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Artisan Collection Bible Review… and Grace and Truth Link Up

April 10, 2020 by Lauren 25 Comments

During this time of Lent/ coronavirus isolation, I have been spending extra time in God’s Word.  I honestly can’t tell you if it’s the extra time at home or Easter preparation behind it, but I am thankful none the less.  As a Bible Gateway partner I received the opportunity to review a new Artisan Collection Bible and knew this was the perfect time.  I chose the NRSV version because I don’t currently own a copy and waited with bated breath for it to arrive in the mail.  (What else do I have to do?  Actually that is a joke.  I have been filling my socially distant time with all the things I haven’t had time to do while working – to the point of exhaustion and stress.  Pray for me.  My inability to relax is definitely a condition.)

 

I am so delighted with this beautiful version of God’s Word.  The stunning cover art work and golden gilt edged pages feel luxurious.  As does the patented Zondervan NRSV Comfort Print typeface for these aging eyes.  The lightly ruled, wide margins are perfect for journaling, reflecting, taking notes and creating unique, inspired art.  I, personally, have trouble making stick figures look good.  But maybe you are more creatively blessed.

 

You should Easter treat yo’ self to this gorgeous Bible or another in the series.  Easter is not canceled just because we can’t meet in a building.  And maybe you have no excuse for a pretty new dress this year, but this stylish Bible could fill the void.  Or gift one and start a new Easter tradition.  I would be so excited to add this to my collection of Bible study materials – if my teenage daughter hadn’t claimed it the minute it left the box.  I will enjoy watching her study and fill it’s margins.  And since I’m starting to feel a little envy about that, I may just have to order one for myself.  We can find it here.

 

I am so appreciative to the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid for gifting me this Artisan Collection Bible for my review.  And my prayer is that you use this Bible or another of your choosing to spend time with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this Easter season.  May you celebrate His return from the grave and look forward to His return to claim His throne forever!

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it;

for the time is near.

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Revelation 1:3
Announcement:  Congrats to Kim Hill for winning a copy of Melanie Shankle’s On the Bright Side!  I will be in contact to get your info and get that book in your hands.  And thank you and welcome to all of our new subscribers!  You have no idea how much I appreciate you being a bloggy friend.
And now for this week’s featured post!
I am pleased to point you to When the Answer to Prayer is Bad News by Barbara Lee Harper of Stray Thoughts.  I love how she drew lessons so appropriate for the trial we are all experiencing in COVID-19 from the Old Testament Book of Habakkuk.  And she even linked to our own Grace and Truth Link Up host Lisa Burgess!  God’s Word is indeed alive and active and speaks to us today.  Hop over to soak up this wisdom.
Now for this week’s link-up! Let’s bless and encourage one another in our walk with the Lord.
Grace & Truth : A Weekly Christian Link Up

Grace & Truth exists to point people to Jesus! We hope this link-up will be a source of encouragement every week. If you’re a blogger, we hope you’ll use this space as a way to meet new friends within the Christian blogging community. If you’re a reader, we hope that you’ll encounter new bloggers that love Jesus as much as you do! Most of all, we hope you’ll meet Jesus here.

Join us each Friday for the Grace and Truth Link-Up!

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Help for Reading Resolutioners

January 10, 2020 by Lauren 33 Comments

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

While many are setting New Year’s goals and making promises they may or may not keep, may I selfishly encourage you to consider a reading resolution this year.  It’s selfish only because I am a writer who needs readers.  But reading benefits us on so many levels.

 

Reading improves memory, enhances vocabulary, increases creativity, relieves stress and lowers blood pressure, and makes you more empathetic.  Books provide entertainment, education and keep the brain young.  In my un-asked-for opinion, getting lost in a biography or novel is also a much easier path to self-improvement than going keto.

 

I read about half as many books in 2019 as I did in 2018.  I don’t think I actually spent that much less time physically reading, but I did discover a wheelbarrow load of new podcasts that kept me from listening to as many audio books.  If you are looking for some reading inspiration for 2020, I gladly share what I consumed last year and even divided them into categories – with the tiniest of commentary.

