Truth | By Quiet Waters

The Study Bible for Women, Christan Standard Bible version

April 22, 2018 By Michelle

One of the particular blessings of being a blogger, and being open to work with brands and marketers, is the opportunityy to receive items that one finds high value in, in exchange for a blog post or social media mention.

The Bible, the Word of God, is an item of the highest value to me and I am thankful to once again tell you about the newest packaging for God’s Word.

The Study Bible for Women, Christian Standard Bible version is published by Holman Bibles in Nashville Tennessee. The features of The Study Bible were designed to enhance study of God’s word, both independently and in a group setting.

Each book is introduced to help with context and study. A key verse, timeline and content outline are included in the introduction.

Features include:

Smyth-sewn binding
Two-column text
8-point type
Extensive commentary notes
Word studies
Answers to hard questions
Doctrinal notes
Biblical womanhood articles
Character profiles
“Written on My Heart” applications
Extensive book introductions
Presentation page
In-text maps, charts & timelines, Concordance, Full-color maps, and more.

About the translation:

The Christian Standard Bible thoughts by Alistair Begg.

My thoughts:

Personally, I do not use a study Bible most of the time. My family has some Bible Study tools including a study Bible on our book shelves, that each of us pull off from time to time.

What I do appreciate about this Study Bible are the maps, charts and the doctrinal boxes. I am enjoying reading through each of those this spring.

The Christian Standard version is great for readability, and accuracy as far as I can tell. My preferred translation is the New American Standard Bible, which is what my first Bible was as a young married woman. Most of the Scripture I have memorized has come from that Bible. That said, I often will pull several versions off the shelf and read a passage repeatedly, seeking a better, or fuller understanding. It is a great to have the Christian Standard Study Bible for Women on that shelf!

Do you have any experience with the Christian Standard Study Bible for Women?

What is your favorite version for study and memorization?

Thanks to Frontgate Media for the gift of this free Study Bible, in exchange for this review and social media posts.

Prone to Wander LA, Phone Cases and More

April 17, 2018 By Michelle

“We are all prone to wander away from the things that really matter. Sometimes, we just need a little encouragement, a breath of inspiration, a quick reminder of THE Truth, our identity, and our purpose.

Prone To Wander LA creatively brings God’s Word in the little things we carry, wear, or see everyday. We exist to bless little lives with the little things we create.”

Aren’t these phone cases great? They arrived some time ago in a rather plain package that opened up to some super fun!

These pretty phone cases arrived and were promptly passed around. I quickly discovered which one I wanted to try out on my phone, the wood case. The case has held up to about a month of use, and a few little falls and drops. Originally I was concerned about the wood showing wear. But it still looks great!

My youngest has been using the clear case, and I think she is quite happy with it as well. After taking a look at the website, I have found that there are many designs to choose from.

Prone to Wander LA also offers various art products such as pillow covers, banners, ornaments and art prints.

Thanks to FrontGate Media for these complimentary phone cases, in exchange for this review. If you are a blogger and interested in reviewing new products, check out FrontGate Media!

Pathways of Change

March 23, 2018 By Michelle

It is always interesting, the things that stick in a person’s mind, roll around and make pathways of change in a person’s thinking.

In September 2015 I traveled with a group of women to El Salvador to see the ministry of Compassion International, in action. This wasn’t my first international trip, it wasn’t my first time to meet our Compassion sponsored children. But still, this trip, the people I met, the words I heard, have created pathways of change in my thinking.

But first…

Who is Compassion International?

Compassion International is a child advocate ministry.

Every project of Compassion is in partnership with a local church, who is already doing the work of caring for children in their community.

Why work with the local church?

This is something that I truly love about Compassion International. By working with indigenous pastors and the local church, people are reached right where they are. In their language, within the context of their own culture. Local pastors know the people in their communities, and know their needs. By coming alongside the local church, it is strengthened, but not changed.

Pathways of Change

Since returning from El Salvador that September in 2015, I found myself very restless. As my youngest children are all older teens, some of my time has become freer. I spent some time volunteering in a mail room for Compassion, as the headquarters is near my town. Still the restless feeling persisted. I kept thinking about one of the woman I met during that trip, and the work she did. Mercedes is a tutor, a mentor and probably wears many other hats at a child development center (Compassion Center) She is known to go out and find children who have been absent from attendence, or children she has heard about who have needs.

