The Scribe's Portion

  "God With Us: 365 Devotions on the Person and Work of Christ"  Readings from Classic Christian Writers Compiled & Edited by Justin S. Holcomb This 365-day devotional focuses on the character of Christ. Each devotion contains a couple of verses followed by an excerpt by a classic writer or church father with the reference at the bottom of the page. Some devotions are a page long others are only a few sentences. What I like about this devotional besides having references to classic works is that it's undated and you can start any day you want.  It features the writings of several classic Christian writers such as; Jonathan, Edwards, Richard Sibbes. Thomas Watson, Calvin, Luther, B.B. Warfield, Irenaeus, Jerome, J.C. Ryle, McCheyne, John Newton, Spurgeon, Moody, Horatius Bonar, among others.  I recommend this devotional to all, especially those who appreciate the works of classic Christian writers and church fathers.  I received a complimentary copy of this b...

  "One Word For Today For Spirit-Filled Living: A 90-Day Devotional" by Chosen Books This little devotional focuses on a daily word covering a variety of topics like; goodness, faith, comfort, hope, seek, fire, trust, affections, and more. Each day contains a verse, a 1-page message, a reflection question, a prayer, a declaration, and an act section. The devotions are short and use several Bible translations (NIV, NKJV, ESV, NLT, TPT). The book is small (about a handbreadth) and has a gray ribbon marker.  If you like "meaty" devotionals like me, skip this one. The messages are simple and to the point but they don't do much for me. I'm not a fan of "declarations" or action prompts so those sections are not really helpful. This devotional is probably best for baby Christians who still need milk, not seasoned Christians who need meat. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here...

  "The Bible Recap Journal: Your Daily Companion to the Entire Bible" by Tara-Leigh Cobble This is the third Bible Recap product I get my hands on and review. I have been using The Bible Recap One Year guide and have just received the study guide along with this journal. I love the Bible recap products, they are helpful, simple, and complement my daily Bible reading. So I was excited when I learned that a journal was coming out. However, I was a bit disappointed when I flipped it open.  I'm not sure that a journal was needed in this line of products. This one has nothing special and you can easily replicate the contents on a dollar tree notebook and save $15. As you might have guessed, this journal follows the Bible Recap plan. Each page makes reference to the day's reading portion and is followed by three prompts; "Things I Love/learned/ noticed", "Questions/things I want to research", and "God Shot." You're only given 4 short lines ...

  "The Bible Recap Study Guide: Daily Questions to Deepen Your   Understanding of the Entire Bible" by Tara-Leigh Cobble Continuing the line of The Bible Recap products is this excellent study guide that goes along with the one-year guide published last year. I have used the year-long guide this whole year (2021) and let me say that reading the Bible chronologically has been a game-changer! It puts Bible events into their proper perspective and makes the Word so much more understandable. If you haven't read the Bible chronologically, I urge you to do so, you won't be able to read the Bible any other way again.  This study guide follows The Bible Recap plan and follows up with questions that correspond with each day's reading. The format is very simple. It is broken down into weeks and then into days. Each day has 4-7 questions with space to write in the workbook, though I suggest using a separate notebook as there isn't much space for those of us who like expo...

  "The Pursuit of God: A 31-Day Experience" by A.W. Tozer "The Pursuit of God" is my favorite Christian non-fiction book, it is the one that introduced me to Tozer and played a vital role in my early twenties. So it holds a special place in my heart, in fact, I have read it 5 times; twice this year alone. When I saw this edition I had to request it for review. If you have read this book before and/or own it don't make the mistake of passing on this edition for the following reasons. This edition breaks down the entire text of "The Pursuit of God" into 31-day devotions so you can savor and really meditate on the godly wisdom found in this book. The format is very interactive, interesting, and overall just cool to look at as it has graphics and pictures that make it look like a comic book. The drawings and doodles are very creative and smart and relate to the text. This alone makes owning this edition worth it. It makes for a great gift for someone who l...

"The Whole Bible Story:  Everything That Happens in the Bible" by Dr. William H. Marty & Troy Schmidt This is a great Bible storybook for older kids ages 8 and up. Divided up into 19 chapters, it takes you through the major Bible stories from Genesis to Acts. Each chapter contains a"who's who" section which gives a short description of the characters; a "where are we" section explaining the location; an interesting facts section. The chapters are divided up into smaller sections making it easy to follow along. At the end of each chapter, there's a "what's the point" section which makes life applications using words kids will understand. There are small black and white pictures all throughout the book. There are also some charts and definitions on the sides for better understanding. I like that the author included a brief explanation of Paul's letters, general epistles, and Revelation at the end so it doesn't leave the read...

