The Story of Us
This week Mike and Sarah talk with author Mitalia Perkins about her new book The Story of Us.
Acclaimed author Mitali Perkins grew up loving nature. As her family moved often, she learned to appreciate the beauty and variety of the natural settings of her homes in Ghana, Cameroon, London, New York, and Mexico. It wasn’t until age 12 or 13 that she became aware of natural disasters, and realized that the elements–fire, water, air, and earth, can also be terrifying.
Decades later, Perkins’ close friend lost her home in the Woolsey/Malibu fire in 2018. The loss brought back her childhood questions. Why are we, as humans, at war with the elements? Why do we neglect the care of them—the very essence of ourselves and the home God created for us? For comfort, Perkins turned to writing.
The result was The Story of Us, a poem-turned-picture-book that tells the biblical redemption story in a new way, by centering the four elements: air, water, earth, and fire. At the beginning of all things, Creator uses the elements to make humans. When creation falls into chaos—resulting in greed, war, and devastation—Redeemer comes as a baby, growing up to use air, water, earth, and fire in seemingly small ways to heal and serve. Next, Restorer arrives, calling us to care for the elements as we wait for the day when lasting peace will come between them and us.
Perkins’ lyrical message is brought to life by the luminous art of illustrator team Kevin and Kristen Howdeshell. It’s a thought-provoking work that invites readers young and old to ponder our own relationship to nature and the Divine.
Lauren Chandler - Praise Him!
This week Mike and Sarah catch up with author Lauren Chandler to talk bout her book Praise Him!
Remember this, a simple song, and lift your voice and praise!
In this beautifully illustrated board book, Lauren Chandler’s lyrical lines encourage us that in the day or in the night, wherever we go, we can praise God continually.
From page to page, follow a child through her day as she goes from sunny morning to stormy afternoon and then shadowy night. Be reminded that God is always there with us, even when days are hard, and that we need only simple words to praise Him.
Lauren Chandler is passionate about writing, music, and leading worship at her home congregation, The Village Church, and across the country. She is the author of two Bible studies, including With Us in the Wilderness, and two other books including one for children: Goodbye to Goodbyes. Lauren and her husband, pastor Matt Chandler, live with their three children in Flower Mound, Texas.
Advent Blocks
This week Mike and Sarah talk with Clayton Greene about his company GoodKind and their seasonal resource, Advent Blocks.
Advent Blocks is a Scripture based interactive kit for families to celebrate and grow together during the advent season. The kit includes 25 blocks along with a book for the family to read together while they work through the program daily.
Clayton is the director of the Summit Collaborative and a co-founder of GoodKind, the maker of Advent Blocks. Clayton is trained as a physical therapist and practiced outpatient orthopedics for 5 years prior to moving to Wilmington, NC where he was the executive pastor of the Bridge Church. Clayton is married to Kristen and they have two daughters, Cara and Susan.
The Boy from the House of Bread
This week Mike and Sarah spend time talking with author Andrew Wilson about his new book, The Boy from the House of Bread.
With lyrical rhyme and quirky illustrations, The Boy from the House of Bread shares the story of Jesus’ ministry in a compelling way, through the eyes and voice of an African boy. Walk with Alex through his bustling first-century world as he watches Jesus multiply bread and hears Him tell stories about loaves and call Himself the life-giving Bread. This recurring symbol fascinates both Alex and the reader, leaving children ages 4 to 8 (and the adults who read with them) thinking differently about not only the bread on their plates but the Man who makes miracles happen.
Andrew Wilson is the teaching pastor at King’s Church London and the author of Sophie and the Heidelberg Cat. He has three children named Zeke, Anna, and Sam, and he has written a number of other books—but none of them have pictures.
Build Kid's Bible Confidence in 10 Minutes A Day
This week Mike an Sarah talked to father/daughter duo Mark E. Moore and Meghan Howerton, about their book, Core 52: Build Kid's Bible Confidence in 10 Minutes A Day.
About the book:
In just ten minutes a day, you and your kids can master 52 core Bible verses over the course of a year--and have fun doing so!
While there are lots of one-year Bible reading plans and family devotionals, few help kids understand the words that they're reading. In this new addition to the popular Core 52 line of resources, Mark E. Moore and his daughter, former teacher and stay-at-home mom Megan Howerton, coach you and your family through 52 of the Bible's key verses.
