‘Solitude’ by Keri Wyatt Kent – Guest Blog Post

Today, I have the unique opportunity to share a guest post from a wonderful author, Keri Wyatt Kent. Please enjoy!

Solitude

A guest post by Keri Wyatt Kent

Let’s consider a counter-intuitive truth: time alone can ease our loneliness.

The practice of solitude is not mere isolation, but time alone with God. We forsake others, for a time, to come away with our Beloved.

The very thought may frighten us: we live in sometimes palpable isolation, even with the pseudo-companionship of television, social media, and the crowds around us. In solitude, we bravely face what we’ve been unconsciously avoiding: the intensity of our loneliness. In so doing, we experience the furious, piercing love of God who is our only real hope of escape from that loneliness.

Solitude creates a boundary, within which we might pray, mourn, rejoice, read Scripture, or simply be silent. We can speak to God, or attentively listen for the voice that is always there, but too often drowned out by the noise of our lives. In solitude we are alone and still, and must face the fact that the world keeps spinning without our assistance.

Jesus spent time alone for his own sake, but also to serve as a spiritual role model for his disciples—both then and now. He went to lonely places, in part, to show you how to do it. The gospels whisper over and over of Jesus waking before dawn to withdraw, to sneak off for a few moments alone.

Yet even Jesus sometimes found it difficult to escape the demands of daily life, of others: “At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.” (Luke 4:42)

Any close relationship, if it is to grow, requires time spent with the beloved. We nurture our relationship with Jesus by spending time alone with him—whether it is a few minutes each morning, or a longer solitude time on a weekly or even monthly basis. Ours is not a religious obligation but a response to love: the love within our hearts, and the persistent love of Jesus that beckons us to come away with him.

Luke, ever the fastidious observer, connects two truths that give us the “why” of solitude: “Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.  But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:15,1 6) The gospel writer links the demands of the crowd with Jesus’ response—withdrawal into solitude.

Imagine if Jesus had a publicist. Time alone would not be on the agenda: he’d be advised to build his platform, use the momentum he was gaining, add a few more appearances to his calendar, and to be more polite to the Pharisees. Solitude would likely not have been a strategy for ministry effectiveness. But that’s the paradoxical power of this discipline: by doing nothing, we are supernaturally enabled to do much.

As we spend time with no one except God, where we are reminded that it is his love for us—not the accolades of the crowd or the adrenalin rush of accomplishment—that truly matters. Solitude inoculates us against the spiritual malady of relying too much on the approval of others.

In other words, our priorities can be more easily aligned with God’s when we spend time in solitude. As God says through the Psalmist: “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:10) 

Some of us seem to have only two speeds: overdrive and collapse. We’re honestly afraid that if we stop running, and just be, we will fall asleep. That’s fine—it’s even biblical. Elijah began a very transformational time of solitude with a little nap (see 1 Kings 19). It may be that is exactly what you need.

Solitude is foundational to all spiritual practice. It is one of the few disciplines that every Christian needs—indeed, every human being, no matter their beliefs, would benefit from it. When the distractions are set aside, we come face to face with who we are, who God is. We can no longer hide behind the flurry of activity that keeps us swimming along the surface of life. When we are still, and alone, we are able to dive deep, and be lifted up by God’s presence. We begin to live into the truth that we are deeply loved.

About the Author:

Keri Wyatt Kent is a freelance writer and speaker, with ten books to her credit. She writes and speaking about slowing down, simplifying and listening to God. Her latest book is ‘Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days to Experience the Heart of Jesus.’ To learn more, join Keri on a 40 day Lent study of her book on Facebook or by following her on Twitter (@KeriWyattKent #DeeplyLoved). 

Through her writing and speaking, Keri Wyatt Kent helps people to connect authentically with God and to be spiritually transformed. Her books include 'Rest: Livingin Sabbath Simplicity.' In addition, she is the coauthor of several others. Keri frequently travels around the country to speak and lead retreats, and she is a regular contributor to several magazines, websites, and blogs. Keri is a member of Willow Creek Community Church, where she has taught, led groups, and volunteered in a variety of ministries for more than two decades. She and her husband, Scot, live with their teenage son and daughter in Illinois.