Those memories and the restless feeling I experienced ushered changes in my life. Being a child sponsor has taught me so much about the world outside my little piece of earth, and traveling to visit Compassion children and the people who work with them has changed my life. I now work with at risk mothers and babies in my own community. I feel like the biggest change happens in each person’s life when we let down our guard and expectations, and see what is really going on in the world. There is a great big mission field all over the world, far away, and right here in our neighborhood.

If you are currently a Compassion child sponsor, I encourage you to consider traveling to meet your child if possible. Don’t let fear of the unknown hold you back!

If you are interested in starting the Child Sponsorship adventure, click here to see children who are waiting for a sponsor. While changing life for a child, you may find your the one with the biggest change.

And I’d love to hear from you, in the comments or by email. How has sponsoring children, or working in another ministry changed your life?

Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children

February 1, 2018 By Michelle

Bible study and prayer books fill sections of christian book stores. Most of the time, I can pass right over them all. This is not because I don’t need help and additional insight, oh no! But I find that too often we rely mostly on our own words, and miss the beauty, simplicity and completeness of the actual Words of God.

”Praying the Scriptures for Your Adult Children” by Jodie Berndt is a tool that is just the kind of prayer book that I keep on my study shelf. A copy of “Praying the Scriptures” has been with my Bible and prayer journal for 2 months, as I find fresh inspiration i praying for my kids. Of the 6, four are now “adults” and the other two are 15 and 17. It is a fuzzy line between teen and adult and I find many of the prayer topics covered in this book can be combined into the prayer for each of my kids.

Many times, as I do my daily readings, I find words to pray directly in the passage. Other times, when there is a need, or a topic I want to take to the Father, I fumble in my words. It is a gift to have this book at my finger tips, and as you can tell, I am praying through different topics and scriptures at this time.

I am thankful to Handlebar Publishing for this ARC of Praying the Scriptures for Your Children, in exchange for this review and blog post.

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus, An Advent Devotion

January 18, 2018 By Michelle

Do you find it funny to find a post about an advent devotion on the blog this week? I heard that the beginning of Lent is nearly here, but…

A couple of years ago I received, in ebook form, Unwrapping the Names of Jesus by Asheritah Ciuciu. This advent devotion is so good, and I am thrilled to have a hardback print copy of the book now.

The table of contents is divided by weeks and days, rather than by chapters, in keeping with the rhythm of Advent observance. And there are “activities” for each week. One thing I love about this devotion is that each item, while quite simple, is deeply satisfying or stirring. Depending on where the reader is in their own journey, one can take the devotions simply, or dig deeper. I find the Christmas season can be very hectic and over stimulating, so I am particularly thankful for the simplicity of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus.

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus is an advent devotion, but don’t let that limit you! I am keeping this book in the short stack with my Bible. Each devotion is short, but steeped in rich exposition of Biblical passages. There are more Scriptures listed for each devotion, for deeper study. Once a week or so, I will be pulling this book off the stack to continue reading and pondering the character of Jesus through His names, through the winter months.

For some years now, I’ve read the author’s blog, One Thing Alone, and greatly appreciate Asheritah’s love for God’s Word and His people.

This copy of Unwrapping the Names of Jesus was sent to my by Moody Publishing in exchange for this review.

Indescribable, 100 Devotions about God and Science

December 6, 2017 By Michelle

This new devotion book by Louie Giglio is so exciting. Last spring I was introduced to the ministry of Louie Giglio when I was assigned to watch a series of dvds during training for my work at a local ministry. How he connects Scripture and science is fascinating, and inspiring. This devotion is based on Louie Giglio’s messages “Indescribable” and “How Great is Our God.” He wants this book to help kids discover the incredible creation of our indescribable God.

Indescribable, 100 Devotions about God and Science is a fun and inviting new book for children. It’s going to one that I read with my grand children when they visit.

As the title states there are 100 devotions, each with Scripture, photographs and illustrations and amazing facts. One can read the devotions from start to finish, or by topic. On page 7 there are pages numbers for all the devotions on animals, space, Earth and people. That way you can dig into what interests the child. I definitely can hardly wait for a grand to visit and to invite her to look at this book with me!

Thank you to FrontGate Media for this complimentary copy of Indescribable by Louie Giglio, in exchange for this blog post.