The Lord’s Prayer with commentary by Rick Warren–Book Review

Beautiful, bright and detailed illustrations by Richard Jesse Watson accompany the words of the Lord’s Prayer. Scenes from everyday life, using realistic images of children (in some cases friends and relatives of the artist served as models) are appealing and an aid to worshipful meditation.

In his introduction, Rick Warren stresses the responsibility we have as parents, to teach our children to pray. However, they can also teach us.

“And (Jesus) said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

The prayers of children are straightforward, bold and unselfconscious. It is Warren’s hope that the book will become a meaningful tradition for children and parents, as they study and pray together.

At the end, Warren dissects each segment of the prayer, explaining the meaning in simple terms that youngsters can understand.

VERDICT: 5 STARS. Make this one part of a bedtime routine!

For more reviews of books for children see:

The Princess and the Three Knights by Karen Kingsbury–Book Review

Great and Small Easter by B&H Kids Editorial Staff — Book Review

Bedtime Blessings by Marianne Richmond–Book Review

What’s Your Vocation?

Vocation is one of those words Lutherans like to use.  Luther taught that each of us has a vocation, or calling, it’s not something reserved for priests, monks and nuns. It can be lived out in the midst of ordinary life. True vocation is that passion I spoke about in my last post.  In Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Filled Life when he asked the question, “What on earth am I here for?”  Each of us has to answer that question, hopefully in a prayerful way, in order to discover our vocation.

Prepared for Eternity

Our church, St. Paul’s Free Lutheran in Leitersburg is almost 190 years old.  The church’s vision statement is taken from the founding documents:

“It is our wish that here old and young will be edified, animated, encouraged and prepared for eternity.”

Living a Christian life, being edified, animated and encouraged through the scriptures, the sacraments, and the fellowship of our sisters and brothers in Christ is what prepares us for eternal life with God.

Here is what Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life has to say:

People ask me, “What is the purpose of life?” And I respond, “In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity.” We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in heaven. One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body–but not the end of me. I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act, the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

What is your church’s vision statement?  Does it tell you how to prepare for eternity?