KJV Know the Word Study Bible (Review) + Biblical Fiction Giveaway

GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of the KJV Know the Word Study Bible I'm hosting a different kind of giveaway today. I'll be reviewing this study bible BUT I'll be doing a giveaway of any Biblical Fiction novel. Check out the details further down in this post -- look for the red lettering! But first my review of:

I'm a stick-in-the-mud bible reader. Once I find one I like I'm not keen on switching to another, never mind that the actual scripture is the same. It's all the extras that sell me on a particular version and the proclamation on this KJV Know the Word Study Bible -- "Gain a greater understanding of the bible, book by book, verse by verse, topic by topic" intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a try and am I ever glad I did!

First off, all the extra content in this study bible is super reader-friendly. No quaking in my boots with dictionary in hand trying to figure out what some scholar has to say about Paul. Plain and simple is the way I like it and that's just what this bible delivers.

True confession. I've only read the bible cover to cover once and that was more about being able to brag  that I did (I was young and foolish) than about seeking a deeper understanding. I'm older and wiser now but I haven't attempted another cover-to-cover reading. I've been content to meander around the various books in the bible on a whim or in pursuit of information on a certain subject. So, naturally, I thought the topic-by-topic feature offered in the KJV Know the Word Study Bible  would hold the greatest appeal.

Guess what? I was totally wrong! I am actually over-the-moon crazy about the book-to-book feature! And I can seriously see myself reading the bible cover to cover again, only this time getting a whole lot more out of it! And that's because the authors have made scripture so much more approachable. Lots of plain speak and valuable context and bringing scripture to life in a new way.

So, it works like this. Each book starts with a brief (like 2 or 3 sentences) summary so you can get your bearings. Then there's a Study the Book Highlights insert which simply lists the important scriptures in that book. So in 1st Timothy it's "Paul warns against false teachers (1:3-15)" and "Guard your heart against greed (6:6-10)" And yes, I had this wicked thought -- if you wanted to cheat you could just skip to those sections -- egads, did I just say that out loud?  Yes, I did, and what's worse I meant it. :-)

Now when you get to one of those highlight scriptures there's another Study the Book insert that explains in more detail, bringing more insight than if you just read a few lines of verse. I guess what I like the most about this study bible's approach is that it makes me think. I can't just skim a verse and call it a day. There so much more that beckons to me. Entices me to stay awhile. Ponder more deeply. And it's all delivered in digestible doses that make me feel like I just might have the potential to become a biblical scholar some day after all.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this bible

http://litfusegroup.com/author/TNelson

The Giveaway Details: 

Winner's Choice of ANY Biblical Fiction novel (Christian Fiction). Here's how it works:

State the title and the author of the book you want to win in the comment section. 

-- up to 3 different suggestions per person 

BUT 

each title/author must be in a separate comment 

(makes it easier to tally.) 

Books must be categorized as both Biblical and Christian Fiction.

Remember to add your email address in one of your comments (don't need to do it each time) but use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers.

Draw will be held and winner announced on 

Sunday October 22 2017.

Offer open to International Readers

The Woman's Study Bible (Review) + Biblical Fiction Giveaway

To celebrate the release of this new edition of The Woman's Study Bible I'm hosting a different kind of giveaway today. I'll be reviewing this study bible BUT I'll be doing a giveaway of any Biblical Fiction novel published through to April 2017.  Check out the details further down in this post -- look for the pink lettering!

The Woman's Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God's truth for balance, hope and transformation.

Special features designed to speak to a woman's heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture=based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman's identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the Kingdom.

Now with a beautiful full-colour redesign. The Woman's Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds. Since the publication of the first edition of The Woman's Study Bible the editorial guidance of Dorothy Kelley Patterson and Rhonda Hanington Kelley, this landmark study Bible has sold over 1.5 million copies.

Features include:

• Beautiful full-colour design throughout
• Detailed biographical portraits of over 100 biblical women
• Thousands of extensive verse-by-verse study notes
• Over 300 in-text topical articles on relevant issues
• Insightful essays by women who are recognized experts in the fields of theology, biblical studies, archaeology, and philosophy
• Book introductions and outlines
• Hundreds of full-colour-in-text maps, charts, timelines, and family trees
• Quotes from godly women throughout history
• Set of full-page maps of the biblical world
• Topical index
• Concordance

My Review:

I love scripture but I am not a biblical scholar. When I read passages from the bible I don't always get everything I can from my study time. That's why I love it when my pastor brings new insight to the stories I've read so many times before. He's good at setting the scene and bringing to light the historical significance of verses. He links other scripture with the one we're studying and suddenly the bible comes alive in a new way.

