Give and gifts will be given to you;
a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing,
will be poured into your lap.

Honestly, it reminds me so very much of something my parents taught us frequently when we were growing up — and perhaps you’ve even heard me say it here in the past — “Always err on the side of generosity.”

So simple, and yet so difficult.  If you can find a way to say, “yes” to someone, do it.  Stop worrying about the time it will take, the compromises you will have to make, what it will cost you personally.  Stop asking yourself, “What’s in it for me?”  And yet this portion of Luke assures us that in the end, what we do to help and to love and to encourage others will indeed come back to benefit us in the end.   I love that very visual picture he paints for us, “packed together, shaken down, and overflowing” — as though there’s no possible way to fit in even one tiny little bit more of the goodness we’re being offered into our hearts.

Lately, my life is in that “overflowing” phase.  I’m not sure what I’ve done to deserve any of the countless blessings that are being showered upon me.  Realizing this makes me want to look around me and give more.  The true challenge is keeping my radar tuned in the midst of so much business, so many expectations, and even so many great opportunities, for that one person who is in need of the measure I am able to pour out today.

Do you find it easy to “give”, or are you burned out from giving too much?  How do you find the balance in your life between being generous and being taken advantage of?

Congratulations to our friend and CatholicMom.com columnist Heidi Hess Saxton on the recent release of her wonderful book

. When asked to endorse Heidi’s book, I said of it,

, noted author

Hess Saxton has given Catholic families and parishes everywhere a tremendous treasure.  References from the Catechism, inspirational quotes from the saints, and suggested family activities make this a perfect faith formation tool for children and parents alike.” Having had the opportunity to read and share this beautiful book, I am now more convinced than ever that every Catholic family, school and parish should have a copy of this fantastic resource.  I’m happy to share the following interview with Heidi Hess Saxton and to give My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories my highest recommendation.

Q: Heidi, congratulations on the release of My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories. Please briefly introduce yourself and your family to our readers.

Hello! Thanks for helping me promote my new book — it was truly a labor of love, and I hope it blesses lots of families. Craig and I were married in 1999, and we foster-adopted our children Christopher and Sarah in 2002, when Sarah was six months old and Christopher was 2-1/2. I was delighted when Thomas Nelson approached me about compiling this book of stories, because it gave me a chance to include a lot of information that I wanted to pass along to my own kids.

Q: I LOVE your new book and can’t wait for our readers to explore it! For those who haven’t yet had an opportunity to read My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories could you please share an overview of the book?

My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories is a comprehensive (400+ pages!), full-color volume of stories from the whole Bible (including the deutero-canonical books). I wrote little introductions to each story, but the entire story is taken directly from the NRSV. Each story includes a prayer to use during Bible story time, tidbits of information to help you get a better understanding of the story, and a cross-referencing tool that lists Scripture and Catechism passages that are especially appropriate to read with that story. I also included a little section at the front of the book to help families cultivate a habit of family prayer.

Q: What makes this book different from other typical children’s Bible story books?

Unlike most story books, My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories includes stories from the entire Bible, especially those most important to Catholics. Although Thomas Nelson is an evangelical publisher, they worked with me to make sure the book has an authentically Catholic “voice,” incorporating Church teachings, especially on the sacraments and the saints. Because the text comes directly from Scripture, it gives children a chance to hear the beauty of the text for themselves – and the passages are kept short, so as not to be too overwhelming. And I deliberately included notes for parents, so they can learn right along with kids!

Q: What type of research went into the formation of this wonderful resource?

I drew extensively from my graduate theology studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit — however, I learned to love the Bible from the first thirty years of my life, especially the years I spent in Bible school as an Evangelical Christian. I have in my library an extensive collection of Scripture study resources — you should have seen the mountain of books on my desk while I was going through the project! I have to say, compiling this book gave me a chance to read these stories in a fresh, new way.

Q: What are some of the ways in which you foresee the book being used by Catholic families and educators?

One of the greatest challenges facing catechists and parents is educating children when we ourselves don’t feel completely up to the challenge. The cross-referencing features of each story will help educators to study the material at their own pace, as deeply as they are inclined to do. The index is also cross-referenced to the liturgical calendar, so you can readily look up the story that corresponds to the readings. Above all, it will help educators integrate Scripture and prayer, both of which are needed to maintain a vital Christian life.

Q: What do your two adorable kids think about having their own special book, written by their mom?

They’re cute. They walk around the house with it (I only have one copy so far), and at church they run up to people, flashing the title page (before I get a chance to do it!)

Q: What was different about writing for children rather than writing for adults? Did you test drive the book with your own family prior to publication?

The greatest challenge was finding a voice that would work for the whole family (although the book is targeted at the 6-9 age group). I didn’t want older kids to be bored, or little kids to be lost. That’s why the multiple sidebars helps — you can read as little or as much as you want. Honestly, I had to do it so quickly there wasn’t a lot of “test driving” ahead of time … but I’m enjoying reading it through with them now, with all the beautiful artwork!

Q: Please give our readers an update on your great Extraordinary Moms Network.

I continue to post on it regularly, and people continue to find me …. I’m hoping this book will draw even more readers, and encourage them in their vocations. I have a special page dedicated to resources that tie into the book – websites and other online resources to help families dig deeper into the stories.

Q: With all of your publishing and writing successes, what’s next?

Although I have a few ideas brewing, I don’t have any firm plans right now. Life is very much like a book, full of chapters and plot twists. It isn’t always possible to project what is going to happen from one week to the next, is it? I’ve always loved writing and sharing my faith with other people; as a wife and mother, I can’t always spend the kind of time I’d like with this. This year, my children’s school has occupied the lion’s share of my time, and it looks as though I may soon be headed back to school myself. I’ll update my plans on EMN as they become available … stay tuned!

