Reading, Writing & Pondering

  Do you journal or art journal in your Bible? This new Filament NLT Wide Margin Journaling Bible from Tyndale House Publishers has so many great features for both journaling and reading the Bible. With this Bible, after you make your purchase, you also have access to the Filament Electronic Bible App.  What is a Filament-enabled Bible? Filament-enabled Bibles offer a seamless fusion of traditional reading and cutting-edge technology. The Filament Bible app is your gateway to a deeper, more enriching Bible-study experience. This Bible mixes paper reading with computer technology for those who want that experience. Seamlessly connect every page of your Bible to a treasure trove of resources, including : o     25,000+ study notes for understanding o     350+ videos for insight o     40+ maps and infographics for context o     400+ profiles and articles for enrichment o     1,500+ devotions for daily inspi...

    Are you a woman who needs a new Bible? Or maybe you want to give a woman you know a special Bible. You may want to consider the new Every Woman's Bible in the NLT version from Tyndale House Publishers. This Bible is both beautiful and practical. It is also unique in that it is aimed specifically at women. Over 100 women from various walks of life are contributors to this Bible. Many of them are scholars. They offer  serious study and deep reflection will help you clarify your calling through personal stories, insights, inspiration, and study notes that dig into personal needs during your Bible reading—all created by women, for women. How great is that? I love this and find the information to be fascinating. It offers a new perspective for me on some Bible verses. I also understand that men have appreciated seeing a woman's point of view in this particular Bible, so this Bible may also interest the men you know for that same reason.  Physically, this Bible isn't ...

    I absolutely love the new The Message Women's Devotional Bible ! This Bible is a good size to carry along in my book bag if I want to do devotions on the go. It is also great on my nightstand or desk to read at home. The print is not real big but it is dark and I am able to read it easily.  I also like the devotions in this Bible that are aimed at a variety of women of all walks and ages. I haven't read through the whole Bible in a year for awhile but this one makes me want to do that again. I would use a journal with it if I want to take notes as the margins are not very big. It also doesn't have any space for those who art journal, so again, a separate journal would be good if you want to use this Bible and continue to do that while reading through the Bible.   The Message of the Bible by Women , for Women The Scriptures are meant for us, to draw near to God and discover God’s vision for us.  The Message Women ’s Devotional Bible  invites women of...

    The new NIV Application Study Bible is a study Bible that I find jam-packed full of information. I often read the NIV version so that part isn’t new to me. However, this Bible is unique as it has notes drawn from the NIV Application Commentary. This Bible is designed to help you understand ancient Scripture and apply it to your life today. I think that would be helpful for many of us.  This study Bible shares insights from trusted scholars along with timely Biblical application principles.   This NIV Application Study Bibl e is full of notes alongside the NIV text with Jesus words in red letter. (I always like red letter Bibles!) There are book introductions, Bible character profile articles, more than 50 in-text charts, 16-pages of maps, a dictionary-concordance, 2 satin ribbon markers and easy to read 9.5 print. It really is easy to read this print. I don't need to use my reading glasses. It is dark. The pages are thin like many Bibles and the margins a...

  The Timeless Truths Bible from Thomas Nelson is a Bible founded on the unchanging truth of the Word of God. This Bible is designed to encourage Christians throughout the whole Bible with devotional notes and commentary from theologians and pastors through all the ages until now. This Bible has notes in the margins from notable figures throughout church history including Augustine, Martin Luther, Matthew Henry, John Wesley and C. H. Spurgeon. I really like these notes in the margins as they add to the text. I also like that there is wide margin space to write my own notes. The Timeless Truths Bible also includes many key creeds and confessions including: The Apostle's Creed, The Nicene Creed, The Augsburg Confession, The Heidelberg Confession and much more. There is also full-color artwork with explanation of who did the work in the back of the Bible. I like having all of this included with the Bible text. The text of The Timeless Truths Bible is easy to read. It is a 9-point comf...

