NIV Life Connect Study Bible by Zondervan with Dr. Wayne Cordeiro

Think about all the things we love. We love God, our children, our families, our pets, book, some of us may even love our cars. But- and this is a big -BUT-. Do we love our Bibles? Sure, it IS the Word of God and all but do we really love them?  

   There are so many things competing for our attention tees days and that makes it hard to love our Bibles. To love something, we actually have to WANT to spend time with that particular thing we love, right? See where I'm going with this? 

   Dr. Wayne Cordeiro says we should love our Bibles, love them, spend time with them-with The Word. Spending time with The Word is spending time with God. The NIV Life Connect Study Bible makes this idea of loving your Bible so much easier. 

   This Bible is truly for today's technologically proficient believer. With The Word literally at your fingertips every where you go , there is no excuse NOT to love your Bible. Features of the NIV Life Connect Study Bible include:

-The complete text of the NIV Bible

-Thousands of verse-by-verse study notes

-SOAP (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) articles to invite interaction with the text through a helpful framework 

-Wide margins for notes, prayers,etc

-Life Connect articles bring the truths of the Bible to your life today

-Insightful quotes to invite reflection

-Study tools including book introductions, cross references and an NIV concordance

-A read through the Bible in a year check off chart

-Red letter edition

   I LOVE MY BIBLE!! I love everything about The Word. I use it every single solitary day of my life. And just like the NIV Life Connect Study Bible claims, all these extra special features make my journey through The Word much more profitable. I was already familiar with the S.O.A.P acronym study method and when I saw it was incorporated I to this Bible I was ecstatic!! I believe this tool is invaluable for digging deeper into the various hard to interpret passages, and the easy ones too! Actually, S.O.A.P can be applied to ANY passage. Along with the wider margins for note taking, there are these wonderful things called Life Journal Pages. They are used to record responses to what you read. This way, you have a record of the nuggets you glean from your study. The Life Journal Pages typically occur at the end of each book.  There is also an index so you know what passages you studied and what you learned. 

   My other favorite feature appears in the book introductions. A section called "As You Read" offers things to look for when reading such as key words and themes. "Did You Know?"  provides facts about people, places and things in that chapter. The verse numbers are included  for your convenience. 

   The NIV Life Connect Bible is A-MAY- ZING!!! I have yet to find a study Bible so in tuned with today's bible students. The Bible has it all!! If you want a one stop bible study shop buy this Bible. I honestly can't think of even one reason NOT to purchase The NIV Life Connect Study Bible. I even enjoy the layout of the cross references. My rating is 5/5. Zondervan did it again, with the help of Dr. Wayne Cordeiro.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Gift For All People by Max Lucado

"If God is for us, who can be against us? This mean. Had God a calendar, your birthday would be circled. If he drove your car, your name would be on his bumper. If there's a tree in heaven, he's carved your name in the bark." In knowing this truth, Max Lucado(the author) asks, "Could death harm you now? Can disease rob your life.... You are protected. God is for you. And that's what grace means." Grace is the foundation of this beautiful inspirational book.,

Lucado is one of the greatest of our time. In his book The Gift For All People, Lucado has assembled more than 30 of his most inspirational essays this short but heart warming selection of thoughts and stories.  Each brief chapter offers a lesson for Christian living based on Scripture.  The pages of this book are filled with words of reassurance offering steadfast comfort to numerous Christians. Believers and non believers alike.

I was going through a tough time when I received this book and it literally brought me to my knees. I was humbled immediately and felt the emence love of the Father... At the exact moment I needed it most. I felt right next to the Almighty. 

   I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a little pick me up, someone who needs that kind of hug human hands cans possibly accomplish. The pages are beautifully layed  out and the stories are short enough to read quickly in one sitting. I would rate this 5/5. 

The Catholic Catalogue by Melissa Musick & Ann Keating

We are all curious. As humans it is in our nature to wonder about things. We are always yearning to learn new things and to add knowledge to the things we already know. We inquire about the known and unknown alike. The Catholic Catalogue is a go- to place for everything Catholic. It is a fountain of knowledge of the known and unknown. 