Here is the description of ‘Deeply Loved:’ 

Jesus loves you.

That profound fact has been changing lives around the world for centuries. Yet, there are days when you don’t experience this completely in your own life. So, how do you get to the very core of that statement on a deep, personal level?

Keri Wyatt Kent wants to help you fully experience the heart of Jesus’ love in Deeply Loved. Using the gospel stories of Jesus, reflection, and personal stories, Kent will guide you through 40 days of how to create space in your life for Jesus to show up and love you. Deeply.

You can order this deeply impactful book here. 

Thanks to Keri for this powerful guest post! I have a copy, and look forward to starting to use it during my morning devotionals!

‘5 Days to a Clutter-Free House: Quick, Easy Ways to Clear Up Your Space’ by Sandra Felton & Marsha Sims - Book Review

We are still early enough in the year where we are working on our New Year’s resolutions. One of them usually has to do with being more organized.  The latest book on my reading list can help with that! The book is '5 Days to a Clutter-Free House: Quick, Easy Ways to Clear Up Your Space’ by Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims.

Here is the synopsis of this helpful book:

A Clean, Organized and Restful Home is Only Five Days Away. If you’ve picked up this book, you want to reduce the clutter in your home, organize what’s left, and keep it that way. But does the sheer scope of the project give you an anxiety attack? Don’t let fear stop you! Organizing and time management experts Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims show you how, with the right game plan and a healthy dose of adrenaline, you’re just 5 days from your goal.

With their proven team-based approach, even the most overwhelming de-cluttering job becomes doable. Section one shows you how to de-clutter, with each day of the week focused on one reachable goal. Section two shows you how to cultivate time-tested habits that keep your house in the clean, well-ordered state you’ve just achieved. You’ll even learn how to deal with common obstacles such as:

·         filing

·         storage needs

·         health issues

·         space restrictions

·         the car

·         even family sabotage!

So what are you waiting for? The home of your dreams is just a week away.

Here are the biographies of the authors:

Sandra Felton, The Organizer Lady©, is a pioneer in the field of organizing. She is the founder and president of Messies Anonymous; the author of many books, including Organizing Magic; and the coauthor of Organizing Your Day and Smart Office Organizing. She lives in Florida.

Marsha Sims is an international speaker and lecturer on time management and organization.  She is the founder and president of Sort-It-Out, Inc. and Clutter-Free University. She is the coauthor of Organizing Your Day and Smart Office Organizing  and lives in Florida.

I love the ladies’ introduction:

Fall in love with order and beauty. Don’t settle with living in a house whose condition drags you down, makes you sorry you have to live there. Do you wish you could just move to a fresh and lovely new house, leaving all you have behind? You can reinvent your house into that dream. Seek the happiness you will experience by getting the house under control and keeping it the way you dream it can be. You’ll love it! (p. 24)

My marriage is like the relationship of the friends in ‘The Odd Couple.’ I am the messy one; my husband, Fred, is the neat nick! The lack of organization in our home has always been a source of some tension in our lives and our marriage. So this book is perfect for me!

In the chapter entitled ‘The Cluttered Psyche,’ the ladies describe me to a tee:

People like us, who struggle with clutter, have a much stronger attachment to our belongings than most. We see their possibilities, their beauty, and their place in our personal history with a special itinerary. What is simple to others is complex to us. That’s why we have more difficulty making decisions about what to do with the “treasures” that fill our home. (p. 27)

I do have a tendency to be attached to things, so they are speaking my language!

The ladies have an interesting strategy for each day of the week.  They also recommend that a team of friends be assembled. I am sure that is a great strategy, as it will be easier to tackle this big – and emotional – project.

