.