Each week provides you and your child with a simple 5-day plan:
Day 1—read the Bible verse and explanatory text and start a fun challenge
Day 2—memorize a key verse with the help of an engaging 3-minute video
Day 3—read a longer related Bible passage and answer a question
Day 4—further explore through a second Scripture verse and question
Day 5—answer deeper questions together and assess the results of the week’s challenge
In just a year, Core 52 Family Edition takes children aged 6 to 12 from biblically curious to spiritually confident and competent. Best of all, it’s a journey you’ll take with them!
Author bios:
Mark E. Moore is a teaching pastor at Christ's Church of the Valley in Phoenix, Arizona, one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic churches in America. Here he leverages two decades in a college classroom teaching New Testament. His goal is to make Scriptures accessible and relevant to people trying to make sense of Christianity. His two worlds of academic Bible study and practical Christian living come together in this powerful resource line called Core 52.
Megan Howerton enjoys waking up early for her favorite treat: an Arizona sunrise. Megan is a veteran teacher who previously used her gifts as an elementary educator, but now focuses on her favorite pupils, the Howerton children. Core 52 Family Edition was born out of combining her biggest passions—loving Jesus, raising the next generation, and valuable teaching. Megan lives in Phoenix with her husband and four wonderful children.
The Bible for Me - The Very Beginning
The first episode in our dramatized Bible story series from The Bible for Me: Bible Stories and Prayers written by Amy Parker and Mike Nawrocki.
The Very Beginning tells the store of creation, narrated by Mike Nawrocki.
Look for The Bible for Me: Bible Stories and Prayers on Amazon or wherever books are sold, Published by K-LOVE Books. Also visit us at TheBibleforMe.com
What Do I Do With Anger?
This week Mike and Sarah talk with authors Dr. Josh and Christi Straub about their latest book, What Do I Do With Anger?
Anger can show you what's deep in your heart.
Naming that feeling can bring a fresh start.
Alex is angry. His teammate won't pass him the soccer ball, no matter how often he calls for it, which is not fair! Thankfully, Coach Ryan knows how to tame the "fireballs of anger" that rise inside us, and he helps Alex do just that.
With this relatable story, authors Dr. Josh and Christi Straub show how anger is a secondary emotion, covering up deeper feelings such as embarrassment, betrayal, grief, or fear. Alex's story offers practical and biblical wisdom for how to help children manage their anger while uncovering the emotion behind it.
Dr. Josh And Christi Straub are speakers, authors and marriage and leadership coaches. Together, they lead Famous at Home, an organization equipping families and leaders to be famous at home, so
they can thrive on their stage.
Both Fellows of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling, together they host the weekly “Famous at Home” podcast, write children’s books, including “What Am I Feeling?,” “What Do I Do with Worry?” and “25 Days of the Christmas Story.” Josh and Christi also recently released a new book called “Famous at Home: 7 Decisions for Putting Your Family Center Stage in a World Competing for Your Time, Attention, and Identity.”
Josh and Christi love spending time on the lake with their three sweet kids, Landon, Kennedy and Micah, and their feisty goldendoodle, Copper.
Standing In The Need of Prayer
Navigating conversations with teens
This week Sarah and Mike talk with Evan Barber of Axis about navigating conversations with teens!
Since 2007, Axis has helped hundreds of thousands of parents navigate conversations with their teens, creating resources to help bridge the gap between the generations. Evan leads a team of gospel-minded researchers, writers, speakers, and content creators, leveraging pop culture to help parents show teens how faith is relevant to every aspect of their lives. For three years he traveled with Axis Live teams, talking with Gen Z directly about worldview and pop culture, before becoming a curriculum writer and producer for content on mental health, relationships, social media, and spiritual formation. He is now the Chief Editor and head of the content department. Evan studied English and Philosophy at the University of Arkansas.
Conversations with teens about core teen culture topics can feel difficult, foreign, or even just plain too big, especially when trying to talk about social media issues in light of the gospel.
The Parent Guides to Social Media, the first in the resource series by Axis, breaks down and translates teen culture in ways that parents can understand and gives the vocabulary to help parents navigate social media conversations with biblical wisdom and cultural savvy.
FOMO. Influencers. Instagram. TikTok. YouTube.
These Axis guide booklets are for parents wondering how to connect with their teens as they help them navigate social media responsibly and equip their teens to interact with both Christians and non-
Christians in a way that is reflective of the gospel.
The five guides around social media topics release November 22 of this year and will be available wherever books are sold.