Below you will find the list of available books and resources that Pastor Josh has available for check out utilizing a library style system with a two week checkout time period. Any resources not returned in this time frame will receive a return reminder card in the mail. You may request a time extension if needed.
BAPTISM
*Baptism: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids by Richard E. Todd (this book is given as a gift by request since it is a workbook that requires writing in it)
*My Baptism Book by Sophie Piper and Dubravka Kolanovic
*Walking the Plank to the Baptism Tank by Mike Thaler
*What's a Bathtub Doing in my Church? by Kevin Spear
*The Story of Jesus' Baptism and Temptation by Bryan Davis
COMMUNION
*Communion: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids by Richard E. Todd (For purchase only: $5)
SALVATION
*Salvation: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids by Richard E. Todd (For purchase only: $5)
CHURCH
*Church: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids by Richard E. Todd (For purchase only: $5)
GIVING
*Giving: A Bible Study Wordbook for Kids by Richard E. Todd (For purchase only: $5)
TEACHING KIDS ABOUT MONEY
*Surviving the Money Jungle by Larry Burkett (used workbook)
TEACHING KIDS APOLOGETICS
*Case for Christ for Kids by Lee Strobel (For purchase only: $10)
TEACHING KIDS TO SERVE GOD
*Take Your Best Shot by Austin Gutwein (available for checkout and also for purchase) (purchase price: $10)
FOR PARENTS: PROTECT YOUR MARRIAGE
*Fireproof: the Movie (available for checkout and also for purchase) (purchase price: $10)
FOR TEACHERS:
*Rock Solid Teacher by Gregory C. Carlson
Tuesday
Saturday
Shooting Arrows in the Air
Excerpt from an excellent article I came across:
After some small talk, I probed deeper: "Can I try a question out on you?" He was ready to cooperate: "Sure." "Here's my question," I continued, "What do you want o be able to say about them when they are thirty?"
"Wow," he remarked. There was silence for a few moments. "I've never thought that far into the future. College-educated, I guess – and in a good career … happily married …"
"Let me ask a different question." He wasn’t going where I wanted him to. "What would cause you to grieve if you have to say it about them when they are thirty?"
"Oh … if they are lost." His answer was the first indication to me that I was talking to a Christian dad. After a pause, he kept on: "And if I had to say that they had failed morally … or are addicted to something …"
I probed further. "Which of my questions is the more important question?"
"Oh … for sure, the second one."
"Do you know when you have the best opportunity to impact the answer?"
"No, when?" He was now fully engaged.
"Before they are twelve. Do you know that the major attitudes of life are formed by then? And the basic foundations for decision-making are in place before the teen years?"
I could tell I had his attention, so I zeroed in for the kill. I raised the intensity of my voice: "You mean your specialty at work is developing strategy for companies and helping them set vision, but you've never thought of doing that for your own children?"
To read the entire article, go here: Shooting Arrows
After some small talk, I probed deeper: "Can I try a question out on you?" He was ready to cooperate: "Sure." "Here's my question," I continued, "What do you want o be able to say about them when they are thirty?"
"Wow," he remarked. There was silence for a few moments. "I've never thought that far into the future. College-educated, I guess – and in a good career … happily married …"
"Let me ask a different question." He wasn’t going where I wanted him to. "What would cause you to grieve if you have to say it about them when they are thirty?"
"Oh … if they are lost." His answer was the first indication to me that I was talking to a Christian dad. After a pause, he kept on: "And if I had to say that they had failed morally … or are addicted to something …"
I probed further. "Which of my questions is the more important question?"
"Oh … for sure, the second one."
"Do you know when you have the best opportunity to impact the answer?"
"No, when?" He was now fully engaged.
"Before they are twelve. Do you know that the major attitudes of life are formed by then? And the basic foundations for decision-making are in place before the teen years?"
I could tell I had his attention, so I zeroed in for the kill. I raised the intensity of my voice: "You mean your specialty at work is developing strategy for companies and helping them set vision, but you've never thought of doing that for your own children?"
To read the entire article, go here: Shooting Arrows
Thursday
Straight Talk
Excerpt taken from "Your Child. Your Choice…What kid of spiritual legacy will you leave as parents?" by Jack Eggar, President/CEO of Awana Clubs International. Copied from K! Magazine, Nov/Dec 08, Straight Talk
"Any of us who watch the cable news channels can't avoid some exposure to the occasional acrimonious divorce battles among movie and television stars. Millions of adoring fans follow every lurid detail. The in-your-face paparazzi snap compromising pictures. Big dollars fuel the battles, and tragically, the children are often the rope in a tug-of-war for custody. Even when custody of children is demanded, money is often the real agenda. When Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose, the battle for custody of her child had to be decided in the courts with DNA samples. All the contenders for "father" knew very well that millions of dollars came with her infant daughter. What a sad, sad legacy. Although such star attractions garner national attention, the truth is that every child comes into the world and eventually is fitted with a legacy. None of us earns or purchases legacy; we simply inherit it.
