BOOKS TO READ

PURSUING GOLD CURRICULUM BY CYNTHIA L. SIMMONS

The History & Critical Thinking Curriculum by Cynthia L. Simmons to accompany Pursuing Gold is a wonderful way to bring the family together around a good book. It asks key reading comprehension questions, offers wonderful historical insight into the setting and details of the book, and asks questions designed to challenge students to think deeply about historical and spiritual issues. It’s a wonderful tool to help your family experience history and literature in a deeper way and is sure to spark some wonderful discussions!

JESUS IN SHORTS BY LAURA L. PADGETT

Jesus in Shorts is a wonderful collection of short stories, each with a special divine message. I love Laura’s humility, humor and honesty as she recounts her life experiences and the special insights God has given her along the way. I especially appreciate the reflection notes at the end of each story because they encourage me to go deeper and apply these lessons to my own life. Simply put, Jesus in Shorts is one of those rare books that not only entertains, but also transforms the reader. It is a book to give as a gift to a friend and to keep on one’s night stand to be read and reread. Praises for Jesus in Shorts!

PURSUING PRAYER BY PENNY COOKE

I’m enjoying this fresh new study of prayer, and I’m using some of the author’s ideas for intentionally improving my prayer time. Pursuing Prayer is well organized with four lessons per week, a review lesson and an optional “Digging Deeper” lesson. As I read, I feel like the writer is talking to me and leading me to deeper study with Scripture, guiding questions, stories and practical examples. This book would be excellent if you are new to prayer, yet it is challenging enough to help all readers deepen their understanding. I recommend it for individual or group study.