Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist, Illustrated by Rachel Clowes

Love Letters from God is a lovely book, beautifully illustrated, and full of love from beginning to end. A different ‘girl’ examined in each chapter feels God’s love in a very real way through her experiences.

A word of caution: The stories stick to the Biblical accounts rather loosely. That may not be a bad thing if the reader has a Bible close by and decides to do more reading. Having each character described as a girl also threw me in places. For instance, the woman at the well is described as “The Thirsty Girl” – a woman who had five husbands and was living with a man at the time of her encounter with Jesus. In this book, she is simply ‘searching for love.’

I realize that in a children’s book, certain details may be glossed over, and if an adult reads to a child, this book presents opportunities to delve further into Scripture together. The Love Letters from God are under flaps in the print books and are sweet reminders of the love that each character feels, although I felt in some letters, the author took liberties in speaking as God.

Overall, I can recommend this book as a springboard for more discussion about the girls and women in the Bible.

HandleBar Marketing sent a complimentary copy of Love Letters from God, Bible Stories for a Girl’s Heart to me. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers - Diane Storz; illustrations by Sheila Bailey

“The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers” is a 32-page board book in which Diane Storz has written a very quick and light overview of the entire Bible with eight stories – four from the Old Testament and four from the New Testament. Each story is short – only a few pages, and geared to children who may not understand the deeper concepts of each story, although reading the book to children a bit older might present an opportunity to expand each one.

This book is most definitely geared to toddlers and more specifically, girls. The pages are sturdy and the artwork is as sweet as the stories. Sheila Bailey’s brightly colored and expressive illustrations cover most of each page. Although the book is feminine in design with its pink cover depicting girls, the stories could be read to both sexes.

I especially loved the final page which says, “After Jesus spent time with his disciples, he went up to heaven through the clouds. But someday he will come back. We are waiting for you, Lord Jesus!”

"The Sweetest Story Bible for Toddlers" would make a lovely gift for toddlers to introduce the idea of carrying their own ‘Bible’ to church and that Bible reading is an important and enjoyable experience.

Thanks to Book Look Bloggers for a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Board book: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz; Brdbk edition (December 9, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310746302
• ISBN-13: 978-0310746300

About the Author 

Diane Stortz has been involved with publishing for many years as an editor, editorial director, and author. Her children’s books include Jesus Loves You: A Read the Pictures Book, Let’s Shine Jesus’ Light on Halloween, Four Faithful Friends, and God’s Boredom Buster Plan. She is cofounder of the National Network of Parents of Missionaries and coauthor of Parents of Missionaries: How to Thrive and Stay Connected When Your Children and Grandchildren Serve Cross-Culturally. Diane is the mother of two grown daughters, and lives in Cincinnati with her husband and a Dutch house rabbit, Pepe.

 About the Illustrator

 Sheila Bailey works in watercolor and digital media. In fact, it is this combination of tools that allows her to achieve her characteristic style. Sheila began her career as a designer and painter for Hallmark, Inc. Later, she became a featured designer at Will Vinton Studios. Formerly published under the name Sheila Lucas, Sheila Bailey has been writing and illustrating children's literature for more than a decade. Away from her brush, Sheila enjoys gardening and tending to her koi pond. She currently lives in Redwood City, CA.

NIV New Spirit-Filled Life Bible

This is fast becoming my go-to Bible. I reviewed the Kindle version because this is now my favorite way to read my Bible. I can mark my progress, highlight passages, and make notes. Each Bible has a different format and way to navigate. After a few sessions, I found the “New Spirit-Filled Life Bible” easy to navigate.

One of my favorite features of many is the “Word Wealth.” For instance, in Ephesians 6:13, I learned that ‘stand your ground’ is antihistemi from anti – against, and histemi, to cause to stand. This suggests vigorously opposing. Like an antihistamine puts a block on histamine. In this scripture, antihistemi tells us that with the authority and spiritual weapons granted to us, we can withstand evil forces.

More than 20 denominations and independent fellowships produced this study Bible integrating Pentecostal-Charismatic viewpoints. As an Assemblies of God teacher and pastor, I heartily endorse this Bible.

