NIV Essential Study Bible

I received the NIV Essential Study Bible about a week ago, I have spent the week reading and reflecting on this book. I have to say, to be totally honest I thought that this book would be crowded and distracting after trying to cram essentially six different study bibles into one book. However I did not find that to be the case this bible is organized well and the layout complements the scripture and provides a large amount of resources to the reader. Here is a list of the resources or lenses that are available. Flyover Lens: Start each book of the Bible with the right perspective from easy-to-read introductions from the popular Essential Bible Companion. Unpack Lens: Easily understand and interpret Bible passages with bottom-of-the page study notes and in-text charts from the best-in-class NIV Study Bible. Dig Deep, Look Close Lens: Understand the fascinating historical significance of the Bible with articles and photos from the bestselling NIV Archaeological Study Bible. Q&A Lens: Get concise, easy-to-grasp answers to your most perplexing questions about the Bible with questions and answers from the beloved NIV Quest Study Bible. People Lens: View Scripture from the perspective of the 100 most important people in the Bible with notes for the student of any age excerpted from the timeless NIV Student Bible. Guided Tour Lens: Get a bird’s eyes view of Scripture with a Guided Tour, also excerpted from the category-leading NIV Student Bible. Insight Lens: Find meaning in the Bible by reading these magazine-style call-outs from the NIV Student Bible. R&R Lens: Reflect & Respond with this quick inspirational focus time, which unveils the sweeping narrative of the Bible as seen in the award winning The Great Rescue, NIV. While all of these are available to the reader the reader gets to pick and choose what resources they want to use. Each and every resource has the abbreviation of what it is in the box with it so if you don’t particularly like the NIV Student Bible you can simply not use them. I particularly like the NIV Archaeological Study bible notes because it does a good job of placing the scriptures in historical context. I would recommend this bible to people who want a large amount of resources in one spot. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Risky Gospel

Risky Gospel by Owen Strachan is a good book with some timely knowledge that sets itself apart from what most books this subject cover these days. Most books that are currently out there on this topic are soft on biblical content and lean much more to the touchy feely side of Christianity. Not beating you over the head, but rather presenting the truth about such topics as risky faith, identity, spirituality, family, work, church, evangelism, citizenship and failure. Relevant and informative but most of all refreshing Strachan, handles the gospel well in his coverage of these topics. Over all this is a good book and Strachan doesn’t spend his time convincing you that you have to agree with him but rather presents the facts as they appear in scripture and lets them lay with you. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson as part of the BookSneeze 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: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

You'll Get Through this

Using the story of Joseph Max Lucado once a gain does what he does best in You'll Get Through This: Hope and Help for Your Turbulent Times. Encouraging in a way that only Max can be he draws on the strength of Joseph and translates that in to a wealth of practical hope and help for the trials you will face in difficult times. Thoughtful and well written this look at Joseph and his struggles but ultimately his reliance and hope in God will encourage you thought whatever it is you are facing weather minor struggle or major crisis. Find encouragement with one of the great voices of faith of our time. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Fight

“Some times you have to pick your battles “ is a phrase I have heard countless times in reference to parenting and life in general. In “Fight” Craig Groeshel draws on the story of Sampson to help men battle what he believes are the greatest challenges facing men today. He speaks of the importance of picking what battles to fight in order to do what is best to contend with the onslaught our culture throws at men. Living in a world that is full of opportunity to sin in the major areas this book speaks to lust, pride and entitlement. The challenges Groeschel presents are not anything new to any one who has done any reading in the last several years. But presenting them with in the context of the story of Sampson does provide for a new angle that allows for a fresh perspective. Overall a good read and a good contemporary look at this problem. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

The New Spirit Filled Life Bible

The New Spirit-Filled Life Bible is a Bible that has the intention of focusing the reader on the work of the Holy Spirit through out scripture. Truth in action sections at the end of each book emphasis in a usable and precise way the main teaching in the book in the Truth section, then in an easy to read Action section Dr Hayford invites the reader to put the teaching into action. Also scattered throughout the text are Word Wealth Sections that take particular words of importance and gives the Hebrew or Greek definition as well as cross-references them with Strong’s Concordance number for further reference. This Bible is a useful tool that enhances the study of very familiar stories with good easy to follow study guide. Filled with maps, a good concordance and written in the easy to read New Living Translation this bible is a great chance to see the spirits work in scripture. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

I Call Shotgun

I Call Shotgun is a book of letters written by the authors; Tom Newberry and Curt Beavers, to their sons. It deals with most life issues in a way that is short and to the point. I found myself jumping around the book exploring topics that were pertinent to what I was dealing with in my own son’s life. I believe this book lends itself well to that. Engaging and thoughtful insights abound in this book that will last on your shelf. Quick lessons that are easy to read and easy to mold to your own particular situation are found throughout. If you are an experienced father or just starting out I would tell you that you will find relevance in I Call Shot Gun. I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 ,"Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Draw the Circle

Less of a how to and more of a why too book Draw the circle takes you back to the biblical basis of why you should be in constant prayer. Drawing from several scripture references and practical advice Mark Batterson guides the reader with ease through a thoughtful look at the importance of being in scripture and living a life of constant prayer. This would be a great small group reference or study. Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.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 [...] : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Book Review

What is God already doing? This is a question that does not get asked by Christians very often. Instead we say what can we do for God. How can we put this or that program into place to further the kingdom of Christ? The truth is that God does not need us to move his Kingdome forward. Tony Kriz in his book “Neighbors and Wise Men” finds God working in unexpected places. From Albania to some Portland pubs this book tells the highlights of Tony’s journey to find what he was missing in the kingdom. Well written to be engaging this book will push you to see how God is already working in the least expected places, this story will have you wondering what you’ve missed. Encouraging you to join God in his conversation this book will empower you to partner with people that you might otherwise over look. Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion here is entirely my own.