  "Conquer Your Deliverance: How to Live a Life of Total Freedom" by John Ramirez  John Ramirez is an evangelical minister and author of several books. He is best known for his testimony as an ex-satanist and book, "Out of the Devil's Cauldron." I have yet to read his other books but I have seen his testimony on YouTube and have been following his ministry since then.  In this new book, John shares stories and anecdotes about his life when he was a satan worshipper to share with the reader how to be set free from bondage and demonic oppression. The spiritual world is very real and it's very important that Christians learn about deliverance. Christians also need to be discerning about the things that they allow into their lives. All these are covered in the book. Sharing from his life makes what he's talking about more relatable and real to the reader. I think skeptics should give this one a try.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Chosen i...

"100 Prayers Every Christian Should Know: Build Your Faith With The Prayers That Shaped History" Various Authors Edited by Bethany House Another "...Every Christian Should Know" book in the series? Yes please! I've enjoyed these books so far so when I saw a new one available for review I couldn't let it pass.  This compilation of prayers is very diverse, it includes ministers, presidents, composers, authors, political figures, social reformers, and Biblical figures. This was a pleasant surprise as some of the people included here I had no idea were Christian. Every prayer contains a short biography of the writer and a short explanation of why the prayer was featured. Some prayers are 1 page long while others are only a few words short. This book can be read as a devotional or read like any other book.  The reason why I'm giving this only 3.5 stars is because it contains prayers from Catholic priests and saints. Even Ignatius of Loyola is included which s...

  "God is My Hiding Place:  40 Devotions for Refuge and Strength" by Corrie Ten Boom This is one of the very few devotionals I've been able to stick to. I'm not big on devotionals but this one was not only doable but very relational. I love Corrie Ten Boom, ever since reading "The Hiding Place" as a teen, I've admired her conviction, virtue, and her Godly wisdom.  In this 40-day devotional, Corrie draws on her expansive life experiences and stories from others as testimonies of God's faithfulness. Each devotional is 3 pages long and includes Scripture at the beginning and a prayer at the end. The portions are taken from Corrie's books and other writings, so you come across some of her most famous quotes you've probably read somewhere online. This is a good book to be introduced to Corrie's longer works if you're not familiar with her story.  Though the devotions are short, they are powerful and jammed-packed with wisdom. This is perfe...

  "50 Most Important Questions About The Bible" by Michael Rydelnik Michael Rydelnik is a Moody professor and host of the radio program, "Open Line" where he answers Bible questions from listeners. In this book, Michael addresses the most common questions he receives on air. It is divided up into 8 different sections covering topics like, "how were people saved in the OT?" and "why is God never mentioned in the book of Esther?" Some questions are simple, others are not but you are bound to come across a question you've had yourself.  Being a Messianic Jew, Michael uses his knowledge to answer these questions from the Jewish perspective making this book invaluable! It is a good basic introduction to theology especially for new believers. Gift this to your friends who are new to the faith or to those with many biblical questions.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed he...

  "50 Most Important Theological Terms" by J. Brian Tucker & David B. Finkbeiner This is a great little volume of theological terms that actually has quite a fair amount of information for its size. It is perfect for the layman and student. It's obviously not exhaustive nor will it define higher theological terms- this is more of an introduction to theology or for the layman wanting to understand theology better. I am familiar with most of the terms in this book but I also came across some that I wasn't too sure about.  It is organized into categories such as: Christology, Bibliology, pneumatology, soteriology, eschatology, among others. Each term gets a 2-5 page treatment and are explained in super easy (yet succinctly) to understand terminology. The authors definitely lean toward Calvinism but they include unbiased definitions of terms they may not be in agreement with which is a relief.  All in all, this is a great starting point in theology. It is great for la...

  "Tozer On The Son of God: A 365-Day Devotional" by A.W. Tozer Tozer fans will enjoy this devotional. This 400-page devotional takes you through the whole year on a journey to study the character of Jesus. It covers a variety of topics about Jesus, His life, His example, and who He is. It is insightful, deep, thought-provoking as only Tozer can invoke these.  Each entry is brief but packs a punch with a verse, a couple of paragraphs, and a prayer at the end. The material is taken from several of Tozer's books and each entry tells you which book it was taken from using abbreviations- I thought this was neat in case you want to go to that particular book. This is a great devotional to add to your study on Jesus and especially great for new believers.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Moody in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

  "A Midnight Dance" by Joanna Davidson Politano Wow I don't even know how to start with this review, the novel has left me speechless. This story is so, so good I don't know where to start.  Ella Blythe wants nothing more than to dance, ballet runs deep in her veins. Her mother, a legendary ballet dancer, now hides behind an unspoken tragic past and does not want Ella to be ruined by ballet. But after a chance encounter with a handsome dancer, Ella's desire to dance grows. Ella is given the lifetime opportunity to dance on a scholarship in the same theater where her mother danced. Determined to work her way into becoming Prima Ballerina, dancing alongside Phillipe, the handsome lead dancer she met years ago, Ella sets on a dangerous journey to find out about her mother's and father's history shrouded in mystery and many unanswered questions. But will she meet the same tragic end as the beautiful talented Delphine Bessette, famous ballet dancer or will Ell...