   The authors a three part book or catalogue of everything Catholic. The 3 sections include : Smells and Bells, Seasons of the Church Year and Seasons of Life. This layout lends itself to those who are completely unfamiliar to Catholicism as well as the old pros. In each section you will find practical information and helps on :

-church history

- the saints

-the liturgical calendar

- holidays, feast days and holy days

- prayer

-the sacraments 

And so much more.

   Keating and Musick also educate the reader on lesser known Catholic practices such as planting a Mary garden, keeping Lent, blessing a child, keeping a name day, confirmation gift giving and Eucharistic Adoration. The authors do not try and "push"their faith on the reader. They deal with education and information only. 

   I am a cradle catholic, born and was baptized into my faith and I have chosen to keep it into my adult years. When it comes to Catholicism, I like to say that I know my stuff. However, as I began to read The Catholic Catalogue, I soon realized that there was many many things that I had absolutely no idea about. I really enjoyed this book for that exact reason. Because I now possess this wonderful well of Catholic data I can now make a home altar, shrine or prayer corner for my family, make real beeswax candles with my children, teach my catechesis students about first Friday and Saturday practices and with my husband, bless my children and every room in my home. See, there are things to learn for even the most seasoned Catholic. 

   I would rate this book 5/5. There is so much to be gained by reading The Catholic Catalogue. Anyone with a little human curiosity can benefit greatly from the books contents. I would recommend this book to literally anyone that may want to learn about Catholicism in an informal setting. Believers and non alike will learn something. Go out and get it- you will be glad you did. 

Notice of Material Disclosure:

I received this book free from Net Galley c/o Crown Publishing in exchange for my honest review. I only review products that I have personally used myself. My opinions are my own and did not promise to give a positive review.

   

Rediscovering Discipleship by Robby Gallaty

In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus tell the Apostles to "Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This passage is commonly referred to as the Great Commission. As one of the last things the Apostles heard Jesus say, they took this command very seriously and went off to carry the message of the Gospel to everyone who would listen and most likely to those who wouldn't as well. 

   The idea of discipleship didn't begin here. Rediscovering Discipleship has us begin in the Old Testament and leads us through the time of Jesus, the early church fathers and ends in preset day. Dr. Gallaty doesn't stop there. He offers the reader a concise plan to expand our idea of discipleship as we know it and improve our disciple making practices. The author'a plan is simple.he shows us practical ways  we can all make disciples like Christ. 

   The description of this book piqued my interest immediately. I volunteer in a few ministries at my church, one of them centered on evangelization and disciple making. I believe these two terms go hand in hand. I enjoyed how Gallaty started at the beginning with heavy emphasis on the Eastern or Hebrew way of how the Old Testament was written. I leaned that the Hebrews think in pictures and westerners think in bullet points. This point matters greatly when trying to interpret Old Testament Scripture. The book goes on to explain how the Jewish Rabbi was the first disciple maker. The disciple makers are useless on their own. That's where the Apostles come on the scene. Gallaty uses Jesus and His disciples to further his point. After this comes the early church fathers and their respective denominations. 

   The most vital part of Rediscovering Discipleship, in my opinion is when Gallaty gives us his own great commission, a simple plan that packs quite a punch. He directs individuals as well as the church as a whole. I'm very grateful for the authors insights on this integral part of being a christian. I can certainly apply the facts to my ministries and encourage others to do so easily. 

   I would rate this book 5/5. As Christians we are called by the Great Commission to spread the Gospel and make disciples of all nations close to home and far away. I would recommend this book to anyone looking to obey Jesus' command whether in ministry or in everyday life. 

**Notice of Material Disclosure:

I received this book free from Net Galley c/o Zondervan Academic in exchange for my honest review. I only review products that I have personally used myself. My opinions are my own and did not promise to give a positive review.