The book is interspersed with testimonies from people who have already implemented the program. Donna was expected to host parties for three high school family graduations. She recruited her sisters to help her, with great results:

And they did the job – using their own version of a team approach. During the process, they got rid of some things Donna would have kept, but she kept her eyes on the final goal. “I worried about wasting things, because they aren’t as frugal as I am. I did have a feeling of loss of control, but I kept going because I wanted it done for the parties.” (p. 65)

Of course, after the clean-up, it is necessary to have a change of mindset in order for the clutter to not return.  Section Two is entitled ‘Keep the Good Life Going.’ The ladies state that the secret is maintenance, and they show the readers how to take time each day to maintain a state of order. Along with maintaining our stuff, we need to maintain ourselves. They suggest several Clutter-Buster Habits (pp. 143-144):

1.   Stow as You Go

2.   Catch Follow-Through Fever

3.   Practice the Thirty-Second Rule

Section Two also includes chapters on managing your house, managing your family, and managing your time.

The ladies have ‘A Final Word.’ They state that this book is a useful tool:

You have some very powerful tools in your hands – tools you can use to finally clear the clutter that has been dragging you down for a long time, and that can empower you to maintain the wonderful harmony and order you are seeking. Furthermore, if you have time and desire, you have what it takes to apply these ideas to helping others in need. (p. 207)

Finally, the Appendix provides helpful resources in the form of websites, books, and blogs.

I have not implemented these strategies, but I plan to do so! I grew up in a household that was much more cluttered than our home is right now, so a cluttered environment is the norm for me. I don’t think it has a detrimental effect on me, but I have no other frame of reference. I think I will take some time to consider the person who would be a good cleaning partner for me (I don’t think my husband would be the right candidate; too much anxiety for a happy marriage)! I will definitely reference this book when that very 

challenging time comes! Thanks to Sandra and Marsha for this valuable tool!  

This book is available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher – Book Review

In my years reviewing books, one of my favorite authors is Suzanne Woods Fisher. Not only is she a talented writer, she also seems, from our interactions on Facebook, to be a wonderful person! So I was excited to jump on the blog tour train for the last book in her Stoney Ridge Seasons series, The Lesson.

Here is the synopsis of this novel:

Sometimes love shows up when you least expect it.

Nineteen-year-old Mary Kate Lapp yearns for adventure, but all she seems to find is trouble. Her dreams of travel have taken a backseat to her assignment to teach school this year. And nothing ever seems to happen in her sleepy Amish community.

But when a sudden and unexplained death conveniently coincides with the arrival of a mysterious young man, M.K. is frustrated that no one takes it seriously. She’s determined to take matters into her own hands and gets to the bottom of it. Will she find more than she bargained for?

Centered on one of bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher’s most loved characters, this is the Stoney Ridge story you have been waiting for. With a surprise at every turn, a gently romance, and a shocking answer to an old family mystery, The Lesson is the dramatic conclusion to the Stoney Ridge Seasons series.

Here is the biography of this author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the coauthor of a new Amish children’s series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp.  Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist. She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines. She lives with her family in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, please visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

As per usual, Suzanne’s writing is very creative and entertaining. Here is an example of how she shows Mary Kate’s personality shining through:

        “The school board has decided you will fill in for Alice,”                Amos said.

“Me? Me?” she said with a squeak. “Teach school? You want me to teach school?” She was outraged! It was just an accident. She hadn’t run into Alice on purpose! “No! No, no, no, no, no. I can’t do it! Absolutely not!” The very thought terrified her. Stuck in a hot room with twenty-five slow-witted children, all day long? Boring! Supremely boring! “Dad, you’ve got to tell the school board that I can’t do it. Tell them you and Fern need me to help at Windmill Farm.” (p. 21)

One of the characters in this book, Grace Mitchell, had a struggle in life that happens everywhere (you will have to read the book to learn more), but not always in the Christian Fiction genre. I applaud Mrs. Fisher for tackling a difficult issue.

The ending was unexpected, but satisfying. It is nice when people are content in their lives!

As with the other books from Suzanne, this book is a welcome diversion from the busyness of the modern world. It is a lot of fun to spend time with Suzanne’s Amish characters and its community. Although this is the last book in this series, I am sure there will be more to come from the prolific Mrs. Fisher!