  The Action Bible: Faith in Action edition by Sergio Cariello from David C Cook is a vibrantly illustrated Bible aimed at the nine to eleven year old age range--but I think it will catch readers both older and younger.  The Action Bible: Faith in Action edition is illustrated with bright vibrant comic book style illustrations. I brings the Bible to life for this age group and you can feel the energy leaping off of the pages, in my opinion. There are 230 spiritually-transformative Bible stories . A Faith in Action Badge corresponds with each story with one of seven biblical attributes: courage, faith, hope, love, service, trust, and wisdom.  Along with the print book, there are discoverable QR codes throughout the text, which can be used to further bring the Bible to life and learn more. This engaging on-line content include s videos, games, digital Scripture index, prayers, Bible facts, devotions, playlists, reading plans, interactive maps, Bible study sessions, and m...

  If you are a young woman or are looking for a Bible for a young woman, I would encourage you to consider this Bible. The Young Women Love God Greatly Bible from Thomas Nelson is a Bible with a WHOLE LOT of study helps included. As the back cover says, The Young Women Love God Greatly Bible uses the SOAP Bible study framework--Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. There are 50 reading plans for reading through Scripture using this method. There are also topical reading plans about life's issues, such as fear and anxiety and friendship. This Bible combines devotions, profile of Biblical and historical people, other women's personal testimonies from all over the world, and letters from mentors to guide you when faced with a challenge. Women who made a difference for God's kingdom throughout history are highlighted throughout the Bible. The Bible is fairly heavy at about 4 pounds so it isn't one you likely want to carry to church or Bible study, rather is is one...

    The Radiant Virtues Bible is a journaling Bible but it is also a yearly devotional style Bible--all rolled in to one Bible. I really like the idea of using this Bible next year for my devotional time.  The Radiant Virtues Bible has all sorts of features related to the theme. I like that it has highlighted verses throughout the Bible for faith, hope and love that are color-coded for each theme which makes them easy to find. In the front of the book, there are 12 blank calendar page to use however you wish for planning out your year of activities. There are themes for each week to use for devotionals, prayer and encouraging others.    Like other Bibles in the Beautiful Word collection, this Bible has a lot of illustrated verses and illustrations throughout the book. In the back of the Bible, there are some shareable artistic bookmarks and verse cards that are perforated for ease in sharing. Then throughout the book, there is space to journal through your read...

  My son had an Adventure Bible he used for many years. As the cover says, it is the number one selling Bible for kids. Now, this Bible is available in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version for those who would prefer that version. This Bible will get them excited about God’s Word with all of the colorful pictures, charts, highlighted verses to memorize, articles about living in Bible times, amazing Bible facts, and other activities throughout the Bible. This Bible comes in hardcover, as shown, or in a leathersoft edition. It is also red-letter and has a dark comfort print typeface in 9.5-point print size. This is a great Bible for kids to take to church, Sunday school or other youth Bible study classes and to just read and peruse at home. In the front cover, there is a presentation page, a page sharing how to use the Bible and a page with the ABCs of being a Christian. The Adventure Bible is aimed at children ages 8 to 12. My son really liked this Bible and spent time read...

  Have you heard of Verse Mapping? This is all new to me--and I think it is a fun way to better learn about what the Bible is saying as I read it. I also learned that while this is new to me, it isn't a new way to learn the Bible. When it is defined, it is a way of getting real about studying the Bible through researching everything you can about a verse to learn more about who God is and how he is speaking to you. It is some serious studying. Because it is new to me, I have been a little slow to get started in the Bible itself. I like this Verse Mapping Bible Study Journal by Kristy Cambron because I feel like I can freely use it to learn and grow in doing this without making a mistake in my nice Bible. (Why yes, I have struggled with perfectionism at times.) I also like that the journal takes you through the process step by step. I also like that Kristy Cambron not only explains things so well, but she also explains that this study is for every day people like you and me. Also th...

        The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls Gift Set would be a wonderful gift for any young woman in the eight to twelve-year-old age range. This Bible is not only pretty but it comes with 4 colored pencils and six sticker sheets in the gift set, which is also beautifully boxed.     This Bible has thick white paper that is designed to be used for writing or drawing with wide, lined margins for notes and reflections. The print is dark and an easy-to-read Comfort Print typeface that is 8-point type. This Bible also lays flat when opened fully. Some of the pages have lines in the margin and others have Scripture picture verses to color. There are also some pretty full page pictures to color. I think any colored pencils would be fine for this Bible. I have not tried pens or markers but they may be okay to use without bleed through if you test a small corner since the pages are fairly thick. The Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls measures 8.25...