And guess what? This beautiful study bible does exactly the same thing! It's like having your pastor on a 24/7 lifeline! That's because it's chock-full of extra study resources that bring new meaning to verses I've read countless of times before. For review purposes I chose to study the Psalms. I love the sheer beauty of emotion in this book. I've read it many times but after reading The Woman's Study Bible version I feel like I've lived my way through the Psalms! What a powerful difference!

To start with, there are two pages of set-up -- the history of the Psalms, who wrote them, background and themes. Even literary characteristics! And then, as I delved into my daily readings I was blown away by all the extra information this bible offers. There are sidebars that bridge the concept in a Psalm with New Testament scripture and special reflections for women. Cool coloured tables bring understanding at a glance on topics such as the types of Psalms, The Names of God, The Images of God in the Psalms and so much more.Pertinent quotes from notable women are woven throughout as well.

Honestly -- I have never enjoyed bible study more! No checking the clock or racing through to the end of a chapter. (Yes, I just admitted that publicly.) I just lost myself in the Word and came away with a greater understanding thanks to all the extras The Woman's Study Bible has to offer.

I haven't even touched on all the special features -- see the product description for that. And it's all wrapped up in an elegant package. A really stunning bible that will be cherished for a lifetime. The perfect gift -- for yourself or someone special in your life.

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publications and Litfuse Publicity Group for providing me with a copy of this bible. http://litfusegroup.com/author/tnelson

GIVEAWAY

The Giveaway Details:

Winner's Choice of any Biblical Fiction novel with a publication date up to April 2017. Here's how it works:
*State the title and author of the book you want to win in the comment section. Up to 3 different suggestions per person BUT each author/title must be in a separate comment. (makes it easier for me to tally.)
*Books must be categorized as both Biblical Fiction and Christian Fiction.
*Books must still be available (obviously) and published anytime up to April 2017
*Remember to include your email address in one of your comments using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers.
*Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday April 23 2017
*Offer open to international readers

The publisher is also holding a giveaway -- This one for The Woman's Study Bible. Details below:

This spring, cultivate your heart's spiritual roots and enter to win the Grow in the Word Giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

A copy of The NKJV Woman's Study Bible (winner's choice of design)

A decorative plaque

A rose gold Tree of Life necklace

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on April 27. The winner will be announced April 28 on the Litfuse blog.

The Gaither Homecoming Bible

GAITHER, BILL & GLORIA
THE GAITHER HOMECOMING BIBLE

The Gaither Homecoming Bible will make the Bible come alive for those seeking truth in the twenty-first century, even for those who think they already know it. For years, Bill and Gloria Gaither have reached millions of people across generations with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Their music of joy, thanksgiving, and praise ushers people into the presence of God so that He can do His wondrous work in their lives. Featuring inspirational and insightful Scripture devotions by the Gaithers and other favorite Homecoming artists; articles on beloved hymns, gospel songs, and Gaither classics and the inspiration behind them; original poetry by Gloria Gaither to enlighten and inspire; and quotes by greats of the faith, reflecting on the importance of music in the life of believers, this beautiful Bible featuring the New King James Version^® (NKJV) is one that readers will treasure for years to come.

My Review:

I've had the same bible -- traditional King James version -- for way too many years to count. I love the look of the worn leather, the feel of the transparently thin pages, the connection I feel with our shared history. So I wasn't really in the market for a new bible. How could I improve on perfection, right? Well, maybe I couldn't, but the Gaithers sure could...and did. I'm so thankful that I took this opportunity to review The Gaither Homecoming Bible. Aptly named, by the way, because losing yourself in the pages does feel like coming home.