Book Description

Find the Holy Spirit throughout the Bible. Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church on the Way, has led a team of anointed scholars to produce the New Spirit-Filled Life Bible. This outstanding resource offers a fresh look at the Scriptures and the work of the Holy Spirit. This Bible addresses important issues of Spirit-filled living in the context of solid biblical scholarship.

Features include:

·                     Kingdom Dynamics—41 themes throughout the Bible that give us values as we advance the gospel throughout the world

·                     Word Wealth—More than 550 key terms defined and brought to life, pulling the language from the original Greek and Hebrew into everyday English

·                     Truth-In-Action—Charts with practical application from every book of the Bible

·                     Detailed book introductions

·                     Verse-by-verse study notes

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 

The Big Picture Interactive Bible for Kids, Hardcover: Connecting Christ Throughout God's Story (The Gospel Project)

I am always excited about new ways to share God’s Word with anyone – and especially children. The “Big Picture Interactive Bible” represents one of the newer methods. Not only does the Bible have many extras like Bible verses to remember, a dictionary, and detailed introductions to each book of the Bible, but also includes a unique feature called “augmented reality.” What? I had no idea what that was, but after downloading the free app, I was as eager as any child would be to see the full color illustrations ‘talk.’ All I had to do was scan the icon in the corner of the illustration and then scan the actual illustration to hear the narrator explain what’s happening in the story. I have to say that I did have a difficult time holding the device steady enough to get the scan to work, but as we know, children today are quite adept and oftentimes quicker than adults to use technology.

I believe that the Bible is Jesus’ story from Genesis to Revelation with the Old Testament being Christ concealed and the New Testament Christ revealed. I love that this Bible has “Christ Connection” snippets all the way through the entire Bible. With maps, concordance, and a page dedicated to The ABCs of Becoming a Christian in the front, this Bible is a well-rounded tool to study the Word of God for both children and adults!

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 - 10 years
• Grade Level: 1 - 5
• Series: The Gospel Project
• Imitation Leather: 1350 pages
• Publisher: B&H Kids (March 1, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433605031
• ISBN-13: 978-1433605031

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

NIV Ragamuffin Bible: Meditations for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Brokenhearted (Brennan Manning)

The NIV Ragamuffin Bible is a New International Version Bible containing 104 devotions, 250 reflections, and 150 quotes from Brennan Manning (1934-2013), a public speaker, priest, and author of The Ragamuffin Gospel. While the extra material scattered throughout the text is at times thought provoking and inspiring, in some cases, I felt that it did not relate to the scriptures into which it was inserted. For instance, this quote is on the same page as Ecclesiastes 4:

“In place of end-time agitation and thoughts of doom, Jesus tells us to be alert and watchful. We are to avoid the doomsayer and the talkshow crank when they conduct their solemn televised meetings in the green room of apocalypse.” 

See what I mean? The quotes require careful deliberation to ascertain the message being conveyed, and in some cases, without the greater context of the original writings, the quotes are quite cryptic. Brennan Manning’s style of writing demands more than a casual reading. I do not consider this Bible to be a study Bible, but one that would enhance your devotional time, especially if you are already a Brennan Manning fan.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through BookSneeze®.com book review program. The opinions I expressed are my own.

The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible - NKJV

Between its covers, The Lucado Life Lessons Study Bible, NKJV: Inspirational Applications for Living Your Faith holds not only the New King James Version of the scriptures, but numerous study guides, helps, devotions, and more.

Life Lessons explain the scriptures and about the time in which they were written along with information about the culture and customs setting the stage for a better understanding of the context. Observations give a short summary of the situation. Inspiration asks, "What is this Word saying to you? How is the Holy Spirit speaking? The Application helps the reader to apply the Word to life and explore changes made in the reader's life after study of the verses. Exploration lists relevant scripture references for further study.

Topical devotions from Max Lucado are throughout. The story of God's plan starts in Genesis and continues through the entire Bible to Revelation. Look for "Christ Through the Bible" sections in both the Old and New Testaments to illuminate God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

With plentiful subheadings and a Bible study and Reading Plan, this study Bible makes a wonderful addition to a new believer's or a mature Christian's library.

