"The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant" by Terry Felber

Snack of Choice:

It’s not the authentic NY style, but for $5 you can’t really complain. Thank you, Caesar (but your better watch out for Brutus).  

Story behind the Story:
I’ve been craving the smell of a real book. You know what I mean, the ones that just smell like a library. I’m missing it this go round because of new technology. First book I officially read on the i-Pad. Check out the last time I tried to read an e-book: [Church in the Making]. Book Sneeze by Thomas Nelson provided a digital copy of this book.

Story Line:
Financial and Business Guru, Dave Ramsey highly recommends and passes this book around to everyone who comes on board his company.  The main tenet of the book is “The Merchant is a minister too.”  I love that. As a pastor, I love having fellow ministers in the market place partnering together to accomplish the purposes of the Lord.

This short story, set in the boom of Venice, shared how generations pass on 12 principles of business for the believer. The second half is a small group study guide that delves into some real life application of the story.  

The Real Story:
While I love the premise, I’m confounded by the seeming contradiction of messages.  Instead of being on the same team, the “monks” (ministers) are portrayed as misusing Scripture (104, digital) and discouraging the merchants who are supporting the Lord’s work with their money. One quote that seems to mark the authors belief of these roles is as follows: “God has designed a special relationship between businessmen and leaders in the church. We, as businessmen, can provide the provision for the vision of the priests” (135 – also see 136, 138).  But in truth, the “Great Commission” isn’t exclusively for ministers.  It does not say to the merchant, “Give you’re money, and let the monks do the witnessing, the teaching, the discipling.” It says, “All of us have are to get our hands dirty.”

Fortunately, the small group study got it right. “Under the new covenant, because all Christians now have the Holy Spirit, all believers are priests and can personally worship God and minister to God and his people” (148). “But whether in vocational ministry (monks) or ministry in the marketplace (merchants), we are call called to ‘go’”(149). “Everyone in [our] building knows that they’re operating under a higher calling, because our work is holy” (150).

There were some other contradictions between the story and the guide (ie. 77 & 162) to the point that it seemed to be written by two different authors. (See acknowledgements, looks like it was). Oh, and I wasn't a fan of the story telling either.

Check out:
Dave Ramsey stuff – great biblical principles for businesses and life.

The Book of Acts – all kinds of regular people serving God in extraordinary ways.

Rating:
3 out of 5 Venetian Trade Beads (and that's out of respect for the small group material).

"Bible Stories that End with a Hug" by Stephen Elkins (ill. by Simon Taylor-Kielty)

Snack of Choice:

Mr. Reese. I don’t know you personally, but I feel like we have a connection.  I’m not sure what other important things you’ve done in your life, but the pieces you somehow shaped have changed my life.  The “movie box” of Reese’s Pieces has been open!

Story behind the Story:
I’ve been on the hunt for some books that would really benefit my kids.  They LOVE books! In fact, they DIGEST books – literally. I think the Bible’s Ezekiel (3:3), Jeremiah (15:16), and John (Rev 10:10) would have a lot in common with these girls. Tyndale provided them with some pages to chew on (free copy) as long as they gave an honest review of the flavor vs. texture conundrum they’ve been dealing with.

Story Line:
Let me just point out the obvious, each of the 74 Bible Stories end with a hug! Awwww... Ok, now let’s move on. Also, essential, the book is designed for little ones.  Each Bible Story is on a two page spread. One page has title and Scripture where story is found along with an illustration with chubby kids filling the roles of David and Goliath (wouldn’t want to mess with him on the playground) as well as Daniel surrounded by some cuddly lions. The second page is a story summary with some questions in the middle. Along the far right column is the “BIG IDEA” application time. Each one ends with your kids giving you a hug. Maybe that’s why I like it so much.  Oh, and parents, feel free to give hugs back. The book is a padded hardcover with durable pages (for the most part).

The Real Story:
Children’s Bible story books are riddled with surface stories that don’t even contain any SCRIPTURE!  I understand the thought, but let’s give our kids more credit.  Let’s encourage them to READ the Bible, not just ABOUT the Bible.  I was very glad to see the balance in this book.  You are provided with the “story” portion, but you’re given God’s Word in two more ways. First, each story contains a passage reference to read together as they grow. And Second, a verse is written out that is pertinent to the subject matter. Love that!

Also there are A LOT of stories.  If you aren’t familiar with the stories of the Bible, it can be a great journey for you as a parent as well.  There is enough material in here to do devos with your kids (or without them) out of it for a while... then start again.

Check out:
Honestly, I can’t remember the name of it,  but my Mom used to read Bible stories from it. It was HUGE, I can still see the picture of Joseph being thrown into the pit by his brothers. His story has stuck with me because of that.

Rating:
5 out of 5 tasty morsels of the Word of God.

OH, and the girls said that the first purple page was especially tasty!