  "The Mystery Of Israel And The Middle East: A Prophetic Gaze Into The Future" by James W. Goll This book was not exactly what I had expected which prompted me not to finish it. The title is somewhat misleading. I thought it would focus on end times prophecy in relation to events happening in Israel and the middle east. But it's really about a call to pray for Israel and the middle east conflict. It is a book advocating for Israel. The author also gives a bit of history on Israel and how everything happening there is prophetic according to the Scriptures. I agree with most of the author's points but it's not the type of book that I would have picked up had I known about the contents. Don't get me wrong, I'm a strong supporter of Israel and pray for peace in Jerusalem but I was hoping to get some insights into prophecy.  The book is divided into 4 sections with 3 chapters each. There is a prayer at the end of each chapter, seeking the Lord's protection...

  "The Secret Keepers Of Old Depot Grocery" by Amanda Cox This is was a great and heartwarming story set in a small town. It is a dual timeline taking place in the present and 1965. We follow three generations of women who work at the family grocery store, all with their own secrets. We see their close knit relationships, especially the grandmother-granddaughter.  Amanda Cox did a superb job of showing how secrets can have an impact on the present and the consequences that result from keeping them, especially from loved ones. I liked the small town, whimsical feel I got from reading and how the relationships were portrayed. If you like heartwarming stories and are a fan of the era, you'll enjoy this one.  I'm only giving this one 4 stars instead of 5 because I'm not a fan of contemporary fiction or a fan of the 60s but I'm glad I read it.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed here are...

  "The Nature of Small Birds" by Susie Finkbeiner This is the second book I read from Ms. Finkbeiner. Let me just say off the bat, that I'm not a big fan of the Vietnam- hippie era in historical fiction. But the synopsis piqued my interest so I gave it a shot.  I knew a little about the Vietnam baby adoption operation prior to reading this. But Ms. Feinbiner makes the characters so realistic, I forget I was reading fiction and the characters become my friends. So the story brings history to life before my eyes.  I enjoyed reading the story of Mindy, a Vietnam woman adopted as a baby by an American couple. The story is told from 3 different points of view and 3 timelines; 2013, the 70s, and 80s. Mindy is on a quest to find her birth mother in Vietnam and this is her story.  It is a heart-warming story with a very realistic storyline and too real characters so what's not to love about this novel? I enjoyed every page and do recommend to historical fiction lovers who lo...

  "Lead Like Christ: Reflecting the Qualities and Character of Christ in Your Ministry" by A.W. Tozer Compiled & Edited by James L. Snyder In this new Tozer compilation by Snyder, the reader gets a great treatise on leadership. Using the book of Titus, Tozer outlines the characteristics and role of the Christian leader. I love how he addresses the reader whether he may be a minister or a layperson.  Tozer talks about the foundations of the leader as described in Titus, how to imitate the character of Christ as a leader, spiritual fruit, understanding and applying the Scriptures correctly, and the qualities of a good leader. There is so much to glean from this book about Christian leadership.  Whether you're a minister or a small group leader or even a blogger (like myself) this book is very helpful in understanding our development as leaders. Every Christian must be a leader, in that we lead others to Christ so even if you don't hold any church leadership this boo...

  "The Essential Andrew Murray Collection"  Three in One Volume  by Andrew Murray This is a collection of 3 of Andrew Murray's most popular books. Andrew Murray is probably one of my favorite classic Christian writers. I would liken him to Tozer in style, conviction, and topics that they cover. So if you like Tozer you'll definitely love Murray. Humility is Murray's most popular work. He discusses the importance of humility in the Christian life, Jesus' example as a humble servant, what to do when struggling with pride, and how to walk daily in humility. Though a short work, it is packed with godly wisdom, there's much to learn from.  Abiding in Christ is a 31-day devotional on the Christian life. You spend 1 month with Murray as he discusses in-depth what it means to live in and for God. This devotional will enrich your daily quiet time and give you much to meditate on throughout the day. Living a Prayerful Life is a treatise on prayer. I've gone thr...