This book was published by Revell Publishers, and provided by the LitFuse Publicity Group for review purposes.

The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming by Douglas S. Huffman – Book Review

As part of my degree program for the Master of Theological Studies, New Testament Emphasis (at Moody Theological Seminary – Michigan), I will be required to take Greek. So when I heard about a blog tour for The Handy Guide to New Testament Greek: Grammar, Syntax, and Diagramming by Douglas S. Huffman, I was all in!

Here is the synopsis of this book:

Whether you're learning biblical Greek or using it, this is the reference tool to keep on hand. In a quick visual layout, it supplements textbooks to gives you immediate access to:

1. first-year Greek grammar
2. second-year Greek syntax
3. step-by-step phrase diagramming

Easy to carry and easy to use, The Handy Guide to NewTestament Greek crystalizes the information you need to know for classes or enables you to develop a sermon or lesson outline from the Greek New Testament faster than you could from an English translation.

Here are some of the endorsements for this book:

“I enthusiastically endorse and recommend this altogether useful volume and will encourage all Greek students to buy it and keep it close.” – Scot McKnight, Professor of New Testament, Northern Baptist Seminary

“It is one of the best reference tools available.” – Rodney J Decker, Professor of Greek and New Testament, Baptist Bible Seminary

“Douglas Huffman has written a wonderfully practical and accessible handbook for students who desire to take the next step beyond elementary Greek. I recommend it with enthusiasm.” – Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“A very nice supplementary resource to traditional beginning and intermediate Greek grammars.” – Clinton E. Arnold, Professor of New Testament Language and Literature, Talbot School of Theology

Here is the biography of the author:

Douglas S. Huffman (PhD, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is Professor and Associate Dean of Biblical and Theological Studies at Biola University.

The Introduction explains the Who, What, Why, Where, How, and When of the book. Here is the ‘Who:’

This volume is intended for second-year Greek students (and beyond), pastors, teachers, and preachers. Constant NT Greek users (addicts!) might not need it, but would-be experts should find it useful.  (p. 5)

Here is the ‘Where:’

Since it presumes some of the basics of NT Greek, this book fits into the Greek learning sequence after a full year of elementary Greek has been mastered and then during and beyond the second year of NT Greek studies. (p. 5)

There are three parts of the book:

1.   Greek Grammar Reminder

2.   Greek Syntax Summaries

3.   Phrase Diagramming

I have not had any experience with the Greek language, other than knowing some of the alphabet because of the names of sororities and fraternities, not to mention some words I have been exposed to at church and seminary. I do very well with English and its usage, so I’m not TOO anxious about learning Greek – just a little anxious!

This book is only 112 pages – very portable and compact. I expect I will be using this book a great deal when I get to that area of my studies. I thank Dr. Huffman for writing this useful tool for Greek students, teachers, pastors, and preachers.

This book is published by Kregel Academic and was provided by them for review purposes.

Radical Well-Being: A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Pain, Illness, & Addictions by Rita Hancock, MD – Book Review

The beginning of a New Year always brings with it the thought that we want to improve our lives. The latest book on my nightstand, Radical Well-Being: A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Pain, Illness, &Addictions, will definitely help with those resolutions!

Here is the synopsis of this book:

What’s Keeping You From Total Wellness? Research increasingly shows a strong connection between our spiritual life, our emotions, and our physical well-being. Yet too often our physical conditions are treated without taking our lives into account. In Radical Well-Being Dr. Rita Hancock shows you how your mind, body, and spirit are connected and addresses the factors that can contribute to – and even cause – illness, addictions, and chronic pain.