Think about that for a moment. Your parents probably reared you in the same pattern as their parents reared them. I know that a sizable portion of my cultural bent, values system, outlook on life, political preferences, and most everything else became mine because it was handed down to me in those formative years by Dad and Mom. Their influence began to shape and mold me before I could walk and continued intentionally as well as unintentionally for years. Whether we understand it or not, parents pass their worldview along to their children. That's why I chose to define legacy as life's values handed down from generation to generation.
So let me ring loudly an alarm bell. Something is just not right. We dismiss the nationally televised tragedies with sympathetic comments like, "That poor child." Then we continue on with the routines of our lives. I'm talking about those of us who profess to be in the household of faith. Of all people on planet Earth, we should be the discerning folk able to look deeply into matters of family and faith. But do we really?
Do you read the periodic updates and surveys published by George Barna's group? You will find a lot of statistical data that is both revealing and frightening about the legacies that America's parents are leaving their children. In identifying the most important relationships in our lives, the only group that placed an intimate relationship with God higher than 30 percent was evangelical Christians (70 percent). Well done, evangelicals.
However, before we all rejoice, the divorce rate among "born-again" Christians is about the same as non-believers, atheists, and agnostics, according to Barna. I find this most disturbing. Is it possible that "born-again" believers are quick to identify with Jesus and believe the Bible, but on so slow in actually living it out with any conviction? In other words, many of us are seemingly sincere about our faith – just don’t hold us accountable.
What kind of legacy is that? And how are our children reading us as they obviously observe the many inconsistencies? How many of us have learned the hard way that our children may have selective hearing from time to time, but they see clearly everything we do as parents?
Consider the statistics. In most denominations, over 60 percent of young people who attended church as children walk away from both church and faith after high school. Only 20 percent of young adults maintain their worship pattern, and less than 10 percent polled meet the criteria Barna set forth as a guideline to determine whether or not someone has a "biblically centered" worldview. Barna also notes that only 21 percent of Christians consider their Bible knowledge mature, and only 33 percent believe they are mature spiritual leaders in their families.
This may be good news. At least some people are trying to be honest about their shortcomings. I see an opportunity to work on solutions that will effectively help close the Bible knowledge/application gap.
Well then, how are our children doing? Even before they can walk or speak, our nation's kids are assaulted with commercials insisting that they must have a certain cereal, a special toy, and all the latest in electronic wizardry. It never stops. In fact, the materialistic pressure builds early and steadily. Every teen has to have a $200 pair of athletic shoes, and that year-old cell phone is an unspeakable embarrassment.
Our youth are well attuned to today's American culture. They thin, act, walk, talk, and make decisions every day according to the dictates of a society and world system that are not at all in harmony with Jesus Christ. Hey, we parents care about our kids! We're just busy, preoccupied, overwhelmed, and under-trained, and our own values systems are in need of an overhaul.
Among the most rudimentary elements, a child needs a sense of security and belonging. It's called connectedness. Who better to connect with than Mom and Dad.
God has a great deal to say about children and parenting. The Psalmist tells us that children are God's gifts, to be treasured and reared in a secure home with His values. Jesus made it very clear that children are a priority to Him.
There are two points to be made here. As parents we are rearing a generation of children in a confused society with upside-down values systems. Furthermore, our culture is dominated by those who do not share our beliefs. They are powerful, their influence permeates all areas of American life, and they will stop at nothing to get our children to march to the beat of their drum.
What, then, should we do as parents?
Over 3000 years ago, Moses set forth three massive foundation stones for Biblical Parenting 101. I encourage you to take some time and really delve into Deuteronomy 6:4-9. In a nutshell, here's what he said:
Love God – Above and before anything else, your children need to see you loving God with all your might and all your life.
Obey God – God's holy scriptures are to be at the center of your hear. Don't just read them; practice and obey them.
Train your children – And when should you do this? When you sit, stand, walk or lay flat on your back. Any other positions? Any other questions?"