  "Spurgeon on the Power of Scripture" (Spurgeon Speaks Vol. 2) Compiled by Jason K. Allen I absolutely love how Spurgeon speaks about the Bible! I had already read some tidbits about the Bible by Spurgeon so I knew I would enjoy this book. It is a compilation of 7 sermons on the Bible Spurgeon gave throughout his ministry.    Spurgeon talks about the infallibility of the Scriptures, our essential need for them, how the Lord speaks to us through His Word, the power of the Scripture, and so much more. When Spurgeon speaks about the Bible you get the sense that he was very familiar with it and absorbed and reabsorbed its living Word, he was a man who breathed Scripture. There is much to glean from Spurgeon's sermons on the Bible, it is great for mature and new Christians alike. No one else speaks about the Bible quite like Spurgeon.  If you want to learn more about the Scriptures, make Spurgeon your go-to; if you want to refamiliarize yourself with the Scriptures, make...

  "Spurgeon on the Priority of Prayer" (Spurgeon Speaks Vol.1) Compiled by Jason K. Allen  4.5 stars rounded up I really enjoyed this first volume in the Spurgeon Speaks series. This is a collection of 8 of Spurgeon's sermons on prayer. The sermon topics include: the power of prayer, praying and waiting, David's dying prayer, the key to prayer, godliness and prayer, prayer for temptation, prayer without ceasing, and thanksgiving and prayer. Even though these sermons were preached more than 100 years ago, they are very relevant today, since we struggle in much the same way people did back then. Prayer can be difficult when we don't walk in it but easy when we do. This is something Spurgeon pointed out in one of these sermons that I have personally experienced. I'm grateful to Mr. Jason Allen for working on these volumes and making them available to us. It's amazing that these sermons can still be beneficial to us after being preached over 100 years ago. Spu...

  "Overflow: How the Joy of the Trinity Inspires Our Mission" by Michael Reeves If you've ever tried to explain the Trinity to someone you'll understand the difficulty of such an endeavor. The Trinity is one of those topics I would always refer to as a mystery of God because you can't make someone understand it, it can only be revealed. Then I saw this book and was intrigued. The Trinity and missions are two words that I never would have coupled.  In this short treatise (less than 100 pages) Christian author, professor, and minister, Michael Reeves explains the Trinity beautifully and simply. He discusses how knowing, worshipping, and evangelizing the Triune God is a game-changer in missions. When we go and evangelize, knowing and having a deep fellowship with the Triune God ( not just God, but the son and the Holy Spirit as well) makes all the difference. The individual experiences radiance, power, and love when he/she comes to know the Triune God. Reeves explain...

  KJV Thompson Chain-Reference Bible by Zondervan As a long-time fan and user of the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, I was excited when I was given the opportunity to review this new edition by Zondervan. When I found out that Zondervan had bought the Thompson from Kirkbride, I was a little worried, to be honest. Kirkbride is the original publisher of the Thompson so when I heard that it was sold to another publisher I was worried that the features in this Bible that so many of us love would be altered. Well, I had never been happier to be wrong! Zondervan has left the cyclopedia, the chains, charts, pictures, map, index, all of it completely intact. I think they even improved upon it and made the Thompson even a little better. Zondervan has obviously added their own flair but without compromising the content, and I appreciate that greatly.  Below I have made some comparisons between Kirkbride and Zondervan and what the buyer can expect from this new edition. Cover For referen...

"The Visual Word: Illustrated Outlines  Of The New Testament Books" by Patrick Schreiner  Illustrated by Anthony M. Benedetto This is a wonderful resource! In the words of the author, this book is unlike any other Bible study resource I own. It is very unique, helpful, creative, engaging, and easy to follow.  I am always disappointed with the book introductions in Bibles because I don't usually find the information helpful and is easily forgotten. For that reason, I now just skip the introductions. I realize that I find charts more helpful and interesting. This is why this book is so great.  Using, icons, color codes, charts, and thorough discussions, the author goes through each book of the NT and gives you the ultimate summary. Each book has the main topic as the subtitle followed by the main idea in a sentence, an introductory paragraph, an interactive chart with icons breaking down the book into sections, and short descriptions. The following 2-3 pages contain ea...

  "The Extraordinary Power Of Praise: A Study of the Psalms For The Anxious Heart" by Becky Harling This is an excellent study! I requested this study from Moody because I wanted to study Psalms, as it's one of my favorite books in the OT. I was surprised by how much good stuff it has and reads a lot like a devotional plus some space for writing your thoughts. It is a six-week study focused for the anxious heart to learn to praise God in the midst of worry and fear. I think we can all benefit from this-who hasn't been worried and afraid?  I love the content for each day and every activity is very helpful. Each week is broken down into 5 days and follows a theme or topic. The daily portion starts with a morning prayer based on a Psalm followed by a devotional paragraph or a few sentences. Then it contains an "explore" section which assigns a chapter or a couple verses for reading then there's a space to write out the verses and will ask you to circle key ...