Whatever!- A Book Review

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set

 the believers an example in speech, in 

conduct, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).

This verse was our youth groups theme verse when I was in my late teens. Now as an adult, I'm an avid advocate for it's truth. We hear a lot about what our youth "will be", while we forget "what they are". Youth are an important part of the body of believers, the church, now and later. They have this day to be examples to believers. Youth mature as a member of the body of Christ with age. That does not change the fact that the roles youth play as they mature is equally vital to the roles they will play as adults. 

Allia Zobel Nolan wrote a 90-day devotional, Whatever, to speak to and challenge the heart of young girls as they walk through their faith as pre-teens. The title, Whatever, is a reference to Philippians 4:8, Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Each day, in typical devotional style, has a opening verse, followed by the meat of the day's devotion, and ends with questions (challenges) and a prayer. The verse vary by the days, but theme of Philippians 4:8 runs through the entire book. It is designed to turn tween girls' minds to the "whatevers" of chapter 4, helping them to fill their brains with truth.

Nolan does a great job of pointing her readers to the Word. As I was reading, I tried to put myself into the shoes of a tween, even though those years are long gone. There are a lot of "BFF" moments and "whatevers", which Nolan used to relate to young pre-teens. A tween would likely find it valuable as they learn to navigate the beginnings of teenage pressure, but I felt like the book should have been a little meatier. However, tweens could glean much truth from the book as a tool to help them with their Bible reading, which is the goal of devotional books. Devotionals are a great way for a young girl to start learning to study the Word. Allia Zobel Nolan's Whatever would be one to consider for the pre-teen in your life.

For more information on Whatever and Allia Zobel Nolan, visit her website here.

Stick around guys- I know I've been missing in action this week, but I still news to tell you!