Thirty-two times in the Bible we find the command to write. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book” (Exodus 17:14). Chapter 6 of Deuteronomy commands parents to write, in the context of their own homes, so their children might be impressed with the truth.

“Take thee a great roll, and write in it with a man’s pen” (Isaiah 8:1). “Write it in their sight.” Why? “That they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them” (Ezekiel 43:11).

Jude “gave all diligence to write.” There is a sense of urgency in the way he found it needful to write. And this urgency does not diminish. Twelve times John, in writing the Book of Revelation, was commanded to write. What would we know today about the teachings of Jesus and the apostles if no one had written?

The power of the pen is proven by history. Civilizations have been molded and shaped by literature. Their moral standards have risen and fallen with their literary diet. Empires rose and fell, borne on the waves of their writings. The Dark Ages were dark partly because of a dearth of good literature. And we dare not overlook the influence of the Bible in ending this dark period. Wycliffe’s Bible in the language of the people appeared about 1382.

The Reformation was certainly carried forth on the wings of literature. For years Luther averaged a book or pamphlet a week.

If our Anabaptist forefathers would have been as indifferent to Christian writing as most of us are, we would hardly know there were Anabaptists. All we would have today would be the distorted views of their enemies. Twenty-five years after the Anabaptist movement began, five Anabaptist hymnals had appeared. When the authorities raided the print shop at Lubeck in the early 1550’s, they found ten tons of books. From 1536 to his death, Menno Simons wrote numerous books and pamphlets. Most of this time there was a price on his head and a death penalty for aiding him in any way. What dedication!

Consider the permanence of the printed page. The printed page preserves precious pearls, perilous propaganda, and pertinent doctrine. Foremost of these precious pearls is the Word itself. The tables of stone on which God engraved the Ten Commandments are a classic symbol of permanence. “Now go, write it before them . . . in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever” (Isaiah 30:8). The Bible is a miracle of preservation. It is a proof of God’s interest in the written Word.

Printing also preserves perilous propaganda. Do false teachers use literature to better advantage than the children of light? Each year Jehovah’s Witnesses spend about 1.2 billion hours distributing WatchTower publications. The blasphemous Da Vinci Code has sold over 40 million copies. What a challenge to meet these lies with Christian literature!

We need to produce Christian books and periodicals to develop and stabilize our own Biblical faith and to win others to the faith of Christ. Johann Gutenberg, the father of modern printing, wrote: “God suffers because of the great multitudes whom His sacred Word cannot reach. Religious truth is captive in a small number of manuscript books which guard the treasures. Let us break the seal which holds the holy things, give wings to that truth that by a means no longer written at great expense by the hand that wearies itself, but multiplied by an unwearied machine, it may fly to every soul born into the world.”

Too long our literature interests have lagged behind. We let the psychologists write our “meeting emotional needs” books. We let the world write the textbooks for our schools. We may not have much time anymore. Our prospect for the future is the Second Coming of Christ. While we wait, let us publish and promote literature that builds the church. We will pray, preach, write, and proclaim until Jesus comes. Maranatha!

(from www.clp.org)

Slip deep into the hidden wonders beaneath the surface as this book takes you on an illuminating and educational journey through the mysterious world of caves. It’s a thorough exploration of the beautiful formations, thriving ecology, unique animals, and fragile balance of this ecosystem. Featured are sections of humans and caves, cave life, climates and classifications, with emphasis on cave exploring and cave photography. From the merly curious to the serious spelunker, this book is a captiviationg look at this unseen world.

Hardcover, 80 pages

“Oh certainly! Mercy you shall have,” said the dwarf with a mocking laugh, “but only on condition that you recognize me as master.” This allegory vividly portrays the deceitfulness of the enemy working through our own fallen passions to bring us into the bondage of sin.

Paperback, 47 pages

Judy struggles with pride in her appearance; Sandra is made aware of her wrong attitudes; Rodney is lured away from God by carelessness toward obedience. Twenty realistic, challenging stories about conflicts Christian teenagers may face. Romans 12 is used as a basis for solutions to the problems.

Hardcover, 211 pages

As Wesley watched Father drive out the lane, he saw a surprising thing. Mother’s shoes were riding along on the back of the car! Does God care about something as small as a pair of shoes? Short stories for children to listen to or read to themselves.

Hardcover, 122 Pages

Meet lonely Grandma Boyd as she forgives–and unbelievably grows to love–Little Pete, the bad boy of the neighbourhood. With Jean, learn the power and hurtfulness of gossip and jumping to conclusions. Thirteen inspiring stories show how the Lord meets needs in spite of adverse circumstances and tragedy.

Paperback, 125 Pages

Ginny is sick, and she must spend many long days in the hospital. Her friends, Janice and Donna, find many ways to cheer her and brighten her days. This is one of the twenty-two stories that teach young children about sharing, obedience, love for others, and God’s love for them.

Hardcover, 180 pages

Mario is back! This time he joins his Belizean friends and peddles pig meat, chases armadillos, and learns how to use a machete like a man. Full of energy and excitement, they want life to the fullest! But will Mario and company learn the virtues of patience, compassion, and kindess?

Paperback, 89 Pages

Miriam loves her peaceful home by the shores of the sea of Galilee. But when the wheat harvest fails and taxes are due, it seems as though they will lose their house. “Jehovah will provide,” Father says. Will He? Can we keep living in Galilee? Miriam wondered. A story rich with the life and culture of Bible times.

Paperback, 121 pages

Mario eats tortillas and peccary soup and bathes in the river where his father catches fish and his mother washes clothes. His parents read the Bible and pray. At night, Mario knows that God in Heaven sees him in his little wooden bed. This delightful story tells of life in Belize with four-year-old Mario and his family.

Paperback, 49 Pages

When Mae moved to Paraguay, she finds life different and interesting! Riding on a bus that flies apart, her kitten jumping in the well, an army ant invasion, a very angry bull, monkeys, parrots, and swinging bridges: she never knows what will happen next.

Hardcover, 241 pages

In the early 1920s in the Ukraine, a Russian orphanage was taken over by Communists. The children had been taught about God, however, and Walter, formerly the leader in mischief-making, now led them in a more honourable way. They stood together in spite of persecution. Another inspiring account by the author of Judith.

Paperback, 64 Pages

Told from Jill’s persepctive, I Was A Preemie is a 39-page picture book that helps children undersand what being a “preemie” is about and shares the joy of one family’s “little miracle” from God.

Paperback, 39 pages

SET OF TWO BOOKS

The Conestoga River begins to rise, and threatens the little church house. Jon helps to save his church from the flood. Everyone works together in this richly illustrated, inspiring story. But that’s not the end. In the continued story, the congregation moves their church to higher ground. You’ll want to read this story to your youngsters time and again.

Hardcover, 103 Pages

“What do you think of when you think of nature? Do you think of God?” The author presents facts about birds, plants, and animals, and shows how they illustrate God’s spiritual laws.

Paperback, 200 pages