First Things First by Kurt and Brenda Warner w/ Jennifer Schuchmann

First Things First written by Kurt and Brenda Warner with Jennifer Schuchmann is much more than a biography or autobiography about a famous wanting to seek more fame for themselves. The book is published by Tyndale and can be purchased through the Tyndale Publishing site.

I will admit it I am not a football and I am usually the one you'll find complaining because I believe they make too much money for what they do, considering there are people who work hard everyday and struggle to survive everyday. I had never heard of the Warner's (I can hear some big gasps), but I am sorry I hadn't heard of them and not because of his pro-football player status, but because of all they have done with all that money. Finding out that Brenda was a single mom and divorced at age 25, living on welfare and working to put herself through nursing school and provide for her children, surprised me. Kurt is a family man and one that you don't normally hear about playing pro-ball.

The book is down to earth and one where you can see that the entire family truly strives to live for Christ. The ministries that they have set up are worked with their hands - they don't just throw money at it, they actually get dirty. For Thanksgiving the family serves the homeless and downtrodden by serving them, even their youngest help in some way. In St. Louis they buy caskets for children who pass away because the Warner's believe that parents shouldn't have to buy a casket for a dead child. Okay so they do have a nanny (it doesn't seem like she lives in), a cleaning lady (the children still have to do chores and pick up after themselves - one rule is if the cleaning lady can't see their oldest daughter's floor she isn't to clean that room!). Really though they are normal people who want to avoid the appearance of evil and do right by God.

The other thing that really hit home is the fact that their son who was dropped as a baby and as a result is handicapped. It's amazing how she fought for her son, when the doctor's were ready to give up and she still continues to fight for him with Kurt by her side. I guess this affected me because having worked in the field and my husband working in it as well, we see families who toss aside or abuse the handicapped family members and it's heart wrenching to watch. They have a ministry for that too as well as joining efforts with other foundations they enable families to take a week vacation to Disney World in Florida.

The book talks about their rules for the family which makes their family run smoothly. Communication is very important but then again with nine people in the house, communication is important. When out to eat the children have to be able to tell the color of the waitress' or waiters' eyes, this enables the children to look into someones eyes and show respect for an often thankless job. The rules help to make the children get along and learn how to deal with the real world along with making a house functional and peaceful.

First Things First also talks some about Brenda's past and her first marriage and what happened to her son before she met Kurt. They do discuss their sex life, which too me was a bit too personal and I could have lived without knowing about it. The book is great though, it goes into the struggle of people asking for autographs during their family time, discussing purity with their daughter, and other happenings in a family. Overall, a very well written book that shows how one family struggling with fame also adds in being a regular family and living for Christ.

Veiled Freedom by J.M. Windle

Excellent! Riveting! Great writing! Suspense! Well all these words would do a great job in succintly telling about a book I just read published by Tyndale and written by J.M. Windle titled Veiled Freedom. I had never heard of the author but am glad that I gave this book the chance it deserved, because if I hadn't I would have missed out on an excellent book.

The book takes us to Kabul in 2001 after American forces have 'freed' Afghanistan from the Taliban. We have no idea just how much the Afghan people are still in prison though by their new, corrupt government. Eight years pass as Special Forces veteran, Steve Wilson, returns as a security chief. Aboard the same plane to Afghanistan is relief worker, Amy Mallory, who wants to change the entire world. Imagine the challenges she faces being a young, single, Christian woman in Afghanistan but love can conquer all. This is not a romance between a male and female but a romance between a woman's greater love for a country in need, a love for her Savior and their love in return.

The first two chapters were slow moving but I am so glad that I kept going because after I hit chapter 3 it was hard to put down! The historical accurance of this book will have you feeling as if you are really standing in the streets of Afghanistan, feeling the stuffiness in the burqas, the dirt that you breathe in. The fast past doesn't detract from the story, in fact adding to it, as I can't imagine anything going at a slow rate in Afghanistan. I felt like I shared in Amy Mallory's decisions and how to come to grips of not being able to save the world. I too one time have been idealistic in wanting to change the world and it's a rude awakening when you realize all too well it's a job that no one can do, but One.

I would ask you to please check out this book, you can find a way to purchase it through Tyndale and see if you enjoy it as much as I did. I will say that the day I began reading this book I recieved word that my cousin and his unit will be deployed to Afghanistan, he is more than likely already there, so to say reading this book hit home somewhat is an understatement. Being a veteran and coming from a long line of veterans, it makes me proud.

Classic Bible Storybook by Kenneth N. Taylor

The Classic Bible Storybook by Kenneth N. Taylor and published by Tyndale is a hard covered book with more than 120 stories from the Bible. The beautiful illustrations one finds in this storybook are done by Richard and Franci Hook. Kenneth Taylor was a dad to 10 children and wanted his children to be able to understand Biblical truths and sought to find a way to make that a reality. He has written many other books for children and is also responsible for what later became the New Living Translation of the Bible.

This storybook of Bible stories has beautiful illustrations done both in color and black and white. The drawings are realistic in nature and add the ability for children to feel connected to the Biblical characters they read about. The illustrations will impress even the oldest of adults down the youngest of children - I know my husband and I were impressed as was my youngest who is 2! The care taken by the illustrators really can be felt to come through the pages as you read the stories.

There are 68 Old Testament Bible stories and 53 New Testament Bible stories. Each story gives the Scripture that relates back to the Bible as well as one or two illustrations to go along with that story. The stories are engaging, as all Bible stories should be, and are simple enough the young will understand but detailed enough that the older children will not be bored by simplistic language. Following each story are comprehension questions that the parent can go over with their child(ren) to ensure a good understanding of the Bible story they were just read. The questions can have simple answers for the young child but also give a chance for an older child to give more detailed answers as they grow in the Word.

Overall, this is a wonderful children's storybook full of Truth and Wisdom and will enable children to grasp Biblical truths on their level until they can move on to a regular Bible for more intense study. My oldest enjoys pulling this off the shelf and reading and answering the questions by herself. This could also be used for family devotions or to teach Biblical history for the homeschooling family. There are so many ways to use this Classic Bible Storybook and your family will enjoy it and as well as it's made it could very well became a treasured family heirloom.