Everyday Matters Bible for Women - Review

How does one review a Bible? It's not a stretch to say, "This book will be life changing! It's the best book I've ever read." But no, I'm not reviewing the contents of the Bible, rather the features of this Everyday Matters Bible for Women (NLT). 

This is a beautiful Bible and would make a wonderful gift for a woman in your life. It is a hardback bound Bible, with a dust jacket that matches the hard cover. It has a beautiful blue cover, with pink flowers on the front, and my favorite little feature, a hot pink bookmark!

But beyond the cover, this Bible offers so much more. It features twenty-four disciplines—or practices—that position us to receive power and strength to do those things that we cannot possibly do on our own and make everyday life fuller and deeper. Each discipline is represented by a colorful icon whose illustration is a reminder of its meaning.

The contemporary language of the New Living Translation combines with content from today’s foremost Christian leaders to help readers understand and apply spiritual discipline.

Every discipline is explored in four ways:

• Everyday Matters. Two-page articles introduce major themes and focus on an essential part of understanding and practicing a discipline.
• Everyday Profiles. Profiles of twenty-five Biblical women highlight a particular discipline.
• Everyday Q & A’s. Short articles delve into a difficult aspect of the spiritual practice and offer practical help on incorporating the discipline into your daily life.
• Everyday Reflections. Selections illustrate ways to personalize and apply God’s Word to your own situation.

More than 300 articles and features by more than 140 of today’s most well-known Christian leaders and writers, including: Kay Warren, Priscilla Shirer, Elisa Morgan, Nancy & John Ortberg, Richard Foster, Liz Curtis Higgs, and Lauren Winner.

Special Features include . . .
• 4-color throughout
• Color-coded icons identify each Spiritual Discipline addressed in contributors’ material
• How to Use This Bible in a Small Group Study 

 The only negative about the Bible is that the Chapter names are printed on each page in a pale gray font. Because the names are not prominent in a dark font, it would make navigating the chapters difficult for someone who is not familiar with the layout of the Bible. 

Overall, I give the Everyday Matters Bible for Women 4 out of 5 stars.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com

Filled Up and Prayed Up

'Tis the season for family events, and lots of them. Most of the time family events are wonderful. Still, sometimes they can leave you feeling stressed and sad if you don't have the "perfect" family. (Who does?) Unmet expectations, and baggage from our past are dragged into the "fun, festive" events of the season, making for some rough interactions. But I've learned a secret.  If I'm filled up and prayed up - I don't get fed up!

Filled up is simple. I don't look to my extended family to define my worth. So what if they make that little jab, don't notice all the hard work I did preparing, or don't like the gift that I thought they'd love. I have filled up my "love tank" with my value through God's eyes. These are just a few the verses I fill up with, but you should pick your own.

"Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." Psalm 27:10

"The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will 

take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, 

but will rejoice over you with singing” Zephaniah 3:17

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

God’s special possession...." 2 Peter 2:9

Second I make sure I am prayed up. Before an event, I spend special time in prayer. I ask God to guard my mouth against saying anything to hurt any of my family, and to guard my heart against harmful words that may be aimed at me, intentionally or unintentionally.  I pray for my family members to not be hurt as well. I pray that I may remain an adult, and not revert back to childhood family dynamics. I pray.

Now, I truly enjoy family events...usually. But even when I am weary, I am no longer hurt. Because I know who I am and who I am no longer. I am a daughter of the King of Kings...and He thinks I am to die for!

Why not try getting filled up and prayed up before you next family event?  It truly makes a difference, and you'll discover when you're filled up and prayed up, you won't get fed up and let down.

Kelly Combs is a Christian wife, mom, writer and speaker. You can learn about Kelly by visiting her website at www.kellycombs.com