 

  

Jesus Speaks by Steven K. Scott

 I love devotionals! I can never get enough. Jesus Speaks- 365 Days of Daily Guidance And Encouragement Straight From The Words Of Christ is unlike any  devotional I have used. Scott uses the "red-letter" words of Christ as the daily focal point in his book. Christ is our teacher, our Rabbi. Naturally, we should look to Him for daily encouragement and guidance. 

   No problem we face today is beyond the help of our Savior. In Jesus Speaks, He is speaking directly to us through the Word followed by a powerful reflection on how He wants us to apply His truths to our daily lives. This is a one stop shop for everyday living. Scott urges us to spend more time in The Word. The more time we spend with Jesus in the Word, the more clearly we will hear Him speak to us. 

 

The layout of this special book is basically the same as other devotionals. The author begins with the focus for that specific day. For example: Take Control of Your Heart and Trust My Father and Me. Then, he gives us a red-letter verse from scripture. In this instance he references John 14:1. After the scripture, Scott goes on to reflect on the verse. He writes as if it is Jesus himself directing the reader in life's spiritual ins and outs. This is very helpful if you practice spiritual or scriptural meditation. After the reflection comes a second Bible verse (also red letter) that summarizes the reflection and the first verse. The day's passage is closed with a reference, including page numbers, to Scott's other book "The Greatest Word's Ever Spoken". 

   As I stated above, I love devotionals, and this one is no different. Using the red-letter only verses really puts the focus on Jesus' teaching. I firmly believe the things Jesus taught his disciples way back when can still be applied to life today. I feel that His message is of the utmost importance for Christian living. The cover and layout of Scott's book is pleasing and user friendly. I wasn't aware that Steven Scott penned "The Greatest Words Ever Spoken" and that this book would be such an integral part of this  work. If the author was looking for a great way to pitch "The Greatest Words Ever Spoken" it worked. Reading Jesus Speaks really makes me want to go out and buy his other boom because I feel as if I'm missing something each day. This is really the only down side to using Jesus Speaks. 

   In closing, I would give this book a rain of 4/5, only because I feel a strong sense that I'm missing pieces of the message by not having the companion book. I would recommend this devotional WITH the companion book to anyone looking to change up their daily devotional time or looking to work on the Christian living aspect of their life.

**I received this book free from the publisher c/o Blogging For Books in exchange for my honest review. I do not review products that I do not personally use myself. My opinions are my own. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/reviews/1601428421/ref=cm_cr_dp_aw_btm?ie=UTF8

Listening To The Voice Of God by Shirley Smith

  Oh how I long to hear His voice. I think it's something most Christians want to experience in their journey of faith. Shirley Smith is one of the "lucky ones." In her book, Listening to the Voice of God, she  gifts the reader with her personal witness of God moving in her life. 

   Smith's experiences are based on God's Word as recorded in the Holy Bible and portrays God's gracious response to those who have faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The author uses this book to show us the many ways that God speaks to us in this time. Scripture is the backbone to most all her claims.Circumstances and strong inner conviction round out her case. 

I enjoyed reading this book. It was an easy quick read. However, it wasn't exactly what I expected. Smith's book is more of a personal account of her experiences seeking the voice of God and how she got there. I was expecting a kind of "how-to" self help type book. Regardless of my assumptions, the book was extremely helpful. Smith begins by giving us a thorough introduction on why we need Jesus in our lives, why we as Christians NEED to hear God- why LISTENING is so important and how we can use His Word to answer these critical questions. 

   I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to read Listening To The Voice Of God and learn practical applications for my own journey with God. I appreciated all the real life examples and ties to scripture found in the book. 

  I give this book a rating of 4/5 and would recommend it to Christians looking to further their relationship with The Father through prayer, meditation and Bible study. 

**FTC regulation book review post

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Prayer Points from Tyndale House Publishers

   Is there any instance in life where prayer isn't applicable? I don't believe so. Prayer Points, offered to us by Tyndale House Publishers makes the task of prayer easier and much more productive. 

