100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins (Illustrated by Tim O'Connor)

It has been said that the Bible is so deep that the world's greatest theologians are puzzled, yet so simple that even a child can understand it.  "100 Bible Stories, 100 Bible Songs" for children proves it.  This is a fantastic resource for parents, providing a solid yet simple story base with complementary choruses to aid learning both scripture and the reference.  I'd say that this book is suitable for age 2 - 7.

The pictures are beautifully yet simply illustrated by Tim O'Connor which helps in the telling of the story.  This is definitely a book that will be treasured for years to come.  The songs on the accompanying cd's are simple, yet lively.  They are perfect for reading with the book or even to listen to during the day.  The book is divided into the Old and New Testament and each story has the accompanying scripture tagged on.  I have found this useful for my own time with God. 

I love that my son, who is only 2 years old, is already trying to sing with the cd's.  He is being trained up in the way he should go with this fabulous book.

GENTLE

The God I serve is almighty and powerful. He created the whole universe in seven days. Now He could have done it all in a split second, but He wanted it to be seven days. With the wind He separated the Red sea. He made the earth stand still so that the Israelites would have victory in battle. His voice is like thunder. When He returns the mountains will crumble and the heavens will roll away like paper. The thing is that just with a glance, He can destroy the whole universe in one second. This is within His power.

When we speak about the Holy Spirit we think of ultimate power, extreme miracles and the power of God in our lives. 1 Kings 19:11-12 says; “Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper”. All that power was contained and displayed in the gentleness of a whisper. This is how He works in our lives through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not always speak to us with overwhelming words and power, but with a soft gentle word. For example; just the other day I was walking along the hallway of the place I worked at when I passed a piece of paper lying on the ground. A soft voice told me to stop, turn around and pick it up. I did it. Another time I used a spoon in the kitchen where I work and put it in the sink. I turned around to walk away (I was in a real hurry) when the Spirit asked me who is going to wash that? I had to turn and do it. You see, it is about the small things. It may seem small, stupid and insignificant but this is where we grow and learn to obey His voice. How can He trust us with the big things when we can’t obey Him in the small things?