  This Beautiful Word Bible Journal (Mark) from Zondervan is a nice quality, pretty Bible book journal.  The Beautiful Word Bible Journal: Mark is a nice size to carry anywhere. It also has larger 9.5 point type. It has wide margins with plenty of space to type. Colorful, illustrated art verses line some of the margin edges and still have space to write next to them. In this book, these are already a vibrant color and not and outlined type to be colored in. To be clear, the decorated verses are already illustrating this journal. However, you could still use the wide margin space to create your own Bible art journaling pictures if you so choose or you could use them to take notes and write reflections on what you have been reading. I think it could be used in a variety of ways. Right now, several books of the Bible are available as NIV Beautiful Word Bible Journals: Mark, Matthew, Luke, John, James, John, Romans, Acts, Ephesians, and Psalms. They are fairly inexpensive so it wo...

  I honestly don't know a lot about former President Jimmy Carter but I have heard that he has taught Sunday School for many years. The NRSV Simple Faith Bible with Reflections from Jimmy Carter is a helpful Bible if you are doing Bible study or wanting to reflect on the Bible sections that you are reading.  The foreward to this Bible is written by Jonathan Reckford, International CEO of Habitat for Humanity. In this forward, Reckford shares how President and Rosalynn Carter make a difference by putting their skills and beliefs into action helping with a house every year. The President often presents a Bible to the new home owners at the dedication service to remind us "that we are builders, not only of houses, but of hope, dignity and community." Former President Jimmy Carter has been teaching Sunday school for over 65 year, many of them at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA. A lot of the content of those lessons is used in this Bible. There are study notes throughou...

Do you like to do Bible art journaling? Or maybe you want a Bible with plenty of space to make notes in? The new Artisan Collection Bible from Zondervan is simply gorgeous both inside and out. There are a few different gorgeous cover designs available but all are created using a layered alcohol ink painting technique. I received the beautiful blue as posted in my picture above but they also have a cover done in shades of pinks and one with pastels with a bit of gold mixed in all of the colorations. The Bibles also have two satin ribbon markers and gilt page edges. Each one is unique and SO pretty. I have another Bible that I purchased a couple of years ago with pre-printed pictures to color in the column next to Bible verses. However, I have been wanting to try my hand at making my own art journal pictures. I also want to be able to write notes on the lines next to the text. For my first one, I used a picture from an art journaling help book so it isn't completely origi...

I have watched Dr. David Jeremiah on TV for many years. I always appreciate his Bible wisdom and how he tells a story in his sermons. I was excited to get a copy of The Jeremiah Study Bible: Psalms and Proverbs edition. The Psalms and Proverbs edition of The Jeremiah Study Bible is in an easy-to-carry-around size at a little over 5 by 8 inches. It comes in the English Standard Version and has an elegantly bond durable cover that I think is leather. Inside it is a mix of dark easy to read print and red letter for heading and Book introduction written by Dr. David Jeremiah. At the bottom of each page are study notes and there is also some cross referencing. Side Bars are also prolific throughout the book and full of good information like Why do bad things happen to Believers?, Why we should praise God, Why pray? Along with the Scriptures, Dr. David Jeremiah gives a lot of food for thought in these short blurbs. I like this two-book edition of The Jeremiah Study Bible a lot. It was...

The Inspire Catholic Bible from Tyndale House Publishers is another gorgeous Bible in the line up of creative coloring and journaling Bibles from Tyndale. While I am not Catholic, I have several friends and family members who are Catholic and so glad to have this Bible available to them. Some of the key features of the Inspire Catholic Bible : There are over 450 Scripture line-art illustrations to color throughout the Bible. There are two-inch-wide lightly ruled margins with space for personal reflections and your own creative art journaling. The paper through the Bible is a heavy weight quality paper that is designed for journaling. Finally, the font size is 8.65, which is larger and more readable than other journaling Bibles. At the same time, this is a good size for carrying to church, the coffee shop, Bible study or anywhere else you want to use this Bible as the dimensions are 6.125 x 7.875 inches and it is two inches thick. Also, the Inspire Catholic Bible ’s New Livi...