This month I have chosen to review a couple of books that highlight two important events: Pentecost and Father’s Day. The children’s book God Is Three in One focuses on the all-important role of our Heavenly Father, and the devotional book I Love You, Dad! pays homage to those who serve as earthly fathers.
On June 8 many Christian churches will be celebrating Pentecost, the seventh Sunday after Easter that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
Jennifer Bosma’s God Is Three in One (©2024 by End Game Press) explains the Trinity and takes children on a journey through history from God the Father to God the Son and then to God the Holy Spirit.
With beautiful illustrations by Beth Snider including (my favorite) lovely doves throughout the pages, readers can visualize the creation story, key characters in the Old Testament, Christ as a child and as an adult, and the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives today.
Written in first person, this book can help children realize the power of the Trinity:
With Me in your life, I’m three in one,
And My work in you is far from done.
You’re made in My image; this was My plan.
I had you in mind since the world began.
What a wonderful reassurance for children and adults alike!
I think this book would make a lovely addition to every home and church library, and I give it five stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
On June 15 the world will honor fathers and others who fill parenthood roles.
Written by Blythe Daniel, William Daniel, and Helen McIntosh, I Love You, Dad! (©2024 by End Game Press) is subtitled “Words to Honor and Humor You.”
Each chapter of this gift book contains scripture, a prayer, a letter to Dad, and a reflection on the importance of fatherhood. In addition, a “Have a Laugh” page at the end of each section provides several “dad jokes.”
From the chapter entitled “Working for God, Not Man”:
A great reflection upon how we should view work comes from Martin Luther King, Jr., who said: “If it falls to your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well.’”
Wow! These are wise words that can benefit us all, regardless of our roles in life.
This excerpt from a letter to Dad expresses a sentiment I had for my own father and one I wish for all dads this Father’s Day:
You are loved and your steady presence with us brings so much good to our lives! I look up to you and to the Lord. You helped me to see and understand more about my Heavenly Father as I have grown. You have taught me to look to Him for the way He will always meet me where I need Him. Thank you, Dad, for how you have brought us before the Lord.”
I also give this book five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, and I highly recommend it as a dad gift for any time of the year!
Stay tuned for my summer newsletter later this month when I’ll be giving away these books to two lucky newsletter subscribers. If you have not yet signed up to receive my newsletter, you may do so at https://joycemccullough.com/newsletter/. I appreciate your support!
“But as they are one in creation, so are they one in salvation working together in one God for our salvation, and unto that God be glory everlasting, world without end, Amen.”—Charles Spurgeon
“O Holy Spirit, descend plentifully into my heart. Enlighten the dark corners of this neglected dwelling and scatter there Thy cheerful beams.”—St. Augustine
“Sometimes I think my papa is an accordion. When he looks at me and smiles and breathes, I hear the notes.”—Makus Zusak
“It is a wise father that knows his own child.”—William Shakespeare
“It is not biology that determines fatherhood. It is love.”—Kristin Hannah
“Knock, knock. Who’s there? Howard. Howard who? Howard you such a good dad?”—from I Love You, Dad!
Acts 2:1-41; Matthew 28:19; Matthew 3:16-17; Ephesians 6:4; Exodus 20:12; Psalm 103:13
