Strength for the Challenge - A Review

 

Strength for the
Challenge

by

Barbour Publishing A Review

In this book Barbour Publishing has compiled 365 undated daily devotions for men.  The devotions are short (a single page each) but to the point.

The devotionals are practical and to the point. I was pleased to see that the publisher also included a Scripture Index but was disappointed in that the index only covered the main scripture for each day, but ignored other references or examples included in the body of each day’s reading.

This book would make a great Birthday or Father’s Day gift. It would also serve as a great “I Love You” gift. Though designed as a men's devotional, it could easily serve as a gift for the all leaders of the church. I give the book 4-stars.

______________ This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

When I’m Having A Bad Day - A Review

 

When I’m Having
A Bad Day

by

Christian Publishing Company

The author has selected 200 scriptures to provide support for the believer who faces the everyday problems of life. Each scripture is labeled with its source and is given a one-word tag identifying its role in supporting the Christian. Except for a short book introduction written by Minister Will Brown, no devotional material is included. No Biblical index is included; however, an index to the tags is included at the rear of the book.

The book would make a great gift for anyone going through a hard time - filling a real need for the believer, but even unbelievers will be encouraged to think about their faith as they deal with the scriptures presented here.
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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Coding Projects in Python - A Review

Coding Projects in Python

by

Carol Vordermam Craig Steele Dr. Claire Quigley

Dr. Martin Goodfellow Daniel McCafferty Dr. Jon Woodcock

A Review

I was caught by surprise when this beginner's guide to Python was aimed at children, but focused on syntactical issues rather than problem-solving. The authors assume that the readers will have some experience in using a programming language as a problem-solving tool. There is very little time spent on developing algorithms that can solve problems.

The first couple of chapters review python syntax. The rest of the book focuses on illustrating code for eight apps or games - but with little detail on how the solutions were developed. Added value is provided with a set of appendixes that provide all the code developed in the book, a glossary, and an index to all the features of python covered in the book. Lots of color and illustrations would make the book attractive to a child wishing to learn to program.

If the reader has prior training in developing algorithms and translating them into a programming language, this book might be of service. However, that is not likely to be a child. This is my first concern with this book. The other is the inclusion of syntax errors within the coding examples in the text. I did not test all the code, but did find one error on page 19 of Chapter 1 where a sample piece of code has an unmatched parenthesis.

The lack of instruction in creating algorithms and the presence of error(s) requires the need for an instructor to walk the student through the various samples provided in the book.

The book would serve as an ancillary text for a python course. The index and sample code would serve as excellent samples for the beginning programmer learning python.  The book, however, is not suitable for teaching basic programming skills.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions are mine alone.

KJV Word Study Bible - A Review

KJV Word Study Bible

A Review

No, I do not want to review a King James Version of the Bible. Everybody has one, it has been around for 600+ years, and it sounds like grandma’s Bible.

Of course, those are exactly the reasons why I should be reading it. Being written in 1611, it was a good translation and has been used in the Christian Church for 600+ years. But this version has added value - it includes brief word studies of 1700 key words.  Each study includes the Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek transliteration, a set of references demonstrating a variety locations for its use, the Strong Number for the word - allowing for further study, and a brief devotional or explanation of the word suitable for use as a sermon illustration.

Additional value is added by the four indexes included at the rear of this book:

1. An alphabetical list of word studies by the English words used in the KJV
2. A list of word studies in Biblical order from Genesis to Revelation
3. -  4.  Two lists of word studies by the original language using the Strong Numbering system

It is the presence of these word studies and indexes which give this edition of the KJV special value to this reader.  

Whether the reader is a KJV Only believer or prefers some other translation, this Bible belongs on the desk of most pastors working with the scriptures. It may not provide the depth found through the use of a solid Bible software package, but it provides an excellent starting off point for completing a more in depth word study. For similar reasons it belongs in the hands of the studious laymen and in the church library.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIV Lifehacks Bible - A Review

NIV Lifehacks
Bible

by

Notes by
Joe Carter

A Review

Though not attractive, this Bible is a useful. Fitting someplace between a Study Bible (given its own description) and a Devotional Bible (given its contents), this Bible focuses on the spiritual disciplines that will move the reader closer to God. It does not contain study or devotional noted keyed to the texts where a passage is found. Rather, it provides a wide range of tools that can be used by both the new believer and the established Christian to draw near to our Lord and Savior. Here are five very random selections from the 365 entries included in the book:

1. 4 Tips for Reading Prophesy
2. 5 Skills for Sharing God’s Word
3. When You’ve Made a Vow to God
4. Pray with ACTS
5. What Is Biblical Faith?