   As Christians, the Bible should be out go-to resource for prayer. After all there are countless examples from God's own people on how we should pray. For as many different characters there are in the Bible, there are an equal amount of different ways to pray and reasons for us to pray.

   Why don't you give yourself a helping hand and check out Tyndale's Prayer Points. Each entry provides Bible verses, a promise from God, and a prayer to help you along. This helpful resource features nearly 250 entries and addresses more than 150 topics. Look here for relief for what ails you. You WILL find it. 

   There are certain times throughout the year when I feel especially dry spiritually. These times usually occur at the end of the year/beginning of the year. My emotions run the gamut. What I find most challenging is that when I'm having a dry spell, I often have the hardest time finding the words for prayer. I get frustrated when I try and talk to God. Now, I realize that God doesn't care about my flustering flubs, however, if I just had that certain something to help me with my words for prayer, I would feel dramatically better. Well, now I have it! I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of Prayer Points for myself.

   This beautiful book of love has been extremely helpful, not only in times of dryness but for each and everyday. I literally use it multiple times a day. I'm a mother, a wife, a woman-heck, I'm a HUMAN BEING!! Therefore I go through multiple emotions throughout the day. That is where Prayer Points is most helpful. Whatever emotion or problem you are facing, you can bet there is a prayer-and scripture verse for that. Feeling bored?- there's a verse & a prayer for that. Have a tough choice to make? There's a verse and prayer for that. Are you struggling in your marriage? You guesses it- there's a prayer and verse for that too. Other topics include: oppression, feeling adrift, resentment, breaking up, death, envy, fatigue, sleeplessness and many, many, many, many many more. 

   I would recommend Prayer Points to anyone who has feelings. We are human beings that long for a relationship with our creator, our Heavenly Father. Anyone and everyone could benefit from having this book by their side. I give it 10/10 for the content, portability and the beautiful cover and text font. 

**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I do not review products that I do not personally use myself.

Jesus: Listening For His Voice by Kay Arthur & David Arthur

   I fancy myself a kind of Bible study connoisseur.... Or quite possibly a Bible study hoarder. Either way, I love me a good Bible Study. Kay Arthur, the founder of Precept Ministry International is no stranger to Bible Study. If you haven't heard of her or her famous inductive Bible study method, you may have been living under a rock. Check out her method of madness at www.precept.org. 

   I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to check out one of Arthur's studies in her 40 Minutes a Week series. Jesus: Listening For His Voice is a 6 week study of the Gospel of Mark, chapters 7-13. It is the second book in a 3 part study of the Gospel of Mark. 

  

  Arthur designed this series to adapt to today's busy believer.  The study is ideal for lunch groups at work, an early morning men's group, a young mother's group meeting in a home, a Sunday school class or even family devotions. This book is designed so that all the groups participants will complete each lesson's study activities at the same time. Arthur suggests using a facilitator to lead the group through the motions. The "How To Use This Study" section gives helpful hints as to how to run the study. 

   The introduction provides an informative article about God, His Word, and the freedom and power that comes from knowing the truth and living accordingly.  The bulk of the book, naturally, is the study itself.   Broken in to 6 equal sections, the layout lends itself to the busy believer who doesn't have hours and hours to devote to in depth Bible Study on a daily basis. Even though the study is created to be finished in just six 40 minute segments, it in no way, shape or form lacks information or resources. Every study is self- contained. Kay Arthur uses her world renowned Inductive Bible Study Method to traverse through The Gospel of Mark. 

   The study uses Precept's unique method of observation, interpretation and application each week. You begin with a portion of scripture and apply Arthur's methods to compose a clear and easy picture of the text. The benefits you are able to glean from this formula is sometime overwhelming. Keep your journal close by. I loved to record all those ah-ha moments I had during my quiet time with this study. 

