We're going to have our own little Easter celebration here at Run the Earth, Watch the Sky... a giveaway!!Not just any giveaway - a giveaway of my favorite kids' story Bible, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name! The folks at Zondervan generously sent me five copies to give away, so it's time to partayyy!!
In case you're new around here or missed the times I've mentioned this book, I love it. Sally Lloyd-Jones has done a fantastic job weaving the stories of Scripture into the larger "metanarrative" that flows from beginning to end in a way that kids can understand. This book is recommended for kids 4 and up, although I've been using it with AG since she was 2. [Don't need it for your kids? Enter anyway and give it away!]
In the introduction of this book, which stands alone as a story in and of itself, I love the following statement she makes:
"Now, some people think the Bible is a book of rules, telling you what you should and shouldn't do. The Bible certainly does have some rules in it. They show you how life works best. But the Bible isn't mainly about you and what you should be doing. It's about God and what He has done...
...the best thing about this Story is - it's true. There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them."
From the creation and fall to Revelation (yes, this kids' Bible talks about Revelation!), each story points to God's plan to rescue His lost children through Christ - the promised Rescuer, the one who would conquer God's enemy and make all the sad things come untrue.
I think this is a great Easter giveaway, as this book really makes a BIG deal about the coming of Christ - the whole Old Testament builds toward it, as it should! One of my favorite Easter stories is the account of Jesus appearing to Mary Magdelene in the garden - I just have to quote part of Lloyd-Jones' rendition of this story!
"I don't know where Jesus is!" Mary said urgently. "I can't find him."But it was all right. Jesus knew where she was. And he had found her.
"Mary!"
Only one person said her name like that. She could hear her heart thumping. She turned around. She could just make out a figure. She shaded her eyes to see... and thought she was dreaming.
But she wasn't dreaming. She was seeing.
"Jesus!"...
...And it seemed to her that morning, as she ran, almost as if the whole world had been made anew, almost as if the whole world was singing for joy - the trees, tiny sounds in the grass, the birds... her heart.
Was God really making everything sad come untrue? Was he making even death come untrue?
This book is skillfully written (I dare you to read through this with your kids the first time and not cry!) and beautifully illustrated by Jago. The pictures are full-page creative depictions on every page, and *gasp* - the people aren't pasty Caucasians with blond hair and blue eyes! :)
So, how do you enter to win one of these books? Leave a comment below about how your family is planning to observe Easter or favorite meaningful traditions with your children.
Want extra entries?
1. Become a "follower" of this blog (you'll see it on the right side of the page as you scroll down) or subscribe via email (also on the right side of the page.)Then leave an additional comment and tell me that you did this. If you're already a follower or subscriber leave a comment for that so that you can have an extra entry, too!
2. Tell friends about this blog or the giveaway - post something on facebook, twitter, send an email, or write something on your own blog if you're a fellow blogger! Simply leave an additional comments and tell me what you did. Spread the word about "Run the Earth, Watch the Sky" and this giveaway!
I know it seems redundant, but be sure to leave extra comments for doing any of the above, as the winners will be selected by picking numbers (at www.random.org) from the total number of comments left.
This giveaway will close on Saturday, April 11th at 10:00pm EST!