Product Details:
Hardcover: 1680 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson; 3rd edition (September 7, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1418543969
ISBN-13: 978-1418543969

Word of Promise: Next Generation - New Testament Dramatized Audio Bible MP3 Set

I began my listening with the second chapter of Luke. The music in the background is pleasing and appropriate for each verse, subsiding and swelling with dramatic interpretation. The young actors read the International Children's Bible translation, which simplifies some of the more complex wording in the New Testament. For instance, Luke 2:7 reads, "she wrapped the baby with cloths and laid him in a box where animals were fed." When the angels sing with joy, many voices read the text, which is very effective.

Although I'm used to a booming voice reading scripture, I'm certain this version makes the Bible seem more relevant to many younger listeners. I didn't recognize the names of some of the narrators like Corbin Bleu, Cody Linley, Luke Benward, Charlie Stewart, and Tahj Mowry, but I'm sure your children will. The sound effects and all-start cast kept me engaged and eager to hear what came next. Included with the readings is a 40-day Listening program. The set includes 24 hours of audio drama on 3 mp3 CDs and a bonus 75 minute Behind-the-Scenes DVD featuring interviews with the actors. Although marketed for the younger crowd, I enjoyed listening to the recordings. I especially recommend Word of Promise: Next Generation New Testament if you're looking for a way to get your kids to enjoy listening to the Bible.

Product Details:
Reading level: Ages 9-12
MP3 CD
Publisher: Thomas Nelson; MP3 edition (November 18, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1400313309
ISBN-13: 978-1400313303

Loving Well - Retreat in a Box by Beth Moore

Many large women’s groups have resources to host retreats where speakers and singers can be flown in to minister, but smaller groups do not have this opportunity. What if, no matter what the size of your group or treasury, you could have a renowned Bible teacher come to your church? Now you can.

With the “Retreat in a Box,” Beth Moore teaches a four-part series on Loving Well. The study includes four video sessions, a 28-day Journal that can be used either as part of a 4-week study or as follow up for a retreat, postcards and posters to promote the study, and a tote bag. All you’ll need to do is invite the women.

The kit is very user-friendly with step-by-step instructions. The leader’s guide helps you organize the event outlining responsibilities of the prayer and worship leaders and how to promote the retreat.

The kit includes everything you need to start planning. You’ll only need to order more journals and tote bags so the overall cost per person will be quite reasonable.

Beth Moore teaches with enthusiasm and humor, even giving some hair care tips in a special “Extra Fun” section. The only thing I missed was a recording with praise and worship music, but you could easily use one of many excellent worship CDs to supplement the teaching by Beth Moore – a vibrant and inspirational teacher.

For more information and to order, click HERE.

Product Details:

Publisher: Lifeway Christian Resources
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1415832153
ISBN-13: 978-1415832158

NOTE: I received this kit courtesy of White Post Media.

_______

The Literary Study Bible ESV - Leland Ryken & Philip Graham Ryken

I've read study Bibles, devotional Bibles, and even children's Bibles. Reading the Literary Bible gave me a new appreciation for the beauty of God's Word. The goals of Dr. Leland Ryken and Dr. Philip Graham Ryken for the ESV Literary Study Bible are, “(1) to make the Bible reader friendly and (2) to show how application of literary tools of analysis helps in reading and understanding the Bible” (xvii).

The scriptures are organized in single-column paragraphs to read more like a book, but still have chapter divisions and numbered verses. The introductory notes for each book of the Bible give a 'big picture' element to reading the Bible. Instead of focusing only on individual scriptures, they give an overview. Each genre is explored and explained along with the inferred literary intentions and theological themes, but you won't need a degree in literature to appreciate this Bible. Terms are defined in the Glossary of Literary Terms and Genres. Short paragraphs dispersed throughout the text give further details as needed.

I like the idea of the introductory notes for the text before I read it, but cross-reference notes can be helpful and practical. This Bible would make a good supplement to a Bible with the more traditional verse by verse notations, and an excellent choice if you just want to enjoy the literary beauty of God's Word. The ESV LSB is a 'reader's Bible.'


Product Details:
Hardcover: 2016 pages
Publisher: Crossway Bibles (September 14, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581348088
ISBN-13: 978-1581348088


Note: I received this material from Crossway Books.

________