in my spare time…

Here is a book I’ve been reading.

And it hasn’t been without sacrifice. I mean, if I manage to find time to read anything longer that a recipe, it’s usually the Bible.

This book was worth the effort.

I was asked to be part of the blog tour a few months ago to review Julie Ferwerda’s One Million Arrows. And I agreed. After all, I knew I’d have something to say about it… I just wasn’t sure what. And win, lose or draw, by agreeing to join the blog tour, I committed to not just reading it, but sharing my thoughts with y’all.

From the book:

“I have lived as if the world is God’s gift to my children, instead of living like my children are God’s gift to this world.”

A short summary:

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.

See why I loved it?

It encourages parents to be more intentional, more purposeful and more mission-minded when raising our kids. Because our children have the potential to be world changers, going out into this dark world, for Christ. Do I want my kids just to be happy? Or do I want them to fulfill their God-given purpose in life?

“Americanized Christianity promises all the blessings and requires practically none of the responsibilities and sacrifices of authentic, surrendered biblical faith.”

I think as parents, we often fail to act purposefully, with the big picture, the eternal picture, in mind. We react to life’s fires: bad grades here… poor attitude there. We allow weeks, months and years to go by, putting out fires and waiting, holding our breath, until the next fire breaks out. And what is lost is the intentionality of raising Godly children.

It is more than a suggestion to raise kids to know Jesus. If you’re a Christian parent, it’s your job. Not their teachers, not their youth-group leader, not the church. As parents we have to be purposeful not to miss our opportunity to impact our kids for Christ… as only we can.

Beyond shaping our own children at home, Julie encourages us to impact the world for Christ by supporting those around the globe who are His hands and feet. She reminds us of how God has promised to multiply our efforts, “There is no lunch to small, no bank account too depleted, that God can’t use it to touch multitudes, if we only have willing hearts.” Sponsoring children, funding medical missions, supporting orphan care – all ways to make a lasting impact for Him. The book has a resource section, full of orphan specific ministries to consider.

Some of Jesus’ first words (Matthew 28) after He rose on the third day were to “…go and make disciples of all nations…” and yet according to the book, “the average amount of money going overseas from American churches in only two percent.”

Julie goes on to say, “God didn’t give me this financial blessing to keep for myself. He gave it to me because He trusts me to use it for furthering His Kingdom.”

If that’s not motivation enough to get busy making a difference, I don’t know what is.

Julie is not only talking the talk. She is walking the walk. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to benefit orphans around the world.

It’s most definitely worth your time.

Click here to download Chapter One of One Million Arrows.

Click here to see One Million Arrows on Amazon.

Click here to visit the website and learn more.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:18-20