An alphabetical list of all these short essays can be found at the beginning of the book. Also included in the front pages is a plan for reading through the entire Bible in a year.   

What adds additional value to this edition is the inclusion of two indexes. The first is typical “Subject Index” which points the reader to key scripture references dealing with important topics. The second index points the readers to the included articles which highlight the various spiritual disciplines discussed.

My biggest concern is the lack of any color in the body of the book. If the editor had found time to add some color to the pages (e.g. Each essay could have a different font or background color depending on the spiritual discipline it addresses) the book would be more attractive. With exception of the cover, the entire book is black and white. Even the addition of a color dot (or square, like is seen on the front cover) to indicate the note’s theme would be of help.

The Bible would be a welcome addition to a pastor’s or layman’s library. This Bible would also be a suitable graduation gift for the high school, college, or seminary, graduate. I could also see giving this as a Father’s Day gift. Or add it to your own library as an encouragement for your own spiritual growth.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NKJV Teen Study Bible - A Review

NKJV Teen Study Bible

by

Features Written By

Larry and Sue Richards

A Review

It has been a few years since I have looked at a Study Bible designed for teens - but this version is one of the better once that I have stumbled upon. Clearly aimed at a teen audience, its helps, notes, and indexes, are designed to assist the teen in addressing the many issues that they may face in the 21st century.

The complete text of the NKJV Bible provides the Biblical standard. Originally completed in 1982, this version still remains one of the most valuable of the more recent translations.

Theologically, this volume is rooted in The Apostles’ Creed. This begins repeating the Apostles’ Creed twice on the first two pages: first to merely print it out, as it might be in a hymnal. The next page then prints it out phrase by phrase, highlighting key verses supporting each thought or concept. Following these verses will provide a brief devotional on that phrase or concept. The devotional thoughts are not overly deep - but deep enough and practical enough that a teen will be encouraged to ask why each concept might apply to life. Just prior to Easter I completed a sermon series on The Apostles’ Creed - having these devotional thoughts would have been handy during my sermon preparation.

A number of sidebars add additional value to the book - a series of “Dear Jordan” letters, similar to the 1970’s “Dear Abby” newspaper columns, ask questions that might be avoided by some teens. A series of Bible trivia questions (actually, questions are paired - a trivia question and a challenge question) run throughout the text. Practical advice is provided throughout in sections entitled “Instant Access”. As might be expected, Book Introductions and Bible Maps are provided. The introductions seem a bit weak for what most teens could use; the maps are comparable to the eight page Bible maps found in most Bibles.

My biggest complaint for any Study Bible is the lack of an index providing access to the included helps. This complaint does not apply to this Bible - two indexes make the material accessible. The first index focuses on the typical Biblical themes a teen might find of interest: e.g. creation, prayer, spiritual gifts, etc. The second index draws attention to issues that challenge the modern teen: e.g dating, doubts, gangs, etc.

Along with the two indexes, there is a cheat sheet provide that allows the Bible reader to mark exactly which chapters have read. Though no formal reading plan is provided, guidelines are given for reading the Bible through in one or two years. Also include is a simple table of weights and measures used by the authors of scripture.

I would not recommend this Bible as a graduation gift for the High School student - it is aimed a slightly younger audience. I would recommend it as a gift for the student starting sixth grade through the start of high school. It would also be a suitable birthday or Christmas gift for the pre-teen or teen entering these grades from parents, grandparents, or the church family. I will provide my copy to a Nepalese ministry that shares facilities and ministries with my home church.

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Chronological Study Bible - A Review

The Chronological
Study Bible

A Review

The Chronological Study Bible is first of all an rearrangement of the Biblical text into its chronological order rather than its canonical order. But, beyond this, additional notes and helps add considerable value to this tome. A number of comments may help the reader understand its value.

It should noted that this book has not been updated since 2008. I own a personal copy of the 1st printing of this work; I was provided a copy of the 15th printing for the purpose of creating this review.  The two editions are page for page exacting the same with two exceptions. First, the new edition adds two reading plans for reading the Bible Chronologically - a one year plan and a two year plan. The two plans are exactly the same, except that in the two-year plan, each suggested reading is allocated to two days, rather than a single day.

The second change is the addition of a new set of maps. The first printing uses maps copyrighted in 1983 by Thomas Nelson. The fifteenth printing uses maps copyrighted in 2008 by GeoNova.