"Any of us who watch the cable news channels can't avoid some exposure to the occasional acrimonious divorce battles among movie and television stars. Millions of adoring fans follow every lurid detail. The in-your-face paparazzi snap compromising pictures. Big dollars fuel the battles, and tragically, the children are often the rope in a tug-of-war for custody. Even when custody of children is demanded, money is often the real agenda. When Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose, the battle for custody of her child had to be decided in the courts with DNA samples. All the contenders for "father" knew very well that millions of dollars came with her infant daughter. What a sad, sad legacy. Although such star attractions garner national attention, the truth is that every child comes into the world and eventually is fitted with a legacy. None of us earns or purchases legacy; we simply inherit it.
Think about that for a moment. Your parents probably reared you in the same pattern as their parents reared them. I know that a sizable portion of my cultural bent, values system, outlook on life, political preferences, and most everything else became mine because it was handed down to me in those formative years by Dad and Mom. Their influence began to shape and mold me before I could walk and continued intentionally as well as unintentionally for years. Whether we understand it or not, parents pass their worldview along to their children. That's why I chose to define legacy as life's values handed down from generation to generation.
So let me ring loudly an alarm bell. Something is just not right. We dismiss the nationally televised tragedies with sympathetic comments like, "That poor child." Then we continue on with the routines of our lives. I'm talking about those of us who profess to be in the household of faith. Of all people on planet Earth, we should be the discerning folk able to look deeply into matters of family and faith. But do we really?
Do you read the periodic updates and surveys published by George Barna's group? You will find a lot of statistical data that is both revealing and frightening about the legacies that America's parents are leaving their children. In identifying the most important relationships in our lives, the only group that placed an intimate relationship with God higher than 30 percent was evangelical Christians (70 percent). Well done, evangelicals.
However, before we all rejoice, the divorce rate among "born-again" Christians is about the same as non-believers, atheists, and agnostics, according to Barna. I find this most disturbing. Is it possible that "born-again" believers are quick to identify with Jesus and believe the Bible, but on so slow in actually living it out with any conviction? In other words, many of us are seemingly sincere about our faith – just don’t hold us accountable.
What kind of legacy is that? And how are our children reading us as they obviously observe the many inconsistencies? How many of us have learned the hard way that our children may have selective hearing from time to time, but they see clearly everything we do as parents?
Consider the statistics. In most denominations, over 60 percent of young people who attended church as children walk away from both church and faith after high school. Only 20 percent of young adults maintain their worship pattern, and less than 10 percent polled meet the criteria Barna set forth as a guideline to determine whether or not someone has a "biblically centered" worldview. Barna also notes that only 21 percent of Christians consider their Bible knowledge mature, and only 33 percent believe they are mature spiritual leaders in their families.
This may be good news. At least some people are trying to be honest about their shortcomings. I see an opportunity to work on solutions that will effectively help close the Bible knowledge/application gap.
Well then, how are our children doing? Even before they can walk or speak, our nation's kids are assaulted with commercials insisting that they must have a certain cereal, a special toy, and all the latest in electronic wizardry. It never stops. In fact, the materialistic pressure builds early and steadily. Every teen has to have a $200 pair of athletic shoes, and that year-old cell phone is an unspeakable embarrassment.
Our youth are well attuned to today's American culture. They thin, act, walk, talk, and make decisions every day according to the dictates of a society and world system that are not at all in harmony with Jesus Christ. Hey, we parents care about our kids! We're just busy, preoccupied, overwhelmed, and under-trained, and our own values systems are in need of an overhaul.
Among the most rudimentary elements, a child needs a sense of security and belonging. It's called connectedness. Who better to connect with than Mom and Dad.
God has a great deal to say about children and parenting. The Psalmist tells us that children are God's gifts, to be treasured and reared in a secure home with His values. Jesus made it very clear that children are a priority to Him.
There are two points to be made here. As parents we are rearing a generation of children in a confused society with upside-down values systems. Furthermore, our culture is dominated by those who do not share our beliefs. They are powerful, their influence permeates all areas of American life, and they will stop at nothing to get our children to march to the beat of their drum.
What, then, should we do as parents?
Over 3000 years ago, Moses set forth three massive foundation stones for Biblical Parenting 101. I encourage you to take some time and really delve into Deuteronomy 6:4-9. In a nutshell, here's what he said:
Love God – Above and before anything else, your children need to see you loving God with all your might and all your life.
Obey God – God's holy scriptures are to be at the center of your hear. Don't just read them; practice and obey them.
Train your children – And when should you do this? When you sit, stand, walk or lay flat on your back. Any other positions? Any other questions?"
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