If you suffer from medical conditions like fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, neck or back pain, irritable bowel syndrome, jaw pain, food and drug allergies, depression, anxiety, or unwanted behaviors such as overeating, an eating disorder, overspending, drug abuse or alcoholism, Radical Well-Being will show you a biblical, whole-body approach to overcoming your condition. With nearly twenty years of experience counseling patients from a balanced, mind/body/spirit perspective, Dr. Rita gives you practical advice for healing and wholeness, including how to:

·         identify the lies that affect you on a subconscious level

·         deal with emotional factors that can make your pain feel worse

·         address unwanted addictive behaviors

·         fully accept God’s love and forgiveness on a deep, healing level

True freedom and improved health come when deeply-rooted lies are illuminated and replaced with knowledge from the merciful heart of God. Radical Well-being will help you feel better in all three domains—in your mind, body, and in your spirit. You will end up feeling the way one of Dr. Rita's patients put it: "Like the weight of a skyscraper has been lifted off my shoulders."

Here is the biography of this author:

Rita Hancock, MD, is a board-certified physical medicine specialist with subspecialty board certification in pain management, and she has been in full-time practice in Norman, Oklahoma, for fourteen years. Currently she serves as the Oklahoma delegate for the Christian Medical and Dental Association, as well as their official spokesperson on matters of diet and nutrition.

Dr. Rita's books include The Eden Diet and The Eden Diet Workbook,  which are about learning to eat in response to physical rather than emotional hunger. Her second book, Radical Well-being:A Biblical Guide to Overcoming Pain, Illness, and Addictions, offers a road map for finding relief if you suffer with nearly any type of symptom or behavior that can be magnified by stress. Examples of such stress-related symptoms or conditions include fibromyalgia, depression, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, back or neck pain, migraine headaches, and others.

Dr. Rita writes from the Christian perspective and lives in Oklahoma City with her husband and children. To find out more about her, visit www.TheEdenDiet.com and www.RadicalWell-being.com. 

This book is divided into five parts:

1.   “You’re No Good” – Bad Old Lies and What They Do to You

2.   The Whole You – Connecting Mind, Body, and Spirit

3.   The Spiritual One – Seeing Through God’s Eyes

4.   Take Captive Every Thought – How Right Thinking Leads to Right Action

    5.   Hope In Your Future – Biblical Steps to Healing and               Health     

In the Introduction, Dr. Hancock asks the question, “Are you eager to get started?:”

Are you at the point where you’re sick and tired of wasting time, money, and mental energy on your problems? Are you finally willing to dig deeper into the emotions and subconscious lies that trigger your unhealthy behavior rather than simply cover up your problems with temporary false comfort? Are you willing to get real with yourself?

By the time patients get to me for their pain and weight problems, they are generally exhausted and ready for deep-down help. I imagine you are too, or you wouldn’t have picked up this book.

My friend, I praise God for your faith and courage! And I pray that your continued reading is blessed with supernatural clarity and receptiveness so that you can feel the same emotional freedom I have experienced, as well as find relief from your unwanted addictive behaviors, physical pain, and stress-induced illness. (p. xix)

Yes, half the battle is acknowledging we are at the end of ourselves and need to ask for help.

Each chapter ends with an ‘Action Point – Questions to Ask God in Prayer.’ I really liked the ones at the end of the chapter entitled ‘Trace Your Triggers:’

·         Lord, will You search my innermost places for areas in which I need emotional, spiritual, and/or physical healing?

·         If I need to revisit past memories, will You promise to help me do that at a rate I can handle?

·         Lord, are there false beliefs mixed into my childhood memories? If so, please bring them to light. Are those beliefs about how I see myself? Or how I see You? Or someone else? Or some situation?

·         Lord, in the place of those false beliefs, will You reveal healing truth? What is the truth about me, You, or the other person or situation?

