The Little Boy Down the Road: Short Stories & Essays on the Beauty of Family Life

by Douglas W. Phillips

''The Little Boy Down the Road'' is a collection of humorous and thought-provoking short stories and essays on family and fatherhood that reveal the beauty of the Christian household. It is a book about the nobility of the commonplace events in life and the special epiphanies of parenthood -- the moments of supreme clarity where parents realize, as if coming out of a slumber -- the inexpressible preciousness of the Christian family and the unbounding love of Christ to shower sinful men with such earthly joys. Doug gives readers a very personal look at the challenges, losses, and victories of life with his own family of ten. Discover the blessing of family eccentricities and the gentle art of ''home school opera.'' Meet a courageous woman whose decision to choose life paved the way for generations of grateful children. Learn how wise fathers build manly libraries that influence children for generations. Meet an ensemble of animals from Penumbra the Goat to Goose Quixote and Buddy the Hamster, and laugh with Doug as he shares theories on how God uses our children's relationships with pets to teach us important life lessons. And before you leave the Phillips family, take time to remember the ''most important things'' as you meet the little boy who waits faithfully for his father at the end of the road.

Genres: Christianity

191 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Doug Phillips is a sinner, saved by grace. God was pleased to place him in the home of Howard and Peggy Phillips, two outstanding parents who loved him and poured their lives into him. His father personally discipled Doug for much of his life, taking Doug with him around the country, such that Doug had traveled with his family through 49 of the 50 states by the time he was 18. His father — a former candidate for President of the United States who served as Acting Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity under Richard Nixon — faithfully read both Old and New Testament to him at the dinner table, taught him constitutional law, public policy, and communicated to Doug a remarkable passion for history. They listened together to more than 2,000 audiocassettes on history, books, and theology.

As a young man, Doug was also discipled by Robert Gifford, a great preacher of the Word and pastor of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church, who communicated to Doug a passion for Christian apologetics and the sovereignty of God. Because of his father’s work as a statesman, Doug had the opportunity to spend time with, and learn from, many of the great Christian leaders of the last 30 years. It was during this time, however, that Doug came to realize that the greatest witness a man could offer for Jesus Christ was not what he knew, but how he lived his life as a father and a husband. It was at this time that God began to build a vision in Doug’s life for seeing the restoration of biblical manhood, godly femininity, and the Christian home.

While running a Christian newspaper in college, Doug met Beall, a young woman who ran a ministry to unwed mothers called “Alternatives to Abortion” (interestingly enough, Beall herself had been adopted). Five years later, on “the happiest day of my life — except for every day after that,” Doug and Beall were married. Doug attended law school for the purpose of developing skills that would help him defend home educators and Christian parents from State tyranny. He graduated from George Mason School of Law, where he studied under judges Robert Bork and Doug Ginsberg. He served for six years at the Home School Legal Defense Association in multiple capacities including staff attorney and Director of the National Center for Home Education.

Reviews

[Tracyl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having already planned my 2012 reading list, when a friend suggested that I read this book, I almost tucked it away for next year. I'm so glad that I didn't!

This is one of the sweetest books that I've read on family life.

There is nothing "deep" here, just sweet stories, honest thoughts and encouragement for families.

I loved this book! It may well be placed on a list of my "all time favorites"!

[Kaycie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and encouraging book on family life. The stories are from Doug Phillips' childhood or of his children and their many pets. If you homeschool or know someone who does this book will make you chuckle and maybe inspire you to institute some of Doug Phillips' ideas in your own family.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. Sweet stories with lessons. Good to read aloud with the family (as we did). Some of the stories are more humorous and fun for children, while others are deeper and more for adults.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of THE best books I have ever read!!!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading anecdotes from the Phillips family, and also the rest of this book.