Tuesday, June 1, 2010
One Million Arrows
Will the world change our children...or will our children change the world? Time is short and lives are at stake. Right now, God is inviting our families to become part of a bigger story—a vision that will engage hearts to make a radical difference. One Million Arrows is an inspirational call to raise our kids to impact their culture, community, and world for Christ. If we want our kids to discover their purpose, if we want them to live with passion for the Kingdom, if we want our family to go down in His-Story, accept the mission...and leave a mark for eternity.
Not long ago, author Julie Ferwerda asked me to review her book, One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World. With a title like that, how could I refuse?
American Christians tend to be more concerned with prosperity and happiness then they are about the impact their families are making on the world for the sake of Christ. Regular readers of this blog are no stranger to my opinion that we need to be raising our kids to be fully devoted, world changing, disciples of Jesus Christ, no matter what the cost. This book will help your family to put "legs" on this conviction, giving practical ideas and heartwarming stories about what can happen when parents begin to see the vision that God has for their children.
We want our kids to be more than happy, healthy, well adjusted people who also happen to love Jesus. We want our kids to love Jesus more than life itself, and to be about His Kingdom business!
To be sure, One Million Arrows may be "preaching to the choir" for most of my readers. However, if you have Christian friends of a more "mainstream" mindset, this book may be just what they need to get their families into gear. If you're expecting, as I was, a great emphasis on (1) accepting God's blessing of many children through the womb and (2) homeschooling, you will be disappointed. She does give several examples of homeschooling families who are living the One Million Arrows vision, which was encouraging, but I would have liked to see a greater emphasis on it. She did mention, briefly, the idea of adopting children into our families, and I would have loved to see her get into that idea in greater detail. Additionally, it is the same kind of self-centered, "American Dream"-focused materialism that One Million Arrows rails against that keeps people from allowing God to bless the fruit of the womb. This would certainly be an appropriate topic to consider for a later edition of the book.
One area in which she challenges us, that I do not get into regularly on this blog, is the idea of sacrificially giving to ministries to orphans. She mentions several missions organizations that take in destitute, sick, and unwanted children, and train them up to be disciples of Christ, serving Him among their own native peoples. This is something I had never heard of before, and an idea that I intend to learn more about.
If you're curious and want to learn more, you can read the entire first chapter of One Million Arrows for free, here.
You can purchase your copy through Amazon or other online retailers. Discounts on bulk orders are also available. I am seriously considering asking my church's Christian Education Director to purchase a copy of this book for the parents of every child in our Sunday School program.
You will be happy to hear that all proceeds from the book will go to international orphan ministries!
So, what does God have planned for your arrows?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Follow On Twitter
About Me
- Tiana
- I'm a Stay-at-Home, Christian, "crunchy" mama. I have been blessed with the calling to be a godly wife and mother. I am passionate about bringing up my children in the discipline and instruction of the LORD, through home education and discipleship. Helpmeet to my best friend and soulmate, Christopher since 1/29/2000, and mama to four little blessings, including a tiny, precious, newborn baby girl.
Subscribe To
Posts
Comments
My Writing Elsewhere...
Fixing Your Heart on Titus 2
Did you pray for your
husband today?
Monday--His Work
Tuesday--His Integrity
Wednesday--His Mind
Thursday--His Purpose
Friday--His Health
Saturday--His Protection
Sunday--His Faith
Carnival of Homeschooling
Features God Made, Home Grown
Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival
2009 Nominee!
2010 Nominee!
My Wired Style
Success is not learned. It is discovered and nurtured. What was your child born to do?
Disciple Like Jesus
Raising Homemakers
Quiverfull Family
The Modest Mom
Follow Me On Facebook
2 comments:
We love to give to Orphan's Tear. 100% of your money goes to the orphans. They take nothing for administration. And all of their orphanages are like what you described where the children are raised to be disciples of Christ.
"American Christians tend to be more concerned with prosperity and happiness then they are about the impact their families are making on the world for the sake of Christ."
What an incredibly poignant and needed message for today. I couldn't agree more.
Post a Comment