(p. 19)

Another section that resonated with me was in the chapter ‘You Are Delightful.’ Many Christian women are taught that they are inferior to me. It is not always overt, but it is often there. In the section entitled ‘The Lie That Women Are Worthless or Inferior,’ Dr. Hancock makes this important point:

A stay-at-home, homeschooling mom is not better than a brain surgeon because she spends more time with her kids. And the male CEO of the Fortune 500 company is not better than the mom because he drives a more expensive car. Don’t fall into the accuser’s trap and judge yourself and others with gender-based lies. The judgment is what gets you into trouble. Your worth is not determined by your gender. Your worth is determined by the fact that God sent His only Son to die so that you could be reconciled with Him. (p. 88)

One of the important biblical principles we’ve been focusing on in church is forgiveness. Dr. Hancock has a chapter entitled ‘Forgiveness Sets You Free.’  She shares the importance of forgiving others:

         

Just as love gives us free will, love requires you to forgive. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He sent His only son to die for our sins. By sending Jesus to die on the cross, God created a bridge to connect Himself with mankind so He could forgive us and be reconciled with us. If God hadn’t loved us so much, He wouldn’t have made this kind of sacrifice. That’s how importance forgiveness is to God. (p. 186)

Dr. Hancock uses several real-life examples of people whose lives have been changed by her medical practice and by applying these life changes. They are inspiring!

In the Conclusion, Dr. Hancock shares that change does not happen overnight:

         

Your journey to wholeness and healing is a lifelong process, not an instantaneous fix. Hold firm to your Christian belief system, and God will bless you abundantly, not only in terms of your physical health but also with overall peace and joy that surpasses all understanding. (p. 243)

Most of us need help in many areas of life. We often can effectively work on a few issues at a time. I appreciate the fact that this book is broken into sections that we can look at individually. I thank Dr. Hancock for writing this very helpful and important book!

This book was published by Siloam. The Advance Reading Copy was generously provided by the author.

‘New International Version Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens’ – Book Review

One of my favorite books to review is the Bible. The latest is the ‘New International Version Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens.’  

Here is the synopsis of this (Holy) book:

Feeling uncertain about your life? The world? Your future? Looking for something secure to hold onto in turbulent and confusing times? Wanting to know more about God?

Address your questions and build a steadfast foundation for your faith with the NIV Rock Solid Faith Study Bible for Teens. Find traction for your beliefs and promises for your future. Discover constant and concrete truths rooted in the unchanging love and promises of God.

Features include:

·         Rock Solid TRUTHS: examine Christian beliefs and explorations of other religions

·         Rock Solid PRINCIPLES: applies the Bible to daily decisions and challenges

·         Rock Solid PROMISES: calls out what is (and is not) promised in the Bible

·         Rock Solid PLANS: explores God’s plan and will for your life

·         Unshaken PEOPLE: provides scriptural examples of overcoming difficulties

·         Unshaken GOD: points out God’s unyielding attributes

Reading plans, 8 pages of color maps, book introductions, and more!

I decided to focus on a favorite book of mine from the Old Testament and from the New Testament – Ecclesiastes and Romans. Here is the introduction to Ecclesiastes:

Ecclesiastes studies the meaning of life. The Teacher looks at wisdom, pleasure, work, power, riches, religion and other things. All of these have some value and are useful in the proper time and place, but they have lasting value only if God is at the center of a person’s life. Reverence and respect for God and a real devotion in serving God are the most important to make life meaningful. Without God, the Teacher says, “Everything is meaningless” (1:2) (p. 784)

Each book includes all of the ‘Rock Solid’ and ‘Unshaken’ components. In Ecclesiastes, in the ‘Unshaken GOD’ section is helpful for people of all ages:

God is satisfying.

Solomon would have fit well in our world. The richest guy of his day (1 Kings 3:13), this king of Israel wrote about nonstop pressure to get more. And you know how it goes. You buy something…anything…and before long you realize there is a must-have list of accessories, add-ons, and upgrades. That pressure to get more often comes from your surroundings, but much of it starts inside of you. Once you fall in love with money and material stuff, you won’t ever be satisfied with what you have. The problem isn’t owning or enjoying things, but is instead loving them more than people and God, the most important things ever.

So…How can you tell the difference between enjoying things … and loving them too much? (p. 789)

Very thought-provoking!

Here is the introduction to Romans:

This letter was written by Paul to the church in Rome in AD 56 or 57 as he was finishing his third missionary journey. Since Paul hoped to go to Jerusalem and then to Rome and Spain, he probably wrote this letter in preparation for his visit.

