Zuno’s Pick

Artist, sculptor, dinosaur builder, and host of unusual dinner parties. The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins enlightens readers regarding the life of Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and his much loved dinosaur friends. In the 1800’s, people knew very little of dinosaurs. Hawkin’s work changed this forever, both in England and in America. Inspired by his story, author Barbara Kerley’s biography brings Hawkins’s dreams and accomplishments to you. Illustrator Brian Selznick based many of his illustrations on Mr. Hawkins’s original sketches.

Cross Training

Follow the Leader

Leading. Following. Like two teams in tug of war, they pull the rope that is me. I like being first: first in line, first to eat, first. Being first means I get to be the leader and I like being in charge. I wonder what Matthew thought about this leading and following thing. As a government official, he was used to being in charge too. What changed? Look at Matthew 9:9 (NIV):

“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.”

Got up. Left everything. Followed.

Following challenges me. Following means waiting when I want to go, walking when I want to run, and trusting Jesus, my leader, to plan my steps, even when He doesn’t tell me where we’re going.

Following challenges me. Yet, following is what I am called to, not to go and do this or that, but to follow Him who leads me. Has Jesus called you to follow? How’s it going? Do you feel pulled? Be still and listen, end the tug of war, and follow the Leader.

Gayle’s Gable

In the town of Two Mills, everyone knows their place, whites on the West End, blacks on the East End, until Maniac arrives. Orphaned and alone, Maniac strives to find his place in the world and creates legend in the process. Author Jerry Spinelli helps a lost boy find his way while handling the tough topic of race with a deft touch. Spinelli earns a well-deserved Newbury Medal for Maniac McGee.

Zuno’s Pick

The Spanish Ambassador has moved to London and Pepito is missing the twelve little girls who lived next door. Join Ludwig Bemelmans for a trip through London as Madeline and friends visit Pepito. Look for famous spots you may have seen if you watched the royal wedding this year. Zuno says Madeline in London makes him hungry for fish and chips.

Cross Training

No Cell Phone Needed

Smart Phones. iPhones. BlackBerries. They connect you to your BFF two blocks over or to your grandma two states away. We need to connect with each other. We need to connect with God as well. Jesus did too. Check out His calling plan:

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Jesus’ calling plan included daily conference calls with his Father and the Holy Spirit. Note their conference time, before business hours, when the world was quiet and they could talk uninterrupted. Unlimited minutes. Unlimited texts.

So what does your calling plan to the Father look like?  All He requires is time and a willing heart.  No cell phone needed.

Gayle’s Gable

Young adult readers can weigh in on a verdict as best-selling author, John Grisham, argues his case for law and justice before a new audience in Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer. Thirteen year old Theodore Boone knows the ins and outs of the justice system better than most as both his parents practice law. Excitement grips Theo as he anticipates an upcoming murder trial. Undisclosed evidence falls into Theo’s lap in the course of the trial. Should a guilty man go free in order to protect an innocent witness? The tangles of justice and the law are well illustrated in Grisham’s debut young adult novel.

Zuno’s Pick

Zuno’s Pick is Chris Van Allsburg’s Mysteries of Harris Burdick. “Mysteries” because the story behind the book is intriguing. Van Allsburg relates the story:

“Thirty years ago a man called at Peter Wenders’s office, introducing himself as Harris Burdick. Mr. Burdick explained that he had written fourteen stories and had drawn many pictures for each one. He’d brought with him just one drawing from each story, to see if Wenders liked his work.

Peter Wenders was fascinated by the drawings. He told Burdick he would like to read the stories that went with them as soon as possible. The artist agreed to bring the stories the next morning.”

He never returned.

Van Allsburg shares these pictures with you. Mr. Burdick titled each drawing and the story waits to be crafted—by you. My favorite is “Mr. Linden’s Library” because you never know what will happen when you open your next book.

Cross Training

“Don’t Be Afraid; Just Believe”

Hopeless—a place where things look finished, beyond help. School, team, family life, some obstacle that looks insurmountable may have plopped itself down in the middle of your life. Move over and give God elbow room. He’s at work whether you see it or not.

Today, we’ll look at a passage from Mark 9. Jairus is a church leader and his twelve year old daughter lies dying. Jairus has Jesus in tow and is frantically trying to get home before it’s too late. A lady needing healing interrupts them. Sweat breaks out on Jairus’s forehead while he makes a supreme effort to be patient as Jesus talks to the woman. Familiar faces appear in the crowd. Faces with no hope. It’s too late. His baby girl has died. Let’s pick it up in verse 36:

“Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler (Jairus), “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 9:36 (NIV)

What? Tears stream from Jairus’s eyes and his lip trembles. Jesus looks him square in the eyes, gives his shoulders a squeeze, and strides forward. Jairus trots beside Him with the faintest flame of hope hardly daring to flicker. Read Mark 9:37-43 to see what happened.

Wait and watch for God to work. He will never leave you no matter how alone you may feel. God doesn’t promise that your story will end like Jairus’s, but He does promise to be with you in all things and to work all things for good for those who love Him. Give Him some elbow room.

Gayle’s Gable

Charlie is running for his life and is playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with the local thug. Alone, he searches for his kidnapped parents, but Charlie possesses a unique advantage—he speaks cat. In Zizou Corder’s novel, LionBoy, action flips and turns like a trapeze artist when Charlie’s search crosses paths with a floating circus and, yes, lions.

Zuno’s Pick

Lunchtime leaves Yoko with a knot in her tummy when classmates make fun of Mom’s sushi,her favorite lunch. Author Rosemary Wells shows young readers that new foods and new friends are great things to sample. Give Yoko a try. You’ll love all the different flavors of friendship and fun (and green tea ice cream).