   I have been using the Inductive Bible Study Method on and off for a number years now. I was browsing through a Christianbook.com catalog and saw Kay Arthur's 40 minute Bible study series. I had to have one to check out. I was curious how the author was going to use her method in a pre packaged form. Arthur must have done a thorough job in the research and development segment because the flow of the study is perfect. It's one of the things I most enjoyed. Each section built upon the last and the continuity of the theme made it easy to pick up after a few days off.

 

   I can honestly say that I got a lot out of the study. I learned many things about listening for God's voice that I have never thought of. This is an important area to me. I have struggled for years with discernment and hearing God's voice. When I finished this study I walked away a new person in the eyes of my Almighty Father. My relationship with Him has been renewed and my life, over all is much happier and more enjoyable. It was like I was missing that small albeit important piece. It was something that I knew I was lacking but had no idea on how to find it or fix it. 

   Never have I had an inductive study make such an impact on my day to day life. I would recommend the Jesus: Listening for His Voice -40 minute Bible study to any person who feels that they are "missing that little piece". It is quite possible that the piece is right there in front of you. Maybe all you have to do is ask for it. Whatever the reason, give this Bible study a try. You will come out if it a different, but better person. 5/5. 

**

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Companion To The Old Testament by Ted Leach

Companion To The Old Testament by Ted Leach

 

I really enjoy books that overview the Bible. People that enjoy studying the Bible, like myself can never really get enough commentary of their favorite book. Since commentaries and overviews are essentially opinions, each one is inherently different. Companion To The Old Testament is the first Old Testament Only commentary I have read thus far. 

Ted Leach, the author begins his overview with an informative survey of the Bible and it's history. I really enjoyed this introduction. It was very concise and offered information on several different branches of Christianity and Judaism. The author  states,

   "This book helps Christians understand how the Old Testament is “community property” shared by Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is a constructive resource for interfaith discussion, particularly for people of different faiths (or no faith) who are seeking to identify some shared principles of our common humanity."

As promised, the introduction reflects this and offers the reader tidbits of data to reflect this statement. An interesting fact I learned is that Abraham is an important figure in not only Christianity and Judaism, but also the Muslim faith as well. In today's day in age, with all the fighting and acts of terror, we could all benefit from this knowledge. The things such as religion that seemingly separate humanity have more aspects in common then people are aware of. 

   The bulk of the book is the actual commentary of The Old Testament. 

The Companion To The Old Testament does not read like a traditional commentary though. The Companion is composed of 10 chapters including:

   An Approach To The Bible

   The Hebrew Bible

   Seeds Of Faith

   Freedom & Responsibility

   The Land Of Canaan

   Jerusalem 

   The Prophets

   In The Shadow Of Empires

   Judaism

   Messianic Hope

Concluding this mass is a list for further reading and section for end notes. I really appreciated the way this companion was laId out because it offers a wealth of details in an unconventional format. I found it very refreshing. 

I would give Companion To The Old Testament 4/5 stars. If you are looking for the regular old Bible survey, you may be disappointed. However, if you are in the market for something atypical, you are in luck. This book is for you! These are the people I would give my recommendations to. 

**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Meet The New You by Elisa Pulliam

I just turned 30!!! Talk about a 1/3 life crisis!! Needless to say I have been exhausting all my resources to make this year count. I want to make 2016 the best year yet. Enter: Meet The New You- A 21 Day Plan For Embracing Fresh Attitudes and Focused Habits for Real Life Change. It's exactly what the Dr. ordered. 

   Elisa Pulliam isn't just an ordinary woman. She is exceptionally qualified. Her merits include: life coach, mentor, wife, mother, coach trainer, speaker and founder of moretobe.com. If anyone was going to guide me on this journey, I wanted it to be her. 

   The book is very attractive. It isn't too long and there is ample room to record your thoughts and reflections to the many exercises provided inside. The whole package is very sleek.