Purchase My Big Book of Catholic Bible Stories and support CatholicMom.com!

Listen on the Player:

Music:

“He’s Alive” by Susan Bailey www.SusanBailey.net
Opening and closing theme: “Women of Faith,” Lynn Cooper, www.lynncoopermusic.com

Contact Linda with your comments: lgkelley@charter.net
Visit her website for more information and watch videos: www.theatrerising.com

Narrator and producer: Susan Bailey

Please be sure to take note of Laurie Manhardt’s generous offer near the conclusion of this article to learn about how you can obtain a free “Acts and Letters” promotional DVD to help you get started with your bible study.

I’m pleased to share my recent interview with series co-author Laurie Watson Manhardt, Ph.D. and to give Acts and Letters my highest recommendation!

Please share with us about the latest resource in the Come and See Catholic Bible Study Series.

“Acts and Letters,” the seventh book in the Come and See ~ Catholic Bible Study series covers the Acts of the Apostles and ten epistles attributed to Saint Paul: 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Philippians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Ephesians, Romans, Galatians, Colossians and Philemon.

Why did you feel compelled to create and share this new study?

Father Ponessa and I hope to cover all of the books in the Catholic Bible in a 14 volume series, God willing. We didn’t know when we were writing this book that Pope Benedict XVI would declare this the Year of Saint Paul, but we’re very happy that he did. Perhaps it was Divine Providence or a prompting of the Holy Spirit to look at the life and letters of Saint Paul at this particular time.

How will individuals and families grow in their faith by undertaking this particular study during the Year of St. Paul?

The Acts of the Apostles is so exciting. Jesus ascends into heaven right in front of his apostles. The Holy Spirit comes in power while Our Blessed Mother and the disciples are waiting and praying in the upper room. The Church is born and there is an evangelism explosion. Then Saint Peter is imprisoned, Saint James is martyred, Saint Paul is beaten and shipwrecked and run out of town. It is an exciting adventure for any family to study the beginnings of our Catholic Church and the lives of Saints Peter and Paul.

How can undertaking a Catholic bible study help to enhance one’s prayer life?

The more we study God’s Word, the more we learn about God, the more we are drawn to praise Him and worship Him. God’s magnificence is revealed to us more and more as we study God’s Word. Bible Study serves to enhance one’s prayer life and make prayer deeper and richer.

For those who may not have done bible study in the past, do you have any hints or suggestions for getting started?

The best way to start is to JUST DO IT!  Find a good Catholic bible study that is manageable. There are many excellent Catholic bible studies available today. Some are more challenging than others. Some require a certain level of academic preparedness and home study. Go to a Catholic book store and look over some offerings. Or look on the Internet at several Catholic bible studies, and then choose one. You might want to talk to friends or family members who have done Catholic bible studies and see which ones they would recommend. Always make sure the materials you choose have the imprimatur of a bishop, to ensure that they are free from doctrinal or moral error. Then determine who will be in your study. Do you want to have a Family Night Bible Study around the kitchen table? Do you want to meet with a few young mothers in the parish? Would you and your husband like to invite some couples over for a Couples’ Bible Study? There are many possibilities. But, the bottom line is JUST DO IT! God will bless your efforts.

Please share with us about the generous giveaway offer you’ve extended to our Catholic Mom readers for this new study? How should people contact you if they are interested in participating?

Father and I would like to offer a free promotional DVD for “Acts and Letters” to anyone who is interested in starting a Catholic bible study. Just please send me your name and street mailing address with zip code by Email to CatholicBibleStd@aol.com and I will send one out to you. If anyone is interested in looking at a sample of our materials to see if they might meet your needs or suit your purposes, you are most welcome to go to our web site www.CatholicBibleStudy.net and go to the “Books” page. In the upper left hand corner, you are welcome to download the Introduction and first chapter of our book on “Genesis.” You are also welcome to print it out to look at the commentary and home study questions.

What types of responses have you received from people who have undertaken this new study?

The response has been amazing. I was thinking of writing specifically for mothers with pre-school children. But surprisingly our studies are also being used by teens, prisoners, men’s groups, couples’ group, religious sisters in a convent, small neighborhood home groups and large parish groups.

How can people get in touch with you if they would like additional information on your studies?

Please contact me through our web site www.CatholicBibleStudy.net. You can also Email me directly at CatholicBibleStd@aol.com or telephone me at (772) 321-4034 and I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. All of our Catholic Bible Study materials can be purchased through Emmaus Road Publishing in Steubenville, Ohio. Call 1 (800) 398-5470 during business hours or purchase bible study books and DVDs any time on the Internet at www.emmausroad.org.  Emmaus Road can also help you to purchase a good Catholic Bible and they have many other topical Bible Studies and excellent catechetical materials for children that you might want to look at. Their “Faith and Life” series is the finest catechetical series for children I have ever seen.

Are there any additional thoughts or comments you would like to share with our readers?

The family or individual who studies the life and letters of Saint Paul in this Year of Saint Paul should expect to receive many special graces and blessings from Our Lord through the intercession of Saint Paul. May each of share in the fervor and evangelistic zeal of Saint Paul. As Jesus revealed Himself to Saul on the road to Damascus, may Christ reveal more of Himself to each of us, and transform each of us powerfully as He transformed the life of Saint Paul, for the greater honor and glory of Almighty God.

Click here to order Acts and Letters through Amazon and support CatholicMom.com with your purchase!