Because I Love You

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding writing!!! Lucado had done it again.
Review: If you are looking for a book to teach your child of the love of God, look no further. This is one of the best writings to help teach our children the plan of salvation. I want to buy this book as a gift for all of the children I love.

Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: My sister-in-law gave me two Max Lucado books for my birthday and I couldn't be happier. This is a story of Shaddai, a wise and nurturing old man, who lives in a village of children. He builds a wall surrounding the village so as to protect the children from the dark and dangerous forest that surrounds the village. Paladin, the most curious boy of the lot, wonders why the wall is there and proceeds to explore beyond. Shaddai, knowing of the boy's curiousity, had already left to find the boy as soon as he left his line of sight. A wonderful story for children. I can't wait to get more Max Lucado books.

Rating:
Summary: Because I Love You
Review: Shaddai lived in a "wonderful village. It was more than any child could dream." (I'll leave the descriptions to Max--I can't say it any better.) But the thing that made it most special of all was the fact Shaddai was always near. The children listened to his terrific stories and songs and loved his smile and the way he made them laugh. But most of all the children loved the way he made them feel--understood, loved and accepted for who they were. "His giant heart had a hundred strings--each held by a different child. And Shaddai loved each one the same."

That's why he built the wall.

He warned the children that they weren't made for the the terrible land beyond the wall and to stay where they'd be safe and where they belonged--with him.

One child, Paladin was a very curious child. He questioned Shaddai about the wall and then told Shaddai that if he didn't fix it the children might leave. Shaddai replied, "I know, Paladin. But I want the children to stay because they WANT to, not because they HAVE to."

The ending is beautifully poignant. Please get this book for your child. It's a great start or reinforcement for helping them understand that God has chosen them but THEY have to choose whether or not they want God. God loves us enough to give us free will.

Rating:
Summary: Troubling Vision of the Kingdom
Review: This alleghory of sin, free will, and love is troubling to me on many levels. The primary concern I have is that the village that Shaddai builds is populated solely with white children. While many may protest that this is political correctness run amok, I'd hate to share with a child a vision of God's kingdom that only included white persons. In a book published in the year 2000, this is deeply troubling.

Rating:
Summary: My 4 year old gets it!
Review: This is a great book that speaks to young children about God's love, mankind's freewill and God's forgiveness. I have never seen my four year old so intent as when we read this book together; he actually had tears in his eyes. It is a simple story told in a way that kids can grasp. The illustrations are also wonderful, my child pointed out characters that resembled a number of his friends. This is a good book to help build the fundamentals of faith, and a good addition to a family library. I have also caught my pre-teen kids reading and enjoying it.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but it's missing a very special detail.
Review: You can't deny the love that this book protrays. It is very warm and comforting. The analogy was good, but it was missing a very special character, Jesus. Shaddai represents God the Father, the children represent mankind, and the dark forest represents sin. These are all good representations. However, I would liked to have seen Shaddai have a Son who guides the lost boy back to the Father. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I don't think that you can adequately represent the love of the Father if you omit His Son.