   The program as a whole is incredibly effective.This special program is unlike the other life plans I have came across that make you endure pages and pages of reading someone else's story and journey. Pulliam's goal is to fully engage the reader with exercises that are tailored to really get down to the nitty gritty. It makes women take a good hard look at themselves. And we all know that it takes WORK to really change. The author accomplishes her goal by helping women:

      -understand who they are

      -cultivate a vision for who they 

        want to become

      -recognize what holds them back

      -determine the steps necessary 

        to put new, practical habits

        into action

   Her course contains 5 phases. Each one is unique but fits together perfectly to create a thought provoking, reflective 21 day plan. The author leads us through the plan with awareness, assessment, obstacles, solutions and vision. These phases are progressive- each question building on the last. 

   My most favorite aspect of the program is that Pulliam empowers women to take charge of their lives by engaging in a meaningful relationship with God and His Word. After all it is He who created us and to Him we will return someday. It is natural to seek out the Lord's help when we are trying to instill lasting, positive change in our lives.

   With the Lord's blessing, Pulliam's qualifications and effort on our part -us women can expect life-long transformation. I would recommend this 21 day plan to any woman who is stagnant in her day to day life. Since Pulliam's plan uses stories, biblical application, personality assessments, thought-provoking questions and life changing principles,women of all backgrounds and situations will benefit from reading this book. I would rate this book 5/5. 

It's time to discover who you really are and how you can live life differently. It's time to meet the new you!

**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I do not review products that I do not personally use myself.

   

The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids by Zondervan

Have a budding prayer warrior at home? Are you eager to instill a life long love of prayer into your tween or teen? Are your struggling with prayer yourself? I have the answers to your prayers ( pardon the pun please). The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids is a powerhouse in the prayer department. This is also a compact edition Bible. It can easily be carried to school, Sunday school or on over night trips. The Bible is packaged inside a durable, attractive cover- it boasts many features. These features include:

      -full NIV text

      -presentation page

      -highlighted verses for 

        memorization and meditation

      -book introductions

      -reading plans

      -topical index

      -devotions about people who

        prayed and listened to God

        such as Abraham, Hannah & 

        Job 

       -the "hand prayer" model to 

        remind kids to pray for others 

        & themselves 

       -prayer journaling pages to 

         record prayers & answers to 

         prayers.

   Prayer is hard work, especially for children. Coming from a religious education background, I know first hand how children struggle with prayer. Two of my favorite features in the NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids is the Prayer Journal and the devotion sections of the Bible. Boasting 9 pages in the back of the Bible, the prayer journal called Conversations with God gives the child ample room to see how God listens and answers their prayers. Seeing how God is in tune with their lives and cares enough about them to answer their prayers will most definitely encourage any young pray-er to keep going. 

   

   Also The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Devotions help to kick start a stagnant prayer life. The devotionals use scripture to show how God's people (sometimes imperfect) talked to God during both times of anguish and celebration. These are great models for children to follow. They also give children true-to-life examples they can relate to. 

   

   Aside from prayer, just reading the Bible is a daunting task. The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible for Kids takes the pressure off in 3 easy ways. First, throughout the text there are special highlighted verses that can be used for memorization or scriptural meditation. A child could easily locate a favorite verse and write it down to reference throughout the day. 

   Every book has an informative introduction listing who wrote the book, why the book was written, what is special about the book, when the book was written, what chapters tell you about a character's experiences and lists the important chapters in the book. 

   Lastly, the Bible offers a unique 3 step reading plan. The people over and ZonderKids really put some effort in on this one. I have never seen a reading plan quite like this and may very well adopt it for myself. The plans are broken down into "courses". 

   Course one is a 2 week time commitment and lists a basic survey of the Bible. You have 3 sub-courses to choose from. 

   Course 2 is a 6 month commitment- a birds eye view if you will. Here you will be taken through 13 sections. 

   The last course is the entire bible broken down into a 3 year reading plan. Of course- you would only have to read 1 chapter a day. There is no set plan so one could easily tailor the plan to ones needs and finish in a year. 

   The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids is another amazing Bible from Zondervan. Zondervan really knows how to pay attention to details. I enjoyed the topical index or concordence and the devotional index. These small features make navigating the Bible really easy.  

