The Incredible Growing Basketball Goal - Hardcover

Jernigan, Dennis

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1613143753 ISBN 13: 9781613143759

Publisher: Innovo Publishing LLC, 2017

Synopsis

ABOUT THE BOOK: When I was a boy, I never heard my father say the words “I love you” to me. Ever. As time went by and teen years turned into my college career, these words were never uttered. They seemed to always be on the cusp of his heart, but never breached the air of the spoken realm. It would not be until well after I had married and grown into a man in my midthirties that I summoned up the courage to ask him why he had never spoken his love to me: “Dad, why did you never tell me you loved me?” His answer spoke volumes to my soul, ringing deeply out of the past and with volume into the present: “My dad never told me he loved me...so I did not know how to tell you. But Son, I love you.”

After that encounter, everything changed. I could not help but wonder how a man who never said the words could have acted in the ways he did unless it was love. As I pondered my life and looked back, I discovered clue after clue and compiled evidence upon evidence to the contrary. The greatest expression of love is the laying down of life for the object of one’s love. My dad had done that ever since I could remember, and this story is but one of those beautiful memories I hold dearer than mere words. This is the true story of such love: The Incredible Growing Basketball Goal.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dennis Jernigan is best known for his music. Songs like, “You Are My All in All,” “We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory,” “Thank You,” and “Who Can Satisfy My Soul (There Is a Fountain),” are still used widely in churches around the world. Dennis, along with his wife, Melinda, raised their nine children together on a farm in northeastern Oklahoma. Now they are investing their lives in the lives of their many grandchildren. Dennis Jernigan’s children’s stories were first written as a means of teaching his own children about the character and nature of God. Now that his children are grown and out of the nest, it is time for the stories to be shared with the rest of the world.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR: Deb Grizzle is a native Oklahoman and has created art most of her life. Along with illustrating children’s books, she also does portrait and sculpture work. Her passion and purpose to convey the love of God is
reflected in this phrase: “Illustrating in a small way an unfathomable love.” 

About this title

About the Author

Dennis Jernigan is best known for his music. Songs like, "You Are My All in All," "We Will Worship the Lamb of Glory," "Thank You," and "Who Can Satisfy My Soul (There Is a Fountain)," are still used widely in churches around the world. Dennis, along with his wife, Melinda, raised their nine children together on a farm in northeastern Oklahoma. Now they are investing their lives in the lives of their many grandchildren. Dennis Jernigan's children's stories were first written as a means of teaching his own children about the character and nature of God. Now that his children are grown and out of the nest, it is time for the stories to be shared with the rest of the world.

Review

“The Incredible Growing Basketball Goal is more than a book for children. Everyone should read it and share it in schools, Bible study groups, and with their family. Through DJ’s story, he shows us in a clear and practical way the value of true love, sacrifice, patience, faith, and confidence. This story is a powerful example that, in God’s hands, ‘powerful and great things can grow from small seeds.’”
—Victor Britos Tillner, Asuncion, Paraguay

“A beautiful, engaging story of a little boy’s determination to make his dream of becoming a basketball player come true and a father’s love for his son to help make that dream a reality for him. Through the father’s imaginative way of demonstrating his caring heart, he teaches DJ patience, obedience, faith and the true meaning of love. I was spellbound by Dennis’s ability to make the reader feel the young boy’s excitement and courage. Within this story are many wonderful lessons for children and adults alike. I highly recommend that parents and grandparents read this book to their precious little ones.”
—Lucie Comer, Middleton, Nova Scotia

“It usually takes an entire novel or movie to inspire me. Dennis pulled it off in just one short kids story. In a time where children are learning everything should be about instant gratification, this book takes you back to a time in which you had to work for what you wanted; that the reward and value of the item was that much greater for it. Your child will love this book, and you, as a parent, will love it more. It teaches belief, faith, and community . . . and that maybe even a miracle can be seen if you keep your eye on the sky.”
—Lance Pittman, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Dennis Jernigan's (DJ’s) dad was a referee at a local high school, so DJ got to go to most of the games. He loved to watch the big boys warm up and shoot hoops. He hoped to one day be able to play basketball just like them. He imagined stepping onto the court and dribbling towards the goal. He could hear the crowds cheering for him! He fell asleep thinking about basketball, and he woke up thinking about basketball.

As this sport became his passion, he decided to ask for a basketball goal for his birthday in hopes of growing his skills to one day become a basketball player. Rather than saying “yes” or “no,” DJ’s father did something different—something that would teach DJ what could become of patience, determination, hard work, and faith.

Through the story of The Incredible Growing Basketball Goal, we see that not only do we have to work hard for the things that we want, but we need to trust in God’s promises, even when we do not see immediate results. DJ's faith in his father's promise and his father's dedication to bless his son is such a precious reminder of the heavenly Father who loves his children and loves to give us the desires of our hearts. This is a great story to teach little ones to trust in the Father's love.

About this edition

• Publisher: Innovo Publishing LLC
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1613143753
• ISBN 13: 9781613143759
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 26
• Illustrator: Grizzle Deb