In fact, it reminds me of a really good bible study group. The kind where everyone is comfortable with each other and not shy about sharing how they apply the scriptures to their lives. Numerous insets written by Bill and Gloria and other Homecoming artists bear witness to the importance of scriptures today. Multiple testimonies of the power in the word of God to change lives. Studying favourite verses with this new light has transformed my bible study. I still read my old bible, but I enhance the reading with all the extras The Gaither Homecoming Bible offers. At the end of a study session I feel as if I've had a wonderful gospel discussion with numerous new friends. I just love the blending of old and new and appreciate the heart-felt stories that show the bible is just as pertinent today as when it was first written.

Definitely a refreshing way to invigorate your daily devotions! A beautiful additon to any Christian library.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson".

The Way Bible

THE WAY BIBLE

Today’s 16–30 year olds are looking for connection to something bigger than themselves. They want something that works and is honest, authentic. Something that they can actually experience. Something that gives them hope. The Way offers a way that works. A way that matters. A way that asks them to step up to something important enough—big enough—to live for. It’s a visual, textual, and interactive experience for a generation that has blurred the boundaries of media. It’s an interactive experience for those ready for collaboration, change, and a challenge. The Way connects a restless generation, a generation looking for direction, to Jesus—the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It uses first-person stories, reflections, and questions that bring the Bible to the real world.



My Review:

A very interesting approach to bible study. I think The Way can safely be summed up in one word. Authentic. God's words haven't changed and the the New Living Translation helps to make them clear and understandable but the whole look and feel and approach to this bible is different and very appealing.

The first big difference is the preface for each book in the bible. Not only is a frank summary provided, but the writers flip the biblical circumstances to parallel 21st century ones and that suddenly makes this ancient scripture so relevent to this age. I could easily see myself using any number of them as discussion starters in a group bible study or devotional. The book is worth buying just for that.

The Way also boasts additonal inserts scattered throughout its pages. There is My Story, Lament and Living in the Way and all serve to touch the reader's heart, mind and spirit and make scripture studying all the more fulfilling. In My Story, young Believers share their faith journey. Lament is just that, a personal first person lament that doesn't necessarily supply answers but resonates with the acceptance of faith. Living in the Way segments are hard-hitting short devotionals that contrast the world's view with Christ's.  All made me think, feel and most importantly, challenged me to assess my own spiritual journey.

The Way is definitely a unique addition to any study library.

"Advanced Reader's Copy of the Bible has been provided courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Tyndale House Publishers, Inc".

My Favorite Bible : the Best Loved Stories of the Bible

Giveaway!

DEBOER, RONDI
TANGVALD CHRISTINE
MY FAVORITE BIBLE : THE BEST LOVED STORIES OF THE BIBLE

Bring the bible alive!

The most treasured stories of the Bible come alive in My Favourite Bible.

Start your little ones on a lifelong love of God's Word!

This colorful and dynamic gospel-centered Bible storybook guides children through the foundational truths of Scripture. Each story is fully and vividly illustrated and includes a simple narrative with things children ages 4 - 8 love: repetition, rhythm, and energy, along with a key biblical theme, a key Bible verse, an activity page, and discussion questions. Adults and children will cherish time together as they grow closer to God.

My Review:

First things first. I'm a school librarian and I take notice of little details that most people don't. Like how a book is bound and the quality of the paper it is printed on and My Favorite Bible is superior on both counts. It's a solid little hardcover book with pages that are thick enough to withstand the chubby little fingers of eager toddlers. That's important when you're thinking about purchasing a keepsake bible. And this is definitely a keepsake.

I get the feeling that the authors definitely prayed over this project because they have managed to keep the spirit behind each bible story they share. There is rhythm and reverence in every tale, each complemented by cheerful artwork that is both childlike and engaging. The artist has cleverly hidden 77 butterflies within the pages of the book giving added enjoyment to young readers. An added bonus to parents and teachers is that each story makes a lovely readaloud and will be a pleasure to share. In addition, the authors have included both a family talk page (including a scripture and faith-based discussion ideas) and a family fun page (simple activities that compliment the bible story) at the end of each story.

This would make a great first bible for a toddler and ideal for beginning readers.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like to win a copy of My Favorite Bible : the Best Loved Stories of the Bible leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. Please put the title in the subject line. Draw will be held and winner announced on Friday December 23. Please note: unlike my other giveaways this offer is only for US and Canada. I'll be mailing the copy I was given to review and since it's a solid little thing the cost of mailing it would be prohibitive overseas.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".