This reviewer noted one additional difference between the 1st printing and the 15th printing. Though not part of the Bible itself, the purchase of the newest printing of the Chronological Study Bible allows the user to download an additional 500 pages of Bible study materials. This material is available separately (if one wanted to purchase it), but it does add value to the purchase.

With the exception of these three changes, all comments apply equally to both the earlier edition and the latest edition provided for review.

A number of useful indexes are included as part of this Bible:

• Cultural and Historical Topics
• A Glossary
• An extensive Concordance
• An Index of Scripture Passages - allowing the reader to find the page number for each passage of scripture

It should be noted that the concordance is a bit difficult to use. As with most concordances, the user is pointed to the passage where the words are used. But since the Bible is not in Canonical order, the user will need to consult the Scripture Passage Index to find the page where that passages is actually located.

The editor has divided the Biblical timeline into nine “epochs” - six epochs focus on the Old Testament, one epoch focuses on the intertestamental period, two epochs are devoted to the New Testament. These are consistent in the table of contents, in the body of the work, and in the reading plans. Along with the rearranging of the Bible text, a good many notes and other helps are included.

The volume that I was sent for review was nicely bound in grey and navy “Leathersoft” imitation leather cover. This material is said to have the longest life expectancy of the various leather and leather like materials used for binding books. The pages of Bible are quite thin, which is not in itself a problem, but the pages stuck together. It took more effort than one might expect to separate those pages; though once separated, the pages were easy to manipulate and read.

Provided a pastor does not own an earlier edition of The Chronological Study Bible, this volume would make an excellent gift for a pastor or any serious student of the Bible. Thus it would make a suitable graduation gift for the college or seminary graduate.  The Bible would also make an excellent addition to a local church library.  

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This review is based on a free copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

Core Christrianity - A Review

Core Christianity

by

Michael Horton

Core Christianity is a brief introduction to Christian theology. Beginning with a discussion of the importance of doctrine,  it moves onto an explanation of the Trinity, the nature of God, and His promised Messiah. Two chapters out of 12 are devoted to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The author concludes by focusing on how God will bring it altogether – along with a challenge to ask what our role, our calling, will be as we wait for Christ’s return.

The book is Biblical, practical, and brief. Aimed at a lay audience or newer believers just starting their journey toward understanding God and His work. One reviewer compares it favorably to John Stott’s Basic Christianity. I would compare it to Gordon Lewis’s Decide for Yourself, except this book provides the answers.

Included are clear explanations, sidebars with additional details, and two indexes (a subject index and a Scripture index). Missing are suggested references for future study or links to other works. At just under 200 pages, this book is not as complete as the two or three volume theologies used in seminary, but for the lay person or college student it may be just the introduction needed before diving into one of the more complete works.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

NIV Bible For Men - A Review

NIV Bible For Men

by

Zondervan

A Review

A well-done devotional Bible addressing the things men struggle with.  The devotions are both Biblically sound and applicable to the lives of men living in 21st century America.

Devotions are of two kinds. Two-Hundred-Sixty (one for each weekday of the year) of them are topical devotions. Each focuses on a “key verse” that is then developed within the devotion. Inside each devotion is a one-sentence summarizing its content. Finally, each devotion ends with a boxed “Bring It To Life” - a sentence or two suggesting how the reader can apply that day’s reading.

In additions to the devotions are 52 (one per week) myths that many in the church have swallowed without much thought - for example Myth #30 is “Just use credit now, and pay for it later.”  After stating the myth, the problem and a suggested correction are given within two or three paragraphs.  

I like the fact that the sources of all Devotionals and Myths are well-documented in an index following the Biblical text.  There is also a topical index which allows the reader to find appropriate material whatever the reader’s interest. Though absent, this reader would have liked to see the Devotionals and Myths listed in order as part of the table of contents. This would allow the potential purchaser to quickly see the topics discussed within the various pieces of commentary without thumbing through the whole Bible to see all 310 entries.  

The NIV text is presented in clear type. It includes no footnotes (other than those belonging to the NIV text proper) or cross-references.  Perhaps an enlarged 2nd edition could include these features to add additional value to the book for the male reader.

This Bible would serve as a wonderful gift for the new believer or a devotional Bible for a believer of any age. I expect to enjoy the thoughtful editorial content during the coming year.

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This review is based on a free copy of the book provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review.  The opinions expressed are my own.