 

Fiction

  1.  When We Were Young by Karen Kingsbury .  I used to read all of her books.  I don’t follow Kingsbury that closely anymore, but I’m so invested in the make-believe Baxter Family after all these years that I have to keep up with anything about them.
  2. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery.  I’m a fan of hers from way back and discovered an old but new-to-me title.
  3. Gennie the Huguenot Woman by Bette M Ross (It’s a long and weird story why I chose to read this, but it is actually pretty good.)

And that, sadly, completes my fiction list.  When I looked back at my year in books this appalled me.  I resolve right now to indulge in more stories in the months to come.

 

Devotional or Bible Study

  1.  Perseverance:  30 Devotions for Faith that Moves Mountains.  I had to list this one.  It’s the first book I’ve ever been published in.  And I’m proud to be included.
  2. Seeing God’s Hand Through the Art of Sign Language by Connie Rowland
  3. Discerning the Voice of God:  How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
  4. Awaken:  90 Days with the God Who Speaks by Priscilla Shirer (I love her)

 

Books on Writing

  1.  The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.  Yep.  That’s it.  I am a student of my craft.

 

Non-Fiction

  1.  Is the Bible Good for Women?:  Seeking Clarity and Confidence Through a Jesus-Centered Understanding of Scripture by Wendy Alsup
  2. Mended:  Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh
  3. Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors:  How Less-Than-Perfect Parents Can Raise (Kind of) Great Kids by Jami Amerine
  4. Stolen Jesus:  An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine (I really dig her raw and honest voice)
  5. When Harry Became Sally:  Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson (It’s time for the church to talk about it.)
  6. The Power of Christian Contentment by Andrew M. Davis (a definite struggle for me).
  7. Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert (For me, this did not live up to the hype.)
  8. It’s a Love Story:  From Happily to Ever After  by Lincee Ray
  9. The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
  10. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality:  It’s Impossible to be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature by Peter Scazzero
  11. Prototype:  What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think?  by Jonathan Martin
  12. The Wondering Years:  How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life’s Biggest Questions by Knox McCoy (a gift from my BFF)
  13. Sex, Jesus, and The Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom
  14. Giddy Up, Eunice (Because Women Need Each Other) by Sophie Hudson (I love her podcast with Melanie Shankle.)
  15. Anatomy of a Song:  The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits that Changed Rock, R&B and Pop by Marc Myers (Just listen to the songs.)
  16. For Young Women Only:  What You Need to Know About How Guys Think by Shaunti Feldhahn (I read this to discuss with my daughter because For Women Only:  What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men was extremely eye opening to me as a newlywed.  The original was much better and I would advise any moms out there to just go with the more “adult” book for convos with your daughter about boys and dating.)

Books That Should Be Required Reading

  1.  Night by Elie Wiesel (hard, but important)
  2. The Louder Song:  Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament by Aubrey Sampson (taught me so much about being real)
  3. Winning the Heart of Your Child by Mike Berry (even though my kids are older, this book motivated me to change my parenting)
  4. Your Future Self Will Thank You:  Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science (A Guide for Sinners, Quitters and Procrastinators) by Drew Dyck  (Just look at the title!  Do you not fall into one of those categories!?!)
  5. A Practical Guide to Culture:  Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle
  6. Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands:  People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) by Paul David Tripp (All church members should read and apply.  It’s really about being a good friend.)

Books That Will Make You LOL

  1.  I Ain’t Doin’ It:  Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land (If you like yourself at all, get it on audio and prepare to need to change your underpants.)
  2. by Melanie Shankle (one of my all-time fave authors and speakers)

Christmas Books (Saved for Last Because You Won’t Need Them for a While)

  1.  Because of Bethlehem:  Love is Born, Hope is Here by Max Lucado
  2. Christmas Joy:  A Novel by Nancy Naigle (the delightful book equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie)
  3. Christmas in Georgia by Celestine Sibley
  4. Touching Wonder:  Recapturing the Awe of Christmas by John Blase (LOVE!)

I hope you found something here to intrigue or inspire.  If you did, do me a solid and order from my link so I get a small commission.  It helps me keep the lights on this site.  I would also love to hear about your favorite recent reads in the comments.  I need some inspo too!  Happy reading!

 

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

 

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Hearth and Soul Link Party,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

Legacy Link Up, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

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About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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