NIV Essentials Study Bible

I love this bible! Just as the title indicates, it’s a NIV Essentials Study Bible. It’s essential because the publishers have combined portions of several books into one bible. They include the NIV Study Bible, NIV Quest Study Bible, NIV Archaeological Study Bible, NIV Student Bible, The Great Rescue Bible and the Essential Bible Companion.

Each book begins with a book introduction, which includes the key concepts, the purpose, key verses, terms, teachings, maps, and even photos. At the bottom of the pages, there are additional notes to help you understand the meaning of the verses.

The people in focus lens helps you learn a little bit more about certain characters such as Job and tackles the question of why bad things happen to good people. I’m sure we all felt like Job at one time or another.

The Q & A lens tackles difficult questions such as why did God choose such sinful people to be judges or does God allow pain in order to display his power? Or how about what is my purpose in life and how can I be certain of it?

The guided tour sections are notes from the NIV Student Bible. One talks about how Daniel and Ezekiel had leadership abilities and how they were taken prisoner. Have you ever taken a stand as a matter of integrity? It helps you reflect on your own life.

The insight excerpts are similar to a short magazine article such ‘Ecology Plus’ and how nature plays a role and that it is part of God’s work. Then there are short box highlights that help emphasize a particular verse.

Finally, the reflect and respond section will help you to reflect on a certain aspect such as prayer and why we are told to pray. And helps you to not only think about prayer but live it.

The layout is pleasing to the eye. The black and blue font makes it easy to read. This bible provides different reading plans such as reading the bible in a year, a 60-day overview of the bible, 20 not-so-famous stories of the bible, etc. It includes a concordance and colorful maps.

I recommend this bible to anyone who wants to not only read the bible but also delve deeper into the word of God.

Disclaimer: I received this bible free from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) through their booksneeze program and was not required to write a positive review.

In Broken Places by Michele Phoenix

Shelby’s childhood is riddled with abuse. The abuser was her father but her mother, in some ways, was to blame for allowing it to happen. Her brother, Trey, is her savior in many ways. Through the abuse, they became closer not only as kids but as adults. Shelby is content with being alone. Through a twisted set of events, she becomes a single mom.

Shelby moves to Germany but it doesn’t take away her memories. She is a mom to Shayla, a sweet girl who is a typical four-year-old who is wonderful and challenging at the same time. Is she really meant to take on this role? Can she move on with her life? Will she ever find true love?

I love the part of her brother, Trey. He was involved in her life even though he was thousands of miles away. The loved they shared was phenomenal.

This story really made me think of how our past does affect how we view our future. It’s easy to listen to the demons that swirl around in your head. When you live with childhood abuse for such a long period of time, it begins to feel real. The lies become the truth. It’s only after you are away from the dysfunction that you realize how wrong it really is. It doesn’t define you. You have the power to change. You have the power to forgive.

Shelby struggles to make peace with her past and moving forward. This book is about the power of forgiveness.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher (Tyndale). I was not required to write a positive review.