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Title: Kidz Battle Zone
Author: Karen Elengikal
Publisher: Fireworks Publications
Copyright: 2007
ISBN: 978-981-05-8480-1
Genre: Non-Fiction/Parenting/Family
Book Size: 214 pages
Reviewer: Deborah Porter
Available Through:
The Kidz Battle Zone Website
If you are a parent, grandparent or involved in any form of children's ministry, Kidz Battle Zone by Karen Elengikal is a must read. It is a constantly confronting and challenging book, pinpointing areas where we, as guardians of the next generation for Christ, may be allowing the enemy free entry into their lives. Yet, in the midst of this very direct and often unsettling message, it is also an exceptionally inspiring and encouraging read.
Even at its most confronting, the author does not point fingers of blame or accusation, but rather writes from a heart that is concerned for a generation that is being attacked by ungodly influences like never before. As she writes in the introduction, "The daily 'Kidz Battle Zone' is intense because it concerns a battle for our children's hearts! From the heart flow the issues of life, for where the heart goes, feet and hands will follow."
Kidz Battle Zone is not a book to be rushed through. Even though it can be read in one sitting, it will be of most benefit if read as a daily study or devotional over a one-month period. The book is designed for this purpose with relatively short chapters, which are all followed by a suggested prayer and appropriate scriptures for meditation and reflection.
It is actually this devotional/study format that really makes the book so special. The author obviously wants parents to take the time to discuss and prayerfully consider the issues she raises in each chapter. There is no doubt that the parents who do this will gain the most from the message of this book. This is partly because it will give them the time to really consider how this applies to their own family, as well as allowing space for God to direct their paths.
It can be very easy when reading a challenging, confronting book like this to shrug it off as being so much talk. However, that's not so simple when it comes to Kidz Battle Zone. In this case, the author and her family are most definitely practicing what they preach, and it has been life changing for them all.
Mrs. Elengikal and her husband have six sons and are bringing them up in a way that is quite contrary to what is accepted without question by the world, and even by many Christians. They are taking God's Word at face value and doing everything they can to guard their children's hearts and minds. In return, the Lord is raising up a family of young men who, while still children, are listening to the voice of God, are not ashamed of their faith, and have a passion to serve Him and put Him first. So although some aspects of the author's teaching may ruffle feathers, there's no denying this family's testimony - and when it comes down to it, perhaps our feathers are overdue for a good ruffle anyway.
Whether you agree with everything in this book or not, it is the reviewer's opinion that Kidz Battle Zone is essential reading for every Christian parent today. At the very least, it will make you think. At the very best, it may change your family for eternity.
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