Encouragement for Today

A group of women from Proverbs 31 Ministries teamed up together to write Encouragement for Today which offers 100 devotions for women in all different walks of life. Most of the devotions are comprised by Renee Swope, Lysa TerKeurst, and Samantha Evilsizer (who together wrote about 40 of the devotions), although 15 other women also contributed to this devotional. Each two-page devotion is titled and has a theme verse. Most of the devotions are personal anecdotes, though some are based off of Biblical accounts. Often there are Bible verses embedded within this portion. Next, there is a short, but pertinent prayer followed by a three-part section: Remember, Reflect and Respond. Each devotion ends with a couple of "Power Verse" references.

 

I was not sure quite what to expect when I chose to review Encouragement for Today. I had only heard of the P31 ministry in passing conversation and I didn't know if I needed yet another devotional taking up space in my home. But I'm so thankful that the Lord led me to this book. He has already spoken to me through so many of the devotions and I know He will continue to use them to encourage or admonish me in His perfect time. I first fell in love with the cover-- it looks like a cover you would see on a Real Simple magazine; it's simple, yet peaceful photograph drew me away from my current, chaotic life with young children. But the real beauty comes from within the pages. I love how this devotional causes the reader to focus back upon the take home point (the "Remember" section), while offering a homework lesson of sorts for life application (the "Respond" section), thus fulfilling the call to not be hearers only, but doers of the Word of God as well (James 1:22). In addition, I loved the power verses, as it forced me to have my Bible close at hand, thus directing me back to the source of Truth itself. Finally, I loved, Loved, LOVED the "names of God" section that are included in an appendix. I've read His different names before, but it is so handy having them listed out as a reference. My only frustration, though minor, was the use of multiple versions of the Bible (nine that I counted); I understand that it helped to illustrate their point in their devotions, but it irritated me, because it almost seems like they are fishing for perfectly applicable words. I would still definitely recommend this devotional to my friends and have already signed up for their daily email.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  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

KJV Homeschool Mom's Bible

Well-known Christian publisher, Zondervan, partnered with Alpha Omega Publications (a leading homeschooling curriculum publisher) to produce a Bible for a specific audience, the homeschooling mother. Intrigued by this concept, and since we are beginning to enter the realm of homeschooling ourselves, I chose to review their published KJV Homeschool Mom's Bible (they also have an NIV version for sale). It is a hardcover book with a cutesy digital scrapbooking cover/jacket. Within its pages the reader will find a simple, black and white (Christ's words are not in red), two column layout, with subject headings interspersed within the chapters. Also tucked within the Scripture are 365 daily devotions, offering encouragement for the homeschooling mom. Each of these devotions has been written by Janet Tatman, copywriter for AOP.

Each devotion is dated with a title. It begins with a verse, followed by a personal anecdote, a Biblical story, etc to meditate upon; Scripture verses can be found interlaced throughout this portion. The devotion ends with a short, applicable prayer. These devotions are clearly distinguishable from the actual Bible by a grey floral border. At the end of the Bible can be found a topical index, directing the reader to the various devotions. 

I read a number of the devotions, and although not all were applicable to where we currently are in our homeschooling adventure, simple nuggets of wisdom could still be extracted from each devotion. I know that the Lord will use them to bless and teach me throughout the year. I appreciated that each daily devotion ends with the directional page number for the following day's devotion, as each devotion is separated by about 3-5 pages. I was a bit disappointed that the devotions didn't correspond with where they were laid within the Scripture (e.g- August 19th's  "Young Love" devotion of Proverbs 18:22 is found near Isaiah 36). In addition, I was disappointed that the topical index doesn't cover more than just the devotions themselves; perhaps I've been spoiled with my other personal Bibles, but I missed having a concordance, cross-reference, topical index, study note section, etc in this edition. For this reason, this probably would not be my go-to Bible at my nightstand; although I found value within the devotions themselves, I think it would have been better off as a separate devotional book that I could keep next to my more exhaustive reference Bible, and thus would recommend it only with reservations.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  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

Couples of the Bible

When we were engaged, a dear friend counseled us and told us that it was vital that we D.W.M.A. in our marriage. We needed to...

          Divert Daily. (for at least a few uninterrupted minutes a day)

                               Withdraw Weekly. (a couple hours)

                                                            Maintain Monthly. (a few more hours, a day, or ideally a weekend)

                                                                                           Abandon Annually. (one week of the year)

As sad as it may sound, we are lucky if we are able to even be consistent in the "divert daily" portion. It's not that we don't try... it's just that many times one of us falls asleep a few sentences into the late night conversation when we finally have some time to ourselves. Such is the life with an orthopedic resident.

Thus, it was with reluctant excitement that I chose to read Couples of the Bible by Robert and Bobbie Wolgemuth. Although this 52-week study is meant to be read together during the course of a year, I went through it in a week (for the purpose of the review- I will go over it again slower!) and by myself. Each week is divided into 5 days of studying a biblical couple (some couples, such as Adam and Eve have more than one week devoted to them). Monday is the story of the couple, based off the Bible, but with elaboration. Tuesday highlights the culture and customs of that time period. Wednesday gives a more empathetic account of what the couple may have experienced during that time of their lives. It ends with a Bible verse. Additional Scripture and questions for thought and discussions can be answered on Thursday, followed by prayer topics on Friday. The couples are pulled from the Bible in chronological order, beginning with a 3-week focus on Adam and Eve and ending with Christ and His bride, the church. Not all are well-known couples, nor are they all examples of godly individuals who loved the Lord, but as is true in life, there are lessons that can be learned from the past that are still applicable today.

As I often felt that they strained to write something for the first three days (usually light on Scripture and heavy on an embellished story of the couple) , I felt this could have been combined into one day; additionally, I think that each weekly study could be performed in a day if the individual/couple had a good hour of time to devote to the chapter. I did appreciate the synopsis at the beginning of each chapter that highlights the meaning of their names (which were meaningful/significant in those days), as well as their characteristics and challenges they faced. In conclusion, I found this devotional to be a useful investment as the Wolgemuths' broke down and highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of different couples, where I may have glossed over the take-home point had I been reading their story straight out of my Bible.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review  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