The theme of this letter is righteousness. Paul teaches in this letter that: (1) no human being is righteous; (2) Jesus Christ is perfectly righteous; (3) if we have faith in Jesus, we are freed from the power of sin, given a new life, and returned to a right relationship with God; (4) we should live Christian lives that are “holy and pleasing to God.” (p. 1331)

Under ‘Rock Solid PRINCIPLES,’ there is a good point that is made:

        Show respect.

Garrett thought his safety-freak shop teacher was as dumb as a stump, like the blocks of wood he and his classmates were crafting into little foot stools. Garrett had spent endless hours with his dad sawing and hammering to renovate their old house, and he still had all his fingers. Even though Garrett hadn’t used all the big machines in the school shop, he didn’t feel any need to listen during his teacher’s demonstrations. One day Garrett dropped a plank of wood on a table saw and shoved it toward the blade. An instant later the wood shot back like an overgrown spear, barely missing him before it cracked loudly into a wall.

You know it is right to submit to people in authority over you, from parents and police to teachers and bosses. That doesn’t make obedience easy. So remember it was God who created the chain of command and put people over you. You can count on them to help you, even if they don’t seem to deserve your respect. Every authority in your life “is God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4) (p. 1347)

Overall, I found this particular Bible to be terrific for teens – perhaps even for pre-teens. The version I reviewed is hardcover; it would make a great gift! And the NIV translation is reader-friendly, so it will be easy to digest for a young person. Overall, I give it a glowing recommendation!  

This book was published by Zondervan Publishers and provided by The B & B Media Group for review purposes.

Thomas Nelson Author and Hoops of Hope founder, Austin Gutwein, to host September 6 online event to focusing on themes his latest release, Live to Give. On September 6 at 8 PM EDT, Austin Gutwein will be hosting a live Facebook web event to encourage participants to conquer their fears and use their talents to help others. The webcast will center on the themes Gutwein writes about in his latest release “Live to Give: Letting God Turn Your Talents into Miracles” (Thomas Nelson/August, 2012). At the conclusion of the webcast, the winners of a month-long social media fueled “Get and Give” contest will be announced, including the winner of a Kindle Fire and $250 donated to the winner’s charity of choice. Join Austin on the evening of Thursday, September 6th as he shares about his own experiences and encourages others to conquers their fears and “live to give”. Austin will also be taking audience questions and interacting with participants. PLUS – there will be several “Live to Give” giveaways – books, gift certificates and much more! RSVP today and tell your friends. Based on the John 6 story of Jesus feeding the 5000, in “Live to Give” Gutwein challenges his readers that regardless of age and talent, God can use them to make a difference. Even though God could take care of everything Himself and doesn’t really need our help, He desperately WANTS us to help Him care for others. Gutwein walks young people through discovering and embracing their unique God-given strengths and abilities, then figuring out how to use those talents to help others. Sometimes doing that takes a leap of faith on our part, and often becoming fearless in the process. More about Austin: At eighteen years old, Gutwein speaks with wisdom and has the experience to reinforce his message. When Austin was just nine years old, he watched a video that showed children in Africa who had lost their parents to AIDS. Gutwein realized these kids weren’t any different from him—except they were suffering. Feeling called to help, he took his love of basketball and decided to shoot free throws to raise money for orphans in Zambia. On World AIDS Day in 2004, he shot 2,057 free throws to represent the 2,057 kids who would be orphaned during his day at school. Through sponsorship from parents and friends, Gutwein raised over $3,000 that day to give hope to eight orphans in Zambia. Over the past eight years, Gutwein’s efforts have created Hoops of Hope, the largest free throw marathon in the world. With an estimated 40,000 people in more than 25 countries participating, Hoops of Hope has raised more than $2.5 million to build schools, medical clinics, dormitories for orphanages, and the only computer lab in Zambia. Enter to win a Kindle Fire and have $250 donated to your favorite charity. Click for the banner for details and entry or visit http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/13528976/livetogive. Learn more about Austin and Hoops of Hope at www.AustinGutwein.com and www.HoopsOfHope.org.