  As I stated in the beginning, I would recommend this Bible to anyone struggling with prayer. Since it is really geared towards the 9-12 age group, the NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible would be a home run for teens and Tweens. The features pack so much learning potential. I have not a bad thing I can say about it....5/5!!!!

P/S- make sure you take a look at the 10 Commandments for kids (pictured above) . This is hands down the best child appropriate rendition I've seen!!

**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids by Zondervan

Have a budding prayer warrior at home? Are you eager to instill a life long love of prayer into your tween or teen? Are your struggling with prayer yourself? I have the answers to your prayers ( pardon the pun please). The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids is a powerhouse in the prayer department. This is also a compact edition Bible. It can easily be carried to school, Sunday school or on over night trips. The Bible is packaged inside a durable, attractive cover- it boasts many features. These features include:

      -full NIV text

      -presentation page

      -highlighted verses for 

        memorization and meditation

      -book introductions

      -reading plans

      -topical index

      -devotions about people who

        prayed and listened to God

        such as Abraham, Hannah & 

        Job 

       -the "hand prayer" model to 

        remind kids to pray for others 

        & themselves 

       -prayer journaling pages to 

         record prayers & answers to 

         prayers.

   Prayer is hard work, especially for children. Coming from a religious education background, I know first hand how children struggle with prayer. Two of my favorite features in the NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids is the Prayer Journal and the devotion sections of the Bible. Boasting 9 pages in the back of the Bible, the prayer journal called Conversations with God gives the child ample room to see how God listens and answers their prayers. Seeing how God is in tune with their lives and cares enough about them to answer their prayers will most definitely encourage any young pray-er to keep going. 

   

   Also The Big Dreams, Big Prayers Devotions help to kick start a stagnant prayer life. The devotionals use scripture to show how God's people (sometimes imperfect) talked to God during both times of anguish and celebration. These are great models for children to follow. They also give children true-to-life examples they can relate to. 

   

   Aside from prayer, just reading the Bible is a daunting task. The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible for Kids takes the pressure off in 3 easy ways. First, throughout the text there are special highlighted verses that can be used for memorization or scriptural meditation. A child could easily locate a favorite verse and write it down to reference throughout the day. 

   Every book has an informative introduction listing who wrote the book, why the book was written, what is special about the book, when the book was written, what chapters tell you about a character's experiences and lists the important chapters in the book. 

   Lastly, the Bible offers a unique 3 step reading plan. The people over and ZonderKids really put some effort in on this one. I have never seen a reading plan quite like this and may very well adopt it for myself. The plans are broken down into "courses". 

   Course one is a 2 week time commitment and lists a basic survey of the Bible. You have 3 sub-courses to choose from. 

   Course 2 is a 6 month commitment- a birds eye view if you will. Here you will be taken through 13 sections. 

   The last course is the entire bible broken down into a 3 year reading plan. Of course- you would only have to read 1 chapter a day. There is no set plan so one could easily tailor the plan to ones needs and finish in a year. 

   The NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible For Kids is another amazing Bible from Zondervan. Zondervan really knows how to pay attention to details. I enjoyed the topical index or concordence and the devotional index. These small features make navigating the Bible really easy.  

  As I stated in the beginning, I would recommend this Bible to anyone struggling with prayer. Since it is really geared towards the 9-12 age group, the NIV Big Dreams, Big Prayers Bible would be a home run for teens and Tweens. The features pack so much learning potential. I have not a bad thing I can say about it....5/5!!!!

P/S- make sure you take a look at the 10 Commandments for kids (pictured above) . This is hands down the best child appropriate rendition I've seen!!

**Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The NIV Beautiful Word Bible

Visually Stunning!!! Those were my first thoughts as I hurriedly ripped open the box. I saw this exquisite Bible in a catalog I receive semi-annually. I knew I had to have it the moment I saw it. And who wouldn't want it. Boasting the following features, the NIV Beautiful Word Bible by Zondervan has you at hello. Features include:

      500 full color illustrated verses

      Wide margins for your own art-

        work or journaling 

      Complete NIV text

      Extra special paper to serve as 

        the canvas for all your inspired 

        work

 

 The artwork truly is vibrant. I have been waiting now for a long time for a Bible such as this. If you are familiar with the Illustrated Faith community you understand the niche for the NIV Beautiful Word Bible. I have seen so many talented women that create these works of art in their Bibles. It's amazing to see the creativity that these talented women possess. Now, if you are like me, and are lacking a bit in the creativity department, but long to have your own faith art Bible- this is a match made in heaven for you. The beauty of it all is that accompanied  with the ready made illustrations, you also get ample space to make your own art or even poems. Some of us have been gifted with the use of our words rather than drawing or painting. And that's ok. It's ok because Zondevan has felt our need and delivered! Can I get an AMEN??!!

 

 All the artwork is indexed at the end of the Bible by artist/Illustrator. The page numbers are given to easily find a specific piece. I was happy to see this included. I just may have to look some of these talented individuals to see if they offer other works. The whole package is really inspiring. It makes you want to dive right into The Word. 

   If ordering the NIV Beautiful Word Bible from the internet you have the ability to customize some of the artwork. Also, if faith art journaling is "your thing" then by all means- join the conversation with #illustratedfaith .  The Bible comes with a dust jacket but in my opinion, the actual cover is much more handsome. A teal book mark will help you keep your place. There is ample space for notes, art or journaling- exactly like a wide margin or journaling bible. The only thing I was slightly disappointed with was the paper quality. Not that it's poor by any means. I was just expecting a little more judging from the description I was provided. Even so- this little grievance was not enough to subtract from my overall rating. And the rating is.... 5/5 of course! I would recommend the NIV Beautiful Word Bible to anyone looking to get into the Faith Art Journaling community, or to anyone who can appreciate a good work of art. The possibilities are endless.  

**FTC regulation book review post

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. 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 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"Design The Life You Love" by Ayse Bursel

  Who isn't trying to have their best life possible these days? At home we are all trying to juggle our husband, children, cleaning, meal preparation and recreation. Then we have our work responsibilities and trying to climb the corporate ladder. Our lives are busier than ever. Everyone wants the "ideal life". Enter the Design The Life You Love step by step guide:

   Life, just like a design problem, is full of constraints-time, money, age, location, and circumstances. You can’t have everything, so you have to be creative to make what you want and what you need co-exist. Design the Life You Love is a joyful, inspirational guide to building the life you’ve always wanted, using the principles and creative process of an award-winning product designer. Through four steps that reveal hidden skills and wisdom, anyone can design a life they love!

    I just turned 30!!! 1/3 life crisis anyone? Needless to say I have been looking for THE book on productivity and goal setting. Design The Life You Love seemed like the ideal match. The book is composed of little exercises and helpful prompts that appeal to your creative side. Bursel is a product designer who has partnered with leading brands such as GE, HP and Johnson and Johnson. She uses her experience to teach the reader how to build a meaningful future. The author uses her background in design to teach us her design process: deconstruction, point of view, reconstruction and expression. 

  Her process is unique. I have never thought of my life in terms of design before. It was a refreshing change. Although I did find the Design A Life You Love step by step guide, I was a little disappointed. I expected more space for creativity. Bursel takes us through several exercises in the book, however most were repetitive. I'm not sure if this was her focus or not. Personally, the repetitive nature of the book turned me off and didn't really get my creative juices flowing like I had hoped. Also Bursel puts a heavy emphasis on her own business and accomplishments that will either motivate the reader or leave them discouraged.  

   I would rate this book 3/5 while advising anyone looking to purchase this guide to download an excerpt before making the purchase to see if this is really what they were looking for. You can do this by clicking on the following link: 

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/252264/design-the-life-you-love-by-ayse-birsel/

**

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I do not review products that I do not personally use myself.